360 vs 401

[klank]

When it comes to motors i'm pretty much a newbie. my 89 has a 401 w/ 30k in it and custom built. My new 87 has a 360 rebuild in it w/ 30k on it. The 89 is going to be a parts rig. So this is what I need suggestions on.

Should I keep the 360 in the 87 or put in the 401?

What are the advantages/disadvantages.

Just so you know I do have a 22ft fiberglass boat I pull with it. Would one pull better than the other?

[woodstock]

Virtually no comparison between that 360 and the 401. Anything the 360 can do, the 401 does better. It's sometime problematic overboring a 401 though. Use the 401 for now and keep your 360 for when your 401 dies, or vice versa. Then you can still drive your rig while you rebuild the other. I'm sure you'll find the 401 is superior to the 360. I'm wrestling with whether or not the 401 is better than the Buick 350.

[RBJ]

Either way, people give AMC engines a bad rap for the wrong reasons. Bar none the AMC 401 is about the best small block you can get for the money. It comes stock with forged crank and rods, the block has the highest nickle content of any other from the big 3. I think most AMC problems arise from people who don't know how to select the right parts for the application, poor aftermarket parts. Have machinest work on them who never have before. Go take a look at the bearing caps on the 401 compared to the 360, about 1.5 times the thickness. The 401 I am building should develope around 454 lbs torque at 2000 rpm and pretty flat all the way up to 4000 rpm at 506 ft/lbs on stock bore (These are gross numbers). No way you are going to get that out of the buick 350 at such a low RPM, IMO.

I would pull the 401 put it on a stand, clean it up and fog it then store it for another 70-100k and then rebuild the 360. Propery maintained the AMC block is as good as any out there. I would like to see someone punch a Ford 5.0 block .125 over without having to sleave it.

[Elliott]

Originally posted by RBJ:
Either way, people give AMC engines a bad rap for the wrong reasons. Bar none the AMC 401 is about the best small block you can get for the money. It comes stock with forged crank and rods, the block has the highest nickle content of any other from the big 3. I think most AMC problems arise from people who don't know how to select the right parts for the application, poor aftermarket parts. Have machinest work on them who never have before. Go take a look at the bearing caps on the 401 compared to the 360, about 1.5 times the thickness. The 401 I am building should develope around 454 lbs torque at 2000 rpm and pretty flat all the way up to 4000 rpm at 506 ft/lbs on stock bore (These are gross numbers). No way you are going to get that out of the buick 350 at such a low RPM, IMO.

I would pull the 401 put it on a stand, clean it up and fog it then store it for another 70-100k and then rebuild the 360. Propery maintained the AMC block is as good as any out there. I would like to see someone punch a Ford 5.0 block .125 over without having to sleave it.I will second every word you read above.

[jeepsr4ever]

The buick 350 was a great motor and came stock in many applications with more horsepower than 90 percent of stock 401's but a 401 developes torque faster and it doesnt take much for a 401 to dwarf a buick 350 in buildup.....isay go 401 ....but i am biased

[klank]

Good advice. I think I may be a bit dissatisfied with the 401 right now cause it has a rochester quadra Jet on it and it barely gets my boat over the mtn. My 1991 mazda truck 2.6 liter would pull at the same speed being a 4cyl. How did that happen?

I think I just need to do the swap and figure out what carb to put on it.

[Rye]

Look at what gears your FSJ has vs the Mazda. That's the diff in towing. A 4 banger will have better gearing than a late 80's FSJ. My 87 has a towing package w/ 3:31's otherwise it would only have 2:73's. In the end it's all about the gearing smile.gif

[mdill]

Don't listen to any of the above fools, keep the 360, scrap the 401
(I will out of the goodness of my heart have a guy there to pick it at no cost to you)

Mike D.

[RBJ]

Speaking of I just got a lead on a 401. One in a nearby yard that somehow I missed. Apparently the jeep is in the wrong part of the yard, it's among regualar cars and that is how I missed it!!! I thought I went through every one there and only found 360's. But Hey you can never have too many sitting in the bacement for future projects can you smile.gif If it is there that will make number 3. smile.gif

-RJ

[klank]

It seems so odd to me that so many think I should scrap the 401(or give it to them for free. I guess to use a paper weight)and go with the 360. it's amazing how many less wires and vac lines there are in the 87 compared to the 89.

[DieselSJ]

Originally posted by RBJ:
Either way, people give AMC engines a bad rap for the wrong reasons. Bar none the AMC 401 is about the best small block you can get for the money. It comes stock with forged crank and rods, the block has the highest nickle content of any other from the big 3. I think most AMC problems arise from people who don't know how to select the right parts for the application, poor aftermarket parts. Have machinest work on them who never have before. Go take a look at the bearing caps on the 401 compared to the 360, about 1.5 times the thickness. The 401 I am building should develope around 454 lbs torque at 2000 rpm and pretty flat all the way up to 4000 rpm at 506 ft/lbs on stock bore (These are gross numbers). No way you are going to get that out of the buick 350 at such a low RPM, IMO.

I would pull the 401 put it on a stand, clean it up and fog it then store it for another 70-100k and then rebuild the 360. Propery maintained the AMC block is as good as any out there. I would like to see someone punch a Ford 5.0 block .125 over without having to sleave it.Amen, brother!