What's it take to make a 304 a 360

What's it take to make a 304 a 360 or maybe even a 401? I heard that it's mostly or only just a crankshaft swap - is that all????

 

it takes 360 head, 360 block, 360 crank, 360 pistons, 360 con rods, and 360 everything else. As far as i know, you cant convert any amc motor to another.

just find a 360 in a waggy and use that if you must have more power.

 

The 304 and 360 cranks are the same. The 304 block cannot be bored out to 360 size without sleeving, so if you sleeve the block and use 360 pistons and rods, you'll have a 360 displacement. The 360/401 heads are also different, so you'll need 360 heads. Much cheaper to buy a 360.

You can use a 401 crank and rods with custom pistons in a 360 block to make a 385. The 401 block alloy is different from the 304/360 alloy (stronger), so it's not advisable to try and sleeve a 360 block to 401 size.

 

You could also put a 401 crank and rods with custom pistons in a 304 block and make a 325...

 

When I researched the possibility of upgrading my block i was advised that the block didn't have enough meat to really bore out well (would be too thin)- was I led astray?

 

Which block? Upgrade to what?

 

304 to 360. A couple of shops had thought it would make it too thin walled. Sounds like I was led astray from the previous posts here!

 

The 304 and 360 blocks are different castings. The core used in casting the block gives them a rough bore diameter close to the final diameter, and about the same wall thickness. So, yes, the shop told you right. You could bore out the block and install sleeves, but the original cast material would be too thin.

 

Found a 360 for a 100 bucks out of a 77 Wagoneer. It took one 12 pack and and a friend
to put it in ! R)

 

A minor correction - the 304 and 360 rods are probably the same, since they have the same stroke, width and deck height. I'd have to check the parts book to be sure.

The 401 rods are different though - you must use 401 rods with a 401 crank and vice-versa.

 

Welcome from Boston - I presume this was a replacement for a 304.

Sounds fair - you can often buy the complete Wagoneer for less than the engine would cost. Unless near-perfect, resale on the full-size Wagons isn't very high... add rust, and you can hardly give them away.

However, if you find a Wagonmaster grade one (no rust, low miles, nice paint and interior, complete and original) then they are worth some serious money.

 

Thanks for the welcom. I have read this forum for years , finally joined in. You guys just save me some bucks, almost bought an alternator, it was the Idiot light!
Yes it was a replacment for a 304. The 304 replaced a 6 cly by the PO. Luv AMC engines!
Out here in in Az. we got a ton of Waggys , rust free, almost. Im going to get around and
build one like Trucks TV episode on the FSJ. The epesode is on Google Video still. Check that out !
With all that out of the way, Why spend big bucks on swaps, engine mods, bazzilion $ advance adapter kits to get more engine when you have a bellhousing in these 72-75s ,
that will bolt up a 6 cly to 401 V8s ? :?

 

Cool! Hope you found a 360 flywheel and used that on the 360. The 304 is balanced different than the 360.....
Nickmil

 

Thanks for the Welcome ! Yes the 360 replaced the 304. The 304 replaced a 6 Cly by the PO. Luv the AMC engines ! I got a bone yard fly wheel for next to nuth'n. Put on edlebrock carb and manifold with a DUI HEI spark maker ! I got so much fun and power it should be ilegal !

 

So what I really mean to say is ,.... just go get the bigger AMC engine for a fraction of the cost of modifying a 304, Sell the 304 or
as parts.
As for the Waggy Tim, Check out Trucks TV on Google Video, Project Bargain Beater FSJ, I saw it and now looking for a Waggy !