I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota, 3.9L V6, Manual Transmission, 100,000 miles. The exhaust manifold studs broke and we found both cylinder heads have cracks between the intake and exhaust valves. Engine has not ever been over heated or frozen (florida), is this a common failure? Has anyone else found the same problem?

Mine is a 1993 with the Magnum 3.9 V6 - I have not had problems with exhaust header bolts or cracked heads. I have 140K miles on it. I've owned it since it was new. I have not heard that the 3.9 is prone to cracked heads - I'm not a mechanic by trade, and I don't know that many people that own them, so my saying that doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't true - I've just never heard it.

If you do the repairs let me know how it goes.

I have a 1987 3.9 in my dakota with 180,000 on it.I still drive it daily and has plenty of power and doen't burn any oil.Sounds to me it did get hot or u got a defective block from factory.

You say you are from Florida - I just looked at a 1992 dodge dakota 4 X 4 yesterday (right off I-75 & 40) (I need a 231D transfer case) the guy wants $500 for it and the engine was GREAT. The truck had not been started for 2 months, tires needed some air, battery needed a jump - fired right off, no oil burning. We took it down the road but I did not like the sound of the transfer case and so I did not make him an offer. If you are interested in a spare engine in a (rough-looking) truck that runs pretty darn good (we were doing 65 mph no problem) email me back at jevansickle@hotmail.com and I will forward all the info to contact this guy.
John_V

I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota, 3.9L V6, Manual Transmission, 100,000 miles. The exhaust manifold studs broke and we found both cylinder heads have cracks between the intake and exhaust valves. Engine has not ever been over heated or frozen (florida), is this a common failure? Has anyone else found the same problem?