A Few Easy Newby Questions On My 74 Cherokee?

[rutang]

Hi, recently joined and been asking quite a few questions and been getting great help. Anyways I have a 74 2 Door Cherokee that isn't running but it is beautiful! The person before has left a few things off the engine... so I need help. I am not real familiar with the 360 Engine but where in the world is the engine oil dipstick?... dumb question I know but I looked all over and can't spot the hole. I have the dipstick but it was not in... when I bought it.

Next question... where can I find a good replacement air cleaning that will hook up like a factory one? This one is missing and I didn't know if edelbrock had one or someone else and maybe you guys could provide the correct part number.

Last question for now.... what weight oil should I be using in my Jeep? It has 85,000 miles on it and I live in Oregon. Thanks again for all the help!
Rusty

[goldhammer]

Dipstick tube is on drivers side about 2/3 way back on the block. Top should be just above exhaust manifold.

Plenty of aftermarket air cleaners out there, if you don't want the preheat function. If looking for a stocker, the yard behind where I work has several.

I run 20-50 in mine, no idea on mileage on it, was a boneyard engine when I put it in.

[DanHS]

You can use any 5 1/8" base diameter air cleaner, so if you can'tfind an FSJ one, the aircleaner from most 4bbl carbs should work. Look for one off an old Ford, many had the same or similar carb, so the aircleaner will fit just right.

I use 15w40 diesel oil in my Wagoneer, mostly because some previous owner did not change the oil, or even keep it filled up, so it has a some bearing damage and had some gunk in it. Also it has more detergents and anti wear additives, which is good for any engine, especially engines that do not have roller lifters. However you can just use 10w30, I like Castrol GTX, I use it in my Mustang. Bulltear, a vendor here that sells and makes AMC stuff, has a 15w40 oil with plenty of anti wear additives in it that they sell for a pretty good price. http://www.bulltear.com/oiling.php

Here it is at BJ's Offroad; http://www.bjsoffroad.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=531&cid=3

[rutang]

Hey thank you for the help! What is your guys' take on synthetic oil? Is that a way to go or would that special AMC Oil be better? Thanks for the input!
Rusty

[goldhammer]

syn's are good, but for me and all the leaks common to AMC engines, not worth it. For the cost difference, I can run Valvoline 20/50 on a 3-4 K change schedule and be ahead of the game.

As far as the air cleaner, if you are near Lebanon, drop by Cascade Wreckers, tell Mike that Art sent you, and stop by the body shop next door and say hi.

[PlasticBoob]

Synthetic will really only save the engine if it is used early on before the majority of the wear occurs. In my Honda (with high miles)I switched anyway though, and did not have an increase in leaks or burning. I guess you could use it if you want longer oil change intervals. Even if you use synthetic, I personally would (and do) buy a ZDDP additive that will save your camshaft - new oils are missing this important additive thanks to new government regulations.

Note that Bulltear's AMC oil has all the goodies, including the ZDDP levels of yesteryear, so with 89k I would definitely run theirs.

I use 10w-30 because I have a rebuilt engine and that's what Jeep called for. Depending on your oil pressure, possible burning issues, etc.....you might have to experiment.

[rutang]

I don't mean to sound stupid but I still cannot find the oil dipstick hole and I am searching like crazy... does anyone have a picture of their 360 engine so I can see it? Thanks.
Rusty

[Ristow]

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f318/milltownmike/P10208521.jpg

[rutang]

That is a great picture! Well I traced that exact spot all the way down to the oil pan and there is a golf peg in a hole, so I am assuming the whole assembly is missing and I will need to replace that. Thanks for the help and I was started to think I was just blind.
Rusty

[Schlagger]

Golf peg in the hole?? Only in a Jeep!:thumbsup: You're killing me!!

[cincyjeeprs]

If you think you might be interested in a synthetic, Amsoil makes a 10W40 that is still a SG, not the newer SM rating, so it will have the goody package for flat tappets. A lot of guys use 15-40 Diesel oil,too.

[PlasticBoob]

Well I traced that exact spot all the way down to the oil pan and there is a golf peg in a hole,

HOLY COW!!!!! My friend did this exact same thing when he bought his J-10 that was missing the dipstick tube!!!! I can't believe it, I'm LOL.

[Blue & Gray]

I run 15w40 castrol flavor. Good stuff, it hasn't let me down. If you aren't actively leaking anywhere (visible drips hitting the ground) you might could squeak by with a 10w30, it has it's merits to be sure. If the motor looks sorta furry with black gunk around it's lower regions (from the lips of the valve covers and down) then you'd probably best steer clear the 10w stuff, either 30 or 40. Seeping from worn gaskets will probably increase and you may notice a funny scent as your exhaust manifolds begin to smoke off.


Same goes for syn or syn mix from my experience. I dropped in an extremely fresh motor (all new seals and gasketts, steam cleaned and painted block) in my Cherokee. It looked picture perfect. I got a wild hair to run a synthetic blend after a few oil changes and within days of driving I had seeping around the valve cover, very visible. Maybe the cork just doesn't hold up to good, I switched back, wiped it down and never had another problem.


I think (others will chime in maybe) that your going to have to drop the oil pan to get the rest of the dipstick tube out. It lost it little keeper on the valve cover and then got tough love from someone who was trying the stuff the dipstick in. The Dipstick on an AMCV8 will bind up a little right before it goes home all the way. These leads to the snapage and golf tee insertion. I noticed today that my bro's cherokee's dipstick has the last little bit of it's tip cut off, all you see is a little under the full mark. It doesn't bind up when you jam it in either. Somebody's idea of a fix I guess.