AMC V-8s
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==Engine design== | ==Engine design== | ||
− | + | American Motor's first '56-'67 Rambler V8 design features an obvious 'Hudson X' styled crankcase gallery, having the main bearing webs form an 'X' around the main bearings transferring load from the the crankshaft into the block with extreme stiffness and minimized vibration for maximum durability. Only the 4bbl 327 CID versions feature 'solid mains'. All other versions feature 'windowed' main webs for weight reduction. The Rambler V8 shaft mounted rocker arm assemblies are visually identical to the the former Nash inline six cylinder engines. The engine features an excellent oil system, which is perhaps the best oil system of any US V8 ever made and serves as a model of oil system design theory for it's attributes. | |
There were three sizes of AMC Gen-1 V-8s: | There were three sizes of AMC Gen-1 V-8s: | ||
*1956-'61 250 | *1956-'61 250 | ||
− | |||
*1963-'66 287 | *1963-'66 287 | ||
+ | *1957-'67 327 | ||
+ | (the 327, named 'Vigilante V8' was used one more year in Jeep Corporation Wagoneer and Gladiator vehicles) | ||
− | All | + | |
+ | All these feature the same 3.25" stroke forged steel crankshaft and 6.375" forged steel connecting rods and were internally balanced from the factory. The 1963-up AMC (non-Kaiser Jeep corp.) versions all came equipped with revised/improved high-flow exhaust manifolds, although AMC did not change their advertised rating of 4bbl 327 from it's former rating of 270hp. The three CID versions were made by increasing bore diameter; The 250 made with a 3.50" bore, the 287 with 3.75" bore and the 327 a 4.00" bore. There were three different block castings. It is rumored that early 287 blocks can be bored out to 4.00", but the best advice is to have the block sonic checked '''''before''''' boring. All three of these will easily take an 0.125" over bore, but beyond that is pushing the limit. 327 Rambler V8 engines have been successfully bored and stroked to 418 cid, with no known durability issues. | ||
All 250 models use solid lifters, the 287/327s are hydraulic. These engines were also used by Grey Marine for boats in the late '50s and early to mid '60s. All the marine engines used solid lifters regardless of size. | All 250 models use solid lifters, the 287/327s are hydraulic. These engines were also used by Grey Marine for boats in the late '50s and early to mid '60s. All the marine engines used solid lifters regardless of size. |