AMC 360 Propane

[Shearcon79]

So I have recently got my hands on a AMC 360 and am considering a rebuild on it.  When I am done I am thinking that I would like to do a propane conversion (possibly duel fuel) and am wondering if anyone has done this.  Also has anyone ever bolted a 360 to the ax-15?  I read on some posts that the bell housings are the same bolt pattern...That would be awesome!  As long as I am easy on the skinny do you think there will be problems?  Do a 360 and a chev 350 have about the same hp/torque?  Cause I know there are adapter kits for the 350 install.

Thanks for your input

Joey

[The Machinist]

If you do want to run it on propane make sure you put hardened stellite exhaust valve seats in to the heads.  I wouldn't recommend running anything on propane, it burns hotter than gasoline and will wear out the internals of your engine faster.  I would go with a 350, there is way more after market support and it will be cheaper to build than a 360.  You can build either to have more hp/torque than the other but I don't think an ax-15 will hold up long to either of them if you go with more than a stock rebuild.

[cLAY]

Trying to run dual fuel is a pain in the arse and a stock AMC 360 is a gutless gas guzzler. A Dodge 360 or Chev 350 would be a better option.

Since you want to mate it to an AX15 the best swap would be a fuel injected 4.0L. It will bolt right in and get better mileage and have more power than an AMC 360.

I had a 1980 Grand Wagoner LTD  with a 360 on dual fuel. It was a pain in the arse. If the timing wasn't set right for the propane it would backfire thru the intake and cause the air filter to burn up. The mechanical fuel pump for gas would lose its prime and take FOREVER to pickup fuel so it always stalled when switching over from propane to gas. I had an 80l tank but you can only fill it to 80% by law so I only got about 200-250km on a tank. If I didn't run regularly on gas the carb gaskets dried out and then leaked when I did try to run on gas...... I could go on.....

Fuel injection is the way to. Painless wiring makes kits for Chev V8s and 4.3ls if you want to go that route as well.