AMC 401 in a boat
 

Ok so just thinkin out loud here. I have this 401 in the garage that I was going to put in my CJ5...too much power. So now what?
These engines are really torquey and I think would make a good candidate for a future upgrade in my Formula 242. the engine is in pieces and could be built for.... whatever.

For those not into AMC stuff this is a small block. They are factory forged crank and rods. these engines are built into drag engines street Jeep guys love em. Its only two bolt main so no serious rpm (for me). I dont want to go crazy building it, I have forged pistons for it. The crank kit is still in the box from the machine shop with clevite bearings. Other than that its a blank slate. I think with the stock heads its 9.5 to 1 and I will leave that be.

I know I know, weird but... just a thought.
Problems I see are exhaust and engine coupler.

any one ever done anything like this or heard of anyone doing similar?

not worth the hassle, nothing off the shelve to marinize, and resale would be a disaster...

Really? any opinions?

these guys are making 480hp and close to 500ftlbs and the torque is comin in all along the rpm range
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...es/index1.html

dont care about resale. if I needed I could just put the 350 back in.

Stroke the 350 to a 383 or a 400..( yes can be done) and save the 401 to someone who needs it....

Why would you take a motor (the 350) that was made for the boat...easy to build power with...CHEAP to build power with...and came in 1000's of marine applications, and even think about putting your time, money, and headaches into a motor that really wasnt made to be in a boat ? Thats like taking your heart out...and asking the doctor to replace it with one from a skunk. :drink:

My two cents- sell the 401 to an AMC or Jeep collector, sell the 350, and use the money to build a mild BB to install in the Formula. The BB torque and power will make the fairly heavy 242 drive like a totally different (and improved) boat. Sorry no change on the two cents worth... Either way keep it simple so you can enjoy the boat.
R

PowerQuest230 has a good idea in selling the 401. I dont care for the idea of building a mild BBC for it tho. I'm assuming (correct me if I'm wrong) it has an Alpha drive on it now ? You'd just be looking for problems then. Anyway you look at it...it aint worth the hassles. :drink:

If you just enjoy working on the boat for the sake of it, and you are the type that is not happy unless you have the offbeat rig that no one has done before, then by all means go for it. If you are looking for members on this forum to say "hey, great idea, why didn't I think of that?", then you will be waiting a while. ;) Yes, you could eventually make it work, but have you considered motor mount location, accessories, etc? Personally, I'm tired of working on my boat, and I am looking forward to just putting the hatch down and going for it. You will be on this project for a looonnnggg time, unless you are just gifted at fabricating and engineering.

I have a Jeep CJ-5 with a 304 with no oil pressure. Would love to move up to the 401 if your are interested in selling it. I live at 7000 ft in Jackson Hole and it would be down about 21% of it's horsepower, so it wouldn't be overkill for me.

Hell, my 304 has 345 miles on a rebuild, but horrible oil pressure (no, I did not do the build or it would have stellar pressure). Not sure what is up. Might be just a plug or cam bearings. It isn't making any valve train noise though. Interested in a trade even? IS the 401 bored? It was not recommended boring the 401 over .020, unlike the 360 or 304. Mine is a 1976.