Just picked up an 88 Dak 3.9, 5spd. Would like to swap in a 360 and 727. Anyone done this? Thinking maybe early electronic ignition, and carb. Any problems I should be aware of? Will the rear end hold up? Looking for a fun parts chaser.

i think you will have fan/radiator clearence problems. the first generation shelby dakotas were the only ones to have v8`s and they used electric fans. the 2nd gen. dakotas got a restyled grill/frontend to fit a v8. the rear in the 87 i had didn`t hold up to the stock v6, the carrier bearings went bad. i might have just had a bad rear from the start though.

I swapped my 89 to a 408 and 727. I used Schumaker motor mount and trans mount kit top do the swap. I also completely removed the electronic computer and things like that. I used MSD ignition and a set od shorty headers until I found a set of long tube headers. I run a stock V-6 radiator and a large pusher fan. You will also need to use a shorter steel water pump that exits on the drivers side. I plumbed mine under the balancer and over to the passenger side. This stays cool around town.

i built a 88 dakota with a 318/727 83/4 rear,i built this about 10 yrs ago.u can use the mopar ignition system,i originally did that then upgraded to a msd6al box.radiator will fit,i tucked mine up in the core support some,rear i would upgrade.i used a 67 b-body 8 3/4.u can use manifolds or have to build headers as no one makes them for that dakota anymore,hooker use too.heres some pics

drivers side mount. i used carboard for a template to get the correct angle.then transferred it to 1/4" plate had it bent and boxed it it.

passenger side mount

radiator pic from drivers side,4 core brass/copper radiator w/16" zirgo electric fan

radiator view from top looking down

If you do go with full length headers, you will have to drop the fuel tank. Summit still carries headers for this swap.

Check on the MOPAR ACTION website. They did the same thing. The project was called " Project Scat Dak".

Please explain what exactly you had to do to delete the computer and all the garbage...lol