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Determining displacement

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Category: The Garage
Forum Name: AMC V8 Engine Repair and Modifications
Forum Description: AMC-made V8 engine mechanical, ignition and fuel from basic repair to high-perf modifications
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=96898
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Topic: Determining displacement
Posted By: glennrock
Subject: Determining displacement
Date 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?



Replies:
Posted By: farna
Date 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.


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Frank Swygert


Posted By: 304-dude
Date 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.

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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


Posted By: Trader
Date 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.
 


Posted By: DragRacingSpirit
Date 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.


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Best 1/4 mile 8.99, 1/8 mile 5.71, 60 foot 1.27, no power adders


Posted By: DragRacingSpirit
Date 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.


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Best 1/4 mile 8.99, 1/8 mile 5.71, 60 foot 1.27, no power adders


Posted By: WesternRed
Date 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.




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I've finally given up drinking for good...........now I only drink for evil.


Posted By: tufcj
Date 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


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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


Posted By: WesternRed
Date 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.

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I've finally given up drinking for good...........now I only drink for evil.


Posted By: glennrock
Date 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.


Posted By: jpnjim
Date Posted: Oct/19/2018 at 12:57pm
Assuming you don't have 360 or 401 cast into the side of the block,

or assuming it says 360 but you still think it could have a 401 crank/rods/etc:

If the engine seems within balance now,
when you pull the flex plate you should be able to determine if it's a 360 or 401 flex plate.

Then, even if the flexplate seems like it's not stock and has been rebalanced,
you should be able to have a shop match balance the new flywheel to be the same as the old flex plate.

1970 & 71 360's used 390 flywheels,
so, worst case scenario if you started with a 401 flywheel, and found the engine was a 360,
 I suspect you could still match balance it to your 72 360 flex plate.


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71 P-code 4spd Javelin/AMX
some Jeeps and some Fords



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