AMC V-8s
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The AMC V8 has a storied history. This article will touch on the highlights. Enjoy! | The AMC V8 has a storied history. This article will touch on the highlights. Enjoy! | ||
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==In the beginning== | ==In the beginning== | ||
AMC made their own V-8 engines. The company did use a few parts from other manufacturers, namely transmissions, carburetors, and electrical systems (distributor, alternator/generator, starter, etc.). Many people see a similar displacement (327, 390, etc.) engine with a Delco (GM) or Autolite (Ford) ignition/starting/charging system on it and assume the engine was purchased from GM or Ford. Anyone familiar with GM and Ford V-8s would immediately know they were looking at a different engine at first glance though. | AMC made their own V-8 engines. The company did use a few parts from other manufacturers, namely transmissions, carburetors, and electrical systems (distributor, alternator/generator, starter, etc.). Many people see a similar displacement (327, 390, etc.) engine with a Delco (GM) or Autolite (Ford) ignition/starting/charging system on it and assume the engine was purchased from GM or Ford. Anyone familiar with GM and Ford V-8s would immediately know they were looking at a different engine at first glance though. | ||
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==The Packard connection leading to the Gen 1 production AMC V8== | ==The Packard connection leading to the Gen 1 production AMC V8== | ||
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All three engines share the same components except for pistons. All 250 models use solid lifters, the 287/327 are hydraulic. These engines were used by Grey Marine for boats in the late '50's and early to mid '60's. All the marine engines used solid lifters regardless of size. | All three engines share the same components except for pistons. All 250 models use solid lifters, the 287/327 are hydraulic. These engines were used by Grey Marine for boats in the late '50's and early to mid '60's. All the marine engines used solid lifters regardless of size. | ||
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==The Gen 2 V8== | ==The Gen 2 V8== | ||
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*1968-'69 390 | *1968-'69 390 | ||
The 290 and 343 used cast cranks and rods. The 390 was intended for high performance and was made with a forged crank and forged rods. AMC stated that the primary reason forgings were used was to get the engine to market quicker -- they didn't have time to thoroughly test cast components and still introduce the engine when they desired to. As a result, the AMC Gen-2 390 has a tougher bottom end than any similar displacement Mopar, Ford or Chevy. Reworked AMC 390 rods are good to 7000+ rpm, whereas the other makes require replacement performance rods. A lot of work also went into development of the head. AMC heads were some of the best flowing heads on the market at the time. A typical AMC head flowed as good or better than other makes' high performance heads. | The 290 and 343 used cast cranks and rods. The 390 was intended for high performance and was made with a forged crank and forged rods. AMC stated that the primary reason forgings were used was to get the engine to market quicker -- they didn't have time to thoroughly test cast components and still introduce the engine when they desired to. As a result, the AMC Gen-2 390 has a tougher bottom end than any similar displacement Mopar, Ford or Chevy. Reworked AMC 390 rods are good to 7000+ rpm, whereas the other makes require replacement performance rods. A lot of work also went into development of the head. AMC heads were some of the best flowing heads on the market at the time. A typical AMC head flowed as good or better than other makes' high performance heads. | ||
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==The Gen 3 V8== | ==The Gen 3 V8== | ||
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The AMC V-8 finally went out of production when Chrysler halted Jeep Grand Wagoneer production at the end of the 1991 model year. This make the 360 by far the most numerous AMC V-8. It can easily be built to produce over 400 hp on pump gas. It's as modern as any other make V-8 of the time, and has as much potential. There isn't as large a selection of performance parts, but the parts still available are the ones known to work well -- not a lot of junk to wade through. The parts cost a little more than the more common small block Ford and Chevy parts, but no more than any other make. Cost to build is partially offset by the very good heads. Until the Vortec L31 5.7L head was introduced, Chevy heads weren't any better than AMC heads. Now, Edelbrock has aluminum heads for the 343, 360, 390 and 401 AMC engines. | The AMC V-8 finally went out of production when Chrysler halted Jeep Grand Wagoneer production at the end of the 1991 model year. This make the 360 by far the most numerous AMC V-8. It can easily be built to produce over 400 hp on pump gas. It's as modern as any other make V-8 of the time, and has as much potential. There isn't as large a selection of performance parts, but the parts still available are the ones known to work well -- not a lot of junk to wade through. The parts cost a little more than the more common small block Ford and Chevy parts, but no more than any other make. Cost to build is partially offset by the very good heads. Until the Vortec L31 5.7L head was introduced, Chevy heads weren't any better than AMC heads. Now, Edelbrock has aluminum heads for the 343, 360, 390 and 401 AMC engines. | ||
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| + | ==Resources== | ||
| + | *[[Identifying AMC/Rambler Gen-1 V-8s and transmissions]] | ||
[[Category:Engine]] | [[Category:Engine]] | ||
[[Category:AMC]] | [[Category:AMC]] | ||
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