TheAMCForum.com Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > The Garage > AMC V8 Engine Repair and Modifications
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Determining displacement
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Click for TheAMCForum Rules / Click for PDF version of Forum Rules
Your donations help keep this valuable resource free and growing. Thank you.

Determining displacement

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
glennrock View Drop Down
AMC Apprentice
AMC Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: Jun/15/2009
Location: Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 49
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote glennrock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Determining displacement
    Posted: Oct/18/2018 at 6:16am
I recently purchase a '72 Jav/AMX that was originally a 360 car, I was told when the engine was rebuilt it was made into a 401. Is there anyway that I can determine that this is in fact true without removing the engine. I am preparing to do a transmission swap to a 4-speed. It is my understanding that the flywheel is proprietary to each engines displacement. Therefore, will I need a 360 or a 401 flywheel?
Back to Top
farna View Drop Down
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Avatar
Moderator Lost Dealership Project

Joined: Jul/08/2007
Location: South Carolina
Status: Offline
Points: 19608
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote farna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/18/2018 at 6:47am
First check the side of the block near the motor mount. Displacement of the block is cast into the side of the block under the mounting plate. If you can't see it you should be able to feel it. While you can use a 401 crank in a 360 block, you can't bore a 360 that much. If it was bored out to 401 size the cylinder walls are going to be awful thin and it will likely be plagued with overheating issues.

The only way to tell what crank you have is to find the casting number on the crank. Casting number should be on first or second counterweight (from the front), so pan will have to come off.  You will have to measure the bore also. You might be able to measure it close enough from the bottom with the crank and rods in, but it will be tough to get in there.

As far as balance... unless it has all 401 reciprocating parts (pistons, rods, crank) the engine really needs to be balanced by a shop with the flywheel and dampener in place. It might be close enough with the factory flywheel for the 401 crank (assuming it has a 401 crank), but it may not. If you're just cruising around and you have the flexplate with the car it wouldn't hurt to try it, but if you plan on drag racing and turning it up to 5-6K often I wouldn't.  It might idle and be fine at low speed and have a vibration at higher rpm (say over 3000). While not ideal that will work for a cruiser that only occasionally goes over 3K, but the engine will last longer if balanced. You will just have to try it and be prepared to take it all back out if you detect vibration you can't track down to anything else.
Frank Swygert
Back to Top
304-dude View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar

Joined: Sep/29/2008
Location: Central Illinoi
Status: Offline
Points: 9081
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote 304-dude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/18/2018 at 6:48am
Unless the block is a service replacement block, the bore cannot be safely made to fit the larger 401 pistons, unless they sleeved the cylinders. A service replacement block has no displacement number cast on the side

They could have swapped the engine out for a 401. You should see a 401 cast into the lower side of the block.
71 Javelin SST body
390 69 crank, 70 block & heads
NASCAR SB2 rods & pistons
78 Jeep TH400 w/ 2.76 Low
50/50 Ford-AMC Suspension
79 F150 rear & 8.8 axles
Ford Racing 3.25 gears & 9" /w Detroit locker
Back to Top
Trader View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted


Joined: May/15/2018
Location: Ontario
Status: Offline
Points: 6749
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Trader Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/18/2018 at 7:41am
Regardless of internal parts, if the car is running, then you can remove the flex plate and have a flywheel match balanced to it. 
No need to take the complete rotating assembly out.
Check the number on the damper, may indicate if it has a 401 crankshaft in it.
 
Back to Top
DragRacingSpirit View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar

Joined: May/27/2009
Location: Mo
Status: Offline
Points: 903
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote DragRacingSpirit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/18/2018 at 8:45am
FYI, the original 360 in my 72 Javelin SST has had a 401 crank, rods and std. bore pistons in it for about 15 years with no issues. So while the information given in the above posts might be a prudent suggestion without checking wall thickness it is far from accurate.

It is the original block to the car with the 360 cast into the side. It is not a service block.


Edited by DragRacingSpirit - Oct/18/2018 at 8:53am
Best 1/4 mile 8.99, 1/8 mile 5.71, 60 foot 1.27, no power adders
Back to Top
DragRacingSpirit View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar

Joined: May/27/2009
Location: Mo
Status: Offline
Points: 903
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DragRacingSpirit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/18/2018 at 8:52am
As far as your question is concerned I would closely examine the balancer and flexplate of the engine in your car. Note the weights on the flexplate and the amount/position of the cutouts on the balancer. That will give you a good clue.

Does it run smooth without excessive vibration now ? If it runs smooth without excessive vibration have the balance of the current flexplate replicated to your replacement.


Edited by DragRacingSpirit - Oct/18/2018 at 9:02am
Best 1/4 mile 8.99, 1/8 mile 5.71, 60 foot 1.27, no power adders
Back to Top
WesternRed View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar

Joined: Aug/03/2010
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 5787
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WesternRed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/18/2018 at 8:58am
Yes, you can certainly bore a 360 out to take 401 pistons and install a 401 crank and rods to go with it, maybe pushing the envelope, but it will probably be ok in most cases.

If running the entire 401 rotating assembly, then it should really run the 401 flex plate and balancer, but if it's running already, then hopefully it's balanced correctly.

Could also be complete BS, but if it's running fine, then just enjoy it.


I've finally given up drinking for good...........now I only drink for evil.
Back to Top
tufcj View Drop Down
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Avatar
Supporter of TheAMCForum

Joined: Jul/10/2007
Location: Watkins, CO
Status: Offline
Points: 4064
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tufcj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/18/2018 at 12:32pm
In a 390/401 block, the bottom of the cylinder walls are notched for the crank throw.  If it's a 401 crank/rods in a 360 block, the bottoms of the cylinder walls would have to have been clearanced.  Of course, you would need to remove the pan to see this.

Bob
tufcj
69 AMX
74 Javelin AMX
67 Rogue

If you need a tool and don't buy it...
you'll eventually pay for it...
and not have it.
Henry Ford
Back to Top
WesternRed View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar

Joined: Aug/03/2010
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 5787
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote WesternRed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/18/2018 at 5:09pm
You maybe able to carry out a swept volume check, see if you can get in touch with some local racers since it's pretty standard practice to do swept volume checks to prevent cheating in capacity limited classes.
I've finally given up drinking for good...........now I only drink for evil.
Back to Top
glennrock View Drop Down
AMC Apprentice
AMC Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: Jun/15/2009
Location: Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 49
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote glennrock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/19/2018 at 5:48am
She runs and drives just like a factory original...the engine has a moderate cam and roller rockers. As I said, I did not have the engine built and have no way of contacting the builder. I would like to do this swap without R&R the engine. If she blows...I guess that I will insure that it is built properly to my specs. Thanks again.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.03
Copyright ©2001-2019 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.172 seconds.
All content of this site Copyright © 2018 TheAMCForum unless otherwise noted, all rights reserved.
PROBLEMS LOGGING IN or REGISTERING:
If you have problems logging in or registering, then please contact a Moderator or