On whether it's a Magnum engine or not...
The Magnum 360 only came in these for 1993, so unless it's swapped, it's probably the roller cam LA 360. Not a bad engine, but the Magnum makes quite a bit more power and has some nice upgrades. Key identifiers (granted someone didn't swap it all over) are TBI EFI, smooth valve covers, and V-belt accessory drive. LA intakes also have angled mounting bolts where the Magnum ones are vertical.
The good news is that if you are looking for more power, you should be able to score a Magnum 360 cheap. Mine was plucked in running condition for $350 from my local junkyard and loaded in my truck.
If you are interested, check out http://www.magnumswap.com which walks you through a lot of the details. It will definitely take some modding and massaging to bolt it in, but I was able to swap mine in where the old LA 318 was basically in a day. Biggest decision will be what to do for fuel; the intakes are NOT interchangeable due to the bolt orientation unless you redrill or swap the heads. If I didn't already have aftermarket EFI, I would have swapped the whole MPFI setup into my truck. From what I hear, it's a pretty easy swap. Headers on a Magnum 360 will make 300hp/400tq on the dyno, which is a nice upgrade, and that's with a carb. You can tune the factory Magnum ECU to make even more!
I know it's a $500 truck, but this is GRM. Gotta give you all the options. 
In reply to Tony Sestito :
Thanks. I'm not quite sure what I have yet. Previous owner said it was a 360 Magnum. I need to look more closely. Maybe a swap. It sure is noisier than a stock truck. Not sure if it's a hot rod or just a bad muffler. If they are really that cheap, maybe I need to grab a second one to swap into the motorhome as well.
I'm not quite sure what to do about the hole in the dashboard. The guy I got it from said there was a fight in the cab. Not sure I want to know any more. You can't be picky about a $500 truck.
Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to Tony Sestito :
Thanks. I'm not quite sure what I have yet. Previous owner said it was a 360 Magnum. I need to look more closely. Maybe a swap. It sVIN tell you? Think the 8th digit will tell you what ture is noisier than a stock truck. Not sure if it's a hot rod or just a bad muffler. If they are really that cheap, maybe I need to grab a second one to swap into the motorhome as well.
What does the VIN tell you? Think the 8th digit will tell you what motor the factory put in the car
Does this front end look intimidating enough? OK. I have to admit it is sitting on jackstands now. It really isn't that much bigger than the Mustang. I really like the ram hood ornament.
buzzboy
SuperDork
9/17/23 2:54 p.m.
What a score!
I always find it strange that Mopar would only sell you up to a 360 in the 3/4ton while the same era GM or FoMoCo would do you a 454 or 460 respectively. Why did Mopar kill the big enignes in 78/79!?
