AMC 401 in an Early CJ?

I acquired a '80s CJ which included an AMC 401 with an Edelbrock Weber 500 carburetor, which was already pulled for gasket replacement. I was initially planning on selling the engine because I have a '94 4.3L Vortec for my project 1961 CJ6. But, I wonder, will the AMC 401 fit in my 1961 CJ-6 with grill cutting and no firewall cutting? I'm thinking that it won't fit, but am curious. What are your thoughts?

 

Probably going to be a tight squeeze. The later CJ's were stretched 3 inches to fit the AMC 304 and Inline 6.

 

my friend has a stock 401 in his 74 cj5. when he hits the gas the whole jeep seems to twist ( torque steer) lets off the gas to correct steering and hits it again. i'm not sure but i think the frames in our early cj's are little lighter and a tad more flexi than the 72 to 75 frames. another person i know put a 460 ford in a 78. the bonus is that the dist. is in the front so firewall cutting might not need to happen but would think the grill would have to be modified to make up for longer engine?

 

If you do go the V8 route don't forget about a larger radiator.

 

Plenty of v8's in early CJ's, but not usually AMC's
I think moving the radiator forward would be required, but probably not firewall mods.
Personally I'd keep the 4.3 & sell the 401 to someone with an AMC era Jeep.

 

can you use an intermediate grill with the early fenders, to allow more room for the radiator? One thing's for sure......she'd be a hotrod with that 401. Not sure what tranny options were from the factory. This would be my concern. Not much room for an auto and, I'd want a stout manual behind it. T18s were an option behind the 401, I believe, in the trucks.

 

I'm not sure if I can use an intermediate grill. I do have the late CJ grill with the radiator that was used with the engine. I don't have enough knowledge of the differences in grills, and right now is not the time to go outside while its snowing (lightly) and check.
I (should) have all of the parts to include the exhaust, alternator, starter, and including the existing setup of the T176 transmission and the Jeep Dana 300 transfer case. With the jeep, I even received new engine mounts.
For my project CJ6, I have a Chevy NV4500. I believe Advance Adapters has a new bellhousing that will allow the NV4500 to work with the 401. Even my frame is a little more stout than the C-Channel CJ6 frame. I am using a Jeepster Commando frame, which is factory boxed (although still thinner than a late CJ, I believe).

 

Thanks for everyone's reply. I think I'm just going to go ahead and sell the engine and parts. I need the money for an air tank so that I can paint my jeep (eventually).

 

401's are worth some bucks. connecting rods (stock) are worth quite a bit by themselves. if i had a full size jeep i would love to have that in there.

 

.........especially if they are in their original condition, not bored, rebuilt, etc.

 

Don't give it away.

 

I'm not sure what work has been done to it. The intake manifold is from a 360, so I'm thinking that some work was done to it. Unfortunately, besides oil leaks, that is all I know about it. (It comes with new gaskets and water pump, though.)

I'll be putting it on Craigslist and maybe a couple of 4x4 websites, both with and without the T176/Dana 300 that is behind it including the complete exhaust setup for a CJ5. I need to try to maximize the $$$ I get because that money is going towards my CJ6 build. Unfortunately, due to the time of year, it may not sell right away.

 

If you were near as me i would make an offer but i'm in canada

 

If you were closer, I would probably trade it to you if you could make my jeep coil suspension.

 

Ahah, would sound like a great deal.