Re: [AMC-list] 360 build

[Jack Dale <mercendarian@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Bruce:  I wish you'd say a few words WHY the thrust-plate timing chain was better than a "button(?)".  Why not a cloyes gear drive, and NEVER have to worry about the timing chain?  Sure, there's more sound (--COOL!) and why flat-tappet when you Could have roller?  Rollers are better for the engine AND you, in every way.  More HP, less gas for that HP,--they can rev higher, safer,--better.  AMC HAD some 4-bolt main blocks, 360s for racing from group 19, but why not machine some up(--4-bolts) and tap & die holes to slap them on, if it's a two bolt?   I LIKE that they "fixed" the main bearing weakness, with the block-off piece in the left gallery).   I had to drop thousands on a rebuild, because AMC shot themselves in the foot by NOT fixing that problem after hundreds, maybe thousands, of warranty replacement-engines.  Imo, that's WHY our "rep" is soiled from the time our cars were built.  Drag-race an AMC, and you can cop a trophy, and
 spin the bearing on Idle... the next morning!  And one can't bore & stroke to the 401 displacement, a 360 block?   Some 401s have gone to 420s.  Also, there must be a million jeeps around with AMC-era V-8s.  WHY hasn't someone done an alloy block(-DESPERATELY NEEDED if you have any of their AMC-sixes because they were too heavy compared to other engines).  Once the Chevy small block appeared, even the Jimmies(292cu) were doomed, unless they had boost because the 235cu Chevy(--the "Blue-flame" base) OUTWEIGHED the 265/283 V-8s by more than 60lbs.  Without an alloy-inliner, the best thing for a sixer-jeep is a Buick 215cu V-8 @ 200lbs less(--they STILL put them in Rovers).  They(AMC) even SHOULD have gotten-back the odd-fire Buick V-6 and even-fired it like Buick later did for its Grand Nationals and others.   I LOVED the Pacer on intro(1975--though a mistake to shut-down the Javelin to make the Pacer, when Brampton could have expanded
 production), but knew it was a looming failure due to the heavy boat-anchor 6 they shoved in it.   A V-6 would have made more sense, after the wankle was abandoned {--although obviously AMC management was "On drugs" to have even Thought of a wankle, because they'll put out a lot of horsepower if raced, but Mazda just dropped its RX-8, because, even 30 years later, wankles SUCK gas on a streeter (one doesn't care about milage when racing, so much)} .  I'd like to see even a DRAWING of the still-born 464cu V-8, AMC was once pondering and didn't go ahead with (--would that have been a "tall-block" 401?).  THAT would have led to FAME...in the Name(AMC) of the Game(--all types of racing).   I saw Jackson's (--of auction fame with Barrett-... ) garage in town, through video, and although he's sold many on the auction block, he had no "personal" AMCs in his garage, that I saw, --HIS loss, imho.   I know how to make an AMX beat his Bugatti(in
 acceleration/ or top-end, not both), but I'd HAVE to go alloy, and it couldn't be stock, but I'll bet I could save him from spending $900,000.00 more than my mods.   Wouldn't the Edelebrock heads be at least 60lbs LESS in weight over the iron heads?  Save at least a 1/10th of a sec. in the drags.   My "tweeks" aside it WAS a good build.     
 

________________________________
 From: Bruce Hevner <scramblr@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 2:35 PM
Subject: [AMC-list] 360 build
  
They did pretty much all the right things. I think I would have opted for a
thrust plate timing chain setup instead of the button. And for once they
used a flat tappet cam which I have always said an AMC really needs (even
though they didn't reveal the specs). For street use needs to be "around"
230'-240' @ .050. They also didn't play with the cam timing which I have
found is a critical part of engine performance. I'm sure they could have
picked up a few HP there.

I agree with the Edelebrock heads too. You can spend HOURS on the cast iron
heads and still not have as good a part.

And you're on borrowed time making more than 450 HP with two bolt mains and
that lightweight block. I like the Wiesco piston & rod kit even though it is
a bit "pricy"!

All & all a pretty good build!.

Bruce Hevner

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