Need help with 360amc swap in TJ - Off-Road Forums & Discussion Groups

cashkeith · #1 10-08-2009, 12:37 AM

Hey everyone I'm new to this site and hope it will be helpful to me,

So the story is I'm pulling a amc 360 full swap on friday and I Just need to know everything I NEED and what to DO and not to DO...

This will be my first jeep swap. I have done about 20 swaps but all in import cars, never with v8

and I'm swaping the 360 into my 1997 WRANGLER 2.5L auto

I read that it will bolt to my bell housing is this true? PLEASE HELP ANY INFO WILL BE A GREAT HELP THANK YOU GUYS,

bandhmo2 · #2 10-08-2009, 05:39 AM

First stop stop and take breath and think about this swap. I really like the idea of keeping Jeeps with AMC engines but in this case I would not recomend it.

First, off some states (I have no clue where "bucks" is) only allow engine swaps of newer model engines then the Jeep. AMC stopped making the 360 long before 97 so if this is an issue in your state then you will be headed for problems down the road.

Second, the 360 is a carberated engine. While I like carberators I have never met any one who would prefer one for off-road use after they have run fuel injection.

Third, if are set on this swap then you need to know it will not be bolt in. AMC inline 6's and V8's use the same bell housing. Your AMC inline 4 does not. You will also need to do something with the engine mounts as they will not bolt up. There are no stock parts that will allow bolting the 360 to the 4 cylinder transmission. Even if you can find after market adapters your transmission may not like the new torque it will experience.

I would recommend you do some more research before starting a engine swap. Novak is a good place to start.

If it were me I would only consider common engines that came stock with EFI.

cashkeith · #3 10-08-2009, 08:42 AM

hey thanks yeah if i had the money id go with a ls1 but im geting the full swap for 100 bucks so yeah i wanna stay with the 360 ill look on thaqt site for some write ups and anyone more info with help thank you

BMB · #4 10-08-2009, 01:24 PM

Things to research/consider.

Engine to frame mounts.

Probably a new radiator with more cooling capacity.

Driveshaft length changes.

Possible transmission change.

Wiring to and making it work with existing guages.

New exhaust.

Extra wiring, hoses, fuel lines, etc.

And other stuff I'm probably forgetting.

cashkeith · #5 10-08-2009, 05:03 PM

so does anyone know of any write ups on this swap?

bandhmo2 · #6 10-09-2009, 02:50 AM

I hope I don't sound like I am being a jerk here, but you don't seem to understand the points being made. You may get the 360 for $100, but swaping it in will take way more then that, I would be amazed if you can get it installed and running for under $1500. This engine simply will not bolt in directly, and even if you can find adapters for your transmission that will then be the weak link. So if you are set on a 360 it then makes sense to use a transmission and transfer case that will bolt to it with junk yard parts, all of which means more parts to swap.

I can tell you are very excited about this project but just because you can get an engine cheap does not mean it is a good engine to use.

I do not have any links that would help for this swap and there are unlikely to me many as most folks would not do this swap. However, a Google search may turn something up. If nothing else start searching for adapters for the engine to transmission, engine mounts, larger radiator, exhaust and the like. You will quickly find what parts are available and there costs, after which I think you will be rethinking your choice of engines. After all if you need $2000 in adapters it makes sense to spend a few more and get a better engine that you really want.

I am not trying to be unhelpful here, it is just that what your are asking for is advice on how to do something that I and many others would never consider doing so we have little knowledge on. I guess what I am getting at is I think you are about to start something foolish, so I am trying to say stop and think it through.

LEVE · #7 10-09-2009, 07:55 AM

Ibbid to everthing above... in this case you can't turn a pig's ear into a silk purse. You're better off selling the Jeep and buying one you can convert, or that you'd be happeir with. This project will gut the Jeep from the Radiator to the Muffler, as well as ALL the running gear. You'll be left with only the frame and body. If you want to do that.. .fine... it's your Jeep and your money. You have been warned of what's ahead.

As for write ups? There aren't many... Try:

Burnsville OffRoad

That $100 you plan on spending on the engine is a mere drop in the bucket of what you'll spend to complete the project. It will not be money well spent.

cashkeith · #8 10-10-2009, 02:21 AM

well dont know why i join this from all im getting is dont DONT DONT and i know it will be alot of money but i want somthing diff so im doing it

AND NOT TO SELF i pulled the motor and trans today and it bolts right to my trans but anyways im not going to use that trans im doing a 5 speed swap to so i dont have anying ecu's so that the wiring will be eazyer and this built will soon be up on jeeptrucks.com and you will see at some point it will be in

Jim_Lou · #9 10-10-2009, 06:58 AM

Good luck with it, Keith! I'm sorry you didn't get what you were looking for here. Don't give up, though. We can still be a lot of help with the details, and it will be fun to watch you prove some of our experts wrong.

Raduckal · #10 10-10-2009, 09:30 AM

Ask your questions on http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/
Those folks do lots of swaps and will have plenty of information for you.