Re: HESCO and 4.0L

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Jim is correct on one thing at least. I got the same BS story from a HESCO employee who answered the phone and attempted to answer a few questions. It was obvious I knew more about AMC/Jeep sixes in general and the 4.0 in particular than the clown on the phone. When I politely questioned something that he said (I forget what) I was informed that HESCO invented the 4.0L and EFI system for Jeep. Well, I didn't say any more, you can't argue with someone who doesn't know the facts but think they do! 

I do realize that HESCO developed the add-on EFI kit from Jeep parts, but AMC/Renault developed the Renix EFI, and the basis for the 4.0L was the Mexican 280 (marketed as a 282) block which was introduced in the mid 70s. I have a document from one of the AMC engineers in the early 80s who built the first "stroker" -- EFI anyway. 

Now I do understand that HESCO has been messing with Jeeps for a long time. It is possible that they were building stroked Jeep engines with the Mexican block (and/or the specially cast block mentioned) before AMC decided to go with the bigger bore/shorter stroke 4.0L. There are good reasons the AMC/Jeep enginers chose that combo, I doubt it had anything to do with the HESCO race engines, but I could be wrong. The engineers were likely aware of HESCO's activities, of course, but I'd think they got more info from VAM because of the close engineering and manufacturing relationship. Of course Renault was the prime driver for the EFI system. 

I'm a long time AMC historian. I'm well aware of the historic background of the AMC sixes. I do have a question Bennie! Did HESCO ever do anything with the Kaiser 230 OHC six (Tornado)? You said Jeep back to 1963, so I'm assuming you mean the OHC or the Buick V-6, as the only other engines then in use would have been the F-head four and maybe still the L-head four. Oh, and the AMC GEN-1 V-8 (250/287/327) and a bit later the Buick 350 V-8. The AMC six wsn't used until the mid 60s (in SJ models, 71 or so in CJs). I don't have my documentation handy for an exact date, and know better to go to much from memory with someone who has a bit better Jeep knowledge than I do!!).

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)
			

 -------------- Original message ----------------------

> From: "Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "amc" <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Anyone got the lowdown on Hesco?
> Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2005 22:06:06 -0800
> 
> They are claiming to have designed the AMC 6 cyl p to the 4.0L.
> 
> 
>    From: "Bennie Fulps" <bfulps@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: RE: Digest Number 1834
> 
> Greg,
> This group is monitored by people who want to know what kind of mis
> information is put out here as well as all the other forums. We don't
> entervene unless someone posts something that is going to cost a guy alot of
> money if he believes what he is told. Jack Clifford was a good customer of
> mine and bought his AMC/Jeep parts from me. He was a Ford/Chevy man and
> didn't know diddly about the AMC six cylinder. Then he copied alot of our
> parts. The 4.0 intake he sold for the 4.0 for a carb. we invented for him
> just as most of what is sold by Mopar for Jeeps is invented here. We have
> been with AMC/Jeep since around 1963. You're right about Mike at Accurate
> Power being mostly straight forward. He's about the only person on this site
> that usually knows what he's talking about. By the way you don't use a 4.2
> crank and rods in a stroked engine. You use 4.0 rods and custom pistons to
> properly stroke the engine. A short rod engine is a short track engine and
> does not make any long term power. That idea is a by product of african
> engineering by people to cheap to build the engine properly. I do not know
> Jim Blair but what he has posted is totally false. He has posted total BS
> here. That's his privilage. 
> Bennie
> 
> 
> >From: "Greg Friedman" <greg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >Reply-To: strokers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >To: <strokers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >Subject: RE: [strokers] Digest Number 1834
> >Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2005 16:54:43 -0800
> >
> >I first talked to Hesco seven or eight years ago and it was the same BS.
("we invented the 4.0L for Jeep")

> >That's essentially along the lines of why I started this group.