Put a carb in a '91 Dakota?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Bruce Porter - 29 May 2007 18:56 GMT

We bought an 87 Dakota when they first came out, and had to get a '91
with Club Cab when our son was born.
Drove it for 240,000 miles and had a cracked block. Should have gotten a
new engine, but bought an '03 Dakota that my wife now drives every day.
Well, the guy I sold the '91 to had a new block put in and repainted it.
Drove great for 4 years, but now has problems with the computer wiring
harness, and might sell or trade it back to me.

Since we don't need emissions checked on '91 vehicles here, I was
wondering how much work it would be to rip that computer out of the
truck and drive it for another 15 years. Since it's a 318, I should be
able to find a manifold & carb. Would I have to get another
transmission, since it's controlled by the computer? The tranny's not
%100 anyway. What are my non-electric tranny choices?

Reply to this Message

BigIronRam - 29 May 2007 19:08 GMT

Since we don't need emissions checked on '91 vehicles here, I was

> wondering how much work it would be to rip that computer out of the truck
> and drive it for another 15 years. Since it's a 318, I should be able to
> find a manifold & carb. Would I have to get another transmission, since
> it's controlled by the computer? The tranny's not %100 anyway. What are my
> non-electric tranny choices?

You need an intake manifold and carburetor as well as a distributor to make
the engine run. Retrofit the older magnetic pickup distributor and wiring
for this. I presume you can get the fuel pump to operate without the
computer? If not, you can retrofit a mechanical unit, but, it's a big
retrofit, IIRC, it requires a specific camshaft and an eccentric. I believe
these are Dakota specific parts?

The overdrive and lockup for the transmission can be controlled with
switches mounted within your reach in the cab.

As to the operation of the rest of the truck sans computer, I don't know.

Reply to this Message

Tom Lawrence - 29 May 2007 20:31 GMT

> able to find a manifold & carb. Would I have to get another transmission,
> since it's controlled by the computer?

Like BIR said, you can control your tranny's limited electronic functions
(TCC lockup, and OD engagement) with some sensors and switches. See this
website for more information:
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/SwapInformation.htm

Reply to this Message

Bruce Porter - 30 May 2007 13:20 GMT

>> able to find a manifold & carb. Would I have to get another transmission,
>> since it's controlled by the computer?
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>

Great stuff there, thanks!

Reply to this Message

ks - 30 May 2007 02:31 GMT

What could a harness cost?

> We bought an 87 Dakota when they first came out, and had to get a '91 with
> Club Cab when our son was born.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> it's controlled by the computer? The tranny's not %100 anyway. What are my
> non-electric tranny choices?

Reply to this Message

Bruce Porter - 30 May 2007 13:18 GMT

> What could a harness cost?
>

I hadn't checked myself yet, but many parts for a '91 are impossible to
find, they made changes before & after that year. I couldn't get a belt
tensioner/idler pully 5 years ago - a mechanic rigged one up from parts
from 2 other models. The only way I would want the truck, is with a
carb & ignition system I can fix myself.

>
>> We bought an 87 Dakota when they first came out, and had to get a '91 with
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>> non-electric tranny choices?
>>

Reply to this Message