Re: My post on the CC site about the "360" build article

[Jock J Jocewicz <namdra@xxxxxxxx>]

Yes, your right Frank and by that I mean I am one of the few??? AMCers
that will be ticked off at you. First of all by you recommending a book
on AMC engines and saying it was the best one. It may just be, but have
you personally built an engine, especially a high performance engine
using what this book gave you? Experience is the best test.

Yes, the welding up of rods was not my first choice but it was the choice
of Car Craft and gives the readers one way of doing things. 

Also, the mention of "Performance American Style", which NAMDRA sells
(given permission from AMC and somewhat updated from the original)
photocopies of for $8.00 the person just has to remember that the book
was published in 1971, 35 years ago! A lot has changed in technology for
performance since then!

And as far as oiling problems go, there are definitely some oiling
problems in AMC 290 thru 401 V8 engines, just like there are in most
manufactures engines, depending on what you use them for. You said - "1/4
mile sprints don't have it'. Wow, I have never heard 1/4 drag racing
called "sprints'! And I will tell you that the drag racers can have
oiling problems with AMC 290 thru 401 V8's if they drag race their cars,
especially if they do it every weekend,. I not saying the person that
takes a stock AMC out to race once in awhile will have a problem, but
there is definitely a problem with the oiling system in AMC 290 thru 401
engines. 

And your last paragraph in your post stating that they should do a little
homework isn't helping the AMC hobby. Rather, maybe you should of said
that you tried to give some constructive criticism and not said they
should take some time to get to know AMC engines. Just what the heck do
you think they did. Going thru the trouble of buying a 67 AMC Rambler,
getting a 360, building up an article on it, doing the dyno tests, etc.,
etc., etc.

Plus, taking the time, expense, etc. to have a person at the '05 AMC
NATIONALS to do a 4-page article on the meet and then, as promised, to
the 4-page article in their Jan. 2006 issue. Your post to them should of
thanked them for the article on the '05 AMC NATIONALS, after all, you
were one of the sponsors of the event seeing you gave away two
subscriptions away American Independent Magazine.

 
On Mon, 21 Nov 2005 20:54:00 -0500 farna@xxxxxxx writes:
> I expect a few AMCers will be a bit ticked at me for this, but this 
> is what I had to say about the Car Craft article:
> 
> The article was informative, if you want to build a high $$$ AMC 
> engine. Otherwise it was a bit disappointing. You REALLY need a book 
> on AMC engines! The best one out there is done by a small shop, and 
> is called "B.J. Builds an AMC". Okay, title is a little hokey, but 
> contents is not! See the website 
> (http://www.hobbyobsession.com/bjsbook.html). No relation, I just 
> have a copy, along with AMCs own performance book (Performance 
> American Style, copyright 1972).
> 
> Welding up rods is a bit beyond the average "car crafter" if you ask 
> me. Lots of machine shop time in the build! The stock AMC crank is 
> good for 7,500 rpm according to Performance American Style -- 390 
> and 401 forged steel cranks for over 7,500. AMC recommends the 
> forged cranks for anything over 550 hp, indicating the cast nodular 
> iron is good for up to that amount. Stock rods are only recommended 
> up to 6,000 rpm (used as is). Forged 390/401 rods are listed as 
> 8,000 rpm capable after shot peening, Magnafluxed (to check for 
> flaws), and polished. The stock cast 360 rods should be capable of 
> more than 6K with the same treatment. Because of age it might be a 
> good idea to not stress the parts quite that much, but pushing it to 
> 6,000-6,500 should be adequate for a nice street performer. 
> 
> One more thing that wasn't clear -- AMC engine "oiling problems". 
> Problems only occur at sustained high rpm. The oil pump then 
> proceeds to pump all the oil to the top of the engine. This is what 
> starves the rear rod bearings. The Milodon pickup does increase 
> volume going to the pump, but that has NEVER been a real problem 
> with these engines. You're talking about an all-out race engine to 
> get into the rpm range where that is really needed! 
> 
> Many drag racers never knew there was a "problem" -- 1/4 mile 
> sprints don't have it. The T/A racers discovered the "problem" 
> because they couldn't drain engine oil fast enough at the high rpm 
> they were running. One solution is to run an extra line in the 
> valley to route oil around the lifters and provide more for the rear 
> rod bearings. Not necessary for a 400 hp street engine, but usually 
> done for insurance. Getting more oil up from the pan has never been 
> as problematic as the article insinuates.
> 
> You had a nice race engine professionally built, there's no doubt 
> about it! Hopefully you'll do another that the average guy can 
> duplicate without all the exotic machine work. An AMc 360 built with 
> the stock crank and rods would easily put out what your street 
> engine did without the offset grinding and required rod welding. 
> 
> I hate to "complain" because the AMC coverage is nice, but it 
> wouldn't hurt to do a little home work. It's obvious you're not 
> taking the time to get to know AMc engines. In a way I don't blame 
> you -- Chevy and Ford sells most issues. 
> 
> =============================================================
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Jock Jocewicz - President/Editor NAMDRA     NAMDRA@xxxxxxxx
8537 Antioch Rd., Salem, WI 53168 (262) 843-4326
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