One of these two are gonna go in my '76 FSJ Cherokee, BUT which one:question:

I already have an AMC360 and a TH400 but have been considering going with a Chevy350 and TH400 instead. I would like your input on this. I have heard of inherrent oiling problems with the AMC motors but by the same token I always see Chevy's in the paper with "freshly rebuilt" 350s. Does the 350 have some sort of consistent problems?!? Either way I am sticking with a TH400 tranny as I already have my components for a "doubler" t-case. I will also be running straight LPG through it! Gotta have torque too as I am pushing a :jeep: with a 60/14 combo on 38" meats.

If I drop the AMC for the Chevy I will have that set-up for sale and will be looking for a 350 & TH400 that is ready to go.

THANKS :beer:

what a stupid question.you should be ashamed of yourself dude.common man what the hell is it a suburba...slap the amc in it that is a no brainer.i had a 360 hooked up im my cj-7 that is the only motor to go with if your going to run a carb if you want fuel injection go with a new 5.9:rolleyes: :flipoff2:

Go hereSuburbanwhiteguys (http://www.suburbanwhiteguys.com/index.asp?page=video) and check out Chris Duram's freak out session. He's running a 360, 'nuff said.

NOW THATS WHAT IM TALKKING ABOUT ....NO CHEVY SHIT....:flipoff2:

Originally posted by Magoo
Go hereSuburbanwhiteguys (http://www.suburbanwhiteguys.com/index.asp?page=video) and check out Chris Duram's freak out session. He's running a 360, 'nuff said.
He maybe running a 360 but it's NOT an AMC:rolleyes: Durham has a Mopar engine under the hood.

still a mopar dude .not a chevy or a ford ....
:flipoff2:

If you want fuel injection, or think that someday you might, get a 350. If you're not worried about EFI, stay with the 360.

J. J.

Originally posted by Scouter

He maybe running a 360 but it's NOT an AMC:rolleyes: Durham has a Mopar engine under the hood.

And I quote, "Engine: '98 Jeep Grand Cherokee 360."

Not an AMC, but out of a JEEP!:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

EDIT: August, 2002 4-Wheel and Off-Road is quoted above. p.38

Originally posted by Magoo
Go hereSuburbanwhiteguys (http://www.suburbanwhiteguys.com/index.asp?page=video) and check out Chris Duram's freak out session. He's running a 360, 'nuff said.
Look at the title of your post it say's "AMC 360" Do you even know what a Mopar 360 looks like or do you need a magazine to tell you:flipoff2:

i always thought durham had a amc 401:confused:

Originally posted by Brad
i always thought durham had a amc 401:confused:

That's what I thought too???

its the same block guys 304-401:flipoff2:

Originally posted by tj7
its the same block guys 304-401:flipoff2:

no it's not... same external dimensions, but they are different casts

roger if you can find one go with the 401...i have one in my 78wt cherokee...running a quadrajet on it and it can stand on the tail and not stall...
altho the 360amc insnt a bad motor thats what i have in my tow rig(77cherokee) i think you have seen it on the IFSJA board :D
green and black...

I love the Small Block Chevy but I would NOT dump the AMC 360 for just any of them. The SB Chevy has many advantages, foremost being parts price and availability. Also there's a very large vat of information and experience out there related to the Chevy just waiting for you to dip your ladle into. However depending on the goal your AMC is further down the road than most SBs.
The AMC does have the oiling problem you mentioned, more specifically the pump has an aluminum housing that is part of the engines front cover that when worn out can starve the # 7 & 8 rod bearings for oil especially when quickly reving from an idle to high RPM. This is fixable. Keep in mind that your 360 already has screw in rocker studs, 2.02 intake valves, 1.68 exhaust valves, and you can drop a stock 401 crank (long stroke, more torque) into it with out an expensive main bearing crank grind.

I've run both AMC V-8's and Chevy SB V-8's. I found the AMC engines to be tempermental, and also (stationed in Panama) found that running through water was not too fun with an AMC V-8; with the distributor in front, it was constantly getting water in it. I got so sick of trying to make the AMC V-8 work right that I eventually got rid of it and went to a 258. Granted this was all with the AMC 304.

A friend of mine also ran AMC V-8's. In the three years I knew him in Panama he went through 4 AMC engines: 2 304's, a 343 and a 360.

When I got out of the Army, I swapped a SBC (327) into my Jeep and I've never looked back. My current Jeep has a TBI 350.

I say even if you don't plan on running EFI, go with the SBC. There is 1000% more aftermarket parts availability for the SBC's. AND even stock parts are more likely to be in stock at your local auto parts store. Also there are plenty of swap parts available for putting a SBC in a Jeep.

The ONLY reason I'd go with a AMC over a SBC is if I already had the tranny for the AMC. Otherwise, SBC all the way.

M2C,

Originally posted by Scouter
Do you even know what a Mopar 360 looks like or do you need a magazine to tell you:flipoff2:

Actually no I don't know what a 360 looks like, but I CAN tell the difference between a 383, 400, and a 440! 360s are not my favorite Mopar engine. Although seeing what they are capable of has me thinking....

As for needing a magazine to tell me, well I guess I do, since I have never seen, nor worked on, Durham's rig! I bet you have, and kuddos to you!

Part of the joy of living in South Washington is I only make it to one event a year, NWRCA, and they may not be running this year. :eek: My Ex-wife lives down in Etna (Yreada area) with my youngest daughter, maybe I ought to "patch things up", wonder if the wheelin' would be worth it?:D :D

Since you asked......


I agree with AzWebMan.

I see no reason to NOT go with the Chevy, unless you already had another component, etc.

There seems to be a growing "don't swap a chevy because everyone else does" sentiment. Whatever.

The reason you see Chevy rebuilds is because more people are likely to actually rebuild a chevy...........it's cheaper to do so.

And a point that might interest you is that a close friend of mine wanted to do a AMC 360 (for LPG).......but found it very cost prohibitive to do so.

He still won't run a Chevy though, and has decided on a 351W.

Charly

All I have to say is that if you are going through the headaches of an engine swap. GO FUEL INJECTION! You will want it later, everyone does. I pull a perfect running 258 and swapped in a `98 4.0L. Fuel injection was the best thing I ever did!

Well first off; Chris durham does have a 401, it's in the REAL CJ-10 not the comp buggy, that has the 5.9 Mopar. Second I got a 360 and the cost of rebuilding this POS is going to kill me:eek: but I already have a T-18 to go right behind it, if I didn't already have the tranny I liked then I'd go with a SBC, when I get my 360 completely done I'll probably have about $3000 in it, I could get a crate 383 with EFI for about $1000 more with a warranty! or how about a RAMJET 350! just $5000. It just amazes me more and more the cost a good motor REALLY costs.

i agree on the cost of rebuilding them (AMC) way to much if you get ones thats in good shape and shouldnt need a rebuild then it might be worth going with it but on down the line it might still cost alot i rebuilt my 401 3 times before getting rid of it it was breaking me chevy or ford are dime a dozen you can always find one with a lot of miles still on them in the paper cheap:flipoff2:

All I got for you is that all three of the AMC V8s in my yard right now(304x2 and a 360) started up every time in less than 5 mins. all after sitting for a year. I have run a 304 with a 1.21 MC for quite a while ('til I rolled and had no $$ for a bit) the fawking thing started on a bet in less than 3 minutes and idled. I happen to love AMC V8s but would go to a 4.0 stroker in a second (but for $$$). Plus I have a real AMC t-18a.
As far as a 350? first I am brand loyal. I'd go AMC V8. BUT how can any car freak go against a SBC??? Unless he is a FORD guy:barf: .
Personally, if I did not have a great 304 and did not stroke a 4.0, I'd go Chevy:( just for the aftermarket and the stock availability of parts.
SBC...how can you go wrong?

Originally posted by Mo


no it's not... same external dimensions, but they are different casts
its the same fawking block wanna bet some cash on it the externals are differnt dude heads and crank and all the other shit but the blocks are all the same 304.360.390.401 all the same...:flipoff2:

its the same fawking block wanna bet some cash on it the externals are differnt dude heads and crank and all the other shit but the blocks are all the same 304.360.390.401 all the same...

if they are the same why do they have the blocks stamped which model not that it really means anything just currios and dont they have different bores:rolleyes:

A cool swap that covers both (brand loyalty and GM power) would be a Buick 350 from a '69 waggie. It is the torquiest engine ever put into any Jeep. It puts out 350 ft/lbs of torque.

I had a '69 waggie for a while and the engine was awesome!!!

Yeah, Buick small blocks make gobs of power, especially the late 60's early 70's ones, or, for a really cool kinda brand loyal swap, how about a Buick 455? Buicks are about the same expense to build as an AMC, but you can find the 350's everywhere, so why bother rebuilding?

Originally posted by snacksnack


if they are the same why do they have the blocks stamped which model not that it really means anything just currios and dont they have different bores:rolleyes:


yes obviously the bores are different :flipoff2: but the block is the same that is why there are some heating probs with the 401 as the cylinder walls are thinner then a 360 and so forth.i had a 360 with 401 heads and i had more then 410 hp in it .it was the sickest motor i have ever had.no joke i used to beat mustangs and corvettes in my cj with 33 muds. it was hilarious.but the only problem with the amc motors is the oiling system i can get you a brand new and modified oil pump and housing from a buddy that all he does is amc motors.
www.amracing.com
check him out and let me know i get cost on all of it

Lots of good info flowing here. Some of it being a pissing contest, but still good.;)

I ALREADY HAVE AN AMC360 AND A TH400 WAITING. I will be checking out TJ7s buddies website for an oil pump and housing!! IF the AMC stuff is gonna go in my FSJ I wanna do everything I can to get it right BEFORE it is installed. I don't wanna be fussin an cussin when some $2 gasket gives way and it ends up being 10 Xs the chore to fix it later.

Besides the pump and housing, can anybody shed some light on any other items that should be gone over/replaced before the resurrection:question:

the only other thing you may wanna do is either get a boot that jeep sells that covers the dist. cap or just use some silicone and waterproof the cap. as someone stated before the distributor is right in front and had a tendacie to to get water in it if not treated correctly.as for the motor trust me man you will get gobbs of power and torque is sick...the valves in the heads are huge all i did was change to 401 heads slapped some keith black flat top pistons a roller rocker setup and cam and a msd ignition and i was ripping 4 wheel burn outs all day long .i do miss it but i love my 00' 4.0 now i still have tons or torque and my best friend is not the gas pump ant 60 every fill up(canada) 3 times aweek;) that i surely do not miss...

Hey there this particular forum made me join just so I could reply to this. I have been using AMC's for about 7 years now and I was (ok still am) a mopar guy. I have a 79 CJ with an AMC 360 it cost me 1875.00 to have it built and that's with the oiler kit, forged pistons, torker, 750 Double pumper, .510 lift cam, Rollers and forged pistons if you shop around yo ucan find a reputable builder who won't give you the shaft. It was currently dynoed in at 532 HP and I run high 12's on the track YES I drag it with F/T four wheel drive. I haven't had any problems out of it in three years. Also AMC bottom ends are damn near bullet proof. They do not need all the special stuff that a SM chevy needs to beef them up. My other CJ has a stock 77 360 All it has is Air gap, edelbrck 750, .480 lift cam, and header through flowmaster and its putting out 340 HP I'v enever touched the internals. and its holding up very well. as far as igntion faltering problems go with a modified HEI for marine as the are a bit more water friendly. People are finding out AMCs are worth saving Indy cylinder head is banking on it with all the products coming out from them. In fact if you didn't know this when Chrysler put out the Viper it's first prototypte engine was a 401. YES a AMC 401!! In fact the v-10 is rumored to have been built off of the running prototype they made the first round. And who complains about that engine?? Don't give up shop around and talk to people. That's how I learned what I know today and am glad I took the time to do so. Good luck!!