AMC-258 I6 to AMC-290 V8

[SX/290]

I have a nice 290 V8 that would look sweet in my SX/4.

I have dub'd this project "SX/290" So what kind of fun is it to swap an AMC-V8 into an eagle ? ? ?

Mike

[Pat]

Mike, I'm planning to get a 360 in mine. The guy to talk to here is Hyper Eagle (Terry). Here's some info that may help you. Have the 360, just a matter of "Gettin, 'r done". You could also talk to Mavericke, he has the M.E.N.S. (Midwest Eagle Nest Sanctuary). He's planning to put a 360 in his also.

http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=20975.0

[SX/290]

Coolness, I'm going to use a 290 instead it was for my Comanche shortbed 2WD but I changed my mind and with an AMC-343 for that . . . So the AMC-290 is going in the Eagle.

Like the short deck high compression era AMC-V8s myself 290/343/390 10.2:1 compression factory.

Now I'll have the whole set :-)
Mike

[Sunny]

My plan if I get an Eagle has always been a V8 swap.. Although I'm leaning more towards SBC, just because AMC V8 parts here are way too expensive, and the SBC has an insanely huge aftermarket..

One thing I noticed on a few sites when I was finding swap info, is that no one mentioned any cooling upgrades or anything... I would definitely upgrade the rad, maybe electric fans?

From what I gather, it's not THAT hard of a swap if you can weld and do a little bit of fab work... but I really don't know, you'll have to get someone else to chime in.

1OldFordMan is right though. Anytime I read something on an AMC V8 swap, HyperEagle's name came up.

[SX/290]

As a kid I ran SBC's all the time, Course I blew them up about as fast as ya could bolt them in . . .

I never had a problem building an AMC-V8, I have found they tend to last me 3x longer then SBC's and were about the same price to build.

Just gotta know the right people ;-)

Maybe this person will notice the thread
Mike

[eaglefreek]

What transmission do you plan to use? Doesn't the 290 have a different bolt pattern than the later AMC V8's?

[SX/290]

290/304/343/360/390/401 all the same.

I think your thinking of the 250/287/327 AMC-V8's.

290/T5/3.73s is the plan, The 290 mate right to the current drive train the Eagle now

Mike 

[eaglefreek]

That makes it easy. Thanks for the info.

[SX/290]

No problem glad to be of help.

Mike

[Sunny]

As a kid I ran SBC's all the time, Course I blew them up about as fast as ya could bolt them in . . .

I never had a problem building an AMC-V8, I have found they tend to last me 3x longer then SBC's and were about the same price to build.

Maybe there's a lot more parts in the USA.
Here AMC parts are junk or super expensive at swap meets.. and performance shops never carry anything for an AMC..

SBC parts however, lots and cheap here...and always in stock

Never had a problem blowing up.. just blowing past other people.  

My grandfathers Javelin had a 390 in it with a bunch of work, and my SBC would eat it alive, with less money into it.

I'm not saying SBC's are the best motor out there.. I've had Smallblock Fords.. Smallblock Chevy's and Smallblock Dodge.. but I've always got the most power for the least amount of money with a SBC.

But I know those three letters are cringed about on here.

It might be easier to swap in an AMC smallblock though.. you may need a new transmissions/axles etc.. since they probably won't hold up.

I feel like putting a high powered V8 in an Eagle is just a bad idea all around.. You'll learn the weaknesses of...well pretty much everything.. pretty quick.. lol..

[SX/290]

Well I'm only using an AMC-290 NOT to worried about over powering the drive train.

Really not here to debate brands and so forth, Simply asked what I need to do to swap from an AMC-6 to an AMC-8 . . .

Clearly this wasn't the forum to ask!
Mike

[Sunny]

Nah. It's not the forum. It's just me. 
I'm on the lone side of the fence on the opinion that since an AMC is a mashup of parts from a few brands, and some unique parts... so in my opinion it doesn't really matter if it has a AMC Small block, SBC, SBF, SBD, etc..It's still an AMC to me. I'd find an AMC with a SBC a lot less offensive than say, a Charger with a SBF in it. AMC USED GM motors.. so I don't know what the hangup is about non AMC motors in these cars are, especially when none of the jeep guys seem to have an issue when people do it.

I would totally try to do a LSx into an AMC if I thought it was worth the money.. but you'd probably end up with at least 10K worth of work in a 3000$ car... But wouldn't 350+HP be awesome with 30+MPG?

Or a Cummins with a 6 speed? That would be an awesome swap.. but it would probably tear the car in half.. lol

I would do an AMC V8 swap if I could get parts here. But I can't.



My first post was more on topic.

Hypereagle is the guy to ask.. and I've done some research on it.. it's just a bit of fab work...If you aren't good with that sort of thing.. ask someone who is.. hah.. I know there was previous talks of Hypereagle selling motor mounts for it.. not sure if he does anymore?

Is the 290 stock? I'm not really sure what exactly the axles are rated for, but 300 FT/lbs might do a little bit of damage to a worn axle? [I'm assuming you are running a 4 barrel? You did mention a high compression 290 which only came with the 4 barrel.]

They didn't really have much to stand up to.. The I6, although incredibly reliable, is a dog in terms of power.. so I'd imagine the powertrain isin't all that beefed up.

I've found info stating you just need custom motor mounts.. and some say you need to do motor mounts, crossmember, differential mounts, etc.

I wonder if you could modify a Jeep V8 swap kit to work? I've seen plenty of those at swap meets.. just no AMC motors to put in.. lol

[SX/290]

Ok, Wasn't sure if asked in the wrong place on the site I'm a noobie yet.

Yea its the 4bbl high compression 290.

I'm in the state of which AMC was based and that might why they are fairly easy and cost effective to build ? Tho some times part options are limited . . . You'd think it would be the "cheap" grade but in most cases the when there is only one option its the premium grade part.

The D30 front seems stout lots of Jeeper love them, Was thinking about replacing the AM-15 rear for an AM-20 rear as those were mostly used in V8 car applications.

Mike

[Sunny]

Ok, Wasn't sure if asked in the wrong place on the site I'm a noobie yet.

Yea its the 4bbl high compression 290.

I'm in the state of which AMC was based and that might why they are fairly easy and cost effective to build ?

Nope. Proper place..

That should at least give your Eagle a bit more power, even in stock form.. and not be horrible on gas, depending what carb you run.

Must be, because here there is NOTHING.. It was hard to find AMC parts even 10 years ago..
Even the car's for sale are rusty junk that people want way too much more because they're rare.
Although half of that fault is they use a TON of salt on the road.

[SX/290]

The SX/4 is in awesome shape, I'm not trying to drag race it just wanted a V8 with enough power to be a peppy/sporty driver and small enough to be decent on fuel.

Car sorta fell in my lap along with a 343 so the 343 went into the Shortbed 2WD comanche, So rather then waste a good 290 I figured why not toss it in the SX/4.

The guy I got it from had the 3.73s ready to go in it and also had an AMC-20 he was going to swap in it.

He want to V8 it himself, Had to many projects so sold it to me . . .

My plan:
290/T5/D30-AM20x3.73s

Then shoot a frest coat of paint.
Mike

[68AMXGOPAC]

Yeah, some places it is tough to get parts unless you know all the hoarders in your area,lol. I paid $750 for a 390 for my AMX , it is an original 390 GoPac auto with air, the motor was nothing but a block, crank and a couple buckets of the rest on the internals.The 401 I am building is just about done and I have over $2000 in it.Then again seeing what they bring on fleebay , not a bad deal : ).

[SX/290]

Yep, My friend I bought the Eagle from has a stock pile of AMC's and 360,390, and 401 engine parts . . .

Mike

[priya]

Sounds like a pretty good plan - I like it.  290 will give you more power, but not so much more as to be a problem for the drivetrain and still get pretty good fuel economy.  Little AMC V8 in an SX/4 would be pretty sweet. 

[SX/290]

Yep I like my plan, AMC-290 / T5 / 3.73s.

Seems like a nice combo to me

Mike

[Sunny]

Yep I like my plan, AMC-290 / T5 / 3.73s.

Seems like a nice combo to me

Mike

That's how AMC should have built them.. Decent combo for sure.

[SX/290]

I'm doing a basic rebuild, upping the compression to 10.3:1, Then swapping on a 4bbl intake from a 390.

I figured a 450-600cfm 4bbl carb oughta work.

Mike

[hypereagle]

Sounds like a fun project. 290 4Bbl. is also pretty rare. Hope you are going to a standard trans. All AMC engines up to 1973 where they start using Chrsler transmissions have a different crank flange.
 The crank flanges were changed to accept a modern style torque convert support/snub. unless you get machine work done to the flange you will not be able mate later date transmissions to work with eaqrlier engines (1971) down.
However it is possible to bolt up an earlier engine to a later built transmission as all you need is a longer the normal pilot bearing.
You can check out my mounts towards the end of the Eaglenest forum under members products.
Like to see some pics on your 343 Comanchee. My fav motor.
  Feel free to give me a call if you feel the need for V8 Eagle info. 1 780 464 4907  ask for Terry-----Sucks Boston just scored again.

[SX/290]

Yes i am going with a 290 / T5 combo, backed up with some 3.73 gears The majority of my sig is under construction or still in parts collecting and planning stages 

Project SX/290 is going first, Then my 62' GMC, then MJ-343, and then the Studebaker M275 and AMX get worked here there as parts come about . . . their kind of the "I need a break" projects

The Comanche is my daily driver currently a 2.5 / AX4 4spd / D35x3.73s . . . Wanted it to hit 200K miles its at 199K so then this fall it gets pulled from the road and added to my list to be built.

I have a few procjects cause i wanted to have my collection set into place then built as i age so when im to old to build i can just drive my creations  Tis why i am tackling so many at once 

I found out im going to be a daddy     So i gotta get my tail in gear 
Mike

[hypereagle]

Hear ya on the age thing. Wanting all my toys going but zero ambition. Just enough ambition to drive  what is going.

[SX/290]

I basically want the 53' Stude M275er - 88' AMC/Jeep MJ painted n polished and turn key by age 45-ish, the GTA and ATV might/may go away at some point here then i find a nice beater/driver the other 6 will be the "toys" some play some work some do both

The Studebaker isn't a bubbled fendered sedan or pickup, Its 2.5T 6x6 Short wheel base truck tractor so ya could say its a flat fendered 10WD

Mike