Any Jeep CJ guys on here?

Looking at an old CJ7 with an AMC 304 V8. What's the good and bad with that motor? Should Instay away?

Motor Boater said:

Looking at an old CJ7 with an AMC 304 V8. What's the good and bad with that motor? Should Instay away?

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Please stay away, I had a 76 CJ7 Auto with a Quadra Trac transfer case, a gutless wonder. I'd say it was built well and wheeled ok but the 304 :thumbsdown

There might be some CJ7's out there with small block Chevy's which would be a better choice.

I'm a JKRUV8 fan and just finishing up the HEMI Swap :thumbsup

agree with above. my buddys AMC CJ5 is a turd. i have a 355 sbc in mine and its been very strong.

My buddy just put this one up for sale. It's like his baby, not sure why he's selling it.

1973 CJ5. AMC V8 360, new carb and intake, new HEI distributor, new shocks.
Body stretched about 12 inches so it is more like a CJ7. $6,500

Let me know if you are interested and I will pass along his info.

I have a 78 CJ7 with the 304 and quadratrac for over 11 years now and it has never given me any real issue or had any issue with torque to get up anything I pointed it at. (been stored now for a few years, want to restore it but no time, hopefully soon). Other than minor issues like leaking trans pan (which will get a cork gasket when I have the time) and needs a carb rebuild I have never had any issues real issues with it. I don't abuse it but I used it for what it was built and it never let me down. I would say make sure to change the chain in the transfer case if you do not know it's history but other than that they are work horses...low HP but geared to do almost anything you want it to do...

Motor Boater said:

Looking at an old CJ7 with an AMC 304 V8. What's the good and bad with that motor? Should I stay away?

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How well was the 304 taken care of? 3 or 4 speed or auto?

I've got a '79 CJ-7. Probably the worst of the smog years. I de-smog'd the 304,and ran dual exhaust. Runs like a Swiss watch. A 190 hp 4.0 has trouble keeping up. Still running a 2bbl carb, which has its drawbacks. An L79 327 is next.

I did a 4" Superlift and 33's. And a GM (SM) 465 and an NP205 out of a One Ton (after the 3 speed let go) Open Dana 30 front, and a locked and axled AMC 20 rear.

Dan'l

I had a 78 CJ5 with a 304 and 3 speed manual. Pretty fun jeep with lift and tires.

I ran headers and glass pacs. I just used it around Havasu. It would over heat pulling the 21 spectra to the top of Mcculloch and got horrible mpg but it was fun in the day

I cant say with the TJs and JKs out that Id really bother looking at one again.

mash on it said:

How well was the 304 taken care of? 3 or 4 speed or auto?


Dan'l

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Not sure since it's used. It is a 79 and has a 400 turbo trans in it.

Motor Boater said:

Not sure since it's used. It is a 79 and has a 400 turbo trans in it.

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I think the TH400 had the Quadratrac all wheel drive. I've only driven FSJ's with this combo, and I didn't like it.

If its what your looking for, and a good deal, go for it.

304's are not bad, but I wouldn't spend big $$$ to hot rod one.

Dan'l

If you want to go drag racing around the desert the 304 probably isn't the best. If you want to go wheeling somewhere they are a good engine.

304's are perfectly good engines.

Downside of the quadratrac is they have a drive chain that sometimes gives way if you put too much power to them but the 304 will not.

Also, if you get a "collector car" policy on that thing it will not be subject to emissions and can be registered 5 years at a time for about 7 bucks a year.

If it is in good shape without a lot of rust and too beat up, those things keep getting more expensive as there are now becoming vintage off road events.

If you want a lot more power, as opposed to putting in a SBC, you can just throw in a 401 as it bolts right up with no changes.

Like this.

I love my 74 with 304 3 speed

Love my 78 CJ, 304...TH400 Quadratrac Golden Eagle all wheel....Hoping to have the time to turn her into a parking log princess one day soon and drive her on weekends......

4 hours and not one post saying you need to just go buy a brand new jk rubicon unlimited!

There will always be a place in my heart for cj's. Especially with a v8 and side pipes. I had an 85 with a 258 and a 5 speed. Gears, lift, tires, weber and it did what i wanted. You just need to know their limitations and know that you are getting in to a no frills jeep.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the 304....if you wanna do burnouts and pop wheelies then a cj in general is probably not the right choice, it is what it is.

I have a 52 m-38 with a dauntless v-6 in it and a 4 speed. Goes 45mph but theres a smile on my face the whole time!

X2 on soft spot for CJ's, especially 5's.
I learned to drive in a '73 w/304 3 spd, really was a fun vehicle.
I have a '57 now that is nearly all original.
I'm always on the lookout for an original '70.5 - 71 CJ5 Renegade 1 with Dauntless. They have rear gas tank, flanged rear axle and larger brakes.

squirtnmyload said:

I have a 52 m-38 with a dauntless v-6 in it and a 4 speed. Goes 45mph but theres a smile on my face the whole time!

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My brother has a '41 Ford GPW. It will wheelie across an intersection. (383/420/D300/locked D44's on 35's)

Dan'l

530RL said:

304's are perfectly good engines.

Downside of the quadratrac is they have a drive chain that sometimes gives way if you put too much power to them but the 304 will not.

Also, if you get a "collector car" policy on that thing it will not be subject to emissions and can be registered 5 years at a time for about 7 bucks a year.

If it is in good shape without a lot of rust and too beat up, those things keep getting more expensive as there are now becoming vintage off road events.

If you want a lot more power, as opposed to putting in a SBC, you can just throw in a 401 as it bolts right up with no changes.

Like this.

View attachment 587713

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Dan knows something about Jeeps.:thumbsup

I agree, the 304 is a fine engine for what it is. If you want to race then throw an SBC in it or a 401 with good heads and oiling system.

Many moons ago I had a CJ5 with a SBC/4spd, Holley 4 holler, a real clutch ...my parents at the same time had a 7 with a stock 304/T150 manual. A 2 barrel stock deal. It had a hard top(or a soft top) and steel doors, and AC

I was daily driving the CJ5, soft top, no AC. It would gap the CJ7 like nothing, but I would borrow theirs for river trips
A CJ7 with a 304 could be daily driven easily. If someone threw a simple TBI setup on the 304 it would be even better.:thumbsup

Oh, and by the way.
That CJ5 with the SBC and the yellow paint..

It may or may not have been responsible for wiping the smug smile from more than one BMW driver.:cool

And perhaps maybe a Vette.:rolleyes
Jeeps are fun.

2Driver said:

I had a 78 CJ5 with a 304 and 3 speed manual. Pretty fun jeep with lift and tires.

I ran headers and glass pacs. I just used it around Havasu. It would over heat pulling the 21 spectra to the top of Mcculloch and got horrible mpg but it was fun in the day

I cant say with the TJs and JKs out that Id really bother looking at one again.

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Not to knock the new stuff, they're bad ass.:thumbsup

What I appreciate about the CJ is its simplicity. Very basic tools, the whole dash comes off with a hand full of bolts.
Under the hood everything is easy to reach and see.
Then there's the fact you can just hose out the whole thing.

I'm not sure if the new ones have the drain holes or not?

the 304 was a good motor just not much power, on my last jeep cj7 i swapped it out for a 360 and put fuel injection and was huge difference

I have a 1975 CJ5, I purchased it in 1978 with 4000 miles on it, It had the 304 V8 and I put on about 150K with no problems on it before I stuck a GM 350 in it.
This is before it was painted