how do you tell the difference between the 5.2L eng. and the 5.9L eng.

look at your vin # a vin Z will be a 5.9 and a vin Y will be a 5.2, there is no real way to visually tell the two apart (that i know of) because they use almost all the same components unless of course you tear the engine down and look at the crank shaft

the best way is the casting #s on the block because they both look the same. one good example is the dakota v8. it comes with a 318 but a 360 is a direct fit with no mods. people wouldnt even know.

casting # on the block yea if you have a way to look it up

All Magnum engines are stamped either 360 or 318 on the driver’s side near the rear of the block. The casting number found on all 360 Magnum blocks is 5302006, whereas the 5.2/318 Magnums are 53006714 or 53006657. Otherwise, the 5.2 and 5.9 appear pretty much identical.

If the vin number has a Z, or a Y in it anywhere, not necessarily the first letter?

Can you drop a 5.9L in a truck that has the 5.2L without any complications? The 5.9 will come out of a 97 or 98 and the 5.2L which is trashed is coming out of a 99 which is the truck he wants to put another engine in.

What if my vin has both a Z and a Y

ok I think you have your letters mixed up cuz I have the Original build sheet for my truck and it has A Y and it is a 5.9 360 magnum HO

with the vin ur looking for the 8th # of the vin 5.2l 318 well be a 8TH vin aka Y code vs 5.9l 360 is a Z code but ur looking for the 8th diget

http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/VIN_decode.htm

You can take your vin number to a auto parts store and they will tell you, the safest way is to take the motor number to auto parts store and they will tell you exactly what motor you got... That way you don't get a motor you can't use.. You may need the computer that makes the motor run right.. By the way you make want to get the same year of motor.."

If you look here: https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Dodge/DURANGO your vin-number sheet will reveal not only the engine size but what options were installed!

Can I put a 5.9l into a 5.2l truck i am building a hunting truck and want more power and grunt

Yes but you have to change the flexplate

I've always thought the 360 just looks bigger than the 318 I know it's not visually but somehow I can just tell one from the other for example my buddy bought a 96 1500 and the guy swore up and down it was a 5.2 318 I opened the hood and knew immediately it was a 360 Idk how I just did

What kind of flexplate would I need if I’m doing the 5.2 to 5.9 conversion?

The previous owner may have installed another VIN number engine

the 5.2 is cast on block right rear side the 5.9 has a 7 digit number and may also show 5.9 if it is a magnum the flex plate is different depending on the trans the bolt pattern on the 42rh 42re is same but the 46re is different both pattern to torque converter.some 5.2 have egr and some do not.both engine can be interchanged as a bolt in fit.5.9 and 5.2 are swapable with out much problems. Just watch the flex plates both to converter fit. welcome to Boggin Offroad tech support. The Ram Guys

The 5.9 has a weighted torque converter the 5.2 does not so if you pull out a 5.2 and plan to put a 5.9 in its place make sure that you change the torque converter.

GuruN49BW Wrong answer 318 and 360 intakes are interchangeable ,there is no difference in the width.

Where would I find the vin on a 2001 5.9? I found the caster numbers but can’t find the vin it’s supposed to be on front of motor driver side I thought but I can’t find it .. motor is installed so is something covering it .? I have a 1998 that had the 5.2 and now has a 2001 5.9 is what I was told but I need to order a pcm and don’t know what numbers to send them to get it flashed any help would be much appreciated the pcm dealers aren’t much help.

You won't find a VIN on the motor but why would anyone swap a 5.2 for a 5.9 or whatever? The two motors are nearly the same in all aspects but the 5.2 runs a bit smoother and gets about 1 mpg better. The 5.9 has like 20 more hp.

i pulled out a 5.2 from a 98 dodge and was wondering if the plus are the same for a 2000 because when i took the 98 out i had seen that the wire harness was different... is there any tips yall could fill me in on