401 Surprise

[Realchief]

I recently bought a 1973 J 2000 which came out of Wyoming and is in great shape. The seller stated the motor ran ruff and that he hadn't run it in two years. After looking into rebuilding the 360, ( indicated on the side of the truck) the costs led me to look for another option. I was blessed by finding a freshly rebuilt 360 within an hour of my home which cost me about half the going rate of rebuilding one. I am not a mechanic, and know less about jeep pick-ups. I called a friend who is a mechanic and he agreed to help me with putting in the new engine. Two days we pulled it out and found that the engine we pulled was a 401, which he stated appeared stock. I've heard these are rare, and know this probably needs a rebuild. My question is what is the engine worth in it's present form, and what will it be worth if I have it rebuilt?
Thanks for your help,

Jim (Realchief)

[Elliott]

Nice score! Worth about $350 maybe as is. They are not rare just not as plentiful as the 360.

[jeepjerry]

Nice score! Worth about $350 maybe as is. They are not rare just not as plentiful as the 360.

WHAT!!!!!! Wish i could find a 401 for $350!!!!

Around here fresh pulled 401s in need of rebuild go for twice that.

Are they worth less in TX?

[SCscoutguy]

WHAT!!!!!! Wish i could find a 401 for $350!!!!

Around here fresh pulled 401s in need of rebuild go for twice that.

Are they worth less in TX?
A guy from my church bought one for $200 that was running good to put into his AMX a few weeks ago. I have seen them go for $200-$400 before in the past.

[HOOT]

Rebuild it for yourself and then sell off the 360 when done.
I definitely would not rebuild it to sell. Sell it as is if you don't want it.
I've seen rebuildable 401's around these parts go for $500-$700.

[Casey]

A guy from my church bought one for $200 that was running good to put into his AMX a few weeks ago. I have seen them go for $200-$400 before in the past.
Just a few hours west and that is a different story. Here in the upstate you'll pay $500+ depending on condition. D60 front axles still bring the big $$$, too.

Too many rednecks with trail rigs around here. They all know what the good parts are and are willing to pay for them.

[JPSwapMohn]

Shouldn't the VIN tell you if it came with the 401 or not? Maybe the 360 badges were added later by an unknowing PO? If it is the stock motor, I would agree to rebuild it and put it back into the truck.

[fulsizjeep]

VIN would not tell because 401 was only available in 74-78 FSJs.



Nice find. :thumbsup: Build it. Keep it. Drive it. Guvment won't tax you on that type of retirement investment. ;)

[dusty]

401's aren't as desirable as they once were most guys swap them out for SBC's unfortunately. so the price on a 401 has dropped considerably which is good for nut cases like myself who still run them in jeeps but bad for people trying to sell em especially in CA where the smog laws are making it really tough to keep AMc motors on the road. rough runners & cores seem to be fetching between 200-400 alot of people will demand $600-800 for a core but reality these days on a builder is .75 a cube is the going rate.

Good score

[Elliott]

WHAT!!!!!! Wish i could find a 401 for $350!!!!

Around here fresh pulled 401s in need of rebuild go for twice that.

Are they worth less in TX?

Lol, you really don't want to know what I got my last three 401's for. ;)

[Gambler68]

the price on my 401 core is 999.95 and I'll even throw in the original heads :thumbsup:

[jeepjerry]

Lol, you really don't want to know what I got my last three 401's for. ;)
Man, im gonna have to take a trip down by you and look for 401's. :D

Im close to Kenosha so the AMC parts prices are always up. Last few 401's ive seen at swap meets by me are $750-$850. I saw a block, rods, pistons, and no crank of a 401 for $300 and it sold!! Now the 390 prices are rediculous, there is one on ebay right now with a buy it now of $2,200...:eek:

Wish i could find at least ONE for myself....:rolleyes:

[Elliott]

I got those outside of TX. :thumbsup:

[Soggy Boots]

Just a few hours west and that is a different story. Here in the upstate you'll pay $500+ depending on condition. D60 front axles still bring the big $$$, too.

Too many rednecks with trail rigs around here. They all know what the good parts are and are willing to pay for them.

I here you on the trail rigs but I have bought my last three from pick and pull on half of sat or on crazy wednesday for less than 150. you just have to keep going and searching for them they are out there........

[bertjeep]

I picked up a 401 out of a 77 wagon for my old sami I scraped at local yard.

[AKAMC]

Only 401 I have seen in Alaska is down the street from me and he wont sell.