304 is it worth it?

[tilt]

Hello,
I'm new to this forum and to the amc motors as well. I hope this subject has not been beaten to death, if it has, sorry in advance. Anyway my question is about a jeep 304. The motor is lacking power and in need of a rebuild, most people I've talked to say the 304 not a good motor (bad oiling,rings,heads,low compression and expensive) I understand some of this can be dealt with. Is it worth the time and money ? Would a 360 or even , hate say it, a small block chevy be better? I'm not trying to start trouble just need advice from people with experience in amc's Thanks again

[Mudrat]

Hell Yeah!!! 304 has it's drawback - just like the Chebby 307
But nothing that can't be 'better engineered'

What are you trying to build, stock, low end, hi'r end, rocks, mud or a DD? All that depends on the way ahead for the rebuild.

'Rat

[tilt]

It's going to be fro a little of everything, from rocks to snowbashing and daily driving, maybe 50/50. I would like it to have good power but also reliable. I was hoping to get 250-300 horse out of it, if possible? It is going into a cj-7 with a t18 and 4.10's. How do you solve the oiling problems and what are they? Thanks

[rollen dean montoya]

don't do the chebby thing. keep it AMC rebuild the 304 and go to the engine thread for lots of help. i think mudrat and fuzz401 can help you out.

[amcjeepman]

Get a 360 there typically cheap and plentyful.
Great torque for trail riding.
I would do that befor doing the 304.

[Lifted79CJ7]

After hhaving been down this route before - it sounds like a strict budget is mind as was in my case, so I say pick up a low milage 360 as you can afford and have a hoot rompin' on it!!

[tilt]

A 360 would be great to have, is the torque that much more with a 360? Are there still the same basic drawbacks to a 360 (oiling issues)? I am on a little bit of a budget but have some time before I hope to have it done. If I understand it correctly the 360 is balanced different than a 304 and that most parts are interchangable between them? I'm not sure if I will stay with the manual tranny or go to a automatic. A friend has a 727 for a AMC he said I could have, but it needs rebuilt also. Thanks