Re: [AMC-list] Exotic AMC engines?

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2013 20:09:30 -0800 (PST)
From: Jack Dale<mercendarian@xxxxxxxxx>

I guess you're right.? That must be why AMC was caught "flat-footed" when the Wankle engine for the Pacer fell through/became impractical.? A cammer-head for the inliners would have attracted more press for the Pacer, but they slapped a two barrel on the 258cu 6, and that was that.? '75 was when they should have been developing the old Willys OHC on the IKA Torino.? I like their 2nd-gen. efforts, except that AMC damaged its brand, imo,?with that bearing that'd spin due to insufficient oil to the mains on wild acceleration.?? There should have been a RECALL to ensure long-life to that bearing, that caused AMC millions (I'm guessing) in warranty claims.

================================

The AMC six was almost too tall to fit under the Pacer hood as it was, the air filter had to have an offset housing. There's no way a taller OHC engine would have fit without a hump in the hood, which would have totally ruined the sleek lines of the original Pacer. That raised grille in the later models didn't make it look any better either. That WAS NOT required to fit in a V-8, it was just done to make the car look different from previous years, but it would have been required (with a raised center section all the way back) for an OHC six.

You're obviously not familiar with the Tornado/Torino OHC engine. It's a bit on the odd side -- the cam had a single lobe for both intake and exhaust valves, severely limiting cam grind. That's one thing that could have been fixed, but would have required a new head -- may as well design one for the venerable 232/258. Sixes just were not popular in the US in the 60s and 70s -- there was no reason to make a high performance model. If you wanted more power go to the 304 V-8, simple as that. The Pontiac OHC six was interesting, but not interesting enough to sell enough to stay in production. If it had, AMC may have developed an OHC head, but it didn't, and they didn't.

There's no problem with the AMC V-8. It can spin #7 rod bearing, but only under abnormal conditions when it is starved for oil. Keep oil in the pan and you'll never have that problem. The extra oil line doesn't help as much as running six quarts of oil instead of five. You're buying into a myth! Even if this were not the case, the engine was designed as a passenger car engine, not a race engine. It does it's designed duty extremely well with no problems at all, it's only when pushed beyond it's design limits that any problems start appearing. The engineers did a fantastic job.

--
Frank Swygert
Editor - American Motors Cars Magazine
www.amc-mag.com

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