Should I get the 360?

[FiNorman]

A guy that I met through Craigslist and previously bought some parts from and has been very good to me is offering to sell me a 360 for $AMC 150 . through some texts this is our conversation....

"$AMC 150 for the block with timing chain cover, oil pan, crank, rods, pistons. Plus I have the extra set of crank, rods, pistons. The heads are disassembled but I should have all the parts. I was plan ing on getting all new valves for it. Ill throw in a stock distributor and what ever else I have laying around for the 360. You should take it to a shop to have it checked and do he machine work for it."

He also offered to take it to the shop where "I talked to the machinist. He said $80 to check all specs on the block, pistons, rods and crank. Every thing but magna flux it. Like I said if you want to spend the cash to have the motor inspected ill disassemble what's here and drop it off. He'll give me a price and list of what it needs to be rebuilt."

I now have a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with a T-5 , Dana 300 , Dana 44 rear in my 1985. my question is besides the radiator, starter, wiring harness, headers, hei distributor, carb, and possibly needing to replace my T-5 with something sturdier, is there anything I'm missing cost wise while i'm budgeting? The shop will credit the $100 inspection to any future work. its about $AMC 150 -200 per cylinder and $250-400 for the head work, and the jeep will basically be a daily driver with little off road use.
is there anything I'm missing or that I'm not accounting for? thoughts?

 

[diddy2003]

Do you not like your AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l ? Before spending money, I always ask myself if its truly needed and worth it. You could always just buy it, because that is cheap, and leave it all in the garage until the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l needs to be rebuilt.

 

[FiNorman]

When I bought the vehicle it was not running, So I haven't had a chance to check out the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . However on my previous 2 Jeeps I did have a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and had no complaints of them, Although the 79 CJ7 was After three speed and the 90 Wrangler was a five speed neither could get up above 60 miles an hour.
I only really give it some thought because I feel like this jeep will be something that I will own forever and I wanted to do it to my specifications, But it's deathly not a dealbreaker if I can't get the 360. This would be our first engine rebuild and I just wanted to try to get an idea for budget and to make sure that I wasn't missing any line items in the rebuild.

 

[poppatello]

What do they do for an inspection? Is it AMC 150 to 200 to redo a cylinder?

If I were you I would replace all the mechanical parts such as the time cover, which takes care of the oil pump and while you have that off you can install a new distributor cam gear. I wouldn't put the stock on back on it either so replace that distributor. If the fuel pump is mechanical replace that and a new water pump. If you do around town driving then the T-5 will serfice for now to save a bit but plan on changing it out in the future. You already are ahead of the game with 44 rear so no need to install one piece axle shafts which the 360 would ripe apart. You may want to install a new harmonic balancer as well...

I have a AMC 304 I'm finishing up from a PO rebuild and those are the items I am replacing...

 

[jgjeeper]

If you're building a dream jeep that's been a long time dream then spend the money. But for just a trail toy or just an old jeep for putting around I wouldn't spend the money. You can find a healthy 360 that doesn't need rebuiling for less money.

 

[BusaDave9]

Did I miss what Transmission you plan on using?
Please tell me it won't be the T-5 !
I hate buying engines. Build it yourself or I like to buy from a company that is in the business of building engines every day for people. Don't get me wrong. You can get a great engine from someone that has built a few engines before. I just don't know who you are dealing with and can't make a recommendation.

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

I just had my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l rebuilt last week. New pistons, cam, lifters, and a rebuilt head I was all in for $985. Included complete gasket kit and tax. Get the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l rebuilt IMO, then you don't need anything else!

 

[FiNorman]

What do they do for an inspection? Is it AMC 150 to 200 to redo a cylinder?

If I were you I would replace all the mechanical parts such as the time cover, which takes care of the oil pump and while you have that off you can install a new distributor cam gear. I wouldn't put the stock on back on it either so replace that distributor. If the fuel pump is mechanical replace that and a new water pump. If you do around town driving then the T-5 will serfice for now to save a bit but plan on changing it out in the future. You already are ahead of the game with 44 rear so no need to install one piece axle shafts which the 360 would ripe apart. You may want to install a new harmonic balancer as well...

I have a AMC 304 I'm finishing up from a PO rebuild and those are the items I am replacing...

I have come to trust the seller, just because in the past he has gone out of his way to help me out without an expectation of anything in return. He's a good guy that loves jeeps, and since my son an I are really inexperienced he has always lent us a hand with questions and even given me a bunch of parts he wasn't going to use.

This is what he had to say about the machine shop.
"
There's a shop near me. The guy does high quality work. Makes lots of race car motors.. He's reasonably priced for his skill level. Getting a motor built is like getting LASIK or a vasectomy, you don't ways want to go with the cheapest bidder."

As for what will be done for the inspection, the seller said,
"I talked to the machinist. He said $80 to check all specs on the block, pistons, rods and crank. Every thing but magna flux it. Like I said if you want to spend the cash to have the motor inspected ill disassemble what's here and drop it off. He'll give me a price and list of what it needs to be rebuilt. If your good with it you can pay me for the motor and ill have him do the work. If its to much ill bring the motor back home and let it sit here. If you want the work done the $80 will be subtracted from the bill."

 

[FiNorman]

Did I miss what Transmission you plan on using?
Please tell me it won't be the T-5 !
I hate buying engines. Build it yourself or I like to buy from a company that is in the business of building engines every day for people. Don't get me wrong. You can get a great engine from someone that has built a few engines before. I just don't know who you are dealing with and can't make a recommendation.

The T-5 isn't something I'm thrilled about, but maybe it will give me time to troll around to find an ax15 or something else that someone could suggest.
I have looked at buying an engine, but haven't really found anything for less than around $2000, then with shipping and not currently owning a core it brought it up to around $2500. We would need to assemble the engine ourselves as he would just do the machine work.

 

[FiNorman]

I just had my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l rebuilt last week. New pistons, cam, lifters, and a rebuilt head I was all in for $985. Included complete gasket kit and tax. Get the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l rebuilt IMO, then you don't need anything else!

You could be right, the other thing that lingers in my mind is I have done some research and the 360 benefits from a mod to get oil pumped to cylinder 5... I wonder how much that will cost and if it will be done correctly.

This is what the seller told me.
"Most of the problems tend to be wear in older engines. As long as you install a good misplace from bulltear, make sure you oil pump cover is in good shape and your cam oiling holes line up the. You should be good on pressure. There is also a mod where you can have a hard line run from one of the rear oil passages to the front by drilling and tapping then running a hose between em."
Is this the best way to do it?

 

[rr41mag]

If it was me I would get it and put it in the garage and save it fr those rainy day projects. I'm doing Dana 44 's and just mess around a little each day. I also have a 1976 chevy truck motor I've been lugging around for years now. One of these days I'll put it on the engine stand.

 

[BusaDave9]

The T-5 isn't something I'm thrilled about, but maybe it will give me time to troll around

It'll give you about a week before it dies. Do not even try to adapt a T-5 to a V8. Behind a strait 6 it's the worst Transmission (along with it's relatives the T-4 & SR4 ) to ever go into a CJ.
Check out this link: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f105/manual-cj-transmissions-12112/#post97094
You will need a T-18 or some other HT Transmission .

 

[diddy2003]

I just had my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l rebuilt last week. New pistons, cam, lifters, and a rebuilt head I was all in for $985. Included complete gasket kit and tax. Get the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l rebuilt IMO, then you don't need anything else!

Wow! Great deal. That's not bad at all!

 

[FiNorman]

Did I miss what Transmission you plan on using?
Please tell me it won't be the T-5 !
I hate buying engines. Build it yourself or I like to buy from a company that is in the business of building engines every day for people. Don't get me wrong. You can get a great engine from someone that has built a few engines before. I just don't know who you are dealing with and can't make a recommendation.

do you have any companies you would recommend to buy an engine from? as far as the Transmission you would recommend T-18 , sm420, sm465, or a T-176 ? what about an ax15? what do you think should these run me? do you recommend getting rid of the T-5 even if I keep the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l ?

 

[FiNorman]

If it was me I would get it and put it in the garage and save it fr those rainy day projects. I'm doing Dana 44 's and just mess around a little each day. I also have a 1976 chevy truck motor I've been lugging around for years now. One of these days I'll put it on the engine stand.

That's actually a great idea... lets see what the machine shop says... what do you guys think a decent shop should run per cylinder?

 

[FiNorman]

What do they do for an inspection? Is it AMC 150 to 200 to redo a cylinder?

If I were you I would replace all the mechanical parts such as the time cover, which takes care of the oil pump and while you have that off you can install a new distributor cam gear. I wouldn't put the stock on back on it either so replace that distributor. If the fuel pump is mechanical replace that and a new water pump. If you do around town driving then the T-5 will serfice for now to save a bit but plan on changing it out in the future. You already are ahead of the game with 44 rear so no need to install one piece axle shafts which the 360 would ripe apart. You may want to install a new harmonic balancer as well...

I have a AMC 304 I'm finishing up from a PO rebuild and those are the items I am replacing...

if you don't mind me asking what did the machine shop run you?

 

[jeepn4evr]

Years ago I bought a AMC 304 & rebuilt it then found a 360 in good shape. Never installed either of them & ended up selling both engines eventually & keeping the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I had for a few reasons.

A - Figured I would either kill myself or go broke from speeding tickets with a V8 in the little CJ5 (something to keep in mind depending on how old your son is & how much he will drive it)

B - That AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l is one of the best motors out there, great torque, can't kill it no matter what you do. Before swapping to another AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I was running on 5 cylinders & still had tons of power (could even shoot flame due to unburnt gas lol). I saw my uncle pour 5 quarts of oil into his 93 Grand Cherokee 4.0 numerous times, only because it started making a weird noise & he realized it was low....again. Yeah it doesn't go that fast sometimes, but hey I have other toys for speed.

Personally if I were to do an engine swap I would swap in a 4.0 with Fuel Injection & call it good. In fact thats what I will do when I have a little extra cash as I have a 4.0 on a stand waiting to go in.

 

[FiNorman]

Years ago I bought a AMC 304 & rebuilt it then found a 360 in good shape. Never installed either of them & ended up selling both engines eventually & keeping the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I had for a few reasons.

A - Figured I would either kill myself or go broke from speeding tickets with a V8 in the little CJ5 (something to keep in mind depending on how old your son is & how much he will drive it)

actually that's a great point and when we started the project I eliminated the possibility of a v8 for that reason.... I just had this deal come up and it stoked my curiosity....maybe I will get it and save it for our next project

 

[jeepn4evr]

Another option is to finish your build & put the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l in & then work on rebuilding & souping up the 360 & installing that either after your son moves out or turns 30 so you can have a fast Jeep & aren't worried aobut him getting in trouble with it.

 

[poppatello]

if you don't mind me asking what did the machine shop run you?

I purchased my engine as you see it in this thread. The PO I got it from bought a 72 Javelin from Ohio. His father told me that an older lady owned the car and rebuilt the engine. They got the car and pulled it for a 401. They robbed most of the externals for the 401 and some items that I'm not sure why like the fly wheel which won't mate to a 401. They didn't know what the specs were on the build. So I'm kind of up in the air on what I will do here. I may just get the missing parts and drop it in. Or I may have a machine shop just look it over to make sure it's ok and possible add a mild cam and have them finish it up so it's ready to drop in. I'm not sure yet.

The motor is said to have about 30k on it's clock. But hard to tell...
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/well-getting-304-a-14349/index2.html