Engine Got a friend with a dead 304

[CJ]

Build or crate a 360?
I say build, control parts and tolerances. Clevite 77, Speed Pro, he has a new cam made for his intake. I say no brainer...
He wants to keep it AMC.
Thoughts?

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Build it. I had a crate 4.2 that ended up being trash with the cheapest parts possible here's my number 1 piston broken in half and number 2 with a hole in it.

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[Belizean]

Holy !

 

[TSB8C]

I have a Crate and love it. All done with matching parts and a warranty.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Sad part is I had another 4.2 built locally with a warranty and it was cheaper than the crate motor

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[TSB8C]

I wouldn't say "sad" per se, unless they did a bad job and refused to honor the warranty. On the other hand, if you have the tools and time building it yourself is always best. Like CJ said, you know what's in it and how it was done. I opted for the Crate because I went EFI. It came with the multi-port air gap intake, fuel rails, matching injectors, and the ECU already tuned for the cam, compression, and other specs of the engine. It was 99% plug and play.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

I wouldn't say "sad" per se, unless they did a bad job and refused to honor the warranty. On the other hand, if you have the tools and time building it yourself is always best. Like CJ said, you know what's in it and how it was done. I opted for the Crate because I went EFI. It came with the multi-port air gap intake, fuel rails, matching injectors, and the ECU already tuned for the cam, compression, and other specs of the engine. It was 99% plug and play.

I say sad because the rebuild was cheaper than the crate motor and far better quality.
I also did EFI but went sniper not multi port

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[CJ]

All good points. Going with a crate AMC V8 is tough. There are no more major brands like Jasper or JEGS any more. Good Chevys, Fords and Mopars are most prominent and are readily available.
The warranty is also a big problem (for crate AMCs), mostly unless installed by a "verified / certified" shop of their choice the warranty is invalid...
Building is an option as he is comfortable with and he and I agree he has found an honest and competent machine shop / builder. I wish I was able to build this for him but that's not something I'm physically able to do anymore.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

I can check I know someone with a fully built 304 he's going in a different direction with the Jeep. Dunno what he wants for it though. But I can check. I'm in MD

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[CJ]

This is why I like building. These are cast, but for street use a good buy and a great brand.

Sealed Power F-M AMC/Jeep 360/5.9 V8 Cast Pistons Set/8 1970-1993 NIB +.030 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Sealed Power F-M AMC/Jeep 360/5.9 V8 Cast Pistons Set/8 1970-1993 NIB +.030 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[CJ]

Update: Current 304 is bored .040 over so no chance of another rebore.
He found a complete 360 for $500. I think that's going to work great.
It will be picked up soon then straight to the machine shop.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Nice find

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[CJ]

Latest update.
The 360 is out for evaluation. It looks very good and probably has never been apart. No ridge in the bores and no sludge in the intake valley or rocker area on either head.
It is a 71 so it's going to need hardened valve seats installed, but normal for a pre unleaded engine.

As for the 304, after pulling the remainder pistons, a total of six had scoring.
Apon more research it looks like this happened due to fuel wash of the cylinders. Turns out for a period of time it accidently had a 40 PSI fuel pump on instead of the required 15 PSI (Howell TBI) and it dumped fuel pass the low pressure injectors washing the oil lubrication from the cylinder walls.

 

[gert]

Man that sux, AMCs are not cheap to build


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