My old 74 Dodge truck is needing a fresh engine and I would like to swap the original 318 2bbl auto for a 5.2 Magnum. I have a the opportunity to buy a 99 model out of a Dakota. Any tips or tricks involving this swap?

keeping all the electronics/fuel injection?

make sure it still has the lugs for engine mounts on front of block.

IIRC later models did not get them only the mid mount bosses.

IIRC there may be a small issue bolting the old LA alt brackets to magnum heads. magnum is missing the bolt hole.

and of course an intake bolt pattern issue. airgap/crosswind ect.. work

swap out the dak oil pan for LA rear sump

supposed to be an easy swap for the most part and a great improvement in performance.

Thanks, hopefully I'm getting all the pulleys and necessary brackets with the engine, I'm planning on putting some EQ heads on it so I can use an LA intake...I assume balancing is the same on both engines...neutral?

You will need to find an LA 360 oil pan to put it in your truck. Both 5.2 and 5.9 Magnums require 360 oil pans, no matter if it's going in a car or truck. Keep the flex plate off of the Magnum and use it. I don't think the 5.2 has balancing weights on the flex plate like a 5.9, but it won't hurt to use it if your truck is an automatic. You will have to rat one torque converter bolt hole out, because unlike our old flex plates, the converter holes are symmetrical.

Good info, thanks

keeping fuel injection or going carb? intake needs a magnum bolt pattern.

make sure the later magnum block has the front mount/lugs on the block, they went away later models. IIRC

you want LA timing/pullys/brackets? it all swaps to magnum. alt mount? IIRC a hole maybe missing on end of head for LA mounting. not sure what the fix is here.

need a fuel pump extension kit from Hughes to run a mech FP eccentric on the short nose magnum roller cam behind the LA cover.

FYI..cam bolt/cup washer for magnum is short with no FP eccentric.

FYI.. to run a magnum cover on a LA engine/cam you grind the eccentric 1/2 the thickness and use LA bolt/washer/eccentric ** you clearance the mag cover to LA fp eccentric to fit.

or keep magnum serp belt/accessories PS pump hose end change to fit steer box

FYI..cam change? order up a long nose roller cam for mech FP/LA cover.

you can use a LA valve cove with 5 bolts on magnum head with 10 bolt holes FYI- fel pro has a 5 hole gasket for magnum head and LA cover.

dist. swaps LA to magnum no issues here

LA headers/mannys fit magnum head IIRC you cant use the magnum mannys in the LA/truck

I have a 2001 engine and it still has the old style mounting lugs.
Are you getting the engine free? Maybe the money spent changing over (for no gain) could be used to freshen and upgrade the 318.? Something to think about

IF you don't get all the brackets you need for alternator, I have modified alternator bracket with alternator for LA 318 swap to 5.9 Magnum that I ran for awhile. Fits well, lines up perfect and alternator had recent quality rebuild. PM me if needed. There was an issue with the head on the right side so the alt bracket had to be modified in order for me to do the swap. It wasn't a hack job either