Sticker shock is why an AMC V8 probably won’t happen but I haven’t ruled it out completely. I’d love a 360/401, don’t get me wrong.
Every AMC V8 seemed to have lifter problems eventually. A lot of them in the passenger rear and probably due in part to the oil galleries in the back like you mentioned.
The possibility of an engine swap is at the earliest end of the year so who knows by then what the bank book might allow?
That CJ7 is the lowest priority of the three since it’s the furthest away.
I would not swap an engine from a Jeep and put in an AMC V-8 anything. I would look at 4.0 or a Chevy 4.3 either one with FI.
JMHO.
I haven’t had a single
issue with a lifter in
the 36 years I’ve been
driving the CJ. I wheel
with a lot of guys who
swap out their AMC power
plants for one reason or
the other. It’s your Jeep.
That’s all part of the fun,
and you ultimately end up
with what works for you.
It could be you’ll spend
more on body, steering,
modifications, cooling,
electrical, and suspension,
only to find it cheaper
to stick with the AMC
power plants it was designed
for. Just my .02...