Just picked up my first truck 1989 power ram 50

well I'm a vw guy have a jetta and a couple gti's (mk3 stuff) but I live in a very rural area and have wanted/needed a truck for a long time.

I went to look at a wrecked blazer and fell in love with this thing sitting a couple cars down rotting away...

1989 "dodge" ram 50 4x4 2.6l 5-speed.

it runs but has major engine knock due to the oil pump going out. so now I'm researching trying to figure out my best way to go about getting it back on the road.

I've been unable to locate them anywhere and when calling salvage yards asking for a ram 50 engine I've literally been laughed at and told "goodluck"

what are the guidelines of an engine from another vehicle that I can use. Upon reading I hear a lot about narrow/wide and something about it can't be from an auto car? .... I'm not sure if I really want to admit what I paid for it... but if someone wants to mention what they think would be a good price I'll confess...


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Nice looking truck, it that spar parts I see in the back?
If she has a knock rip it out of there and find the problem. Or look in the for sale area for another 2.6L They should be a dime a dozen at the wreaking yards. What state are you in? The 2.6L is the most common engine for these trucks. You can find them in Dodge Aries K cars, Cairavan Mini Vans, and forklifts.
You can also find parts trucks at tow company yards for cheep when they come up for sale.

Thanks, and no the parts in the back were scrap that the guy had sitting it in.

how do I know what fits my truck? I hear about narrow/wide and also heard that I had to get an engine that came from a 5-speed vehicle. I'm in southeast missouri.

just look in the Wiki area. There is history and information on how to determine what a narrow block or wide block is. Lots of good information in the Wiki and some areas that are under construction. It's a good starting place. A 2.6 is a wide block. nearly all engines are wide block. Only the early 2.0 and some others are narrow. I think it's listed in the Wiki history.

Oh ya I forgot.. We also have an on-line radio station you can check out. Just look at the top of the page for MMD5 radio in the menu bar.

Dead oil pump + knock means you probably need to rebuild the lower end, at least. All things being equal, probably faster, cheaper, and easier to pull the pack and get it into a good shop or do the work yerself.

Welcome to the D50/MM club, and the site!

would this work if it was a wideblock? I thought the only differences through the years was the head? http://www.ebay.com/itm/280832050755...#ht_2182wt_876

yeah I figured rebuilding it would be smarter than buying a used engine to throw in it. but mainly because I've not found an engine for under 1000 because I can't find anything local.

I don't have the tools/area to work on it so I'm having a trusted shop do it so once they check it out and see how bad it is I'll go from there.

it'd be cool to drop in a turbo engine but wouldn't I be looking at well over 3k to do that.

You can turbo a 2.6, but I'd worry about getting the block and top end fit as a fiddle first. You'd need go with Starion/Conquest intake and injection plus all the wiring, sensors, and ECU. The turbo itself would be upwards of $1k as from what I've gleaned, the original turbos were crap.

There was some discussion on the topic here (and will probably prove me wrong on multiple points):
http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...s-the-question

Quote:

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Originally Posted by b-dub

would this work if it was a wideblock? I thought the only differences through the years was the head? http://www.ebay.com/itm/280832050755...#ht_2182wt_876

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That looks like a diesel block or something. I don't think it's gas.

The only thing thats going to bolt straight up and plug right in is another 2.6(g54b). Doesnt matter if its from manual or auto as all 2.6 are wideblock from like 80-on. A 2.4(4g64)from will bolt to your tranny but you will also need the entire wiring harness,ecu,etc aa you'd be switching to fuel injection.

then why is this automatic only? I've also heard of this somewhere else

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-REMAN-CH...ht_1593wt_1109 if this would work I'd just get it and be done with it...

There saying 12.25" on the block thats incorrect. 12.50" would be a 2.0L Narrow block. 13.25" is a wide block. I would call them and get them to physically measure it. I don't see any jet valves. If you look in the Wiki under engine type and markings you will find more info on years and blocks.
Call them 1-800-998-2100

I dont know whats up with that ad but make sure you get a wideblock, which is 13.25" lower bellhousing bolt tobolt. My truck came with a 2.6 with auto and i can assure you it was a wideblock 13.25" wide, same as the manual trannys. Doesnt make much sense to have a completely different block just for auto and standard tranny.

EDIT: And most of that wide/narrow block stuff you are reading about is people talking about the 2.0 g63b

not entirely true - 79 - 86 2.6 auto blocks are narrow blocks, 5 speeds are wide blocks. 87 up 2.6 are all wide blocks auto or manual

thanks for clearing that up for me. Now I get why some people were saying the auto and manual blocks were different but it's just a year based thing for narrow/wide. So I indeed have a wide block thank you.

When in doubt whip the tape out.

Just purchased an engine from a yard in nashville from an 88 4x4 they are pulling it out of the truck today and shipping it to my mechanic


oh.. anyone know if It's possible for me to swap the door locks from passenger to drivers side? This isn't the original door and I don't have a key for it. would be nice to not have to unlock the passenger side and slide across all the time :)

anything I should do while the engine is out???

sorry didn't see your post, www.rockauto.com has the door locks for $14.00 for the set and that way you have a key that fits both doors.

thanks for the info that will come in handy for sure.

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she's getting there.. anyone care to guess what that white horn looking thing is... I'm hoping it's not what I think it is...

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That white "horn" thing is an alarm siren. The truck must have an alarm in it somewhere. If you didn't get the remote fobs with it when you purchased the truck, just have the alarm removed, it's not worth the hassles trying to get it and the truck functional again. Just eliminate it

Well that's a lot better than what I thought it was.. I thought it was one of those GHETTO megaphones hooked up to the cd player. ..lol I have seen that before and wow that would be embarassing

well I saw it today, nice big chunk was missing out of the timing chain cover but the chains were all there so not too sure what had happened. being taken out and pressure washed and hopefully he'll have the engine back in it tomorrow. I'm hoping to get to pick it up by the first of the week...


IMPORTANT QUESTION - some people hacked off the cat so it's just the header running off the engine....... would I hurt the truck to drive it the 10 miles to the muffler shop? I know some people have on other vehicles but I want to know from you guys who know these trucks.... 2.6l


also a bit of good news for once.. clutch/pressure plate and flywheel all appear to be in like newish condition.. so that's a major plus..

Can drive just on the manifold, won't hurt the engine any. Might get a ticket for the noise, though. LOL

I know when we fired up the old knocking engine it was nice and loud LOL... if it's safe I'll drive it there. Don't have to worry much about a ticket in my area ;)

I'd probably be more likely to be stopped for no plated or the busted window first