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AMC 304

Shrek

Active member
Lifetime Member
City
Saint Francisville
State
LA
My 83 Scrambler came to me with a 304 in it. Originally had a 258 but that was changed by the previous owner before the one I bought it from. Is their anything to look out for on this engine? Or just general thoughts good bad or indifferent that any one can tell me about it. My plan is to go through it but I am finding it difficult to find performance parts for it.
 

AK-RWC

Legacy Registered User
Gold Member
City
south central
State
AK
It’s a good engine, and there is aftermarket support because of the strong AMC drag-racing crowd. You just have to search a little more than a Ford or Chevy, and expect the parts to cost more.
 

Shrek

Active member
Lifetime Member
City
Saint Francisville
State
LA
Thanks I will look a little harder.
 

Rosco1974

Scrambler Junkie
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
City
Oklahoma City
State
OK
I have a 304 for my 7. Great motor. After looking into performance mods I think I would start with a 360 instead. They are fairly available around here.
 

Shrek

Active member
Lifetime Member
City
Saint Francisville
State
LA
Thanks I was considering that. I wasn't going crazy with the performance just giving it a little extra grunt.
 

Shrek

Active member
Lifetime Member
City
Saint Francisville
State
LA
I'm installing a freshly rebuilt engine. Had a carburetor for 36 years and going with EFI now
Yes with the way gas is these days the good old carb has it days numbered sadly. I put it on a 78 C30 that I have and it made all the difference. Along with a fresh rebuild and ignition system.
 

AK-RWC

Legacy Registered User
Gold Member
City
south central
State
AK
The Edelbrock Performer package (cam/carb/intake) is well designed to wake up the 304. I had a buddy that could pop his clutch and lift a front tire in his CJ-7 with this set-up, running 33"s.
 

Shrek

Active member
Lifetime Member
City
Saint Francisville
State
LA
Well I have the performance AMC intake and an Edelbrock carb but don't know about the cam.
 

ag4ever

Average Nut
BENEFACTOR
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Silver Member
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SOA Member
City
Richmond
State
TX
Yes with the way gas is these days the good old carb has it days numbered sadly.

This is one of the most accurate and saddest comments I have seen in a long time. Gas has just gotten so unstable, even with fuel stabilizers. It’s a crying shame.
 

Shrek

Active member
Lifetime Member
City
Saint Francisville
State
LA
This is one of the most accurate and saddest comments I have seen in a long time. Gas has just gotten so unstable, even with fuel stabilizers. It’s a crying shame.
Yes it is a shame!
 

Flatie46

Legacy Registered User
Gold Member
City
Russllville
State
TN
I would recommend running a Wix oil filter and a Cloyes dual row true roller timing chain. AMC V8's don't oil well in the timing area, the true roller chain style helps. I soaked mine in a container of Lucas for a few days to penetrate the rollers and pre-lube the chain before installation. If you change distributors you might want to run your old distributor drive gear as it's worn and matched to the cam. Their is a company called Bulltear that makes high quality AMC performance parts but they are pretty expensive.
 

Shrek

Active member
Lifetime Member
City
Saint Francisville
State
LA
I would recommend running a Wix oil filter and a Cloyes dual row true roller timing chain. AMC V8's don't oil well in the timing area, the true roller chain style helps. I soaked mine in a container of Lucas for a few days to penetrate the rollers and pre-lube the chain before installation. If you change distributors you might want to run your old distributor drive gear as it's worn and matched to the cam. Their is a company called Bulltear that makes high quality AMC performance parts but they are pretty expensive.
Thanks for the info!
 
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