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 | + | American Motor's first '56-'67 Rambler V8 design features a tall 9.98" deck height with an obvious 'Hudson X' styled crankcase gallery. Having the main bearing webs form an 'X' around the main bearings transfers 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 V8s feature shaft mounted rocker arm assemblies which 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 all it's attributes. |
There were three sizes of AMC Gen-1 V-8s: | There were three sizes of AMC Gen-1 V-8s: | ||
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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. All three CID variations can be confidently bored 0.125" oversize since the stock factory cylinder walls are approximately .25" thick. Rambler V8 327 engines have been successfully bored and stroked to 418, and another to 443 CID, with no known durability issues. | 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. All three CID variations can be confidently bored 0.125" oversize since the stock factory cylinder walls are approximately .25" thick. Rambler V8 327 engines have been successfully bored and stroked to 418, and another to 443 CID, with no known durability issues. | ||
| − | All 250 engines were made having solid lifters and 287 & 327 versions came with self adjusting hydraulic lifters. 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. The easily removed 'two wingnut' style valve covers | + | All 250 engines were made having solid lifters and 287 & 327 versions came with self adjusting hydraulic lifters. 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. The easily removed 'two wingnut' style valve covers imply original solid lifter design, The AMC Rambler V8 has only recently been labeled 'Gen 1' by newer AMC enthusiasts. This labeling was first used by AMC writer Frank Swygert (aka editor/forum member 'farna') in an effort to describe the engine chronologically. Technically the labeling is correct; this is the first generation of AMC V-8s, AMC having been formed in May of 1954 and V-8 engine development starting in 1955. The 1966-'69 second generation models and 1970-'91 third generation models are very similar, but having a different block and head casting led to the labeling of Gen-2 and Gen-3. "Series" could have been used instead of "Generation", but "Generation" (shortened to "Gen") seemed to be the most correct description. Previously the first generation AMC V-8 had been (and still is) referred to as either the "Nash V-8" or "Rambler V-8". It was used in both Nash and Rambler branded, as well as AMC branded cars ("Rambler" was dropped from the 1965 Marlin and 1966 Ambassador, those being branded as AMC models). Technically it was built by the American Motors Corporation, not Nash or Rambler. |
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| − | The AMC Rambler V8 has only recently been labeled 'Gen 1' by newer AMC enthusiasts. This labeling was first used by AMC writer Frank Swygert (aka editor/forum member 'farna') in an effort to describe the engine chronologically. Technically the labeling is correct; this is the first generation of AMC V-8s, AMC having been formed in May of 1954 and V-8 engine development starting in 1955. The 1966-'69 second generation models and 1970-'91 third generation models are very similar, but having a different block and head casting led to the labeling of Gen-2 and Gen-3. "Series" could have been used instead of "Generation", but "Generation" (shortened to "Gen") seemed to be the most correct description. Previously the first generation AMC V-8 had been (and still is) referred to as either the "Nash V-8" or "Rambler V-8". It was used in both Nash and Rambler branded, as well as AMC branded cars ("Rambler" was dropped from the 1965 Marlin and 1966 Ambassador, those being branded as AMC models). Technically it was built by the American Motors Corporation, not Nash or Rambler. | + | |
'Gen-1', 'Gen-2', etc. labeling ideas were first used by Chevrolet small block V-8 enthusiasts to distinguish the differences among that group of very similar engines. This has apparently led many to believe the terms were "borrowed" from the GM engine family or that a GM enthusiast created the labels. There was a small effort to distinguish between GM and AMC labels: GM models are typically labeled with all capitals (GEN-1, GEN-2, etc., sometimes with no dash), whereas Frank used a single capital (Gen-1, and always a dash). The label was used because it is technically correct and fits. GM's labeling wasn't even considered until others pointed out the similarities, and made the assumption that the labeling was "borrowed". | 'Gen-1', 'Gen-2', etc. labeling ideas were first used by Chevrolet small block V-8 enthusiasts to distinguish the differences among that group of very similar engines. This has apparently led many to believe the terms were "borrowed" from the GM engine family or that a GM enthusiast created the labels. There was a small effort to distinguish between GM and AMC labels: GM models are typically labeled with all capitals (GEN-1, GEN-2, etc., sometimes with no dash), whereas Frank used a single capital (Gen-1, and always a dash). The label was used because it is technically correct and fits. GM's labeling wasn't even considered until others pointed out the similarities, and made the assumption that the labeling was "borrowed". | ||
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