360 pro's and con's

Hey guys,

I just happened to find a rebuilt 360 for sale and I need to know pro's and con's of the swap.
Does the flywheel off my 258 work???
I have a 3 core radiator right now so that shouldn't be a problem.
How about motor mounts?? I have heard that you can flip one????

I need some advice here. I have some goodies off the 258 I can sell once the swap is done to offset the cost.

Thanks for the help

High5

 

Here is a link to some good discussions regarding a 304 swap in place of a 6, which would apply to your 360 questions. --> http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28455

If you search the site there may be more discussions.

 

Mmm... what kind of advice? Should you swap the 258 for a 360? Certainly I would not. Both the 360 and the 258 are not very expensive to buy - both are something of cigar butts - and the 258 is a superior design IMO. The 360 is fine as far as V8s of the period go, but the only thing that recommends it is that it will bolt up to your existing bell housing. Most were matched with automatics, so if it doesn't have a flywheel, you'll have to buy one - can't use your 258 flywheel.

JMO - if you want a V8, you may as well do it right and get a 401. Adding the 360 will bring down the value of your Jeep, since it's not the original motor, and I expect most buyers will want the 258 if the price of gas stays up, as I think it will. Again, JMO, but you'll be better off with changing the axle gearing if you want more pep. I'd guess that you have 3.73s, and the 258/T18 CR with 4.27s is a nice combination.

 

BTW it has to be a 360 flywheel - each of the AMC V8s is (externally) balanced differently, and needs its own flywheel.

 

Why do you say that the 360 is a cigar butt? I have both a 304 and a 360 in the family. Oiling, cooling, ??

 

if you are going to swap a six for a v8 you might as well do a small block chevy. parts for them are everywhere.
dave

 

Cigar butt only in terms of availability - an overstatement... sorry if I raised any hackles. The 360 seems easy to find and cheap generally, like the 258. The 360 (or 304) isn't a bad motor, though it is more likely to have issues (oil pressure, rod bearings, flat cam in particular) than a 258 IMO.

 

I'm very happy with mine. I started out with the 232 so it was a huge change for me. I don't really see a big difference in gas mileage either. The rebuild cost a little more than a chevy would have but I didn't have to spend money on adapters for a chevy so it evens out.

 

to each their on. personally, i love the amc 360. yeah, slight oiling problems that can be taken care of easily. i say do it.:twisted: maybe lose 1 or 2 mpg. lots more torque. torque = power . t-18 with happily handle it. may have to change input shaft, can't remember off-hand. cons: parts are a little more. if yall have a visual emissions inspection for your year, you have have to put all emissions back on. getting harder to find, but can be done. however, you would have to do this for any engine you swap in and a 360 would probably raise less eyebrows than any other swap.

 

I heard ther was a timing chain guide that was often the cause of failure. Any experience with this or fixes?

 

Not a guide AFAIK - some of the timing chain sets came through with the oil passages improperly drilled, and there was a batch of bad cams from Summit and whoever supplies them.

 

Thanks for all the reply's guys. Timgr, you are a true Jeep purist. That is a good thing. However, I'm not concerned with "value" since this Jeep will never leave the family. It's a lifer!!!!
I did go look at this engine. It has the stock 2v intake, has distributor, and exhaust manifolds. It does have a flex plate instead of the flywheel and yes, I know that will have to change. Per the owners father, it has new main bearings, rings, water pump, and timing set. We pulled a valve cover off and it has assembly lube on the rockers and such. It needs an alternator and brackets, power steering pump and brackets, pulleys and a fan. I will also be putting a clutch on it before installing. I think this is going to be more of a summer project than just buy it and drop in.

Fortunately, I live in Iowa and we don't have emmisions tests so that isn't an issue.

I have a question though, how do you know if you can just flip the passenger side motor mount and make it work???? I would like to know this before searching. I also plan on using a DUI HEI since my jeep is currently wired for that. That will be by far the most expensive thing to buy. Hell, even the engine is only 250 bucks.

Always wanted a V8 in my Jeep. Maybe someday I can fuel inject it as well.

Thanks

High5

 

250, thats a smoking deal. good luck. the wiring with have to be reworked anyway, but the dui is a great setup. couldn't tell you about the mounts thou. nickmil would probably be the one to ask.

 

I have an HEI on my 258 right now so all I have to do is unplug it and plug it back in to the new HEI. They are both one wire hook ups. I hope someone can tell me how to know about the mounts. Anyone???


High5

 

i guess i will stick with my cigar butt 258 seems fine to me .

 

you may be able to unplug the hei and plug up the v8 hei, however the distributor placement on the engine are a ways apart. same goes for coolant temp. sender, oil pressure sender, and electric choke just off the top of my head. granted i'm talking about electric gauges, if you got mechinical guages thats another story. hth.

 

I bet they aren't that far apart. The 258 is definitely longer than the 360. I'm not worried about that stuff as of yet. I still need to get the 360 home.

High5

 

rock on man. have fun with the project.