Converting a 304 to a 360

[Hedgehog]

A week or so ago I posted about buying a 360 to replace my AMC 304 . The goal was to replace an emissions stripped engine with a complete factory engine. Well after much consideration I pulled the trigger and bought the 360. It hasn't been delivered yet, but I might be experiencing a bit of buyers remorse. Since the 360 is a 1982 engine from a Wagoneer it occurred to me that this might be a computer controlled engine. Would anybody know if it is a computer controlled engine and if it is feasible to remove the computer and still have a working engine?

There is always the option of using the 4 barrel Holly and Edelbrock intake manifold from the AMC 304 on the 360, but then I'm back to the emissions question.

No matter what I'll have the grunt of a decent 360.

Does anybody know where or what color code AMC engine blue is? I've asked around here but the parts guys I've asked so far have looked at me like I'm out of my head, one said I don't stock paint for an Edsel motor either. Sure if I had a spray gun I could have the paint mixed, but I'd like to use a rattle can.

 

[IOPort51]

for the "proper color" see Eastwood.

 

[Hedgehog]

I've seen all of Clints movies but can't recall mention of AMC paint ....... ...... Okay enough of that, would that be a Google search for Eastwood, or would that be a members/posters name? I imagine it's a paint company, but it can't be just Eastwood. I imagine the search would be full of Clint E. stuff.

 

[Old Dog]

Here's a link to Clints web site just in case you haven't found it yet.
Eastwood High Temperature Ceramic Engine Paint - AMC Blue

 

[thistle3585]

I got 2 rattle cans from Seymour paint for about $12 a can.

 

[Hedgehog]

Pretty, but it doesn't look much like the paint on my AMC 304 .

I should know better, especially after moderating a BB like this for 7 years. My toss in question about paint gets all the traction and my main question about computer controls is ignored completely. This is nothing new and I'm not really complaining to or about anyone but I should know better than to combine questions.

 

[DHugg]

Pretty, but it doesn't look much like the paint on my AMC 304 .

I should know better, especially after moderating a BB like this for 7 years. My toss in question about paint gets all the traction and my main question about computer controls is ignored completely. This is nothing new and I'm not really complaining to or about anyone but I should know better than to combine questions.

Hedgehog, some possible help for CC-engine question:
My '80 reman AMC 304 WAS a computerized engine; the computer module is still screwed into the fender well. But there is no more air injection - all ports capped closed and pump removed. There are no more sensor-triggered vacuum lines - all stripped off. No O2 sensor or any other sniffer in the exhaust - only the vacuum booster to the brake master and the vacuum advance line to the intake manifold.

I didn't do all this work. It was there when I bought the '80 CJ7 in Nov2009. But the engine runs very well and strong without electronic control to minimize mythical Man-made Global Warming and maximize profits to the oil industry. I like it right well the way it is set up, only making a changeover to MSD ignition in the next two months.

 

[Hedgehog]

Unfortunately the Tucson area requires a visual inspection along with the tail pipe emissions requirements. That doesn't mean all of it needs to work. I have no problem with the air pump, it takes little in the way of hp to run and if it does help the cat's to burn excess fuel then why not. I feel much the same way about some of the other purging systems. Most of the rest of it can be for show as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not a believer in Global Warming or Climate Change caused by mans activities. As far as, maximizing "profits to the oil industry" is concerned, well I'm not much for conspiracies of that sort either. I believe the car industry had to go through the rather crude efforts available at the time to comply with air quality standards of the time. That work lead us to the relatively excellent systems we have today. I hate'em, but by god they work well. Vehicles, well vehicle engines and drive trains run longer with fewer problems than ever in history. Mostly because of the work that was forced on them to make cleaner running and driving vehicles. It sure was a stumbling mess to get here though.

I have come to the conclusion that I will need a distributor and a Carb. Or at least I will need to modify the existing parts to some degree. I'm not really interested in a fire breathing beast, after all how much power is really needed to push a 3800 pound vehicle around at little more than walking speed.

 

[CJim7]

It really all depends on how strict the visual inspection is. I've ran computer controlled engines disconnected and with emmisions capped off. This really isn't a problem with the older stuff as long as you use a non-computer controlled carb. The new stuff depends on computer input to operate many more functions such as timing and spark control...but that goes hand in hand with fuel injection.

My advice. Move somewhere that doesn't require emmisions.....and remove everything but vacuum advance and the PCV system.

 

[Hedgehog]

Yeah I've considered moving many times. I grew up in as a very rural part of upstate New York and this city living drives me nuts, in fact I hate it. But the reason I'm here is the echonomy and I've worked for 20+ years in the City Water Department. Considering my education there is no way I could come close to replacing the income I have now. Basically I'm stuck here with a warm fall and spring and cool winters, with only a few weeks of truly hot weather to get through. Tucson isn't so bad really.

I'm not sure how much the computer controlled this engine, my guess is, not much. I've finally got an engine hoist lined up, I needed a way to get the engine off the delivery truck, so I'll have the engine delivered early next week. Sorry if I'm repeating myself, but that is the time I'll really get to know what I've got to work with. I'm getting kind of excited to move forward with the next step in the process.