Author Topic: 89 Ramcharger Engine Swap (Read 2993 times)

GusChiggins86 · « **on:** May 19, 2020, 04:00:15 pm »

Howdy Folks,

After many years as a little more than a 5000 lb paperweight, I am getting around to upgrading my 1989 Ramcharger from a slug to, …something less slug like. My plan is pull the old 318, tear it down some for inspection, then likely replace it with a new 360 magnum or 408 magnum stroker. I figured this would be a good home project this summer.

Goal:
Nice reliable hobby truck suitable for city/highway/light offloading that has some grunt it has lacked. I think something at least 300+hp would knock my socks off compared to my current powerplant. Maybe some infrequent towing as well. I wouldn't mind driving it 2-3 Days a week after all this work.

The original stock configuration:

318 LA
Compression Ratio:   9:1
Camshaft:     Stock
Lift:     0.391"/0.391"
Duration:     240°/248°
Intake Manifold:     Stock
Fuel Supply:     '89 TBI
Peak HP (net):     170 @ 4000rpm
Peak Torque (ft-lbs):   280 @ 2000rpm

RamChargerCentral

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2020, 04:05:16 pm »

First Off, a Compression/Leakoff Test for the stock 318.

The results showed that I had two cylinders that with significant leakoff.

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2020, 04:18:46 pm »

Then proceeded w/engine removal.

Basic Steps:

1. Read up.

2. Clean out the garage (wife loves this part).

3. Photograph/Label all those mysterious hoses,wire,etc.

4. Go about unbolting gobs of heavy, grimy, chunks of metal. (Constantly referring to Factory Service Manual &
Haynes Repair Book)

5. Unbolt Engine from Transmission Bellhousing.

6. Rigged up Engine Hoist & invited friend over to help.

7. Wrassle with engine for over an hour before realizing I forgot one bolt (Doh!)

8. Pull Engine easily after that.

9. And there was much rejoicing!

dodge82273 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2020, 05:44:46 pm »

please note a few things about the L/A v/s MAG motors . the flat belt mag system timing cover is much better sealed , but cant run a mechanical fuel pump ( so ?) the 360 mag uses its pcm and crank sensor to control timming , which is a large part of its improved horsepower , so putting a carb, or squirt on a mag you loose that advantage. after doing a carb /mag , I'd rewire the truck and run full mag systems next time . I have a '93 360 and it has loads more power stock than the bored/cammed/carbed mag which will haul ass too but ... just sayin ...

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2020, 07:28:17 pm »

Thanks for the advice,

I was figuring that since whatever engine I change to would not jive with the ‘89 TBI & computer, I would need to see to that as well. I’m thinking of running a Holley Sniper EFI to solve those issues. It also run off an electric fuel pump. All together it seems like a good solution to replace the stock setup.

dodge82273 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2020, 09:33:17 pm »

you don't get the benefit of the mag's timing controll with out the mag wiring and pcm if you use a squirter . You can't run the crank sensor with out the mag pcm and wiring , if you do install the mags wiring , there's no need for the sniper squirter

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 3, 2020, 11:50:07 am »

So I now have the old LA 318 out and have been cleaning up the engine bay. What a difference a little wipe down makes!

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 3, 2020, 12:03:18 pm »

Next up, I figured now would be a good time to grind off the existing frame rust and repaint the frame.

After some time on the grinder, I was pleasantly surprised that what I thought were the worst looking spots on the frame weren't quite as bad as I they looked. Turns out what appeared to be significant frame rustage was actually mostly caked on Oklahoma red dirt (which is basically made of rust). So I've knocked off as much surface rust as I can manage to reach, and will be repainting over that w/Rust Encapsulator paint.

Rear Bumper Aside:
-A ran to the junkyard looking for some rear bumper brackets (no luck), but I did see '86 & '87 stand alone cruise control modules, and I think I will snag one in case my '89 SMEC wont work alongside the Sniper EFI.

jerseybud · « **Reply #8 on:** June 3, 2020, 12:41:04 pm »

rust encapsulator MUST be topcoated. Its just a really good (not great) primer in reality. But not as good as a 2k epoxy primer

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 3, 2020, 12:47:11 pm »

Jerseybud,

From Eastwoods' website FAQs:

"Does this product have to be top coated? – All Rust Encapsulator products are UV resistant and do not need to be top coated."

I guess you've found otherwise?

jerseybud · « **Reply #10 on:** June 7, 2020, 08:00:41 pm »

In 2005 I put eastwoods rust encapsulator on the frame of the 88. It was gone withing 2 years.

In 2012 I put ERE on a section of the 93 frame, then a catalyzed auto paint and clear coat. That is still there and aged better than there rust convertor which is a joke.

If you want 1 coat protection I highly recommend fanatical surface prep and epoxy primer

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 8, 2020, 04:14:43 pm »

This past week I:

-Applied 1 coat of Rust Encapsulator (Maybe another coat later)

-Dropped the fuel tank and replaced the stock fuel pump with a 60psi Holley EFI pump

-Pulled the stock 5/16" fuel supply/return lines, and installed new 3/8'" hardlines & fuel filter up to the engine bay. For the time being, I plumbed a "U Turn" into the supply & return lines w/a rubber fuel hose to function test the pump. It Worked!

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 9, 2020, 12:38:49 pm »

While waiting for the new engine to arrive I have tackled a few other parts of the project.

I have installed a tachometer & vacuum gauge (at the expense of the "Message Center"). I have a friend w/a 3D printer that made a new panel to fit the 2 new gauges. He used the original Message Center panel as a guide so the screw holes/dimensions were all just right. Pretty neat!

pc1p · « **Reply #13 on:** July 13, 2020, 11:07:30 am »

408's are fun in a RC

https://ramchargercentral.com/projects/pc1p's-1993-ramcharger-le-1ton-build/

Still working on the tune and OBD-II conversion but even with the factory ECM, it's 10x more fun to drive vs stock and make me disappointed every time I mash the gas in my Jeep or wife's Grand Cherokee.

As others have said though, the factory EFI on the Magnum's is a solid performer and worthwhile to add to your rig. Converting from TBI to Magnum MPFI isn't as hard as it sounds. Here's how I did my '90 W150: https://ramchargercentral.com/projects/pc1p's-1990-w1ton50-rcsb-restomod/msg3470850/#msg3470850

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2020, 08:14:06 am »

I'm looking forward to it! Engine should arrive in about a month.

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 1, 2020, 04:02:43 pm »

Engine has arrived!

It came as a mostly assembled short block. I've installed the heads and done some touch up painting, but I still need to preload lifters, install the intake, valve covers, & EFI before it goes back in the truck. I also still need take a quick look under the hood to see if there's anything left to do in there before it gets a lot more cramped.

dodge82273 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 2, 2020, 01:42:41 am »

don't forget the lifter "keepers" so they can't turn around in their bores

Mopar572 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 2, 2020, 08:41:07 am »

Quote from: GusChiggins86 on October 1, 2020, 04:02:43 pm

Engine has arrived!

It came as a mostly assembled short block. I've installed the heads and done some touch up painting, but I still need to preload lifters, install the intake, valve covers, & EFI before it goes back in the truck. I also still need take a quick look under the hood to see if there's anything left to do in there before it gets a lot more cramped.

What is it? Unless I missed something we went form removal to the new engine has arrived!

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 2, 2020, 08:48:34 am »

Well the Subject line does say "Swap".

The new engine is a rebuilt '95 360 Mangum block stroked to a 408.

Hydraulic Roller Camshaft 230*/234* 110*LSA

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 2, 2020, 08:50:25 am »

Quote from: dodge82273 on October 2, 2020, 01:42:41 am

don't forget the lifter "keepers" so they can't turn around in their bores

Mopar572 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 2, 2020, 10:18:06 am »

Well yes I know its an engine swap but I was saying you said "engine should arrive in a month" to new engine is here. Is it one you sourced and had a local machine shop do the work on? Purchased form a company that builds strokers?

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 2, 2020, 10:38:23 am »

I ordered the an assembled (level 2) Magnum short block from Hughes. They sourced the block (I didn't have a 360 block), cleaned it and installed a Scat 408 Stroker kit w/4.030" KB Pistons (9.4:1).

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 12, 2020, 09:09:23 am »

Just dropped in the new 408.

Lzed · « **Reply #23 on:** October 12, 2020, 09:21:01 am »

Quote from: GusChiggins86 on October 12, 2020, 09:09:23 am

Just dropped in the new 408.

Very awesome, I want to throw a 360 long block in my 89. I hear you have to change the torque converter though since they’re weighted differently from a 318.

Let us know how much of a difference this makes for the truck!

pc1p · « **Reply #24 on:** October 12, 2020, 12:05:06 pm »

Quote from: GusChiggins86 on October 12, 2020, 09:09:23 am

Just dropped in the new 408.

Awesome!

Just an FYI, you can run 2nd Gen shorty headers if you relocate your brake proportioning valve (or get a 92-93 valve and mount that gets bolted to the master cylinder bolts). This allows good routing around shifter linkage and around the bellhousing.

thegert · « **Reply #25 on:** October 12, 2020, 01:39:22 pm »

Man that 408 will be a lot of
Fun

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 12, 2020, 03:46:15 pm »

The nice thing about going from a 318 to 408 is that the rotating assembly is internally balanced, so you can use the same unweighted 318 hardware.

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 12, 2020, 04:45:42 pm »

These manifolds are just temporary to make up to the current exhaust. Once this thing is mobile, I'll tootle down to the exhaust shop and have them put on a pair of '92 Magnum manifolds I've picked up, along with some new pipes.

KurtfromLaQuinta · « **Reply #28 on:** October 12, 2020, 10:23:19 pm »

Nice job!

W_A_Watson_II · « **Reply #29 on:** October 13, 2020, 07:20:50 am »

Indeed very NICE. Just one point, the end "bolts" on those temporary manifolds need to be switched to stud's unless you intend on draining the antifreeze before doing a manifold swap after getting her running.

dodge82273 · « **Reply #30 on:** October 13, 2020, 10:21:04 am »

magnum heads ? end stud water ?

GusChiggins86 · « **Reply #31 on:** October 13, 2020, 04:45:53 pm »

Magnum heads.

Jeffy45 · « **Reply #32 on:** October 16, 2020, 07:23:48 am »

No water, on end holes of magnum heads

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Author Topic: 89 Ramcharger Engine Swap (Read 2993 times)