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360 Block Casting Flaw Discovered |
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tached_out
AMC Nut Joined: Feb/08/2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 328 |
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Posted: Jan/12/2020 at 6:46pm |
I'm freshening up the `87 360 I want to put in my Gremlin.
After some thorough cleaning I discovered what looks like terrible casting in the main bearing web area. The iron doesn't appear to have flowed from the pan rail area through to the web. It appears the left side of mains 2,3 and 4 are incompletely cast and the same for the right side of main 2. The pencil points to the worst one. I can slip a feeler gauge deep into those gaps. I can see deeper but the camera doesn't really pick it up. Has anyone experienced this? Glenn
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tached_out
AMC Nut Joined: Feb/08/2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 328 |
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Here is one of the only two that look good.
Glenn
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Trader
AMC Addicted Joined: May/15/2018 Location: Ontario Status: Offline Points: 6916 |
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I've never seen that.
The block looks as if it has been cleaned well, those areas could be brazed. It will be as strong or stronger then original and should not effect the bearing areas, detailed measurement and fitting would still be required. Welding will definitely draw on the bearing bores and line boring would be required. Likely cheaper and better all around to get a replacement block. Sorry about your find, but better now then after it's built. An interesting question that I have not found a answer to: "did Chrysler start casting the AMC 360 at a new location after taking over in 1986?" There are many articles of the purchase, shutting dealerships and plant closures. But no information on the repeated statement that "Chrysler continued to cast the AMC 360 for the Jeep". If Chrysler cast that block, I'd be looking for a pre 1986 360!
Edited by Trader - Jan/13/2020 at 12:11pm |
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401jim
Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jan/07/2012 Location: Brunswick,Ohio Status: Offline Points: 793 |
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This block is TOAST my friend!!!! Glad you caught it before the Big BANG!
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Bernie70AMX
AMC Apprentice Joined: Mar/16/2008 Location: Pennsylvania Status: Offline Points: 80 |
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I am looking for crankshaft, rods,pistons,flexplate and damper for 360 if you give up project.Just was thinking in case you go a different way. Thank you
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Bernie70AMX
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WesternRed
AMC Addicted Joined: Aug/03/2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 5808 |
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Doesn't look good, but I would take the view that the block has worked fine for 30+ years like that, so probably fine for a stock build, different story if you are looking at power upgrades. Piece of mind would probably be to change it though.
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I've finally given up drinking for good...........now I only drink for evil.
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Boris Badanov
AMC Addicted Joined: Dec/14/2013 Location: NH USA Status: Offline Points: 4210 |
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Get another 360 block.
But you could run it to death. My bet is that it will not fail. BUTTT that is a definite flaw. |
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Gremlin Dreams
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BassBoat
AMC Addicted Joined: Aug/29/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1719 |
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Direct quote from Barry Allen when I accidentally took rog's 360 to 8500 rpm at Cordova. "Can't kill a 360". At the end of the season the engine was torn down, and yeah valves kissed pistons and pistons weren't happy about it, but nothing "blew up". Skinny cast rods, dinky rod bolts, and not the most robust main cap webbing, but nothing blows up.
So the best comment above and I agree, it ran 30 years it is fine for a stock build.
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amxdreamer
AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/30/2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Offline Points: 8511 |
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Glad you caught that one Glenn!
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Tony
Vancouver, BC 1970 AMX 1972 Badassador AMO#10333 |
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Steve_P
AMC Addicted Charter Member Joined: Jun/28/2007 Status: Offline Points: 3808 |
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Agree. If you are going to do a stock rebuild and not spend a lot of $, leave it. If you are going to put a lot of $ into the engine and are looking for high HP, then get another block; 360s aren't hard to find.. |
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