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Hey everyone, I recently bought a 1998 dakota 4wd with a 3.9L v6 and manual transmission. I suspect that it has a blown head gasket, so I'm going to just do a whole top end rebuild. What would you recommend I replace while I have it all apart? Ive always owned hemis so I'm not super familiar with the dakota engine and common problems! Thanks!!
 

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Hey everyone, I recently bought a 1998 dakota 4wd with a 3.9L v6 and manual transmission. I suspect that it has a blown head gasket, so I'm going to just do a whole top end rebuild. What would you recommend I replace while I have it all apart? Ive always owned hemis so I'm not super familiar with the dakota engine and common problems! Thanks!!
Following. I have a 2000 3.6L 5 speed with a blown head gasket also. Just shy of 200k miles. Ordering Harland Sharp 1.7 roller rockers for sure. I don't know if I should replace the lifters while I'm that deep into the top end or not. Suggestions for any other performance adds to do while I'm at it would be appreciated! Cam? Throttle Body? Etc.

Thanks!
Shawn
 

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Hey everyone, I recently bought a 1998 dakota 4wd with a 3.9L v6 and manual transmission. I suspect that it has a blown head gasket, so I'm going to just do a whole top end rebuild. What would you recommend I replace while I have it all apart? Ive always owned hemis so I'm not super familiar with the dakota engine and common problems! Thanks!!
You may not have a blown head gasket unless your engine is overheating. The intake plenum on the V6 Magnums have a bad habit of warping. Sludge also builds up in the oil pan and clogs the pickup (only when oil is hot) so your pressure will drop to 0 until the oil cools down. Go to the following site and purchase the upgraded plenum pan and also the modified throttle body for better air flow. These engines are great for low end torque but suck on top end.

This is Hughes Engines Dodge Performance page for V6 and V8 Magnum engines. Note the categories on the left.

Intake plenum repair kit. I would not put the engine together without this upgraded plenum.

Upgraded throttle body. Improves air flow.

Good luck with the rebuild.
 
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