- Joined
- Sep 12, 2020
- Posts
- 45
- Reaction score
- 16
- Location
- Richardson, TX
- Ram Year
- 2005 & 2014
- Engine
- 3.7 & 3.0 EcoDiesel
Evening fellas,
Firstly, let me start out by stating that I just purchased this truck and I am not the person who decided to abuse the engine to the point of seizing it up. With that said, I just picked up this '05 Ram shortbed 2WD with the 3.7L today knowing that, more than likely, the engine is a goner, but I wanted a winter project and true-be-told, it's a (nearly) mirror image of the truck I had in college (though it had the 4.7L) and I've always regretted selling it. Sadly, this one is not in nearly as good of shape, but I'll fix the cosmetic issues after I sort out the engine situation.
So getting to the reason of my post - I'm looking for some advice from those more knowledgeable on this generation of Rams than I am. I've been reading these forums and elsewhere on the internet for the past several days and I've come up with a few different courses of action that I would appreciate some feedback on.
Option 1: Do a big of a post-mortem on the current 3.7L engine. All I have is the word of the seller that the engine is seized and that it did so because it overheated. That said, I did pick it up at mechanic's shop where they had stated that they wanted it out of their lot asap, so that does lend credence to the seller's claims.
So what I'm thinking that I need to do it a little bit of investigation of my own; inspect the block for any signs of cracks/catastrophic issues, pull the plugs and look in at the pistons, look at the oil to see if there is water incursion, etc etc. Basically, see if I can free it up, and if I can, try to get it start and listen for the "bad noises" and make a decision from there.
Option 2: Say forget it with this engine as it's likely that any engine that has gotten hot enough to physically seize (assuming it didn't seize due to mechanical failure) is likely to have a number of issues from warped heads, destroyed seals or bearings, etc. So basically, look for a decent, used 3.7L from a salvage yard and do a 1 for 1 swap.
Option 3: Pull this engine and (assuming nothing mechanically failed and destroyed it) rebuild this engine with a rebuild kit after getting the block and heads done at City Motor Supply (local here in Dallas, TX) OR just buy a rebuilt long-block from City Motor Supply (still trying to get pricing on that from them, however)
Option 4: Same as Option 2, but replace the engine with a 4.7L V-8. From my reading, I know that I'd need the ECM out of a 4.7L truck as well as the engine harness. What I'm still not clear on though is; do I also need the engine mounts from the 4.7L? What about the fan shroud or airbox? Anything else needed besides just the ECM and the engine harness? Those are about the only things I've seen noted on each thread, but I have to think there is more to it than just those two items. The two engines can both bolt right up to the current transmission in the truck, correct?
Truthfully, I'm really leaning towards Option 2 or 4, but my only real hesitation is that I hate the idea of buying a used engine with a completely unknown history and unknown problems. I will grant that if I get one of these engines used that I can replace the timing chains, lifters, etc. before I drop it in the truck, but I still have reservations. I'm hoping some of you with more experience doing this can give me some advice and help alleviate some of my fears with this route.
Anyway, I apologize for the long post, but greatly appreciate any advice that you can offer and look forward to tackling this project, regardless of what route I end up going.
S/F,
-Matt
Firstly, let me start out by stating that I just purchased this truck and I am not the person who decided to abuse the engine to the point of seizing it up. With that said, I just picked up this '05 Ram shortbed 2WD with the 3.7L today knowing that, more than likely, the engine is a goner, but I wanted a winter project and true-be-told, it's a (nearly) mirror image of the truck I had in college (though it had the 4.7L) and I've always regretted selling it. Sadly, this one is not in nearly as good of shape, but I'll fix the cosmetic issues after I sort out the engine situation.
So getting to the reason of my post - I'm looking for some advice from those more knowledgeable on this generation of Rams than I am. I've been reading these forums and elsewhere on the internet for the past several days and I've come up with a few different courses of action that I would appreciate some feedback on.
Option 1: Do a big of a post-mortem on the current 3.7L engine. All I have is the word of the seller that the engine is seized and that it did so because it overheated. That said, I did pick it up at mechanic's shop where they had stated that they wanted it out of their lot asap, so that does lend credence to the seller's claims.
So what I'm thinking that I need to do it a little bit of investigation of my own; inspect the block for any signs of cracks/catastrophic issues, pull the plugs and look in at the pistons, look at the oil to see if there is water incursion, etc etc. Basically, see if I can free it up, and if I can, try to get it start and listen for the "bad noises" and make a decision from there.
Option 2: Say forget it with this engine as it's likely that any engine that has gotten hot enough to physically seize (assuming it didn't seize due to mechanical failure) is likely to have a number of issues from warped heads, destroyed seals or bearings, etc. So basically, look for a decent, used 3.7L from a salvage yard and do a 1 for 1 swap.
Option 3: Pull this engine and (assuming nothing mechanically failed and destroyed it) rebuild this engine with a rebuild kit after getting the block and heads done at City Motor Supply (local here in Dallas, TX) OR just buy a rebuilt long-block from City Motor Supply (still trying to get pricing on that from them, however)
Option 4: Same as Option 2, but replace the engine with a 4.7L V-8. From my reading, I know that I'd need the ECM out of a 4.7L truck as well as the engine harness. What I'm still not clear on though is; do I also need the engine mounts from the 4.7L? What about the fan shroud or airbox? Anything else needed besides just the ECM and the engine harness? Those are about the only things I've seen noted on each thread, but I have to think there is more to it than just those two items. The two engines can both bolt right up to the current transmission in the truck, correct?
Truthfully, I'm really leaning towards Option 2 or 4, but my only real hesitation is that I hate the idea of buying a used engine with a completely unknown history and unknown problems. I will grant that if I get one of these engines used that I can replace the timing chains, lifters, etc. before I drop it in the truck, but I still have reservations. I'm hoping some of you with more experience doing this can give me some advice and help alleviate some of my fears with this route.
Anyway, I apologize for the long post, but greatly appreciate any advice that you can offer and look forward to tackling this project, regardless of what route I end up going.
S/F,
-Matt