How to swap 1990 dodge motor n tranny into 85 frame , what all needs to be done ??

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Kaiokenx77

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Saskatoon sk
Ram Year
1985 dodge d250, 1990 dodge - d250
Engine
318 ,
I have an original 318 motor in my 85 dodge about 280.000 plus kms
Motor finally bite the dust sadly , now i have a 1990 d250 fuel injected, what do i need to consider when doing and engine swap back from 1990 into the 85 ? Any thing i have to watch out for?
 

MTTSshow

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Maryland
Ram Year
1993/1976
Engine
Cummins
I could be wrong but it should be pretty straight forward, the magnum didn't come out until 1992 so every part should be interchangeable and you can run the same throttle body and parts off of your 85, or use the newer fuel system, (I don't know that they are different between those 2 years.)
I recommend pulling the whole front clip off if you can, just to make life easier, then get a ton of bags or cups, (I use plastic salsa tubs with lids) organize and label all of your hardware! Also, replace any wear items on the engine now, you'll be thankful later, Good luck!
 

u2slow

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BC, Canada
Ram Year
1993
Engine
Cummins 6BTA
The newer truck should have overdrive, electronic Speedo, and wiper controls move to the column. Makes most sense to use all the wiring, dash, column, ECM, driveshaft, etc.

Fwiw, I have a few '90 trucks and converting an '84 with one.
 

crazzywolfie

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under the truck
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81 93
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5.2
I would say it depends on what you want to do. Do you want to keep the tbi or go carbed. Either way you will likely need a electric fuel pump since the tbi engines don't usually have the correct cam to run a mechanical fuel pump.
 

reek

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Sacramento
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2015 RAM 2500 CC 4x4, 72 D100, 73 D100, 01 RAM 2500 field truck
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6.4 Hemi
As stated the motor should be an easy swap over, especially if you keep it carbureted. you'll need to swap over the top end and few other odds and ends. if you keep the newer motor intact, you'll have to do the EFI conversion. could be as "simple" as adding an inline pump and high pressure fuel lines. could also get pretty involved if you're trying to go all OEM parts. The EFI trucks have a different gas tank and a different rear cross member that the EFI tank straps to. that's IF you're going to swap in a newer tank with OEM efi / sending unit.

also, if swapping the trans to a newer OD 42/46rh, the trans mount and cross member is also different, as are the mounting points.
 

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