Treasure Hunters......forged 360 cranks!

[James 007]

Hey All,

Here's some info I got from AMC Forum. While you guy's are out in the boneyards, you could pickup some stronger cranks for cheap cuz most people never heard of "forged" 360 cranks. They weren't common, but they are out there... Happy Hunting! :D

Hmmm... I wonder if the rods w/ the forged 360 are forged as well?!?! If anyone finds these cranks, I'd like to know if the rods are "forged" too!!! Thanx James smile.gif

Forged casting #'s for the 304/360 cranks: 1972-1980 (3213754, 3214724), 1970 to 1971 (RD5126, 3195292, 4487237). You might also run into some w/ no casting numbers. '72 and later have the centering ring and the others have the flat flange.

It's easy to tell a cast from a forged simply by looking at them. Hard to explain, but the cast have a single cast line running down the side whereas the forged are quite different. Next time in a machine shop, have them show you a cast from a forged and you will easily see the difference. They also have a different color to them.

[ July 28, 2002, 02:49 PM: Message edited by: James 007 ]

[TexasJ10]

Any external indications? A complete engine tear down in the bone yard is difficult. What were they used in? Manuals and autos? AMC wasn't known for spending any money they didn't have to, so these forged 360 cranks are intriguing. Maybe I should get in touch witht eh loacal engine rebuilders and tell them to keep an eye out for these things.

[mechanic58]

It's interesting you bring this up...years ago, before I knew very much about jeeps, I had a buddy that had a CJ-7 that had a 304 in it. Long story short, he siezed it up one day and I overhauled it for him. When I got it apart I discovered it had a forged crankshaft in it. The bearings were almost welded to the journals. I got em pried off and the crank polished up and measured out fine! Didn't even need reground. I was amazed.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

304/360 as in same crank????? Or two different cranks. Being as they require different balance plates I would think they are different cranks. ;)

[243]

Instead of hunting for this elusive, forged crank, put your time, effort and money into a quality rebuild. The stock crank is plenty strong for all but the wildest motors.