Engines

The J Series Trucks used a variety of engines in their 26 year run of production. During Kaiser's ownership of the Jeep name plate, you could initially choose from the "Tornado" 230 OHC straight 6, or the "Vigilante" 327 V8. Later during Kaiser's reign the "Hi-Torque" 232 straight 6, or the Buick "Dauntless" 350 V8 could be had.

When AMC bought the Jeep name from Kaiser in 1970, the selections changed to the AMC 258 straight 6, AMC 304/360/401 V8s, while the remaining Buick 350s were offered as an option from '70 to '72.

An interesting side note is that Kaiser and AMC were in bed long before the 5 FEB 70 purchase of the Jeep line by AMC, as the 327 "Vigilante" and the "Hi-Torque" 232 were AMC designed mills(!)

Follow the links below for detailed information on your favorite flavor.

Engine Options by Year

Early Year Engines

YEAR	MANUFACTURER	CID	NAME/TYPE
62	KAISER	230	Tornado I6 OHC
63	KAISER	230	Tornado I6 OHC
64	KAISER	230	Tornado I6 OHC
65	KAISER/AMC	230/232/327	Tornado I6 OHC/Hi-Torque I6 OHV/Vigilante V8
66	AMC	232/327	Hi-Torque I6 OHV/VigilanteV8
67	AMC	232/327	Hi-Torque I6 OHV/VigilanteV8
68	AMC	232/327	Hi-Torque I6 OHV/VigilanteV8
69	AMC/BUICK	232/350	Hi-Torque I6 OHV /Dauntless V8
70	AMC/BUICK	232/350	Hi-Torque I6 OHV /Dauntless V8
71	AMC/BUICK	258/304/350/360	Dauntless V8
72	AMC/BUICK	258/304/350/360	Dauntless V8
73	AMC	258/360	I6/V8

Notes

The 327 is an original AMC-born engine IS NOT the same as the GM motor!! Different design, longer life, same displacement.

The 350 Buick design is from the days when Ponchos used one V8 block like AMC cars, and Olds had Doc W. building gold Big Blocks...

THe AMC 304 is an all AMC design! It is not a modified Chebby 305 or Ford 302. The exterior block dimensions and bolt patterens are the same for all AMC V8's.

Mid-Year Engines

74	AMC	258/360/401	I6/V8
75	AMC	258/360/401	I6/V8
76	AMC	258/360/401	I6/V8
77	AMC	258/360/401	I6/V8
78	AMC	258/360/401	I6/V8
79	AMC	258/360	I6/V8

Notes

THe AMC 401 is an AMC design! Nothing like the Ford 400, Poncho 400, Buick 400 or 401, Olds 400. See above about block dimensions and add a different crank and fatter slugs.

Late Year Engines

80	AMC	258/360	I6/V8
81	AMC	258/360	I6/V8
82	AMC	258/360	I6/V8
83	AMC	258/360	I6/V8
84	AMC	258/360	I6/V8
85	AMC	258/360	I6/V8
86	AMC	258/360	I6/V8
87	AMC	258/360	I6/V8
88	AMC	258/360	I6/V8

Notes

THe AMC 360 is an all AMC design! It shares no parts nor bolt patterens with the Ford or Chrysler 360's.

Many thanks to Joe Schaefer for his time
and persistance in developing the database
used to create this page.