Truck Repair: 318 vs. V-6, salvage yard, gas mileage

Question
Hi - I have a 1987 Dodge Ram 150 van w/316 V-8 (carb, no A/C) and am pretty sure a headgasket has let go...engine is way too old and tired to consider repair, but I'm curious about possibly changing the engine? What I'm wondering is: Are the newer (than 1987) V-6 engines a bolt-in affair for this van, will transmission mate up etc.? If V-6 is an easy enough option, I'd sure prefer that to the gas-guzzler 318. Any thoughts on this would sure be appreciated here....Thanks   <Mark  

Answer
Hi Mark,
I don't know about the bolt in questions, but that 318 is a great engine, and if cleaned up, overhauled, and properly tuned, it should get as good gas mileage as the V6 in that big van.
A salvage yard can tell you which engines will interchange with yours, and if the tranny will work.
Van