AMC engine swap
 

Ok guys don't laugh to loud. I have a 1976 AMC Hornet Sportabout with a 232
the car is a tank we love use it for camping mostly. We take it places our
friend can't or won't take their newer trucks or suv's and it has a larger
cargo space then most of their suv's. The engine is getting tired and I think
its time to replace it. I have been told the 304 will bolt in with no problem
and I can get ! from a local junk yard for around $700.00 running. Now a
friend of ours suggested we put in a Chevy 350 he says its an easier engine
to find parts for and to work-on and is a tougher engine and has a bit more
power. How much more work and money would I be getting myself into if I were
to put a 350 in the Hornet? I will be doing the work myself and have never
done anything like this before. Any ideas or suggestions (no we are not
junking the car) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time

Re: AMC engine swap
 

The GM swap is very expensive for the adapters to make things fit.

I would go AMC all the way. Even a 258 with the 2 bbl will work.

$700.00 is a 'lot' for an old used engine, you can get yours rebuilt for
about $1200.00 or way less if you do the work.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Johnny U wrote:
>
> Ok guys don't laugh to loud. I have a 1976 AMC Hornet Sportabout with a 232
> the car is a tank we love use it for camping mostly. We take it places our
> friend can't or won't take their newer trucks or suv's and it has a larger
> cargo space then most of their suv's. The engine is getting tired and I think
> its time to replace it. I have been told the 304 will bolt in with no problem
> and I can get ! from a local junk yard for around $700.00 running. Now a
> friend of ours suggested we put in a Chevy 350 he says its an easier engine
> to find parts for and to work-on and is a tougher engine and has a bit more
> power. How much more work and money would I be getting myself into if I were
> to put a 350 in the Hornet? I will be doing the work myself and have never
> done anything like this before. Any ideas or suggestions (no we are not
> junking the car) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time

Re: AMC engine swap
 

The GM swap is very expensive for the adapters to make things fit.

I would go AMC all the way. Even a 258 with the 2 bbl will work.

$700.00 is a 'lot' for an old used engine, you can get yours rebuilt for
about $1200.00 or way less if you do the work.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Johnny U wrote:
>
> Ok guys don't laugh to loud. I have a 1976 AMC Hornet Sportabout with a 232
> the car is a tank we love use it for camping mostly. We take it places our
> friend can't or won't take their newer trucks or suv's and it has a larger
> cargo space then most of their suv's. The engine is getting tired and I think
> its time to replace it. I have been told the 304 will bolt in with no problem
> and I can get ! from a local junk yard for around $700.00 running. Now a
> friend of ours suggested we put in a Chevy 350 he says its an easier engine
> to find parts for and to work-on and is a tougher engine and has a bit more
> power. How much more work and money would I be getting myself into if I were
> to put a 350 in the Hornet? I will be doing the work myself and have never
> done anything like this before. Any ideas or suggestions (no we are not
> junking the car) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time

Re: AMC engine swap
 

The GM swap is very expensive for the adapters to make things fit.

I would go AMC all the way. Even a 258 with the 2 bbl will work.

$700.00 is a 'lot' for an old used engine, you can get yours rebuilt for
about $1200.00 or way less if you do the work.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Johnny U wrote:
>
> Ok guys don't laugh to loud. I have a 1976 AMC Hornet Sportabout with a 232
> the car is a tank we love use it for camping mostly. We take it places our
> friend can't or won't take their newer trucks or suv's and it has a larger
> cargo space then most of their suv's. The engine is getting tired and I think
> its time to replace it. I have been told the 304 will bolt in with no problem
> and I can get ! from a local junk yard for around $700.00 running. Now a
> friend of ours suggested we put in a Chevy 350 he says its an easier engine
> to find parts for and to work-on and is a tougher engine and has a bit more
> power. How much more work and money would I be getting myself into if I were
> to put a 350 in the Hornet? I will be doing the work myself and have never
> done anything like this before. Any ideas or suggestions (no we are not
> junking the car) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time

Re: AMC engine swap
 

Mike Romain wrote:
> The GM swap is very expensive for the adapters to make things fit.
>
> I would go AMC all the way. Even a 258 with the 2 bbl will work.
>
> $700.00 is a 'lot' for an old used engine, you can get yours rebuilt for
> about $1200.00 or way less if you do the work.
>

On a 2WD swap you use the GM engine and trans as a pair so no
"adapter" needed. You need mounts, wiring, plumbing, usually a custom
driveshaft. Usually with manual swaps "adapters" are Mickey Mouse, a
designed bellhousing is the way to go.

Around here the yuppies are junking plenty of EFI 4 liter Jeep sixes
and you can sometimes get a whole vehicle for three figures with a good
engine and all the boxes and harnesses should you be so inclined. You
could also fit aftermarket EFI if you prefer. I suppose you could put
carbs on too.

I think AMC cars were underrated and should be kept on the road.

Re: AMC engine swap
 

Mike Romain wrote:
> The GM swap is very expensive for the adapters to make things fit.
>
> I would go AMC all the way. Even a 258 with the 2 bbl will work.
>
> $700.00 is a 'lot' for an old used engine, you can get yours rebuilt for
> about $1200.00 or way less if you do the work.
>

On a 2WD swap you use the GM engine and trans as a pair so no
"adapter" needed. You need mounts, wiring, plumbing, usually a custom
driveshaft. Usually with manual swaps "adapters" are Mickey Mouse, a
designed bellhousing is the way to go.

Around here the yuppies are junking plenty of EFI 4 liter Jeep sixes
and you can sometimes get a whole vehicle for three figures with a good
engine and all the boxes and harnesses should you be so inclined. You
could also fit aftermarket EFI if you prefer. I suppose you could put
carbs on too.

I think AMC cars were underrated and should be kept on the road.

Re: AMC engine swap
 

Mike Romain wrote:
> The GM swap is very expensive for the adapters to make things fit.
>
> I would go AMC all the way. Even a 258 with the 2 bbl will work.
>
> $700.00 is a 'lot' for an old used engine, you can get yours rebuilt for
> about $1200.00 or way less if you do the work.
>

On a 2WD swap you use the GM engine and trans as a pair so no
"adapter" needed. You need mounts, wiring, plumbing, usually a custom
driveshaft. Usually with manual swaps "adapters" are Mickey Mouse, a
designed bellhousing is the way to go.

Around here the yuppies are junking plenty of EFI 4 liter Jeep sixes
and you can sometimes get a whole vehicle for three figures with a good
engine and all the boxes and harnesses should you be so inclined. You
could also fit aftermarket EFI if you prefer. I suppose you could put
carbs on too.

I think AMC cars were underrated and should be kept on the road.

Re: AMC engine swap
 

I agree, the best, easiest thing you can do is find a good 4.0. It
should be almost a direct bolt in, will fit in that engine bay like the
bay was designed for it (which it was), and you will have more power,
probably better gas mileage, and better driveabliity.

Jeff DeWitt

Bret Ludwig wrote:
> Mike Romain wrote:
>
>>The GM swap is very expensive for the adapters to make things fit.
>>
>>I would go AMC all the way. Even a 258 with the 2 bbl will work.
>>
>>$700.00 is a 'lot' for an old used engine, you can get yours rebuilt for
>>about $1200.00 or way less if you do the work.
>>
>
>
> On a 2WD swap you use the GM engine and trans as a pair so no
> "adapter" needed. You need mounts, wiring, plumbing, usually a custom
> driveshaft. Usually with manual swaps "adapters" are Mickey Mouse, a
> designed bellhousing is the way to go.
>
> Around here the yuppies are junking plenty of EFI 4 liter Jeep sixes
> and you can sometimes get a whole vehicle for three figures with a good
> engine and all the boxes and harnesses should you be so inclined. You
> could also fit aftermarket EFI if you prefer. I suppose you could put
> carbs on too.
>
> I think AMC cars were underrated and should be kept on the road.
>

Re: AMC engine swap
 

I agree, the best, easiest thing you can do is find a good 4.0. It
should be almost a direct bolt in, will fit in that engine bay like the
bay was designed for it (which it was), and you will have more power,
probably better gas mileage, and better driveabliity.

Jeff DeWitt

Bret Ludwig wrote:
> Mike Romain wrote:
>
>>The GM swap is very expensive for the adapters to make things fit.
>>
>>I would go AMC all the way. Even a 258 with the 2 bbl will work.
>>
>>$700.00 is a 'lot' for an old used engine, you can get yours rebuilt for
>>about $1200.00 or way less if you do the work.
>>
>
>
> On a 2WD swap you use the GM engine and trans as a pair so no
> "adapter" needed. You need mounts, wiring, plumbing, usually a custom
> driveshaft. Usually with manual swaps "adapters" are Mickey Mouse, a
> designed bellhousing is the way to go.
>
> Around here the yuppies are junking plenty of EFI 4 liter Jeep sixes
> and you can sometimes get a whole vehicle for three figures with a good
> engine and all the boxes and harnesses should you be so inclined. You
> could also fit aftermarket EFI if you prefer. I suppose you could put
> carbs on too.
>
> I think AMC cars were underrated and should be kept on the road.
>

Re: AMC engine swap
 

I agree, the best, easiest thing you can do is find a good 4.0. It
should be almost a direct bolt in, will fit in that engine bay like the
bay was designed for it (which it was), and you will have more power,
probably better gas mileage, and better driveabliity.

Jeff DeWitt

Bret Ludwig wrote:
> Mike Romain wrote:
>
>>The GM swap is very expensive for the adapters to make things fit.
>>
>>I would go AMC all the way. Even a 258 with the 2 bbl will work.
>>
>>$700.00 is a 'lot' for an old used engine, you can get yours rebuilt for
>>about $1200.00 or way less if you do the work.
>>
>
>
> On a 2WD swap you use the GM engine and trans as a pair so no
> "adapter" needed. You need mounts, wiring, plumbing, usually a custom
> driveshaft. Usually with manual swaps "adapters" are Mickey Mouse, a
> designed bellhousing is the way to go.
>
> Around here the yuppies are junking plenty of EFI 4 liter Jeep sixes
> and you can sometimes get a whole vehicle for three figures with a good
> engine and all the boxes and harnesses should you be so inclined. You
> could also fit aftermarket EFI if you prefer. I suppose you could put
> carbs on too.
>
> I think AMC cars were underrated and should be kept on the road.
>