What Engine Would Be In This Car?

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I found a 74 Matador Station Wagon. I would have verified the engine size, but I was in my company uniform, they get real upset when I get grease on the white shirts. Plus there are two other cars stacked on it, so I really would like to have a good idea what was used in those cars before I beg to get the car dug out. I was wondering if it would be a 401. :cool:

[Snakeyes_Tx]

Matador's with the "Go-package" came with 401's and 4-speeds. There is a possibility that there is a 401 in that thing.. maybe a 390 or a 360... I wouldn't mind having that there 390! :D

[UnkleMunky]

Oh you just HAD to go and find a real tasty year, didn't ya!?!? Though I'm not an expert on the AMC cars, from my Krause AMC book, it shows that all of the following were available in various '74 Matadors: 232, 258, 304, 360, and 401. Thus, it could be any one of these, but likely one of the V8s, and more likely a 360 or 401.

I was wondering how nice this car was until you said there were two others on top of it! Ouch! I guess it's get what you can at this point! If you can check the VIN or otherwise get a good look at the engine for indenification, that would give you the final answer, but you should have your options narrowed some now!

Take care...

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I am going back in the morning I may be able to persuade the owner to lift the other cars off of it. It is a junker no doubt. Looked in through the back window, and the instrument cluster looks really cool, can't be sure but may have an AM/FM/8 track. I was hoping it being a Station Wagon would narrow the engine size down some. I would hate to dig it out only to find a 360 I have enough of those. I also have enough 258's and definitely do not want any 304's ;)

[J20 project]

Most of the 401 Matador's I've seen had an emblem on the side showing the displacement.
J20

[woodybeone]

Who knows, you might get lucky . The last 390 I found was in a station wagon ! More than likely this one has the 360. If you can get a look under the hood there is an emissions tag on the right shock tower that shows the displacement.

[jeepbob]

Most Matador v8's were 304's, in 74 it would not be a 390 unless some one put it in.