Bill, the Dakota upper control arm alignment is EXACTLY like a M2 that the entire world is enamored with (except for maybe me). I agree if the bolts are not torqued that they will come loose. All bolts on suspension and rotating assemblies are supposed to be torqued. That is Mechanic 101. Maybe that part was just drilled into my head so many time over the past 40+ years. Torque value, torque sequence, then worry about socket size.
As for as the iron, I am almost positive that the Chrysler A and LA engines are slightly larger than the SBC. I know the sbc is shorter on height and length. I know that the B engines will fit in a Dakota chassis, so an SBC should without a problem.
A 6-bolt to 6-bolt adapter would solve the issue if you really want to run GM wheels. So would re-drilling the flanges.
Either way, the Dakota chassis fits the AD truck better than an S-10 chassis.
