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M37 engine swap

M37outlaw

New member
3
0
1
Location
Nephi, utah
I am new to this website and have found little informative on this but not enough. I would like to do an engine swap in a dodge m37 with something that i can use the original parts and as little modification as i can but be able to get a little better fuel millage and a more reliable engine for every day driving.
 

cucvmule

collector of stuff
1,129
552
113
Location
Crystal City Mo
Welcome, what year is your favorite Ride?

Do you have a running engine now and would want to work on it. Driving or using more will get rid of most problems after things like fuel system is addressed.

Or powerplant swap? 230 cubic inch, how about a 250 Canadian engine? You say fuel mileage, different size tires, axle swap? A little more on the parameters of your expectations. Again Welcome from Missouri.
 

OutpostM37

Member
76
50
18
Location
Goldfield, Az
M37outlaw:
There are lots of routes to go in your quest for more mileage and reliability, mostly depending on your wallet and how deep you want to get into it.
Baseline your engine to see where it is at. Compression test, cylinder leak back, oil pressure when hot, lots of things to consider.
You can perform a rebuild of your engine with an over bore of the cylinders.
There are several engines that will bolt up with some radiator location mods. The Canadian 251, or 265 come to mind.
These engines are considered 25" long, as apposed to the 23" 230 US engine.
Some on this site have changed out the Carburetor with good results for drivability and gas mileage.
Remember these vehicles came with 5.83 gearing, and do not like going much over 45mph, 3000 rpm.
Let us know what you find on your engine.
 

Karl kostman

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
2,283
836
113
Location
Fargo ND
M37 as far as reliability goes you do realize that engine was used for almost 35 years in everything from 1 ton Dodge Power Wagons to automobiles and about everything in between with great success! Like was mentioned you need to do some testing to see what condition the engine you have right now is in, outpostM37 had some very good advice there. Then I would look first at the fuel delivery system its old technology and when this truck was built they just gave gas away for free, it just didnt matter but that would be the first place I would look. You can look at the 250 Canadian engine and that will work just fine and JUST A LITTLE TINY BIT better than you 230 currently in the truck, BUT the engine is NOT your biggest problem with what your looking for its the 5.83 gears in the diffs! You could put a blown SBC on laughing gas in the engine bay now you have a 55 mph M37 that will burn the tires to its top speed of 55 mph, waste of time. You can do some things to the 230 to make it very reliable, and how do you know its NOT reliable right now? Then you need to look at the gears, that should be the place you start this project!
Karl
 

M37outlaw

New member
3
0
1
Location
Nephi, utah
I realize they may be reliable engines but mine has no engine and i dont want to put a 230 in it. I know i need to change the gearing. I know how to make it faster and i plan on doing it. The top speed is lower than main street in my town, i just need a different engine that can bolt up to the original transmission and that i can find parts for a litrle easier. I agree outpostM37 has good advice every one who has helped me so far has good advice i just dont have an engine. But thanks to every one that has suggested an engine ive looked into those engines and i think thay will work for what i want but i would like to have a few ideas for engines.
 
Last edited:

Sgt Jiggins

Potato Peeler
Steel Soldiers Supporter
431
204
43
Location
Lynchburg, VA
Why not go for a Chrysler 318 v8? Reliable motor, easy to find parts, will give you road speed.
That's exactly what I did and never regretted it. Granted, I'm not a purist/collector that might otherwise turn up their nose at taking this route. But, wow, it really makes for a nice ride. And please, if you go that way, upgrade the brakes first/in parallel. Stopping those things with stock brakes is bad enough, let alone with another 300+/- HP behind 'em.

SJ
 

Roller

Active member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
182
48
28
Location
North Lake, WI
I used a Dodge 360 with a NV4500 transmission, 5 speed with overdrive. I kept the original brakes and added a booster. Brakes properly adjusted and with the booster will put you through the windshield if stomped on!

Frank
 
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