Amc 360 Build Help

I have a 1977 CJ5 with a 360 V8 and a th400, the engine is a dog and i am looking for more power and possibly a rebuilt engine all together. I do not plan on taking it off-road much, the occasional beach trip. Anyone know of a machine shop that is familiar with AMC engines? I am prepared to spend the money but i am not sure where to start with this project, i was considering getting some edelbrock heads and a comp cam but the jeep is very nice and i think it deserves a new engine, it leaks out of every possible place and like i said, lacks any kind of power. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Well, welcome first off When I get new projects, I take my engines to a local machine shop to start off fresh. You could do a compression test to see what's going on with compression, or give a good old fashioned "tune-up" and see what happens.
dne'

 

Well IMO, If the 360 is a dog, then somethings wrong. I have a stock 360 in a 78 CJ5, and I can lift the front tire on hard launch. And it feels like it's twisting the frame. So, .... Like above, compression test.

If you tear down the engine , remove the pistons and check the cylinder wall with a straight edge to check for side wall wear. if thats looks good, then just replace piston rings, rod bearings, main bearings, and lifters, of course all seals and gaskets. And check the timing chain. Take the heads to a machine shop. Then while waiting for parts rebuild the carb.
If the cylinder walls are curved then the block will need bored out. Usually .010 is sufficient.
That should put you back on top.