Exterior dimensions: 343, 360, 401

[Thomas DeBusk]

Are the exterior dimensions of the 343, 360, and 401 the same?

Conversation yesterday with a fellow I just met:

Me: I see you have a Wagoneer like mine.
Him: Yeah, it's for sale.

Me: What year?
Him: '78.

Me: How much?
Him: I'll take what I paid. $400. Front fenders are shot to pieces, but it runs good.

Me: Do you know what motor it has?
Him: No.

Curious, I pop the hood, and there, on the side of the air cleaner is a sticker: AMC 401. Woo hoo! By the way, what transfer case is a '78 Quadra-Trac?

No, I'm not telling where it is. Too bad I've got the motor for my J10 all done. But I do have this '67 AMC Ambassador convertible with a tired old 343. And my Wag's motor is pushing 193K. Hence my question about the engine dimensions.

Thomas

[Crazy_Jeepman]

engines 290, 304, 343, 360, 390, 401, share the same block externally. So it should drop in. However you will need the correct flexplate/Flywheel for any swaps. each engine is balanced differently so balancers and Flexplates/Flywheels are not interchangable. Accy bolt holes onheads may also be different.

[bvibert]

Before you get too excited you may want to check the casting on the side of the block under the motor mounts. You can see them while its in the truck if you lay under it. I've gotten "fooled" twice by trucks that should have been 360's but ended up being 304's :(

The transfer case in a 78 with a auto would be Quadra Trac, which is a full time case BW1339 I think... That is of course asuming its stock...

[ibnfe]

Definately check the casting number. Under the motor mount bracket on the block, about 1 1/2" high letters will state the block size. i.e. 401, 360 etc. If it is a 401, that sounds like a steal to me.

Greg