318 to 1st gen. 12 valve

JRC85RC · 11-03-2009, 05:47 PM

I have a 1985 RC with a 318 and im wanting to swap out the motor with a 1st gen 12valve. ive looked into parts and the flex plate/tranny mounts are the same as the ones on my truck now what else would i need to do in order for this swap to work? NEED SERIOUS HELP ON THIS ONE...

Philip · 11-03-2009, 10:05 PM

There is nothing in the gasser drive train that you would use. The trans and transfer case won't work. The front axle is to light of duty for the 12 valve. Which ever rear axle it has is most likely border line.

For this swap you would be better off getting a complete 1st gen donor truck.

__________________
93 W350 w/duals, fuel pin turned, 6X.018" injectors, 4" exhaust, 3" air intake horn, Super HX40/16, auto, 3:07's axles, 2" skyjacker lift, B&W flatbed

JRC85RC · 11-03-2009, 10:25 PM

what should i look for in a good doner truck? ive heard that between the first and second gens that it was just a matter of a larger turbo and i would much rather get the best for the bucks. so what motor would u recomend

jason · 11-03-2009, 11:10 PM

If your going to do all this work I would put a 94-98 12 valve in it. You'll need the front and rear end, tranny, trans case, cross member a welder and some scrap iron. Driveshafts from the diesel need to be used but you'll have to get them cut about about a foot off and rebalanced.

__________________
2000,4x4, quad, 315procompAT's, XZT+ to big hoss level 5,banks high ram,banks wastegate,100hp injectors,4"tbe,TAG,ranch hand bull nose,leveling kit, auto with hughes perf. TC and VB,pillar gauges- trans,pyro,boost,fuel press, BHAF, 2 LP's @28psi

Philip · 11-03-2009, 11:20 PM

When you go out and buy every part one at a time. That adds up to more than a complete vehicle would cost.

Look in the classified adds on this site. Truck for sale 1st gen.

This one is a perfect donor. It is 4x4 with an auto.

1989 ram 2500 cummins td 4x4 $1000.00

__________________
93 W350 w/duals, fuel pin turned, 6X.018" injectors, 4" exhaust, 3" air intake horn, Super HX40/16, auto, 3:07's axles, 2" skyjacker lift, B&W flatbed

BigSkyCountry · 11-04-2009, 01:23 AM

It is a bear of a project! I’ve been working on and off on mine for a little over a year and have found that a lack of funds will be the biggest delay. I’m working on turning my ’82 1 ton club cab into a CTD. I got a donor truck that had been rolled and started swapping the heavy duty parts over. Like Philip said, nothing on the old gasser can be used, it is too weak to hold up. I’m swapping the front and rear ends, tranny, transfer case and more. The benefit of using a 1st gen is that the mounts match up pretty well, I haven't had to cut and weld anything so far but that will change with the driveshaft problems.

JRC85RC · 11-04-2009, 11:09 AM

well i happen to only be 19 years old and frankly it seems like i may be getting in over my head...would it be a more wise decision to just look for a decent w250 that is ready to go? By the way i really appreciate all your opinions its been a bear to find people who truly know what they talk about.

khaoskustoms · 11-04-2009, 11:14 AM

Yes, sometimes you can be money ahead by just buying the truck you want. As long as the truck you want came from the factory that way. Me, I want an 80's Crew Cab 4x4, Common Rail power, and either 2nd or 3rd gen suspension. Obviously, it will take alot of money and time to do that.

__________________
1994 Dodge Dakota Ext Cab 4x4. 4BTA Cummins, 15.09 @ 88mph 1/4 mile, 206hp @ 2700rpm and 446ft/lbs @2200rpm

11-03-2009, 05:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
JRC85RC Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts JRC85RC's Truck Pics	318 to 1st gen. 12 valve I have a 1985 RC with a 318 and im wanting to swap out the motor with a 1st gen 12valve. ive looked into parts and the flex plate/tranny mounts are the same as the ones on my truck now what else would i need to do in order for this swap to work? NEED SERIOUS HELP ON THIS ONE...

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11-03-2009, 10:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Philip 1ST GEN MODERATOR Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,115 Thanks: 2 Thanked 131 Times in 121 Posts Philip's Truck Pics	There is nothing in the gasser drive train that you would use. The trans and transfer case won't work. The front axle is to light of duty for the 12 valve. Which ever rear axle it has is most likely border line. For this swap you would be better off getting a complete 1st gen donor truck. __________________ 93 W350 w/duals, fuel pin turned, 6X.018" injectors, 4" exhaust, 3" air intake horn, Super HX40/16, auto, 3:07's axles, 2" skyjacker lift, B&W flatbed

11-03-2009, 10:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
JRC85RC Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts JRC85RC's Truck Pics	what should i look for in a good doner truck? ive heard that between the first and second gens that it was just a matter of a larger turbo and i would much rather get the best for the bucks. so what motor would u recomend

11-03-2009, 11:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
jason Diesel Freak Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 960 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts jason's Truck Pics	If your going to do all this work I would put a 94-98 12 valve in it. You'll need the front and rear end, tranny, trans case, cross member a welder and some scrap iron. Driveshafts from the diesel need to be used but you'll have to get them cut about about a foot off and rebalanced. __________________ 2000,4x4, quad, 315procompAT's, XZT+ to big hoss level 5,banks high ram,banks wastegate,100hp injectors,4"tbe,TAG,ranch hand bull nose,leveling kit, auto with hughes perf. TC and VB,pillar gauges- trans,pyro,boost,fuel press, BHAF, 2 LP's @28psi

11-03-2009, 11:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Philip 1ST GEN MODERATOR Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,115 Thanks: 2 Thanked 131 Times in 121 Posts Philip's Truck Pics	When you go out and buy every part one at a time. That adds up to more than a complete vehicle would cost. Look in the classified adds on this site. Truck for sale 1st gen. This one is a perfect donor. It is 4x4 with an auto. 1989 ram 2500 cummins td 4x4 $1000.00 __________________ 93 W350 w/duals, fuel pin turned, 6X.018" injectors, 4" exhaust, 3" air intake horn, Super HX40/16, auto, 3:07's axles, 2" skyjacker lift, B&W flatbed

11-04-2009, 01:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
BigSkyCountry Cummins Fan Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Dakota/Montana Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts BigSkyCountry's Truck Pics	It is a bear of a project! I’ve been working on and off on mine for a little over a year and have found that a lack of funds will be the biggest delay. I’m working on turning my ’82 1 ton club cab into a CTD. I got a donor truck that had been rolled and started swapping the heavy duty parts over. Like Philip said, nothing on the old gasser can be used, it is too weak to hold up. I’m swapping the front and rear ends, tranny, transfer case and more. The benefit of using a 1st gen is that the mounts match up pretty well, I haven't had to cut and weld anything so far but that will change with the driveshaft problems.

11-04-2009, 11:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
JRC85RC Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts JRC85RC's Truck Pics	well i happen to only be 19 years old and frankly it seems like i may be getting in over my head...would it be a more wise decision to just look for a decent w250 that is ready to go? By the way i really appreciate all your opinions its been a bear to find people who truly know what they talk about.

11-04-2009, 11:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
khaoskustoms Cummins Nut Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 369 Thanks: 1 Thanked 21 Times in 20 Posts khaoskustoms's Truck Pics	Yes, sometimes you can be money ahead by just buying the truck you want. As long as the truck you want came from the factory that way. Me, I want an 80's Crew Cab 4x4, Common Rail power, and either 2nd or 3rd gen suspension. Obviously, it will take alot of money and time to do that. __________________ 1994 Dodge Dakota Ext Cab 4x4. 4BTA Cummins, 15.09 @ 88mph 1/4 mile, 206hp @ 2700rpm and 446ft/lbs @2200rpm