72 AMC 360

[81CJ5]

So I went and picked up this engine from a car enthusiast for my CJ5 and here is the tear down and diagnosis.

The engine was out of a Waggy with an auto. It was said to have been running when pulled but I had my doubts.

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Fast forward a few days and I had it on the engine stand and the engine apart. Timing cover is cracked but I got a spare from my 304. Yikes! Heavy carbon and sludge build up but the engine was still in great shape.

442443444445446

Once the oil pan was off I saw one cylinder with some scoring but the rest were nice and clean with no piston movement in the cylinders. No shavings or chunks in the oil pan so I was a happy camper.

447448449

[81CJ5]

Once the heads were off I got a better look at what I have. The heads were clean and the pistons had little carbon build up on them. The camshaft was alittle scored and some lobes were almost rounded off. So I called an engine shop and I guess I'll take the engine and heads to them for hot tanking, cleaning, and inspecting. The shop will do the heads and hone the block but the rest will be on me.

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[tufcj]

The bridged rocker heads are at least late 73-up. Look at the back of the crank. If it's flat, then it's 70-72, if it has a raised flange, then it's 73 or newer also. I also just noticed the 4 bolt harmonic balancer. Definitely a 73 or newer engine. Casting numbers off the heads may give you a little more insight into the year.

Bob
tufcj

[81CJ5]

tufcj thank you for the information!!
So the head casting number is 3233344 and valve cover tag reads 510N23
Crank flange isn't flat.
With all that being said Could it be an 85 or just a 79 or so year model?
Thanks

[tufcj]

The valve cover tag does say its a 2BBL 360, built October 23, 1972. The valve cover probably came off of the original engine. The 344 head was used 79 and up, and my bet is that the whole engine matches the heads. Look on the heads in the same area as the casting number but the other end, there MIGHT be a one or 2 digit number cast. That would be the last digit or 2 of the year the head was cast. There also might be the same digit or 2 in the lifter valley. Some engines have them, some don't.

5 = 1972
10 = October
N = 2BBL 360
23 = 23rd day of month

Bob
tufcj

[81CJ5]

The other two numbers cast on both heads are 85. Again thank you for the information.

[tufcj]

Then the heads are from 85, my guess is that the block is too. There is a casting number on the driver side bellhousing flange (3195528 70-91, unless it's a service block). There might also be the 85 or a 5 cast in the lifter valley, but you'll need to remove the sludge to see it.

Bob
tufcj

[81CJ5]

On with the show. It is an 85 for sure. Valley has 85 cast in it and exhaust manifolds have 85 cast on them too.

So I decided to go with a Melling MTA1 camshaft and lifter kit. New rings, all seals and gaskets, and oil pump rebuild kit. Got everything cleaned and painted except for the timing cover because it's cracked. I was thinking about the AMC blue but I like this Sail blue a tad more.

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[Blown7]

Nice.