Engine Blown Replacement Questions

[Tryn2Survive]

Hello fellow Dodge owners. I have search the forum for hours on end and can't seem to find an answer to my questions. If anyone would be kind enough to give me some insight on this then I'd be very grateful.
I have an 07' Ram with the 5.7ltr Hemi. The engine has blown right at 100k miles. In my endeavor of finding an engine I've come across some issues. Every junkyard I've called states that only 06'-08' 5.7ltr engines will interchange but can't seem to give me a reason why the 02'-05' won't.
I understand that the newer engine is equipped with the MDS but are the engines different? I mean, can't I just take an older 5.7ltr engine and move all the components over to it from my 07' block?

My truck:
2007 Dodge Ram 5.7 4x4 Quad Cab

Thanks in advance,
Joe

 

[SmokedRam]

I think the block for the MDS engine has provisions for the MDS system that the NON MDS block doesnt have. But, I could be wrong.

 

[Belgiquebasterd]

That is correct, I have a 2003 engine and it has the provision for MDS. The mds system works through the valve lifters, in the mds style lifters using oil pressure, can be changed wich then changes the valve lift. I'm not 100% sure but I'm guessing the exhaust valve stays open a little bit with mds activated so the engine doesn't have to fight the compression on the cylinders that don't get ignition anymore.

On your block you'll have 4 solenoids (electric valves) wich activate the extra oil flow to the lifters for the mds system. You would need to swap those solenoids and the lifters from your old block (if they are not damaged offcourse) into your new non mds block.

This is a picture of the mds solenoid blanking plugs on my 2003 engine (4 whit plastic caps with metal retainer plates in centre of picture), if you remove your intake on your block you'll see the mds solenoids instead of the blanking plugs like in the picture.



Left one is a non MDS lifter, right one is a mds lifter (the hole in the lifter allows the lifters internal oil pressure to be changend, oil flow to this hole is activated through the solenoid)



Disclaimer, this is all stuff I learned when rebuilding my 2003 engine, I haven't actually swapped mds parts to a non mds block, maybe you would also need different pushrods and other stuff? I'm sure someone else will have an answer for this.

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Nope the rods stay the same when he changes over to the other packs. What failure did you have on the 07 motor? Could do a rebuild as long as the block is in shape. The models your gonna look for is from 03-08 for a replacement if you want to just do a swap. The only thing is if you get an 03 the front pass head does not have the EGR provision.

 

[Tryn2Survive]

Thanks guys. I was wondering if and how it would work. I can buy an 04' 5.7 for $1,100.00(85k) or an 07' for $2,000.00(54k) and I was curious as to why $900.00 difference other than mileage.
My engine has holes in 2 pistons and the spark plug tips on those were obliterated. I found pieces of them in the oil pan.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Newer engine (also mileage dependent). Any 03-08 block will work, it was originally designed even back then to be capable of cylinder shutoff, they just didn't put it in to practice until 2005. Mopar figured back then there was no point putting it in a truck engine.

 

[Tryn2Survive]

Thanks guys.
I've encountered a new problem now though. I didn't buy the older motor because the hassle of switching everything and the newer engine they tell me won't work. Every junkyard I call tells me there's a difference between a 2x4, 4x4 reg cab, 4x4 quad cab, and 4x4 mega cab 5.7ltr. I have a 2007 4x4 Quad cab Vin "2".
So does anyone know why the regular cab and mega cab engines are different?
I was under the impression that as long as it had the MDS then I was fine but they all tell me the engine won't work.

 

[Tryn2Survive]

Nope the rods stay the same when he changes over to the other packs. What failure did you have on the 07 motor? Could do a rebuild as long as the block is in shape. The models your gonna look for is from 03-08 for a replacement if you want to just do a swap. The only thing is if you get an 03 the front pass head does not have the EGR provision.

I bought the truck with the engine blown. The guy told me that it needed two pistons. He said the timing tensioners broke and two pistons slapped the spark plugs putting small holes in them. He claimed to have used a camera to inspect the cylinders and heads. I thought maybe he might be telling the truth because I drove the truck into my garage(100ft or so from where rollback dropped it off).
He was full of %^\+ because all but 4 pistons are busted and heads are beat up. Amazingly enough he did put a new timing chain in it and it ran without any noises but smoked like it was on fire! All in all I should've known better!

 

[03MopaRamman]

As I read to the end I was gonna mention how important it is to Change your 16$ tensioner or timing set as the bakelite wears out, I am only still running strong at 268,000 KM because I found the damaged one in time. Aside from the great advise already given, IMO you need an 06 Hemi engine from any truck and the only thing I can see that might change between a 2 or 4WD would maybe be the Oil pickup tube and or Oil Pan.

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Want to say the pans are the same in the trucks. They are alill diff on the cars and jeeps though. My block was out of an 06 300c and was a straight forward swap. If you do a rebuild on your motor your gonna need the stock heads worked or just but a set of performance heads, new pistons and rods, get the crank checked along with the block. The intake will prob have some metal in that also so wash it out throughly with a hose then let air dry. New oil pump would also be at the top of the list for a rebuild.

 

[Tryn2Survive]

Update!

Hello all!
My journey to replace my 5.7 Hemi is over. After calling every junkyard/salvage yard in Ohio I was exhausted. Every yard I called told me the only engine that would work was a 5.7 out of a 1500 4x4 extended cab 06'-08'. Well they were wrong! I bought an 08' 5.7 out of a 2500 w/ 3200 miles on it and delivered for $1600.00 vs $2500 at a yard. Took a chance with Craigslist and got lucky!(shewwww)
Here were the only differences I found during the 6 hour swap(First time so it took me awhile)...
07' Ram 5.7 1500 vs 08' Ram 2500 5.7 Engine swap
Cam Shaft Sensor
Oil Temperature Sensor
Oil Filter

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Sounds good, while you got it on a stand could always slip in a cam

 

[HemiLonestar]

Sounds good, while you got it on a stand could always slip in a cam

 

[agslater]

Want to say the pans are the same in the trucks. They are alill diff on the cars and jeeps though. My block was out of an 06 300c and was a straight forward swap. If you do a rebuild on your motor your gonna need the stock heads worked or just but a set of performance heads, new pistons and rods, get the crank checked along with the block. The intake will prob have some metal in that also so wash it out throughly with a hose then let air dry. New oil pump would also be at the top of the list for a rebuild.

So would a 5.7L Hemi out of a 300 fit into an ‘07 Ram?

Thanks a lot