AMC 401 to T176 to Dana 300. Is it a good idea?

[carnuck]

There is a new replacement, but it's made in China. Not such a big deal for low RPM Jeepers but a few have cracked in high RPM racing. (makes you glad for scattershields!) Perpetual Balance here in Arlington, WA does them but he needs the specs last I talked to him (he has them for 304 and 290 so far) He does aircraft engines and has for 30+ years.
As for the flexplates being only 0.14 difference, you have to remember after they weld on a std size weight, they drill the opposite side to change the balance for each motor.

Unless you have tall gears with a low first, I would switch to a 5 speed of some kind and the D300 probably won't have a long life either! I wouldn't even run an AX-15 with the Dodge NP208 I have with any real power in front.

[tgreese]

...
401 = 3212655 = $137.99

This is correct for the 1974 401/T-18 per the Jeep factory parts book.

Omix has a reputation for quality issues. I won't buy their parts unless there is no alternative.