Visual difference between AMC 304 & 360??

[cj7zrcool]

I am in negotiations with a fellow that says he has a 360 out of a '78 CJ7. The 360 was never a stock engine for any CJ series Jeep, so I suspect that it is really a 304. How can I visually tell the difference? Are there any casting marks or numbers that will help identify it? Are there any visual differences in accessories? HELP!!

[tufcj]

Look on either side of the block, directly under the motor mount. Displacement is cast into the side of the block.

Bob
tufcj

[fuzz401]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/fuzzcj7/IMG_0499.jpg

[cj7zrcool]

OK, we have established that it is, in fact, a 360. Now...are there any visual differences to determine what year or which generation 360 it is? Thanks, guys.

[tufcj]

360s are all basically the same block from 1970-1991. Heads up to 1973 had chevy style rockers, the rest are bridged rockers. They all have the same size valves and combustion chambers, unless you find the rare 1970 heads with the 291-C casting #, which are high compression. Around 1988- up the blocks were cast with 2 extra freeze plugs in the back, under the flywheel. The very last blocks were cast with 5.9L instead of 360 (which obviously you don't have).

On SOME (not all) of the heads, the last digit, or 2 digits of the year is cast in on the end opposite the casting #. You would have to remove the valve cover. A 7 could mean 77 or 87.

There is little to no difference in the 360 blocks over the years, except that some of the earlier ones had a little thicker webbing inside. I haven't heard of any longevity problems in any year blocks. Standard bore is 4.080", but you'd have to pull a head to measure.

Bob
tufcj