Hey folks, I am trying to sort out one of my father-in-laws trucks with a new/replacement motor! The truck is a 98.5 ISB235 with a 5 speed. Locally I have found two engines but both are ISB215`s from automatics. One from a 99 with 125k, very clean but with the dreaded 53 block. The other from a 01 auto, 100k, not 53 and also very clean. Is there any reason I cannot put a 215 where a 235 was, power is not an issue. Will the existing PCM just plug and play? Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

You should be able to use your old ECM on the new engine, if it is available. I think the differences that are automatic-specific are in the PCM, which is the Dodge computer. If it was me, I'd go for it and use whichever ECM worked best. If you use the old ECM, you may still get 235 out of it. I can't say for sure because I don't know if the difference between 215 and 235 was software and hardware.

Don't mess with the 53 block. You might never have a problem, but unless it is discounted enough to cover your time to fix it if it ever does crack, don't mess with it.

Chris

 

Thanks Stamey! I think the 01 onwards did away with the crank position sensor and just had a cam position sensor. Will this still work with a pre-01 ECM/PCM?

 

We need to hope HaulinInDixie reads this thread. He has extensive knowledge with this type of swap, as he has done it, and gotten very in-depth with the electronics. I wish I could remember all the stuff he switched, and rewired the harness for a different ECM.
I'm betting he can shed more light on this situation.

Chris

 

Well lookin furthur into this I think the lack of signal from a crank position sensor would make putting an 01 into a 98 rather complicated! Anyone done it?

 

Don't count it out yet. If you can use the newer ECM, you should be good. If you decide to go with the older PCM you may be able to move your crank sensor over, as the castings usually aren't changed and there will still be a place for the crank snsor, it just isn't installed on the newer engine.

Chris

 

First you need to ask a Cummins service manager for an accurate answer. I can give you what I was to understand. You can't add the crank sensor to the engien because it does not have the crank parts to make it work.

The later engine can be put in but it is as a complete engine. Look at the two plugs at the firewall where the harness plugs in. If they are the same you are ok and the later engine with the harness and ecm should work with no problem.

While I was looking for my engine Cummins offered me a complete engine from a 2002 and said that it was a bolt in. In other words, the engine harness has to go with the motor, not really sure if the ecm will interchange. I don't think so though. They eliminated the crank sensor and took the signal from the cam gear instead, which is half the speed. Everything else would be direct bolt up. Of course the auto motor has the smaller turbo.

 

Thanks Haulin!!!!! This is an interesting topic, as early 24Valvers start to wear out folks will be running into this problem if they want to use a motor from a wrecked truck to re-power their rides. Obviously the best supply of lower mileage motors will be from newer wrecked trucks without the crank sensor! I think the plugs on the harness` are different and as to the combinatons of PCM and ECM`s that will work, well I am still trying to figure that out! It would be nice to have an idiots guide or flow type chart showing what combinations will plug and play or what ECM PCM combos`can be married up or spliced! Wishful thinking maybe!