re: Who here has rebuilt an engine?

Honestly, I don't think you picked the best motor to be rebuilding. The 4.7 is an OK motor...but the fact that it's efi and not carbed makes it a not so great "first" build. I'd have gone with an old beater truck or something and rebuilt a small block chevy of some sort...cheap and easy.

The Chrysler 4.7 is pretty similar to a Mustang 4.6 IIRC, check the dakota-durango.com forums for tons of more info on it.

FWIW, I have never rebuilt an engine (99% sure I could if I needed to/felt the need to), but I've been around the truck performance "scene" for a little while and post on numerous dodge forums...I also have a friend that used to have a 4.7 Dakota he messed with a little and know numerous guys on the forums that have done 4.7 builds.

ETA: another good site to post on is nadodge.com....that's the one I frequent most. Mostly fast 3rd gen hemi guys, but a handful of them run the 4.7 and have built 4.7s...just post and ask away, they will be quick to help.