[Amc-list] Plastic Paint and I-6 performance.

["John Elle" <johnelle@xxxxxxxxx>]

I would not use the Rust-Oleum plastic paint
for automotive applications as I do not think
that it would last or be satisfactory. However
if all I was doing was putting together a 
beater with a limited life span for cheap I 
might maybe try it. Not when products such as
those offered by SEM are far superior in 
performance and can be mixed to exact colors. 
Application with an inexpensive air brush 
(Harbour Freight about $6.00 on sale) and a 
compressor (if you are going to do any serious 
automotive work this is a necessity, abet pricey
initially but worth it.) is very easy to 
accomplish. Although vendors will package in a 
rattle can too so is an easy product to use. 
Generally as previously mentioned with something 
like a 3 can minimum limit. SEM is not the only
manufacturer for automotive ?Plastic Dye? 
products but certainly the most respected.
 
SNIP
Should I expect my 232 to top out around 65?
SNIP
 
No, not unless it is geared so short that the 
engine is twisted as tight as a drum. These cars
were made to drive at speeds approaching 75 mph 
or so when they were new. Many western states 
had speed limits that were that high and freeways
toll roads and turnpikes were all in operation. 
 
I drove with my grandfather across country in 
1959 with his 1957 Rambler 4 door sedan that 
would cruise handily at 75mph. 
 
In general American in line I-6 engines were 
never designed to be performance engines though, 
that image was left to the V8?s with the exception
of the Pontiac overhead cam Sprint engine that was
available for a few years. Most engines were 
under carbureted (An AMC 258 uses a 195 cfm rated 
Carter BBD) and that was the big carburetor.
They were all under square, that is the bore was
smaller than the stroke and the stroke is long!
The Plymouth slant 6 225 cu in was 4 ¼ inchs. 
Long stroke engines are not happy campers at very 
high rpm?s. And the cams are selected by the 
factory to give max torque at very low rpms and 
then they will fall flat on their faces. 
They however are capable of being built to rev 
to between 5 and 6000 rpms with out a whole 
lot of concerns and with enough money they can 
be twisted tighter. This by the way is about the 
same rpm range V8s are built to run at easily.
They respond amazingly well to a performance cam
and even with a stock carburetor will run down 
the road at freeway speeds pretending to be a 
V8. Add a little more carburetor as they are 
generally way under carbureted and high rpm 
performance will come close to matching a small
2bbl carbureted V8 and give a poor running 4bbl 
a run for its money.
Stock, there torque is max at about 1500 rpm, and
very little torque at that, but as it is peaked 
so low, it feels peppier than they are as they go 
flat not much over 2500 rpm. 
I build H.P. engines and have had a lot of fun 
with I-6s. 
My current F.I. 258 will rev to 5500 rpm which 
is where it runs out of cam. It will cruise at 
3200 rpm with out a problem and as it is geared
to be a freeway flier at 31 mph/1000 rpm you do 
the math! And passing gear is set for W.O. throttle
shift at 75 mph. (Torque flite W/lock up torque 
converter) 
The same engine stock carbureted started going 
flat about 3600 rpm which is about where the 
carburetor played out and was not much good 
over 4200 rpm. 
Cars of the 50?s and early 60?s that were 
supposed economy engines and that is what the 
I6 configuration was aimed at market wise 
should be good for at around 85 or so but maybe 
not more and be able to cruise with modern 
traffic. I-6 engines built after that still 
pretty much met that criteria, performance
was left to the advent of the V6. Most notably
GM and the Buick 3.8 L.  If it can?t then the
tune is not correct or the gearing is that of
an old farm pick up truck. 
For me, of primary importance is a good performance
cam, I like and use Iskenderian. Secondary
importance more carburetor. 
Exhaust modifications have had little to no affect. 
On AMC I like the 81+ exhaust manifold, a big 
tail pipe and a performance muffler and call it 
good to go. 
Although, anything you can afford past that 
will only be an improvement even if only minor. 
An I-6 can run well reliably and for a long 
period of time. They just have a lousy performance
image but they can sure draw attention due to 
their uniqness when dressed up for show.
Notable exceptions, Jaguar, BMW, 240Z, Mercedes, 
Pontiac Sprint all come to mind, some still in 
production.  
Have fun 
John
 
 
 
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