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Thoughts on the 360.

N

NJCJ8

Active member
City
Great Meadows
State
NJ
Anybody go with an AMC 360 swap in their Scrambler? Looking for options and this seems like an interesting upgrade. Can always go LS but I like keeping it with an in-house engine if possible.
 
I have had several with a 360 just to stay AMC. Very easy swap. Best was my 360 with a performer camshaft, intake, and Holley off-road carb. Engine ran great. That was years ago. Every one is putting fuel injection on now. Have a stock 360 with Holley sniper on it. I would definitely run a cam. Makes a difference
 
I’d been running an AMC 360 for 30 years, but it started to get a little tired. Rather than rebuilding it, I decided to step things up. Yesterday, I finished installing an AMC 401 in its place. Looking forward to seeing how much more power and torque the 401 brings compared to the old 360.
 
mwqpd11 said:
I have had several with a 360 just to stay AMC. Very easy swap. Best was my 360 with a performer camshaft, intake, and Holley off-road carb. Engine ran great. That was years ago. Every one is putting fuel injection on now. Have a stock 360 with Holley sniper on it. I would definitely run a cam. Makes a difference
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Thank you, starting to browse marketplace for a starting point.
 
Slightly off-topic, but has anybody swapped in a 5.2 or 5.9 liter out of a Ram or Grand Cherokee? They seem like a good solution and readily available. Not sure about the adapter plate or if you would even need one. Just a thought.
 
helimd said:
Slightly off-topic, but has anybody swapped in a 5.2 or 5.9 liter out of a Ram or Grand Cherokee? They seem like a good solution and readily available. Not sure about the adapter plate or if you would even need one. Just a thought.
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Here's a post from years ago with some good info and members that had done an Hemi.

Going Postal

Thread 'Jeep Hemi...'

Anyone here done a swap with the new 5.6 (I think) hemi? Just wondering how easy it would go into a CJ8...

Also, if you search "Hemi" and under member put "rubclt" you can find his two build threads.
Tread carefully or you may get in deeper than you originally intended. :rolleyes:
 
I'm thinking of starting another build. I've located a tub w/doors and a clean title. My thoughts were to build my own frame and, while trying to keep with the AMC theme, power it with a more current EFI/automatic drivetrain. I like the 5.2 in my Grand Cherokee but the transfer case orientation is on the wrong side. Shannon Campbell has just finished an unbelievable Scrambler and that one has become my inspiration.
 
helimd said:
Slightly off-topic, but has anybody swapped in a 5.2 or 5.9 liter out of a Ram or Grand Cherokee? They seem like a good solution and readily available. Not sure about the adapter plate or if you would even need one. Just a thought.
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Modern engine have more complexity because of the computer and harness. Here’s where I would start.

CHRYSLER HOT ROD HARNESSES

www.hotwireauto.com www.hotwireauto.com

Then Novak or Adance Adapter for engine, transmission and transfer case choices and adapters, motor mounts, etc

Based on that selection, you may need to swap axles depending on which side transfer case passenger or driver side drop. This pushes project into steering and suspension and even frame swaps.

Point is, anything can be built with enough time, money and knowledge. Online and aftermarket support for more custom options is limited…

That said, the 360 platform is tried and true option for decades in CJ platform because it bolts in, uses Dana 300 and other stock components. Add DUI and fuel injection from Howell or Holley for small extra cost.

Hopefully this is helpful as other decide best option for their build and budget.
 
Thanks, rubclt. My comments on the 5.2l and 5.9l came from my initial thoughts on this potential build. 360's seem to be a rare breed but, more importantly, by the time you add in EFI, headers, cams, etc., you've got a fairly expensive engine. That being said, those costs are more than offset by the bolt-in nature of the install. My daily driver is a '98 ZJ with the 5.2 and I was just tossing a tape measure across this engine and it looked to be a good fit. You're right though, axle changes and the custom nature of the conversion would probably make it a non-starter. I'll keep looking for a 304 or 360.
 
I have a built 360 in mine. If I'm being honest with myself, I wish it wasn't as built as it is. My Scrambler is just a cruiser / look pretty Jeep - which is exactly what I wanted. My engine builder knew it would be the last engine he would build for me due to his health so he surprised me with something big. For that reason I keep it in the Jeep.

Pics taken during the build process. I love these two AMC360-1.jpegAMC360.jpeg
 
That is a clean install, although that has got to be the biggest HEI distributor I've ever seen. Nice work.
 
AdamH said:
I have a built 360 in mine. If I'm being honest with myself, I wish it wasn't as built as it is. My Scrambler is just a cruiser / look pretty Jeep - which is exactly what I wanted. My engine builder knew it would be the last engine he would build for me due to his health so he surprised me with something big. For that reason I keep it in the Jeep.

Pics taken during the build process. I love these two View attachment 118708View attachment 118709
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That looks great 👍
 
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