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So I have a 2000 5.2 Durango awd / 4x4. Engine only has 78,000 miles and is real healthy. Would this be a good modern donor for my 1950 Net? I was thinking of going Carb not FI. What all would I need to convert the motor to carb? Would it be worth it or just find a older Dodge donor? Problem is I already have the Rango so money wise, it was 1st choice. I guess, I could go FI but lack wiring experience.

Thoughts?

to convert the motor to a carb you have a few options-

1. buy an intake that will fit the magnum heads vertical intake bolts. edelbrock makes one and also a foreign version made by crosswind.

2. you can make a jig(I made one) or send out your heads to have them redrilled so an LA intake can be used.

the next thing that needs to be addressed is the problem of getting fuel to the carb. the magnum motor cam has no place for the fuel pump eccentric to fit and the timing cover has no where to bolt the fuel pump to.

1. use the LA timing cover/water pump/pulleys/alternator(will need spacers/washers to put it in alignment with the pulleys)/power steering pump. AND either an adapter(you can but these) to use an LA mechanical fuel pump or use an LA roller cam that has the long snout to fit the eccentric on to.

2. use an electric fuel pump.

my thoughts are, you already have the motor use it! get an 88-90 a500(light duty) or a518(HD) AOD trans. these are the easiest years to make the OD work. and you will have a great cruiser.

pic of jig I made to redrill magnum heads to fit an LA intake. you can see the 2 different angles of the bolts-

Nice work man. Thanks for the good info. I'm going to kick it around a bit and keep my options open. Who knows maybe the right setup will pop up and I can use that Magnum setup in my 2002 Wrangler since the bottom end of the 4.0 is getting slopping. The Rango is still a Daily Driver. My brother is using it till he finishes his 67 GT500 that I sold him last year. I kept the 427 CJ engine since he wanted to go with a 04 4v supercharged Cobra motor and T56 trans. Not what I would have done but, I'm not one to complain. I got paid!