Chrysler 360 (5.9 L) Magnum V8

Chrysler 360 (5.9 L) Magnum V8The Chrysler/Dodge 360 Magnum is a 5.9 l (5,899 cc, 360.0 cu.in.) natural aspirated V8 90° four-stroke gasoline engine from Chrysler LA/Magnum-family. This engine was manufactured from 1992 up to 2003.

The Chrysler 360 Magnum features a cast-iron block and two cast-iron heads with a single camshaft (OHV) and two valves per cylinder (16 valves in total). The Chrysler 5.9 L Magnum engine is equipped with a multi-point fuel injection system and a mechanically timed electrical ignition system with an ignition coil and mechanical distributor.

The compression ratio rating is 9.1:1. Cylinder bore and the piston stroke are 101.6 mm (4.0 in) and 90.9 mm (3.58 in), respectively.
The standard 5.9 L produced 234.0 PS (172.0 kW; 230.0 HP) at 4,000 rpm and 447 N·m (45.6 kg·m, 329.4 ft·lb) at 3,250 rpm of torque. This engine was upgraded in 1998 to 249.0 PS (183.0 kW; 245.0 HP) at 4,000 rpm and 454.0 N·m (46.3 kg·m, 334.6 ft·lb) at 3,250 rpm. The performance-oriented R/T version was rated for 249.0 PS (183.0 kW; 245.0 HP) at 4,000 rpm and 468.0 Nm (47.7 kg·m; 345.4 ft·lb).

General information

Engine Specifications
Engine modelChrysler 5.9 L (360 cu in) Magnum
LayoutFour stroke, V8
Fuel typeGasoline (petrol)
Production1992-2003
Displacement5.9 L, 5,899 cc (360.0 cu in)
Fuel systemMulti-point Fuel Injection
Power adderNone
Power output From 234.0 PS (172.0 kW; 230.0 HP) at 4,000 rpm
to 249.0 PS (183.0 kW; 245.0 HP) at 4,000 rpm
Torque output From 447 N·m (45.6 kg·m, 329.4 ft·lb) at 3,250 rpm
to 468.0 Nm (47.7 kg·m; 345.4 ft·lb) at 3,250 rpm
Firing order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Dimensions (L x W x H):

Cylinder block

The 360 Magnum engine has a cast-iron block with a five-bearings crankshaft supported system. The cylinder bore is 101.6 mm (4.00 in), piston stroke is 90.9 mm (3.58 in) and the compression ratio rating is 9.1:1. This motor has aluminum alloy pistons with two compression and one oil control rings, forged steel connecting rods, and nodular iron crankshaft. The crankshaft main journal diameter is 71.3 mm (2.80 in) and the crankpin diameter is 53.0 mm (2.08 in).

Cylinder block
Cylinder block alloyCast-iron
Compression ratio:9.1:1
Cylinder bore:101.6 mm (4.00 in)
Piston stroke:90.9 mm (3.58 in)
Number of piston rings (compression / oil):2/1
Number of main bearings:5
Cylinder inner diameter (standard):101.600-101.65 mm (4-4.002 in)
Piston skirt diameter (standard):
Piston pin outer diameter:25.007-25.015 mm (0.9845-0.9848 in)
Piston ring side clearance:Top0.040-0.085 mm (0.0016-0.0033 in)
Second0.040-0.085 mm (0.0016-0.0033 in)
Oil0.050-0.210 mm (0.002-0.0083 in)
Piston ring end gap:Top0.300-0.550 mm (0.0118-0.0217 in)
Second0.550-0.800 mm (0.0217-0.0315 in)
Oil0.380-1.397 mm (0.015-0.055 in)
Connecting rod small end diameter:24.966-24.978 mm (0.9829-0.9834 in)
Crankshaft main journal diameter:71.360-71.387 mm (2.8094-2.8105 in)
Crankpin diameter:53.950-53.975 mm (2.124-2.125 in)

Main bearing cap bolts tightening procedure and torque specs:

  • 115 Nm; 11.5 kg·m; 85 ft·lb in two-three stages

After securing bearing cap bolts, make sure crankshaft turns smoothly by hand.

Connecting rod cap bolts

  • 61 Nm; 6.0 kg·m; 45 ft·lb

Cylinder head

The cylinder heads are made of cats-iron. The engine has a single camshaft over-head valves. The camshaft is driven by a single timing chain. The intake valve head diameter is 47.75 mm (1.88 in), the duration is 274° the exhaust valve diameter is 41.07 mm (1.624 in), the duration is 264°. The Chrysler 360 Magnum engine is equipped with hydraulic valve tappets.

Cylinder head
Block head alloyCast-iron
Valve Arrangement:OHV, chain drive
Head surface flatness
Valves:16 (2 valves per cylinder)
Intake valve timing274°
Exhaust valve timing:264°
Valve head diameter:INTAKE47.752 mm (1.88 in)
EXHAUST41.072 mm (1.617 in)
Valve length:INTAKE126.210-126.850 mm (4.9689-4.9941 in)
EXHAUST126.440-127.300 mm (4.9779-5.0118 in)
Valve stem diameter:INTAKE9.449-9.474 mm (0.372-0.373 in)
EXHAUST9.423-9.449 mm (0.371-0.372 in)
Valve spring free length:49.962 mm (1.967 in)

Head tightening procedure and torque specs:

  • Step 1: 68 Nm; 6.8 kg·m; 50 ft·lb
  • Step 2: 143 Nm; 14.0 kg·m; 105 ft·lb

Cylinder head cover bolts

  • 11 Nm; 1.1 kg·m; 8.1 ft·lb

Maintenance data

Compression pressure
Standard689 kPa (100 psi)
Oil system
Recommended engine oilSAE: 10W-30
Oil type APIAPI: SH or SH/CD
Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) With filter change 4.7 L (5.0 US. qt, 4.2 Imp. qt.)
Without filter change 4.3 L (4.6 US. qt, 3.8 Imp. qt.)
Oil pressure Idle speed: 41.4 kPA (6 psi)
3,000 rpm 207-551 kPA (30-80 psi)
Ignition system
Spark plugChampion RC12YC
Spark plug gap0.9 mm (0.0354 in)
Spark plug tightening torque41.0 N·m (4.2 kg·m, 30.2 ft·lb)

Vehicle applications

ModelYears Produced
Dodge Dakota1998–2003
Dodge Ram1992–2002
Dodge Ram Van1992–2003
Dodge Ram Wagon1992–2003
Dodge Durango1998–2003
Dodge Ramcharger1992–2001
Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited1998
Author: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.

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We try to use verified sources and official documentation, however, differences between sources or errors in entering information may occur. We do not provide advice on technical issues related to the engines operation or repair. We do not recommend using provided information for engines repairing engines or spare parts ordering, use only official service manuals and spare-parts catalogs.

5 Comments

  1. It would be nice to see the crankshaft position sensor air gap spec. Sounds crazy, I know. But my sensor is at .004 inch. That seem too close in my opinion. Is there an air gap spec.

    • I set mine to the thickness of an oil filter box flap, or about .017-.020″. That is the thickness of the paper shim glued in place on the tip of a genuine Mopar crank sensor. Once installed, the flywheel rubs the paper/cardboard off the tip of the sensor on first start. This leaves the sensor set at the proper air gap between the Crank sensor and flywheel. hope that helped.

  2. Buona sera, tramite asta on line sto acquistando un Dodge Ram 1500 motore 5.9 Magnum 250 cv. anno 2002, (con impianto gpl), circa 225.000 miglia, (circa 350.000 km).
    Ho avuto un Dodge RAm 1500 del 2007 con motore 5.7 HEMY, gpl, mi sono trovato benissimo, pero mi chiedevo quanta differenza puà esserci con questo motore più datato, (a parte che a bassi regimi l’ HEMY usa solo 4 cilindri), mi preoccupano i consumi di carburante, la manutenzione, ect.
    Vi chiedo cosa ne pensate, se sostanzialmente differiscono poco, e se la guida è altrettanto spassosa.
    Un altra cosa che mi preoccupa, dalle foto a motore acceso, e non ingranando nessuna marcia, “la spia del motore è accesa”, sapete dirmi se è tutto o.k. perchè dopo regolarmente si spegne, o questo implica un problema al motore.
    Se avete altri preziosi consigli da darmi siete pregati di trascriverli.
    Grazie, cordiali saluti, Yuri Firenze

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