360 over a 304.

KJMac

Hi everyone, Awesome website! I found a low mile 360 out of an `89? wagoneer. it was a local rig driven by a middle aged lady that caught on fire with very mild damage and the insurance company totaled it. I'm thinking of buying this for my `81 cj5 to replace the gutless 304. It has headers,performer intake and a curved HEI. I have a lot of experience with chevy small and big blocks but not AMC's. I'm thinking on putting a 268 comp cam in it but I'm undecided. An old friend had an `81 CJ7 with a 304 and a 268 CC in it that didn't run too good, same set up as me but with a 268 CC and a holley 600, I'm running a performance Quadrajet. I use this for hunting,running the sand dunes and drive on the street. I have a T-176, 4.10 gears and 33" tires. Any input would be gratly appreciated!! I just don't know how AMC's react to Lift and duration compared to other engines. I don't know what is max lift for the valve train and so on. I will change springs but I don't want to pull the heads. Thank You Kevin

tufcj

Go for the 360. The stroke is the same as the 304, but the bore is much bigger (4.08 vs 3.75). The 360 heads also have a 2.02 intake and 1.65 exhaust, much like the chevy "fuelies". AMC's use big diameter lifters (.904") like a Mopar, so they can use steeper lobe profiles on the cam than a Chevy. Overall, the 360 will respond well to a 268 cam, and since you have 4.10 gears and can get it wound up a little quicker, maybe even a little more. For mild use keep the lift under .500 and the LSA around 110-112 degrees. I've had very good results with an Edelbrock performer cam in the 360 in my Jeep. Bob tufcj

Dallas Lemon

KJMac wrote
Hi everyone, Awesome website!

I found a low mile 360 out of an 89? wagoneer. it was a local rig driven by a middle aged lady that caught on fire with very mild damage and the insurance company totaled it. I'm thinking of buying this for my81 cj5 to replace the gutless 304. It has headers,performer intake and a curved HEI. I have a lot of experience with chevy small and big blocks but not AMC's.
I'm thinking on putting a 268 comp cam in it but I'm undecided. An old friend had an `81 CJ7 with a 304 and a 268 CC in it that didn't run too good, same set up as me but with a 268 CC and a holley 600, I'm running a performance Quadrajet. I use this for hunting,running the sand dunes and drive on the street. I have a T-176, 4.10 gears and 33" tires. Any input would be gratly appreciated!! I just don't know how AMC's react to Lift and duration compared to other engines. I don't know what is max lift for the valve train and so on. I will change springs but I don't want to pull the heads. Thank You

Kevin

Go for it. 268 cam is an excellent choice. Plus, the 360 is a drop in replacement. Just make sure you use a 3 core radiator with a shroud to keep it cool. Lots more torque and probably about the same fuel usage. You will not regret it!!!

The PIG Smith

I was just given a NP208 transfercase from a fellow that was parting out a YJ. This YJ has the drivetrain from a late model Wagoneer installed in it. That included a strong 360, TF727 and the NP208 xcase. The PO did a four wheel burnout and broke both the rear Dana35 AND front Dana30. Think a 360 would be fun in a Baby Jeep, CJ, YJ, TJ, but I think can be a scary ride also. Have fun, but be safe.

CJim7

The PIG Smith wrote
.......... but I think can be a scary ride also.

Thats why we do it :lo1l: :razz: