Hey guys - I've just picked up a cheap 1972 CJ5, I didn't get a ton of information around it so was looking to get some questions answered, hoping this would be the right place!
My main question is it has an AMC 360 V8, not an AMC 304 or V6 - the previous owner was told it was the original factory engine to the Jeep, is that possible? He mentioned it was rare for them to be fitted with the 360, I'm looking to see how valid this claim might be. I wasn't able to find much info about any CJ5s with factory 360s.
Here's a picture below, not the prettiest (someone painted the entire thing with brushed brown paint, made it look like a rust bucket) but it runs and drives and doesn't need panel work. Any other interesting info about this model, or anything that is a must upgrade (most of it looks original) would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to this summer project.
Unfortunately a 360 was never offered in a CJ, 304 was the only V8 offered. It also appears to be a later year model possibly 76 or newer. Is windshield wiper motor on the inside bottom left of the windshield frame? Also the front turn signals are larger round than smaller ones on the earlier CJs. How's the frame, check for rust and possible patches.
That tub is a 72-75 CJ-5. Look at the location of the Jeep stamping in the tub. 72-75 was still high on the panel with lowercase e's. Does look like the windshield has been swapped for one from a later model.
Thanks for the reply - Agreed I'm skeptical it's a factory engine, going to dig in this week to look for evidence of a swap. Yes the wiper motor is mounted to the windshield frame bottom left. Frame and body are in surprisingly great shape (besides the paint color :laugh2 which is one of the reasons I picked it up.
Yea the windshield does look like it's been swapped from a later model, the original paint colors do not match up. The VIN matches a 1972 CJ5 304 w/ Toledo 3-spd/LHD.
The 360 claim may be a selling point. Don't think you can tell the difference between a 304 and a 360 just by looking.
W/S wiper motor should be on the outside. Wipers are 180* out but if the PO used the original wiper motor on the inside they will run backwards. No sweat it they work. It should have low back seats too. Front of frame and shackle brackets need to be inspected closely.
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If you looked at two Jeeps sitting side by side with the hoods raised one with a 304 and the other with a 360 could you tell the difference by looking?
The VIN numbers were not put on the blocks and the cast numbers were shared between years and displacements. The only other way of checking is to find the cylinder head cast numbers, which were year specific, and looking for dates on the manifold.
No 360 V8 was supposed to leave the factory in a CJ5 but that does not exclude a dealer fit or a little experimentation at the factory. Replacement / service blocks were often produced for replacements without any number cast in the side, but that may not be a rule.
However, if you find the heads are a different year, it would most defo not be a factory 360 and not a "holy grail" CJ.
1972 was the first year for the V8 in a Jeep. The 304 was an odd duck that year too. Lots of 1972 only parts.
If that photo you've shown of a 360 is in your Jeep, then that is what you have and someone surely swapped out the original 304 motor.
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