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Amc 401

Discussion in 'Jeep Truck and FC Tech' started by Ol Fogie, Apr 25, 2020.

  1. May 6, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The Dana 60 for a Quadratrac or Dana 20 are the same. No change in offset. Jeep apparently thought the J-truck rear driveshaft was long enough that the change in angle did not matter.

    I agree, T-handle and flanges says Quadratrac.
     
  2. May 6, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
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    Thanks for all your post. I have not been back up there to negotiate with the owner yet. I am still considering my options. My time to to examine the truck has been limited to a few minutes before sunset after work. My first impression of it thru the brush and debris was it had a Quadratrac badge on the front fender, however when I cleared the brush and debris away I found what I saw was actually a red and white decal advertisement for some after market accessory. My comment of it having a d20 was simply my assumption since I thought it was probably not a Quadratrac. I have not been able to see under there because the wheels and tires have been removed and the axles are on the ground. I will try to clear away more brush next trip so I can see under there to verify. I agree the front axle drive flange suggest Quadratrac. Also there is no transfer case shift lever in the floor. The ''low range'' T-handle on the dash as Tim said suggest Quadratrac too. I will try to sort it all out next trip.
     
  3. May 6, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    My first thoughts on buying this truck was using the 360 for a rebuild to install in my 74 cj5. After I found it is a 401 I am thinking that is probably more engine than I need. After all the hotrod in me is long gone. I am thinking I could sell the engine and use the money toward rebuilding my 304. Maybe I could get it to run while still in the chassis. Anyone have any idea what the market is for a complete 401 with all the accessories attached?
     
  4. May 7, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Here's your question: Parts car price? Asking for a friend. - Full Size Jeep Network

    I would note, your CJ will be worth more with the 401 than with its 304. It's one of those legendary stories from back in the day. And it's a dead-easy swap. Dunno, I'd probably get it just to have it, though the 304 has plenty of poop for a CJ chassis.

    If you are thinking about the money, I'd point out that in general risk is proportional to reward. If you figure out everything in advance, your profit potential should be significantly lower. If it were me, I'd try to get it at near my worst-case break-even cost.
     
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  5. May 7, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    Thanks Tim,That is good advice. Also I will watch that thread to see what response we get.
     
  6. May 17, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    Well after 3 weeks I finally got the owner to give me a price for the entire truck. He priced it to me for 900 but came down to 700 and would not go any lower. Bottom line a roll back to transport it 25 miles to my shop will cost about 200 meaning I will still have 900 in it and still not sure of the condition of any of the parts. Even with me getting the motor to run ok in the chassis with good oil pressure ect. I don't think there would be enough profit margin to justify all the work to part it out. The body is totally scrap except for the grill and left front fender flare. both axles and the trans are probably ok along with a few other odds and ends. Then I will need to transport the rest of whats left to the scrap metal yard, I would be lucky if the scrap metal brought enough money to buy the fuel to transport it. I just don't know. what do you all think?
     
  7. May 17, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I don't get why the guy wants so much if it hasn't cost him anything. He should be happy with a few hundred bucks, at least he doesn't have to pay to get it hauled off. It doesn't seem to me it would be worth the effort to mess with at that price.
     
  8. May 17, 2020
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    We have to " Know when to Hold 'em & Know when to Fold 'em " , My Friend . Go with your first gut feeling on this one. It doesn't have the 360 you were wanting it to have. The extra work, time & money is not worth it, IMHO.
     
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  9. May 17, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    I think with my interest he got to thinking it might be worth something more, and started asking questions around. He did make the statement ''Those old jeep parts are getting harder to find'' I left him with an offer of 400 dollars. that is about 100 more than scrap value. We will see if he calls me.
     
  10. May 17, 2020
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    There ya Go........
     
  11. May 17, 2020
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    If the engine turns over its worth more than the asking price.
     
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  12. May 18, 2020
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    If it’s not cracked the 401 bare block is worth the asking price let alone a complete engine. AMC car guys pay silly prices for them. If that were local I’d grab it for $700 in a heartbeat, pay the tow fees, part it out, and make money to finance other projects. Or use the engine in my project and part out the rest. Lots of good parts in those trucks.
     
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  13. May 18, 2020
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

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    A 401 for that price that very well may run? I'd already have it in the driveway. That motor alone is worth that. Depending on the axles, those could be worth a good bit. I see this as a can't loose plan in my area.
     
  14. May 19, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    It is a bit of a gamble, it could be cracked and we would have no way of knowing without getting it started up and run for a while. If the block were cracked somewhere and were unusable what would the heads, 4bbl intake and the motorcraft 4300 carb be worth alone? If the axles are usable(8-lug) what would their approx value be? What might the auto trans be worth?
    The fact it has been not run in 10 or so years would it not have to be disassembled and all the seals replaced (crank, valve stem, ect.) before it could be run reliably? Also what about piston rings, I have heard somewhere when they have been sitting long term they sometimes will loose their tension and stick in their groves needing replaced before the engine can be placed back in service?
    Lets say I can get the engine started, it has good hot oil pressure, doesn't run hot, no strange noises ect. what would you think I could sell it for with potential buyers being able to hear it run?
    With initial investment of 900 (700 truck, plus 200 tow to my shop) it just seams like a lot of work for the profit potential unless it is worth a good bit more than I expect. Any new opinions?
     
  15. May 19, 2020
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Welcome to the real world of old used jeep parts. :schooled: :rolleyes:
     
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  16. May 19, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    I would not do it for the money - my time is more valuable than that. I'd do it if I wanted the parts. Seems likely this is a runner now, and chances are a virgin block. Even with a hole in the block, I'd guess the crank is worth a few hundred on its own. Very desirable. A 401 in a CJ is very fast, and something people will be interested in and you can brag about. Who needs speed parts when you have this engine?
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2020
  17. May 19, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

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    I think it’s one of those deals where, if you have to ask if it’s worth it, it’s not worth it. Some guys would snatch it up in a heartbeat. Others (like me), even knowing the value, would pass. As Tim stated, sometimes you need to put a price on your time and realize you can’t save them all.
     
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  18. May 19, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    I know you guys are right. There are easier ways to make a few bucks than spend a week trying to salvage possibly questionable rare jeep parts. Then theirs the other side of me that wants to grab that engine and tinker with putting it in my jeep, it sure would be fun to have a sleeper no one suspects until that traffic lite turns green and THEN leave'em all in a cloud of dust :D. After all it's the little things like this that make life a worthwhile adventure. But I guess that 304 in there now has enough power for an Ol Fogie like me. Ah decisions decisions. Thanks you all for all your opinions and supporting me in my sometimes questionable ideas and adventures. Who knows I may not be able to resist and wind up with a 401 equipped CJ5.
    Jim
     
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  19. May 19, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Well now, the plot thickens. If you're not worried about getting your money back then it certainly can't hurt anything to get it and check it out.
     
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  20. May 19, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    A 401 in a CJ5 is not for the faint of heart. I had a '72 CJ5 that had an earlier AMC 390 out of an AMX; pretty much the same as the 401. I got the Jeep after it had been rolled, but still drove home after the incident.
    That Jeep was stupid fast. It just jumped when you got on it. It was a real handfull, and I'm not sure I would want it back today. I ended up selling it after it broke the drivers side rear leaf spring in half, shifting the axle with that rear tire wedging up under the drivers seat, after steering the Jeep hard to the right taking me off the road.
    That asking price is very fair, even taking a chance the engine is rebuildable.
    -Donny
     
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