Looking at a 1976 401 engine For a rebuild and swap out my 1978 360.
So should be a PnP mostly once refreshed, "I think".
Have a set of heads from a 79 360 all done freshened up.
Anyway, Heads should be a direct bolt on, though is there any performance advantage to the OEM 401 heads.
I think the rocker arm studs on 401 are same bridge type & 5/16 studs.
I'll likely go with an aluminum intake for my 4bbl carb.
Ant nuances and info about a 401 this year Let me know plz
1976 401 engine
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will e
- Posts: 5103
- Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:21 am
Re: 1976 401 engine
From memory. There were some early 1970's heads that had dogleg exhaust ports and I think the rocker mounts were studded.
But for your use case you don't need high performance heads. I would just go with the freshened up heads you have, save the money and not really notice any difference.
What are your plans for this rig?
But for your use case you don't need high performance heads. I would just go with the freshened up heads you have, save the money and not really notice any difference.
What are your plans for this rig?
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge
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1978J10REDWHITE
Topic author - Posts: 263
- Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2020 7:25 pm
Re: 1976 401 engine
It's just a low usage rig, sits around mostly, go to Wednesday car shows, HomeDepot runs , very low usage. Keep it local maybe 50-150 mile trips 1-2 times a year.
Also thought about installing an aluminum intake, put dual exhaust on it, Possible an EFI too.
Just keep it clean and lightly upgraded.
I thought adding more CID and gaining extra 75+HP should be all I'll ever need really.
So weighing it All out I'm rethinking things.
The Rig with the 401 Is $2,500, then I have a parts truck in my yard once I pull the engine out.
So upfront costs, $2,500 just to get an engine.
That monies can go a long ways in just doing my engine instead.
It's 82K original miles, doesn't smoke no noises etc, runs very nice!
360 is a descent power plant especially if I put 9.8 compression in it as Upgrade from the 8.25:1 OEM setup.
Add in the new upgrades I will do anyway, I am tetering on the question will a 401 Really be all that great of an improvement?
Also thought about installing an aluminum intake, put dual exhaust on it, Possible an EFI too.
Just keep it clean and lightly upgraded.
I thought adding more CID and gaining extra 75+HP should be all I'll ever need really.
So weighing it All out I'm rethinking things.
The Rig with the 401 Is $2,500, then I have a parts truck in my yard once I pull the engine out.
So upfront costs, $2,500 just to get an engine.
That monies can go a long ways in just doing my engine instead.
It's 82K original miles, doesn't smoke no noises etc, runs very nice!
360 is a descent power plant especially if I put 9.8 compression in it as Upgrade from the 8.25:1 OEM setup.
Add in the new upgrades I will do anyway, I am tetering on the question will a 401 Really be all that great of an improvement?
Last edited by 1978J10REDWHITE on Wed Oct 18, 2023 8:12 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Dusty
- Posts: 486
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:41 pm
Re: 1976 401 engine
What your planing is perfect.
Maybe just add a mild cam like the MTA1 cam, or the Edlebrock Performer cam?
Maybe just add a mild cam like the MTA1 cam, or the Edlebrock Performer cam?
If God is your co-pilot, you need to switch seats!
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will e
- Posts: 5103
- Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:21 am
Re: 1976 401 engine
The answer is, for the money, a 401 will not be that great of an improvement. You're not racing it. It's a lightly used rig that you drive around for fun and you are not expecting to win any stop light races.
I wouldn't (and didn't) bother with an EFI. You'll never get the money back in gas savings. There are a lot of modifications to get it to work and you'll have to mess with it for a while. Toss a holley or Edelbrock carb on it and it will run 'good enough' for your use case.
In my sig you can see I ended up with a 401 but that's just because it was available and I got a great deal on it at the time. When it's time I might rebuild it or if I get a good deal on a 360 I'll jump on it and never look back.
I wouldn't (and didn't) bother with an EFI. You'll never get the money back in gas savings. There are a lot of modifications to get it to work and you'll have to mess with it for a while. Toss a holley or Edelbrock carb on it and it will run 'good enough' for your use case.
In my sig you can see I ended up with a 401 but that's just because it was available and I got a great deal on it at the time. When it's time I might rebuild it or if I get a good deal on a 360 I'll jump on it and never look back.
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge
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1978J10REDWHITE
Topic author - Posts: 263
- Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2020 7:25 pm
Re: 1976 401 engine
Cyl Heads went to the shop today
Last edited by 1978J10REDWHITE on Mon Oct 30, 2023 11:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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rocklaurence
- Vendor
- Posts: 2569
- Joined: Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:53 am
Re: 1976 401 engine
That oil upgrade is for the rear crank bearings and isnt that big of a problem. The oil changes also recommend opening the oil path at the front of the engine and adding a restrictor to provide more volume to the rear bearings. All good and easy upgrades but probably not needed for a Daily Driver.
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1978J10REDWHITE
Topic author - Posts: 263
- Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2020 7:25 pm
Re: 1976 401 engine
I'm rethinking things.
Valley MOD is not needed for street daily driver use. HP drag racing absolutely is needed.
As long as I go 003" on #5 and 002" on #1-4 main caps, should be ok, with todays oils and proper ZDDP additives will be fine.
Bulltear sells components which has a proper upgrade for a few MODS that are helpful.
Valley MOD is not needed for street daily driver use. HP drag racing absolutely is needed.
As long as I go 003" on #5 and 002" on #1-4 main caps, should be ok, with todays oils and proper ZDDP additives will be fine.
Bulltear sells components which has a proper upgrade for a few MODS that are helpful.