Compatibility with a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, 318 motor with a 2000 Dodge Durango, 318

[Big Bubba]

Hello IBoaters,
I have a question for you. I have found a 318, V-8 motor(Mileage 83,000) off a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 for a good price off CraigsList. Will that motor fit inside a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT o.k. or will it not fit at all. Please respond soon becuase I want to go pick it up tomorrow afternoon. Thank you Bob

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Compatibility with a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, 318 motor with a 2000 Dodge Durango, 31

And Yes, the motor is in Great!!! running condition.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Compatibility with a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, 318 motor with a 2000 Dodge Durango, 31

I am assuming that your 2000 Durango had a 5.2 (that's what Dodge calls the 318 in modern times)? If so, that one from a 1996 will fit, cause it's the same basic motor. Now, I am no Dodge expert, so I don't know if they changed heads or intakes or any other accessories in between those years. (My gut tells me that they didn't) If you go to a website like LKQCorp.com, they may have an actual interchangeability chart or reference for your engine.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Compatibility with a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, 318 motor with a 2000 Dodge Durango, 31

Should fit with no problem at all, but you might have to change some sensors and such, due to changes in emissions and computers, but the bare engines should be the same.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Compatibility with a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, 318 motor with a 2000 Dodge Durango, 31

Be advised that the 1996 and up 5.2 has issues with the plenum plate on the underside of the intake. The issue is that the plate is steel and the intake in aluminum. As you know steel and aluminum react to heat differently and this causes the gasket between the two to fail and your engine will use oil like there is no tomorrow, it will cause a spark knock that will make you think your engine is about to pitch a rod through the side of the block. I know I have a 1999 durango with a 5.2 in it and have replaced that gasket 3 time with the last time being a Hughes kit which replaces the steel plate with a quarter inch thick aluminum plate....problem solved no more oil useage, no more spark knock and the engine has 175K miles on it.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Compatibility with a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, 318 motor with a 2000 Dodge Durango, 31

Now I have a completely stock 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 5.2 Liter in it and have never had the knock, ping oil use problem with it and I just turned 190K on it today, and it lives in an extreme environment, it was 13 below this morning when I started her up..but again, I have never had any problems with my 1996 5.2 liter..

 

[ehenry]

Re: Compatibility with a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, 318 motor with a 2000 Dodge Durango, 31

MT, I guess you're one of the lucky ones and things are different in "The Rockies". What I described is a known, well documented problem with the Magnum V8's.

What caused the engine failure in Big Bubba's 2000 Durango?

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Compatibility with a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, 318 motor with a 2000 Dodge Durango, 31

ehenry,

I am pretty sure my location has nothing to do with how it has worked out for me with my 5.2 liter, but it always helps to throw a little sarcasm in when your trying to prove a point. I am aware of the documented problems with the motor, I just happen to be one that has not had those problems.. Now take into account, I did not say they don't exist, I simply stated my history with this motor, your mileage of course may vary and based on your post, apparently has.. and of course, mine is not considered a magnum version of this motor, so perhaps that is where the difference is. Again, I am aware of the problems the 5.2 liter has had, a buddy of mine is the Shop Foreman at the local Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealership..

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Compatibility with a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, 318 motor with a 2000 Dodge Durango, 31

We'll everyone I just brought a Marshall, Remanufactured long block, http://www.partstrain.com/store/det..._Block/2000/SLT/8_Cyl_5-dot-2L/MEIC3188C.html for my 2000 Dodge Durango hope this is a good remanufactured motor. Thanks, Bob

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: Compatibility with a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500, 318 motor with a 2000 Dodge Durango, 31

It is a very well known fact that at one point the plenum gasket will fail on every Magnum V8 engine there is. Both the 360's and the 318's (5.9L/5.2L). It will cause loss of power,poor mileage,oil consumption and depending on where the gasket fails it can cause coolant to mix with your oil and the end result of that is usually a spun main bearing (catastrophic failure). Even with that problem, I still love my 360. My truck isn't happy unless it's towing something.