Early 71 360

i recently purchased a 71’ javelin Amx with a build date of 01/71, and the engine is painted red with no displacement casting in the block. Is this a over the counter replacement engine, or an International engine?

Western, I think you are right on the red California engines, though I thought it was 73 or something? I would have to do far more digging than I am willing to at this hour, so I could be wrong on the year. I believe that some of the warranty blocks were cast in a Universal bore and left to the customer to bore to suit desired replacement. Those did not have displacements cast in. Perhaps it was a warranty replacement and the customer just asked to paint it red? Unless you have some sort of color match for the red to an AMC California engine, it probably is just how it was painted during who knows what rebuild. Mine was black when I got it.

amx73 wrote: From what I’ve gathered it’s a service replacement block. I have the original dealer info from when it was sold new, not in California. I heard that same scenario with service blocks that they didn’t have the the displacement casting the block.

Just a side note... I skipped this thread thinking, with assumption, you had an early 71 build date Javelin. True it is an early 71, but it can get you into trouble with details. I even get into trouble at times, with early, late, or stating all inclusive when making broad statements.

You are not incorrect with any parts of your statement, just pointing out if you should state the term, "build date" then you could allow for unexpected cross information to confuse you.


Now as for facts... if your car was in a western state close to California, and needed a replacement engine, it is possible that being a late build date 71 AMC, that a dealer could have been shipped an engine from the nearest dealer that had one available.

Or a mis-labeled crate engine was shipped by mistake to a state other than California.

By August 71 replacement blocks destin to California or to IH were painted red.

Without a service record as to when and where the service was performed, its only guess work.


As a side note, my 73 was purchased in Michigan in spring of 73 and then moved to California by summer time. The owner had the dealer install California smog controls. Everything was period correct and looked as if it came off the line that way, when i obtained it.

Assuming the closeness of repair work and being a late build, the engine is period correct, coming from a dealer replacement, just the paperwork would be proof in keeping the engine color if wanting to do so.

Here's a thread on this...