Clubs etc.

["Dan Curtis" <d.curtis@xxxxxxx>]

As an AMC owner and enthusiast for nearly 35 years I can honestly say that I 
believe that most any club, regardless of how long it has been around, is a 
benefit to keeping our "law of diminishing returns" hobby alive.  My 
personal preference would be to belong to both AMO, because of its wider 
audience which certainly helps the overall hobby by being inclusive of all 
AMCs, and NAMDRA because as a long time gear head with a few trophies of 
from my "yute" (my cousin Vinny circa 1980 :-), Sunday racing at New England 
Dragway were about as much fun as you could have with your clothes on.

As far as the list goes, Frank Jock, Doug and the rest of us opinionated old 
timers should be able to express whatever our personal preferences are on 
this forum.  If Frank likes AMO better, more power to him.  If Jock thinks 
NAMDRA is the best club, that's great too.  I am thankful to ALL members who 
volunteer their time and energy to this hobby and wish I had the time to do 
the same.  Nonetheless, I don't see the need for anyone to have a problem 
simply because someone prefers one club over the other...we need all of 
them!!!!

On the plus side, I was unaware that NAMRA has a newsletter/publication so I 
will likely join that organization primarily for the purpose of getting 
useful information from that publication as well.  I know a ton about AMCs 
and how to squeeze that last bit of juice out of a stout AMC V-8, but as 
Randy pointed out a while ago when I was inquiring about the bonehead move 
that my early 390 had done to it with 2381P pistons installed, I can always 
learn more.

By the way Randy, I found a set of SpeedPro 2380 forged pistons that I will 
be swapping out to get the respectable compression ratio out of that 390.  I 
am still not happy about how much the bonehead machine shop decked the block 
but with 1/2 head bolts and a 10.15 or so compression ratio, I am sure it 
will be just fine so Randy thanks for the tip on the foolishness of the 
engine builder using the 2381P lowcompression pistons on the early 390 
motor.

Regardless of the decking, with 291C heads, a nice roller cam and rockers, 
R4B, a 650 to 750 carb, newer electronic ignition and with free flow 
manifolds (I just don't have the patience to screw around with headers as I 
get older), this new setup should breath some real fire into my newly 
aquired 68 AMX and I can't wait to get it going with that new motor.  The 
current engine, a later model 360 sounds great but just doesn't have the 
performance I have been accustomed to over the years and the 390 will once 
again give me a chance to relive my "yute"

Regards,
Dan Curtis
d.curtis@xxxxxxx
602-317-2018