cbreiter Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I have an '86 Dodge Ram 1/2 ton. It's got the 318 with a 727 torque-flight auto tranny. Rear end is a 9 1/4" with 3.08 gears (it originally had 2.95's, and was an 8 1/4"). The motor is starting to need s rebuild, and the carb (2 barrel holly) is less than ideal most of the time, with the crappy gas around it requires cleaning if it sits for 2 weeks. I was wondering if a 4.0 litre would be a good swap? Is there any adapters to mate it to my tranny, or special motor mounts? I have a parts '94 XJ with a 4.0 and an auto tranny. I just thought it might be a worthwhile swap. Has anyone attempted this before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellaheep Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Just putting a 4.0 engine in it is one thing....... but are you also wanting it to be fuel injected? That's a whole 'nuther situation. I say keep the 5.2, rebuild it, get a rebuilt carb or, better yet, a mild cam, Edelbrock 4bbl intake and carb set and a GOOD fuel filtration system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue XJ Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I would get a new intake and carb for it, would be much cheaper and easier than swapping in a fuel injected 4.0. I have a quadrajet on one car, once it is fine tuned, it works perfectly, and I have a Holley from the 60's on another, which also gives me no issues. Both of these cars sit 350+ days a year and get maybe 500 miles on them a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Non ethanol fuel and fuel stabilizer would help out too especially if it sits a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 All that comes to mind is, anemic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 If I was going to go to all the trouble to swap something I would go ls 5.3/4l60. I can't see doing all that work for a 4.0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 It was just an idea seeing as how I have the 4.0 sitting around. I just thought the 4.0 would bump my power and fuel economy up, and yes, I'd want to stay with the fuel injection. I do put fuel stabilizer in, but it seems like the car. Still has issues, I also run two fuel filters on it. I actually would prefer to use my comanche for my main truck, but I don't know it would handle my 200 gallon water tank. I really do appreciate the input on this though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 Oh, and the only non ethanol fuel available in my area is premium fuel, which is quite a bit more per litre. I know quadrajets are great! I have one on my 5.0 firebird, and I get 30+ mpg (Canadian gallons). Makes me think twice about putting the 383 stroker I've been building for it into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hick92 Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 What year firebird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted November 14, 2014 Author Share Posted November 14, 2014 It's an '83 with a 305, 4 barrel, 700r4 auto tranny, and a 3.45 posi rear end, oh has t-tops too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 :drool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted November 14, 2014 Author Share Posted November 14, 2014 I'm missing a few parts to make the car complete, but it's getting there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hick92 Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Nice always loved 3rd gens been thinking of getting one really like the z28's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted November 14, 2014 Author Share Posted November 14, 2014 They are nice, but can eat up a lot of money in a hurry, lol. The pop up lights look nice, but can be major pain to fix. Leaky t-tops is usually the nature of the beast until you replace the weather stripping too. If you're looking at one, make sure the steering box doesn't rock too much, it's a weak point in these cars. If driven too hard the frame fatigues there and will flex a lot. Some of the cars had extra bracing to fix that, but others didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Z-28s don't that headlight issue :D I agree on the leaky t-tops though. and be careful about saggy doors. my father has a nice 83 Z28 HO. great little toy. :yes: I agree with the others and would just replace the carb. when it comes to hauling, more cubic inches is better. I'm going to go with my standard phrase: just because it's a good deal, doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hick92 Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Yeah saggy doors are a problem but they weigh over 100lbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted November 15, 2014 Author Share Posted November 15, 2014 Alright. I'll see if I can get a better carb for it. And yes those doors are massive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 All that comes to mind is, anemic. You might be surprised. An HO 4.0 has 45 more horsepower (190-145) while only giving up 15 in TQ ( 225-240) when compared to that 318. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I don't think its gonna suprise anyone without some work. 4.0l HO with an auto in a full size truck with 3.08 gears would be a dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 It probably wouldn't help that I run 31's on the truck either, at least for making it less of a dog anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 It was just an idea seeing as how I have the 4.0 sitting around. :peek: Would perhaps be interested in knowing more about this thing you have sitting around... You would perhaps be wiling to part with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbreiter Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 What do you want to know about it? PM me for more details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 I don't think its gonna suprise anyone without some work. 4.0l HO with an auto in a full size truck with 3.08 gears would be a dog. That may well be. But with 45 more HP and only giving up 15 #/' (lb-ft-thanks gogmorgo) of tq it appears that the truck may be less of a dog with a 4.0/ AW4 4 speed auto then it was with the factory 318/727 3 speed auto as swapping in the jeep tranny makes more sense than trying to adapt the Mopar patterned 727. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Nit-picking here, but #/' is a totally inappropriate way to represent lb-ft. It's a multiplication, not a division. ...Yeah I've got problems... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Nit-picking here, but #/' is a totally inappropriate way to represent lb-ft. It's a multiplication, not a division. ...Yeah I've got problems... i will try to remember that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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