Re: 343 Engine build-up

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Your engine is a 10:1 compression model. If you score a set of 70 or early 71 "319" heads you can keep that compression. I don't know what compression it would be with mid 71 or later heads, but wouldn't go down to 8:1 due to the pistons, likely more like 9:1. If you only lose a point of compression it would be worth it in my opinion. You can easily get a bit more power by swapping the cam and a better intake. The Edelbrock Performer cam/intake setup is probably the most popular for a mild AMC street engine, and get something like the Edelbrock 650 cfm carb. 

You won't find a lot of choices for AMC engines, but the choices you do have are the ones known to work -- they are still selling. With the cam and intake you should be able to easily top 300 hp. Put a good exhaust system on too, but don't go to big. I'd keep duals at 2.25", run a single 2.5-3". Get a set of the Edelbrock "shorty" headers (listed for Jeeps) when you do the exhaust, or a pair of "free flow" iron exhaust manifolds. I wouldn't go with the full headers for the street, but that's just me. The shorties should work fine, they were designed as free flow replacements. All of this (cam, intake, carb, and exhaust) should get you near one hp per cubic inch (340-350 hp). 


On April 5, 2005 Gary Parente wrote:

> I would like to know what kind of power I can get out of my 343 4 bbl
> engine.  I am restoring a '67 Rebel SST and will be rebuilding the 343 motor
> which has never been torn down before. I want it to be streetable but would
> like it to have more power than the stock 280 HP it came with.  Any
> suggestions on a buildup would be appreciated along with what kind of
> horsepower I could get out of it and what I can expect to pay if I have the
> work done by a shop.  Also, can I put dogleg heads on this motor?
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 
> .


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