304 Vs 360...

[poppatello]

Ok, not really jumping around here. Still looking @ the Ford 5.0 idea. But like I'm sure you all know, I already have an incomplete early model AMC 304 . It's either a 71 or 72 block.

I have a line on an 80's 360 that is complete and running. Well, guy has a video of it running before pulled. But it is complete from the pan to the intake and has power steering pump. Motor is 100% stock and was rebuilt. Has about 100k on it. I'm thinking around 300 bucks.

Any advice here? I know the early model motors made better HP and torque. I'm more concerned with low end torque.

So am I better off finishing the 304 or get the 360 and sell the 304???

 

[Hedgehog]

it sounds like you have a AMC 304 that needs a lot of work to run and the opportunity to buy a complete running 360. I'd buy the 360 and never look back. If you had a complete and running 304 I'm not so sure I'd so the it, but that isn't the case here.

 

[poppatello]

Yeah. That's what I was thinking. I estimate I need roughly 1200 to get the AMC 304 running. Need new intake pan, oil pump, water pump, oil pan gasket, distributor and some pulleys...

 

[poppatello]

 

[poppatello]

 

[poppatello]

AMC 304 is said to have around 25k on the rebuild...

 

[Hedgehog]

Here's a radical step. Buy the 360 and take the parts you need for the AMC 304 from it. You'd be money ahead. Then sell the 360 as a short block.

 

[Bent]

Make sure you get the flywheel for the 360. I think the 360/401 are externally balanced and are not interchangeable with the AMC 304 ?

 

[poppatello]

Wow. That's one no one suggested. Get the 360 and make the AMC 304 work.

I kniw the flywheels need to fit the different cranks. So they are not really interchangeable unless u have them rebalance.

I did stop by my shop tonight to look over the items I got from someone on this forum. I can't remember who he was. But looking over the items it looks like I may be a head more then I thought. Check out the pictures.

Oil pump cover. Look ok?

 

[poppatello]

 

[poppatello]

Not sure why it's posting twice. Timing cover has a little gouge in the inside of the cover. Is that ok???

 

[poppatello]

Anyone know what carb this is???

 

[Hedgehog]

It's a 2100 remanufactured by Holley.

 

[poppatello]

Looking @ the pictures of the parts I have, do they look ok? I'm leaning towards just keeping the AMC 304 . I do feel better about the 304 then the 360.

I'm going strictly by looks on this one though. I have not heard either of the engines run.

I figured I would proceed forward with the 304 unless I come up on a current running able to see 360...