|
A lot of myths have been formed about the number four US auto maker. The
most persistent is that they used parts from other makers and just made
bodies of their own. That isn't entirely true. AMC did use some parts
from other makers, but less than 15% in any given year. What AMC learned
to do was use what resources they had very wisely. If purchasing a part
from an outside contractor was more cost efficient than developing their
own and didn't take away from the unique character of the company's
products that's what they did. In this they were actually way ahead of
the other manufacturers! Today most manufacturers, even the largest like
GM and Ford, subcontract many of their parts and assemblies to other
companies. Like other manufacturers, AMC owned in whole or had an
interest in many smaller companies that produced parts for them and
other auto makers. AMC bought the following major parts from other major
auto companies:
Steering columns (Saginaw, 1966-up)
Steering boxes (Saginaw, 1960-up manual, 1965-up power)
Carburetors (all years, mix of Carter and Holley, Motorcraft added in
1970)
Ignition Systems (all years, mix of Delco and Autolite points, 1975-77
Prestolite BID electronic, 78-88 Motorcraft electronic)
Charging and Starting Systems (all years, mix of Delco, Autolite and
Bosch)
Other parts such as belts, hoses, tires, batteries, etc. have been
purchased from outside sources by all manufacturers for many years. AMC
has always made their own engines with only a few exceptions, and always
built their own bodies.
AMC and V8 Engines
The first V8 AMC used was the Packard 320. Packard's "Ultramatic"
automatic transmission was the only trans available with this engine. It
was used only in 1955 and some 1956 models. AMC had talked with Packard
in the late 40's about possible merger. AMC officials still hoped this
would happen and felt a cooperative venture would strengthen bonds
between the two companies and pave the way. AMC and Packard agreed to
use each other as parts suppliers --or so AMC thought. In reality
Packard president James Nance felt he was doing AMC a favor by selling
them engines and felt no obligations to purchase from them (Packard was
still a healthy company in 1955) . A few bids were sent over just for
show, but were rejected as being to high. This took place early in the
hand-shake agreement.
This incensed AMC president George Mason so much that he ordered his
engineers to develop a V8 engine as soon as possible (the hand-shakle
agreement was meant to foment trust between the two companies -- we see
how that worked!). In order to do this AMC hired former Kaiser engineer
Dave Potter. He had already worked on V8 designs at Kaiser and was able
to have an engine ready for installation in a vehicle in less than 18
months!
In order to meet the short development time the engine couldn't be
cutting edge technology. Instead it used all proven design and build
techniques. It was on a par with other V8s of the time, but not the
then-new, cutting-edge Chevrolet small block (also introduced in 1955).
In other words the engine was relatively bulky and heavy for its
displacement, but very strong. There wasn't time to build and test cast
rods and crankshafts so forged parts were used. With the bulk of the
block and forged crank and rods, this proved to be an exceptionally
strong engine. Today a few racers have discovered this and are using
them for high boost turbocharging. The only thing required is custom
forged pistons -- the crank and rods are as strong or stronger than
aftermarket performance parts after a little preparation.
The only drawback to the design was the heads. They used conventional
vertical overhead valves. With the valve going straight down into the
head there was limited room -- the valves could only be so big before
shrouding affected flow. The block was capable of supporting over 400
cubic inches,
but the heads would need to be redesigned to support large enough
valves. Only slightly larger valves can be installed in these heads, and
it may not be worth the cost. The turbo racers mentioned earlier
overcome valve size somewhat with boost -- up to 23 psi -- but limit
displacement to near stock, only boring to take out wear.
Note that Chevrolet didn't make their small block 327 until 1962. The
early AMC V8 more closely resembles the Chevrolet 396 big block, though
there are very notable differences. This is as close to a "big block" as
AMC ever made.
AMC engineers knew that the heavy V8 couldn't compete with more modern
small blocks introduced by the competition (Chevy in 55, Chrysler 55,
Ford 63). The heavy engines weren't in line with AMC's economy image
either, though they were very much responsible for the Rambler's
reliability and smoothness reputations.
AMC started development on a new V8 shortly after the first was in full
production. The new engine, introduced in mid 1966, shared some features
of modern small blocks and others more common with big block of the era.
It had wide bore centers comparable to a big block. This made the block
a little longer but provided plenty of room for future growth and
increased stability. For this reason some publications call it a "mid
block". It had a Buick style oil pump made into the timing cover. The
distributor was driven off the camshaft via a gear that bolts to the
front of the camshaft. The oil pump drive shaft was slotted to fit a
tang on the end of the distributor shaft.
A 390 cubic inch performance model was introduced for the 1968 AMX. This
used the same dimensions as the 290 and 343 but had thicker main bearing
webs for added stiffness in that area. AMC never produced a factory four
bolt main bearing engine as they felt the two bolt cap was adequate, but
they did cast the webs thick enough to be drilled for aftermarket four
bolt main caps for racing purposes. To keep high reliability with the
longer stroke all 390 and larger AMC engines used forged crankshafts and
rods. According to AMC engineers forgings were originally used due to
inadequate time to test cast parts. AMC decided to keep the forgings,
either due to low numbers of the engines or to retain high reliability.
In either case an AMC 390/401 is much stronger than comparable small
block 400 engines. No aftermarket cranks or rods are required for
racing, just careful preparation of the stock parts.
Displacements were increased in 1970 by lengthening the deck height of
the block by 0.16" for that much longer stroke. The 390 had built such a
performance reputation that a new rod was made to keep a 390 for 1970.
The stroke was changed only 0.11" for the big engine to bring
displacement to 401 cubic inches for 1971. It was felt that more than
400 inches would be larger than needed. Even then the block had to be
notched at the bottom of the bores to clear the crankshaft
counterweights. The higher deck height meant a slightly wider intake was
necessary.
The heads were also changed in 1970. 1966-1969 heads have rectangular
exhaust ports. 1970 and later heads have a "dog leg" or "pork chop"
shaped exhaust port. The larger port increased exhaust flow by around
50%, making AMC heads the best flowing production heads available. For
this reason the Chrysler "Magnum" V8 head was based on the AMC design.
The new ports also required new exhaust manifolds.
AMC V8 engines are generally classified as GEN-1, GEN-2, and GEN-3 (GEN
for generation). The GEN-1 engine is the large 1955-66 250-327 block,
GEN-2 the smaller 1966-69 290/343/390, and GEN-3 the taller 304/360/401
(and 1970 390) model. Although the GEN-2 and GEN-3 share essentially the
same block except for the 0.16" deck height increase, the head, intake
manifold, and exhaust manifold changes justify the separate designation.
GEN-3 engines also use 1/2" head bolts, GEN-2 uses 7/16" head bolts.
Heads will interchange between the two as long as the bolt size is
accounted for. Step dowels are made to fit the better flowing GEN-3
heads on GEN-2 blocks, but for racing purposes it is better to drill and
tap the older block for 1/2" head bolts. To put GEN-2 heads on a GEN-3
block the bolt holes must be reamed to fit 1/2" bolts.
Technically AMC didn't build a small block or big block, they just made
one V8 engine with the exception of the short overlap in 1966. In
reality the engines are compared with the competition. With this in mind
the GEN-1 can be considered a "big block" because of its external
dimensions and weight, and the GEN-2 and GEN-3 small blocks for the same
reasons. Some publications have mistakenly called the 390 and 401 "big
blocks" because of the displacements. Externally all GEN-2 and GEN-3
engines are the same size with the exception of height and width. All
bolt patterns and external bolt on parts (except intake and exhaust
manifolds) are identical. All internal parts interchange, though
crankshaft and rod swaps may require custom pistons. GEN-1 parts are
unique to that engine.
All 1970 and later AMC heads use the same port design. All 360, 390, and
401 heads are identical. These use 2.025" intake and 1.680" exhaust
valves (early 70 used a 1.625" exhaust valve) and have the high flow
"dog leg" exhaust ports. If building an AMC race engine simply order
pistons for the desired compression ratio and forget the smaller chamber
heads -- it won't cost any more (maybe less!) if the pistons need
replacing anyway. 1970-early 71 304 heads use a different casting
(3199517) but are essentially the same as the 360/390/401 heads. Ports
may be slightly smaller and castings a bit thinner, but according to all
AMC technical data 2.02"/1.62" valves can be installed. Combustion
chamber volume for the 304 head is 52.20cc and produced a compression
ratio of 9.0:1 with stock pistons. Later 304 heads have a 58.92cc
chamber and produce 8.4:1 compression.
The bore size of GEN-1 engines
is cast into the right rear of the block just behind the head. It's in
the space between the head and bell housing flange. This area is very
hard to see with the engine in the car due to the close proximity of the
heater housing. It may be viewable with the help of a small inspection
mirror, and might need cleaning with a small wire brush. The cubic inch
size of all GEN-2 and GEN-3 engines is cast into each side of the block
just behind the engine mount plates in the center of the engine. Since
the Engine Day Build Code or serial number is located on a removable tag
this is the only reliable way to identify engine size. This does not
apply to the Packard V8 engine.
An exception is the 1970 thick cast 360 used
as a service replacement (SR block). This block could be bored and
decked to build a 343, 360, 390, or 401. Dealers could therefore stock
one part number to service four different engines. It can be identified
by the lack of a displacement cast into the side. The casting number
will be for a 401 engine. This block was used for racing as a thick
walled 360, and in Trans-Am racing as a 5.0L. It MAY have been
cast specifically for T/A racing at Mark Donohue's request for a heavy
duty block, but because it carried a standard AMC part number and was
available across the counter to anyone, it did not have to be homolgated
like the "Duck Tail" spoiler. The Donohue Javelin could be ordered with
a 360 or 401. If the SR block had required homologation, it would have
ben the only engine option. There is a machined pad just above the front
left oil pan rail that usually has the built size stamped into it. Some
builders/dealers used a code that has yet been undeciphered, possibly
because they are not all the same, though partly because these blocks
are relatively rare now. In this case the only way to verify
displacement is to measure the bore and stroke. These blocks have been
found in almost all AMC models, a few verified to be factory installed.
Note that a SR block that has been bored out to 390/401 size is worth no
more than any other 390/401 block -- at that point that's all it is. |
