decisions...decisions...

SO if you was to blow up your 304, and needed a new engine, what would you put in it? R)
BUt remember, you just stuck a wad of cash into your 304 for new/pretty stuff that you'd like to re-use (or sell to a friend for cheep! :twisted

304
360
401
some chevy engine
some Ford engine
Some Dodge engine

 

A TA470 isn't pretty (just ask the wife) and you couldn't use it in the 401 you're getting anyhow! And no, I'm not buying you a 401 so you can give me your 304... R)
I voted for a 360, by the way!

Oh, and the pics almost look worse than the real thing, which looks bad enough!

 

360: Easy to find (Wagoneers), bell pattern the same (no exspensive adapters), go fast parts the same (intake, carb, cam, accessories), more bang for the buck.

 

I went 304 since you've already got the parts and all. It seems the most practical. I'd like to see a hot 351 Clevland in a CJ personally.

 

I voted Dodge cause I just love the small block Mopar mills.
In this case I'd find another V8 AMC mill to use though, you already have one with new parts, a nice 343 or 360, heck even a 390 or 401.

 

The 360 is essentially an overbored 304. These seem to be the most plentiful of the Gen 3 AMC V8s. You can put all the 304 parts on a 360 (except flywheel), but not necessarily vice-versa. A rusted-out Wagoneer with a good 360 should be almost free. You must use a 360 flywheel though - they are unique to the displacement.

The 360 would be the cheap route, but I voted 401. The 401 would probably cost twice as much as the 360, but all your 304 hop-up parts would fit. I doubt the stock 401 carb was much bigger than 470CFM... no reason why you can't run a smaller carb on a larger engine. It would limit your peak power but improve drivability and probably fuel economy. I think you would be very pleased with the 401's performance in stock trim - no need for fancy add-ons. The 401 is a much better performer than the 360 in stock form, and with way more hop-up potential.

However, if money is an issue, a 304 or 360 would suffice.

 

you forgot to post the pics! :uwop:

and I wanna 401 :wwaaa: but that would mean I need a new tranny, transfer case, diffs......$$$

 

i voted 360 since I have one and love the torque on it!

 

I say a 360. Should be cheap and easy to find. If you want to go exotic, I have a Nissan SD22 (4cyl diesel). Fairly good lower end torque and 40 mpg around town. I just cannot find a good parts source for the dang thing.

 

OK, OK, OK... I'll give you all pictures! (Sheesh! Morbid lot we got here!R))
1st one is drivers side, next one is passenger side.
I'll start up a thread on it and tell you all what happened.

 

That's just a hole in the pan! Can't you just JB weld it?






















R)R)R)

 

I voted for a 304, I can't imagine having more h.p. in that short of a wheel base.

 

im buying a 401 myself in about a week so thats what i voted for plus it bolts right up to the transmission u have the 401 has the same block as the 360 but yes it is more expensive

 

Not sure if this is what you meant by "same block", but all the Gen 2 and Gen 3 (and the 258 and the late 232 and the 4.0L) have the AMC bolt pattern to the bellhousing, and they will all bolt up to an AMC bell. The AMC V8s have the same external dimensions, but they are different blocks. A 304 will be marked in big, cast letters "304", and 360 and 401 too. The 401 block is different from the 360, said to be cast of a high-nickel content alloy, and the cylinder bores are cast differently. All of these blocks are cast for the displacements they were meant for - you can't overbore a 304 to 360 without danger of hitting the water jackets, and a 401 is cast so it can be machined to a larger bore than a 360 (4.165" v. 4.08" ... 85 thou difference).

If the block does not say "401" in big, cast letters by the motor mount, it's not a 401.

Be sure to use the right flywheel too - these engines are externally balanced, and each displacement requires its own flywheel.

 

I'll help you out....... Imagine having more power to get through the mud with. ...More power to climb hills with.... More power to pull somebody out with.... More power to quickly get you out of a dangerous situation....More power to quickly get momentum up to climb a hill when you only have a limited amout of space....More power to clean your tires.... You may not think it is a big advantage, but, oh......it is.

I voted 360.