AMC V8 ENGINE HISTORY

[@Drmcclung]

70's era "mid block" 304/360/401 AMC V8's are absolutely ridiculously strong, especially with the forged 401 guts. But the block itself was just a masterpiece for what AMC had to work with.. The things AMC could do with so little money is what makes them my overall favorite American automaker. I've broken a lot of small block Ford and Chevy's, but I've never been able to destroy an AMC mid block beyond repair. Awesome video thanks for sharing it! AMC rarely get this kind of love & history anymore

[@jamesmedina2062]

how was the oiling in them? did the heads flow well?

[@Drmcclung]

@@jamesmedina2062 oiling wasn't all that great but not terrible either, about on par with Chrysler LA blocks at the time; not quite as good as SBC or SBF but nothing concerning (if we're just comparing unmodified competitor v8's of the same era/generation right out of the box). Early gen 3 dog leg heads flowed much better than the previous AMC v8's, they made great torque, but reduced compression every single year after 1972 the farther into the 70's you go lets down more power than factory unmodified head airflow did. Intake manifold options are practically none today - everything here is me talking straight up OEM unmodified as it would have come from factory. Oiling stuff isn't really worth messing with on unmodifieds, until you start getting into more serious RPM.. you'd need to get a bit more oil to the lifters, rods & mains. Otherwise it's fine as-is

[@Drmcclung]

@@jamesmedina2062 the block itself though, the actual AMC casted crankcases, they're ridiculously heavy and overbuilt pretty much all the way through to the end of production in Kenosha. Far less likely to bend twist distort and have stuff go out of round than anything Ford Chevy or Chrysler put out in the 70s. The couple gen 3's I've blown a rod in didn't hurt the block beyond repair where you're likely to blow holes through an SBC or especially a pathetic SBF of the time. Jeep-specific blocks cast in Canada in the 80's built as the Wagoneer 360 all the way to the end in '91 I don't have any experience with, as all the mid block engines I ever owned and dealt with including the 2 I broke rods in were 70's blocks from Kenosha. 2 or 3 of the mid blocks I've had, those were 360's, that I think if I remember right I pulled out of 70-something Cherokees & Wagoneers.. but I preferred pulling used 304's, they were often less worn out and went a few more miles. Back then the used engines around were plentiful enough to pull, run as they came out of the scrapyard, and thrown away/given away for free when they finally needed overhauled, as a core for some other guy to build his hotrod motor out of. My all-time favorite car growing up was an '81 Spirit hatchback with a '70 304 from a '70 Javelin

[@jamesmedina2062]

@@Drmcclung straight up answer. I couldnt ask for anything better. Thanks!

[@jamesmedina2062]

@@Drmcclung Cool(the Spirit). I just looked that car up. I didn't know it. It looks kinda like a Datsun 280zX or Mistubishi Starion Turbo, only a little higher. I have a 71 Mustang I am still working on and it has a 351 Cleveland. I am trying to get the front of block closed up again and oil pan back on it because my coolant had gotten acidic and sat for 15 years in storage causing oozing of coolant and pitting. When I looked up at the cylinders with pan off they look pretty good but when you read any about these blocks they make you worry about the thin walls. The oiling is not the best. I think 0.125 walls are normal and thats only 1/8 inch. The AMC AMX is lighter which is cool. I prefer manuals and the Mustang has automatic. Anyways I will need to give these AMC's a closer look. Whats crazy is that every car has pros and cons. I even like German and Japanese cars so there are lots of cars I wish I could rebuild!

[@bryceslavik6730]

I love AMC‘s. I’ve had three javelins with 343 and 360 engines. My first ride in a muscle car was in the 1968 javelin with a hopped up to 290 in the car. I’m starting to really like now is the Adam 12 401 matador I like that police car.

[@chrisgoebel9187]

Hopefully you will find a 401 Matador. They are extremely rare. IMO best is the 1972 with the Chrysler "Torque-Command" transmission and power disc brakes.

[@perkinsrj69]

Also with the tall deck blocks was the new dogleg exhaust port heads. Flowed better than the earlier version rec ports. The 401 came out in '71. '72 and later the cranks were made to mate with the torque command (Chryler torqueflite) transmissions.

[@davidpowell3347]

Some of the best unknown and unloved by the general public cars yet some of the best.

[@ronwilgenbusch1961]

October 2013 Hot Rod magazine issue has a good article for AMC v8 reference. Pages 148-154. Has a chart with all 290-401 internal specs and charts for overbore and cubic inch combos using stock cranks. In case anyone needs this info

[@garyfoster738]

Growing up in the early sixties we had a lot of AMC's living in southern Wisconsin. We had a 61 and a 66 both with the 327. Reliable, Only problem I ever seen with those cars was a U-joint. Those cars had an enclosed drive shaft. Drop the rear end to change a U-joint.

[@sportscardad]

I can't believe you did not mention the red / white & blue '69 S/C Hurst Rambler Scrambler (in the Rogue body) . It was very fast ...0 to 60 in 6 seconds and low 14's in the 1/4 mile in "Stock" form. I bought one in 1974 at age 19 with the motor apart ; the engine block still under the hood and the cylinder heads were in the trunk. I built the engine with 12 to 1 TRW pistons , Crane cam , headers , an unusual Edelbrock intake that had the carburetor at a slight angle with a Holley 850 dbl. pump and a Mallory distributor from an FE Ford (they were interchangeable) These cars were very light , well under 3000 lbs. and I lightened it further in several ways including removing the hood hinges to make it a 4 pin lightened lift off hood. I hated the red sides and blue magnum style wheels so I painted the sides matching white while leaving the rest of the car original with the blue stripes and then added Keystone wheels. This car was so fast , it was almost undriveable wide open through the gears due to the light weight / horsepower ( It did break the tire loose a lot .at speed going into 3rd gear ...I did nail mailboxes once and got lucky other times) . The horsepower was guessed to be , by a number of mechanics and the AMC dealer next door to my work to be well over 400 . ( I wish I could post a picture of it).

[@daryllect6659]

"Blah blah blah and low 14's in the 1/4 mile " ...while everything else was in the 13's. Even a good-running GTO would trounce a SC/Rambler. And that Model 20 with the two-piece axles were a joke.

[@dwaynegamble244]

​@@daryllect6659holy cow Your a very unhappy person 😢Such anger Over a guy chiming in about cars

[@davidetchellsetchells4692]

Darrel stfu😂😂😂😂😂 cry all you want, you've obviously have never driven a quality car like an AMC. A 70 Javelin or AMX would and will kill any stock production car at the time exept for a very few now unobtainable cars like superbirds,hemi darts, AC cobras, W Hurst Olds cars, and Firebirds. I've actually driven a 74 Javelin with a 390, and I gotta tell ya it was a monster! And I've driven and owned over 100 muscle cars from all brands and still own a few. AMC was way way ahead of their time back then,and put out extremely high quality cars and trucks, that's why the survivers are still magnificent even by todays standards. Drive one, you'll see.

[@johnboomer8468]

Thanks for sharing your awesome video. AMC had some great engines.

[@edarcuri182]

American Motors was a name change made after Nash Kelvinatot bailed out the moribund Hudson in a merger. It was a publicly owned company until Chrysler bought out their largest shareholder. The history of the company is not really complicated. Very well presented. Thank you.

[@SupergurlKara]

AMC was formed by the merger of Hudson and Nash-Kelvinator. The AMC 250 V8 was only used in late 1956 Hudson Hornets, which were restyled Nash models. The earlier 1951-1954 first generation "Fabulous" Hudson Hornets, like the successful NASCAR cars and the Paul Newman-voiced animated character in "Cars," used a 308 cubic inch inline six cylinder engine.

[@mickvonbornemann3824]

Hudson, Nash, Rambler. Willys. Kaiser. The idea was to get Studebaker & Packard on board but those 2 left it to too late

[@Diesel257]

Thank you. The top of my head was about to blow off.😂

[@CJColvin]

​@@mickvonbornemann3824Had both Studebaker and Packard merged together with Hudson and Nash along with Kaiser and Jeep to form AMC in 1954 then man AMC would've been the big 4th as well.

[@billrobertson2122]

1954 "merger" (it was a purchase) was Nash-Kelvinator and Hudson only. George Mason made overtures to Packard, Studebaker, and Kaiser, but was rather unceremoniously rebuffed. Then the Ford/GM price war erupted and the rest is history. Poor AMC didn't turn a profit until the early 60's, but they managed to outlive Studebaker-Packard. Kaiser survived on its military contracts until AMC purchased the vehicle division in 1970. Had Packard, Studebaker, and Kaiser accepted Mason's offer, American Motors would have been bigger than Chrysler.

[@jeffking4176]

⁠@@mickvonbornemann3824 There was a deal in the works, but it didn’t go through. 🚗🙂

[@joshuagibson2520]

These V8 history series videos are doing well. I think they will also do well as a slow burn. I think people will reference these quite a bit over the years.

[@MrRmh3481]

Excellent video. Im old enough to remember driving the big V8s.

[@Myvintageiron7512]

You and me both!

[@steveblottenberger1097]

Steve from Annapolis Maryland keep up the good work I love your show

[@Cadwerx1]

Great series on all these companies. Thanks for your content. Everyone have a great day!!

[@5610winston]

The first OHV V8 in an AMC car was supplied by Packard, a 320 cubic inch piece developing an advertised 208 horsepower (the 320 in the base Packard Clipper developed an advertised 220 HP), and was used in Nash Ambassadors and "Hash" Hornets. One can only speculate what a step-down Hudson could have done with the 352 or 374 dual carb set-ups with the Isky cam?

[@casamequite]

The Rebel Machine was the replacement for the discontinued Hurst 390 Rambler SCRambler that featured the short deck V8. (SS396 Novas secretly wished they were SCRamblers). The SCRambler was a large cubic inch version of the Rambler Rogue that also featured a 4 speed and Hurst shifter. Actor James Garner raced off road in one. Bring on the Cadillacs!👍

[@dansmusic5749]

The hood scoop said AIR on both sides. This referred to Garner’s company that raced the Ramblers called American International Racing or so I read.

[@richardkaltenbach3961]

BRING ON THE CADILLLACS!!

[@bdogjr7779]

Wow《☆》They had more engines than I realized. I had a 77 JEEP CJ7 Renegade 3 speed floor shift manual transmission. The 304 V8 in it only had around 160 hp and didn't rev very high. It was pretty Torquey tho. You could let the clutch out without your foot on the gas pedal. Unfortunately I had to trade it in 1979 for a Datsun B210. I traded Fun for Economy✌🏼😎☯️

[@garythoren7257]

AMC was a profitable company when it was bought out by Chrysler. AMC did have hard times, but it did not go broke. Lee Iacocca wanted the Jeep line and bought up AMC. I say this with no bitterness, yes the pacer was financially devastating. The 327 shared the center exhaust port on the head ( they couldn’t exhale efficiently). The ‘65 Marlin could come with 10:1 compression and Holly 4b from the factory.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Looking good and healthy. I was worried there for a while. I appreciate you. You're good people.

[@Freedomquest08]

I had a Cherokee Chief with a 401 I rebuilt and swapped into it. Even with Quadratrac/full time 4wd, it would spin a tire off the line (in high range) without much effort. Impressive torque and power from that slightly over stock (RV cam only) engine. I was not very enthralled with the steel inserts in the (cracked) piston sleeves or difficulty of finding better aftermarket parts. At the time (pre internet days) I was forced to buy another set of the bonded steel insert pistons. Steel bonded to aluminum has no chance or choice but to crack over time as the different metals expand and contract differently with temperature. They worked though, I guess. I about went crazy chasing a quarter size overnight drip oil leak on that rig. Finally discovered it was the oil pump shaft that goes into the pump housing/timing cover.

[@GorillaCookies]

I have a 74 Cherokee Chief 2 door with a 401, T18 4speed and dana 20 transfer case . I went through the drive train and during the engine rebuild I used custom flat top forged pistons providing 10.8:1 compression , Comp 272 cam , lifters, springs and adjustable double roller timing set. Scorpion Roller Rocker conversion , Edelbrock RPM AirGap intake , Holley Center squirter carb, oiling mods with added valley oil line, MSD distributor and 6AL box etc , Ceramic coated headers and flow master dual exhaust with H pipe . The Jeep is shockingly quick for its size and weight . Chassis dynoed at 412 rwhp @5700 & 474 rwtq @ 3100 . Absolutely love the way it runs but man does it have a drinking problem

[@Freedomquest08]

@@GorillaCookies Mine was a rootbeer brown '81 Chief, 2 door with the factory flares. I sourced the 401 from a '75 Wagoneer parts rig. Machine shop said the new pistons were 9:1, (maybe they were, maybe not) but they still had the steel inserts. Mild 'RV' cam, factory 4bbl intake and HEI conversion was about all it had performance wise, but it ran really strong for what it was. Felt like it had twice the power of the 360 it replaced. I wasn't ready to part with that one. I took my dog in to the vet one day and the girl at the counter asked me if I wanted to sell the Jeep. I gave her a number and the next day she was at my front door with cash in hand. So it goes-lol.

[@icetech6]

Good video, i LOVE AMC, one of my first cars was a '67 Rebel.. my sister had a '68 Rebel... really wish i had kept it (like 20 other cars i have owned) although if i still had it, it would have a small block mopar in it :)

[@jonnierotten7]

I bought a 68 Dodge Dart, in 1972. Two-door hardtop; light yellow with a black vinyl top; 318 auto on the column; white buckets seats without a console. I had for about 7 years and sold it - BIG MISTAKE, but I was young then~~~

[@fredlogan3849]

thank you Mr. IRON very good series

[@willactually7509]

AMC V8s always impressed me with their engineering seemingly better that that of the Big 3. I recall that exhaust manifolds were machined to fit without the need for gaskets.

[@drippinglass]

All Mopars of the era didn’t have gaskets either. Probably none of the GM or Ford as well.

[@SouthernShadetreeMechanic]

First and foremost, thank you for highlighting the often-overlooked Rambler/AMC V8s. These were excellent engines in their day and still have a loyal following even now. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Also, you should be commended for attempting to clear up some of the misconceptions about Rambler/AMC V8s. Now, at the risk of being “that guy,” there were still some things you said that weren’t quite right. AMC was formed in 1954 from a merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corp. and Hudson Motor Co. AMC didn’t have a “relationship” with Nash and Hudson, AMC WAS Nash and Hudson (and the Rambler and Metropolitan marques as well, from 1956 on. . .) The very first V8s used by AMC were Packard V8s purchased from Studebaker-Packard in 1955 and early 1956. This was the result of a proposed “4-way” merger engineered by then-Nash and later AMC CEO George Mason. Unfortunately, Mason died unexpectedly in 1954 not long after the Nash-Hudson tie-up. He was replaced by George Romney, who wasn’t nearly as keen to bind AMC to a fast-sinking S-P. In addition, he and S-P head James Nance did not get along, and neither man was willing to be second-in-command at a combined AMC/S-P. As a result, the “4-way” merger never happened. The V8 purchasing agreement soured quickly, too, as Romney believed AMC was being overcharged for the Packard engines (and Packard’s Ultramatic auto transmission as well). and was not pleased that Nance refused to purchase any in-kind components from AMC. As a result, AMC instituted a crash program in early 1955 to design their own in-house V8. As luck would have it, an imploding Kaiser Motors had conducted extensive work on a modern OHV V8 but had to abandon the project due to a lack of funds. One of the Kaiser engineers who had worked on that project, Dave Potter, was hired in by AMC. While he didn’t smuggle out K-F blueprints as is often though, he did bring with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that enabled AMC to have their own V8 up and running in record time. What we now refer to as the “Rambler V8” was introduced in mid-1956, coming in at - as you stated - a whopping 250 cubic inches. Jeep did not become a part of AMC until 1970. From 1953 until 1970 it was owned by Kaiser. Kaiser Motors (the former Kaiser-Frasier) “merged” with Willys-Overland in 1953 to form Willys Motors Incorporated, with the Willys “Jeep” being one of their mainstay products. In 1963 the company became Kaiser Jeep Corporation. Jeep and AMC did have a relationship well before the latter bought the former, though. As you stated, Jeep used AMC 327 V8s in Wagoneers and Gladiator pickups from 1965 to 1967. Jeep also began purchasing 6-cylinder motors from AMC that year. Jeep used the Buick 350 from 1968 to 1970, and began utilizing AMC “tall deck” 304s, 360s, and 401s from 1971-onward. Jeep never used an International 304 in ANYTHING. Any 304 found in Jeep product, be it a CJ, Wagoneer, Cherokee, or Jeepster/Comanche is pure AMC “tall deck” V8 (we don’t tend to call them GEN I, II, III - that’s Chevy nomenclature. . .). The IH 304 is part of the International SV (for “Small V8”) family of engines introduced in 1958 and produced in sizes ranging from 266, 304, 345, and 392 cubic inches. These are all pure truck engines; heavy, slow revving, low RPM torque machines suitable for running full-out all da(for “Small V8”) y in medium-duty rigs. The only thing they share with other manufacturers is a V-configuration and a couple of displacements. Now, having said that, the AMC 401 “tall deck” V8 was used by International in 1973-1974-ish. IH was having difficulty producing enough of their own SV-392 engines and decided to restrict availability of these mills to ¾-ton pickup trucks or heavier. To replace the 392 in ½-ton pickups and Travelalls, IH purchased 401s (all painted red) from AMC and marketed them as the “V-400.” Gray Marine also used the Rambler V8 from 1958 to 1967, in both 250 and 327 displacements. These engines were marketed as “Fireball,” an interesting choice since Buick had once used that name for its straight-8 and V8 engines. The AMC V8s introduced in 1966 were a more modern “thin-wall casting” design but retained the same bore spacing as the old Rambler V8 in order re-use and re-purpose existing tooling. The so-called GEN III engines were developed largely to better meet looming emissions standards. That they produced a bit more power and torque was a welcome by-product. Having said that, the 401 WAS developed as a conscious effort to have at least one 400-cubic-inch-plus powerplant to counter offerings from the Big Three. AMC folks tend to refer to the 1956-1967 V8s as “Rambler V8s,” while the latter 1966 - 1991 engines are usually referred to as either “short deck” (1966-1969) or “tall deck” (1970-1991) “AMC V8s.” Again, thank you for your episode focusing on the Rambler/AMC engines. I know I became more than a little pedantic, but there is SO much BS (not from you) that floats around about these that I feel a compulsion to try and set the record straight when I can. I’ll take my soapbox and go home now. . .

[@killermachine6859]

" I know I became more than a little pedantic, but there is SO much BS (not from you) that floats around about these that I feel a compulsion to try and set the record straight when I can." Compulsion to try and clear up misinformation regarding AMC in the comments section of a video regarding AMC V8 history is "Pedantic"?

[@SouthernShadetreeMechanic]

@@killermachine6859 Well, yeah, it might come across as a “well, actually . . .” moment to some folks.

[@johndavis9454]

I worked at an AMC Dealership in 1971 (lube rack guy). The owner of the dealership was into racing so there was one service bay with a lift set aside for a drag racer being built by the shop mechanics. What a car! 1969 AMX full tilt Racecar! 390V8 made about 550 HP it was a very fast car. It also helped that one of the mechanics, Dale Jordan was an experienced Drag Racing driver. This dealership was in Inglewood CA, we raced at Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach. We won our class enough times to have an impressive trophy case in the showroom, Mr. Worley was very proud of it. Oh heck, I just told you the name of the Dealership....Bob Worley Oldsmobile/AMC/Jeep. Fun times! I like the smell of Nitro exhaust!

[@Myvintageiron7512]

very cool Lions drag strip was very cool great part of American race history It's a shame they shut it down in 72

[@theronwolf3296]

I am surprised you did not comment on the Renault acquisition, followed by the assassination of Renault's president as a part of the corporate failure. I believe that certainly contributed to the final collapse. On the plus side, my daily driver is an 89 Jeep, still running the AMC 6 cylinder--and that engine was used in Jeeps well into the 2000s.. I believe it ranks (perhaps along with the VW aircooled 4) as one of the longest produced engines in automotive history.

[@rvarsigfusson6163]

Renault did in fact made the (Grand) Cherokee possible. Thanks for that that it came a four wheeler with uni-body and not old system that Willy's did use in all years.

[@ehguy3628]

Great video series. In terms of acceptance by the general public the Pacer was Not alone in it's negative appeal. The Pacer, Gremlin, Pinto and Vega were basically cars with few purchasers

[@blackbuttecruizr]

I had a 74 IH 3/4 Ton 2x4 with the AMC 401, it was actually quite quick. I hope he does one on IH V8 engines.

[@Myvintageiron7512]

I will most likely do International that is gona be a tough one because they made so many industrial engines

[@willactually7509]

So IH and AMC used each other's engines from time to time?

[@johnlincicum6390]

@@Myvintageiron7512 please include the Isuzu diesel conversions one the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks too.

[@blackbuttecruizr]

@@Myvintageiron7512 we will appreciate you even trying!!!

[@barryismygod]

@@willactually7509the Scout 80 had a factory option for an AMC 232 six cylinder in the early 70’s

[@michaeldean4704]

My first car was a 1964 Ambassador 990 wagon, with the 327c.i. V8. Bought it used in 1973 for $150. It was in remarkbly good shape for 9-year-old vehicle. But what I loved most about it was... it had some serious get-up-and-go. As for the Pacer, it's one the best road-handling cars I have ever driven. And I like the way it looks. At least until they put that "hump" in the grill.

[@ajwilson605]

C'mon.... We both know the real reason you loved the 990 wagon...... the front seats reclined all the way down making one large playpen from the dashboard to the tailgate. A great "date" car....(so long as her Dad didn't see it!)

[@stacyboots8117]

AMC is alive and well in my driveway, 78 cj 7. Had a bunch of of jeeps, first one with factory v8. I would like a pacer too if i could find one! Thanks.

[@Sabe53]

69 390 AMX, 67 327 Gladiator 4X4.

[@Sabe53]

AMX in garage , Jeep out beside garage.

[@davidetchellsetchells4692]

327 vigilante!!!!👍💯💯💯 fantastic engine! These were in checker cabs and jeeps. Im still looking for one of my own.

[@michaellawrence5492]

Left out the Red White and Blue 1968 Rambler Scrambler that had same year 390 cubic inch V8 it was in the American classic two door square body. One sold new out of Massena N.Y. at Ray's Rambler dealership on Water street that year along with a same year 1968 390 AMX.

[@smjones4238]

Firstly... Thank You, Sir for covering all of these different brands and series' of engines. Haven't commented on any of the others that I have already viewed. Nice of you to do it the way you are, splitting the small blocks and big blocks into separate series. I will probably go back and watch most of them again. Puts a lot of facts in where only BS has prevailed. Loved to see a Gremlin with a 390 in it, saw a number of them on Fri/Sat cruise nites (West Colfax, Denver metro) The drivelines were, I believe, some sort of torque tube that had to be changed to take a lot of power. Again, Thank You, Sir. I have been subbed for several years, really like these additions.

[@Myvintageiron7512]

very cool thanks!

[@robertheymann5906]

Great series of videos for us motor nerds Thx brother

[@billrobertson2122]

Trivia: the last carbureted vehicle model sold in United States showrooms was 1991 Jeep (Grand) Wagoneer, using the venerable 1970 V8 redesign, obviously under Chrysler tutelage by this point.

[@peterollinger2584]

Thank you for taking time to do all the research for all of these videos. I've enjoyed them alot and found them very informative. Thanks again.

[@Myvintageiron7512]

Glad you like them!

[@craig8187]

Great video, in Australia we never got a lot of AMC products but they have always interested me. Very interesting video, thankyou.

[@arffadailey8055]

Craig . I don't want to be a smart arse prick.But ACM did sell in limited numbers. Remember Jim Richards racing a javelin in the touring car master's. I wish I could link a article here for you. The tube don't like this. Jim's car was sourced locally. The article say As only 178 Javelins were sold in Australia by then-distributors AM. Its an interesting story. Please search & read.

[@craig8187]

@@arffadailey8055 correct but we jus didnt get the range, quantity, general availability like USA

[@brekolson4769]

I have a friend in austrailia gregory stockill that specializes in building amc engines.

[@davenorman8251]

AMC Were built in Australia from knockdown kits by AMI,Javelin, Hornet,Rambler classic and a couple of matadors in the early days they also built other makes in small numbers.

[@zekecorder8226]

You missed talking about the AMC Scrambler, a Rambler American body with the AMX 390 engine. Full AMX horsepower, I don't know. It had a 4 bbl carb and I think the same advertised hp as the AMX. I worked for an AMC dealership in 68 and 69. The Scrambler was a hotrod, maybe less so than the AMX, but hot still the same. I drove both the AMX and the Scrambler at the local drag strip in the Boise, ID area. Both performed remarkably well and with our dealership name decaled on the sides brought in interest.

[@Grodd70]

I had a 74" CJ 5 with an AMC 360 that had Edelbrock aluminum manifold, 4brl Carb, performer cam electronic ignition, headers and in a little CJ it was a beast.

[@DerekChristensen]

I have three AMC V8’s. Two are factory 304’s in Jeep CJ-5’s (1975 and 1979) and the other one is a Marine 360. I bought the 360 to rebuild and swap into the ‘79 CJ-5 but never have gotten around to doing it. I have a copy of the AMC Performance Parts Manual too. Full of performance information specific to AMC engines. The 304 in one of the CJ-5’s is running well on the original short block. I had the cylinder heads re-conditioned and port-matched the intake and exhaust ports. Re-cam’d with a fairly stout hydraulic Comp-Cams cam, springs and titanium retainers (leftover from a different project.) Hedman Headers (port matched, rewelded and coated), 3” dual exhaust, 3” Dynomax exhausts, H-Pipe, pan-evac system, Edelbrock RPM intake, 600 CFM Holley carb, K&N filter, Centerforce Clutch, Mallory Ignition, Accel Supercoil, etc.

[@daveridgeway2639]

Hello! Your video(s) are very accurate and outstanding! Before 1970 AMC was "Am" trademark; (American Motors). When American Motors bought Kaiser Jeep in 1970, Am changed their trademark to "AMC"; (American Motors Corporation). American Motors always produced good engines, six cylinder and V8s. Am also produced marine engines for power boats. The 1957 Rambler Rebel could have been ordered with a under rated 255 hp engine, making it a "High Performance Automobile" I do not use the term "Muscle Car" because Muscle Car is a figure of speech. One of the problems with rotary Wankel engine(s) as with GMs rotary engine to be installed in the AMC Pacer, was not a very good fuel economy engine for it's size and power. GM tried very hard and with all due respect, a rotary engine Mazda RX-7 achieves the same fuel economy as a 5.0L High Output Mustang GT. Please reply. Dave...

[@EricBoudle]

The International's 401 was a very large, heavy duty big truck engine, it weighed in at around 1200 lbs. It was never used in the pickup's, travelall's etc. International made a 266,304,345 & 392 that was available depending on the year, model etc.

[@Myvintageiron7512]

the 401 used was not an international it was AMC totally different then the INT engine

[@trollerguy]

Yes it was an AMC 401 V8. I have a 1974 International Custom 100 pickup with the AMC 401 V8. Last two to 3 years IH built the pickups and travelall. IH reached out for a few of the AMC 401 V8 engines to install in their new pickups. The International engine was a 400 V8 not this AMC 401 V8 engine. @@Myvintageiron7512

[@jeepingeo]

International did use AMCs 401 in their Travelalls but IH labeled them as "V400" so it wouldn't get confused with their own in-house built 401.

[@howardfletcher7206]

Matador police cars with the 401 some of the quickest machines better than comparable mopars. Dad had a 77 Matador wagon with the 360 2bbl engine. I remember that car often having some stalling stumbling and hesitation driving around town especially if not fully warmed up. All the emissions stuff choking it out. Once on the road it was plenty powerful. But boy sometimes scary when mom pulled out of our driveway and onto the busy two lane highway down the street.

[@petegrant7496]

The pacer looks better than most cars do now

[@richardkaltenbach3961]

I'll Take A PACER, Or PONTIAC AZTEK To Any TESLA OR LAND ROLOVER ANYDAY!!

[@odb_roc_hound4186]

In the summer of 1978 lived in Sea Breeze, a suburb of Rochester, NY. Across the street from our house was an old garage where a guy who I think his name was Craig Worth had an original Rebel Machine, it was such a cool car for a 12 year old gear head. He would bring it out on the weekends to work on it, everything was original except maybe the tires. We moved away in December of that year, and the garage was torn down some years later so I don’t know what happened to him or the car.

[@5610winston]

You appear to have overlooked that in 1971-'72, published horsepower ratings were revised to SAE "net" horsepower rather than SAE "gross" figures.

[@8avexp]

Our '68 Ambassador had a 290. My '69 AMX has a stock 390. Its compression ratio is 10.2:1. My uncle had a '75 Pacer. Bought it used and kept it for only a few years.

[@robertheck6747]

I had a seventy five International Scout. It was a good looking vehicle. It had some different features, the hood had the hinges on the front of the hood, it had a concave windshield, and it had a 401 AMC engine. When I did a tune up, I saw that the valve cover had writing on it that said to time it of of the number eight cylinder.

[@bassettraceengines]

Great job thanks for sharing !!!!

[@hardball107]

You forgot the Gremlin. Had one and yup the 6 banger was a POS. I put a 302 Ford in mine with a Top Loader and it lasted almost a summer before trashing the rear axle, if I had a C5 behind it I would probably still own it. Of course there many options for anything in the drive line today like an LS and I'm still looking for one but they also have a cult following and are collectable.

[@Myvintageiron7512]

This isn't a car video it's a v8 history video

[@mwqs1]

I couldn’t agree more with you on the AMC Pacer 😂

[@youtruckrek5121]

thanks

[@GalaxieMarauder]

Hey Vintage, have you made any videos about the Ford Y engine family? Or how to rebuild a flathead V8? How about...a Buick Fireball straight 8? I see these engines at the car shows and am curious about them

[@Myvintageiron7512]

There is a Ford History video in this series that has the Ford Y block in it there is also some info in the Buick Video about the Streight 8

[@danawilkes6174]

He forgot the Rambler Scrambler in 1969. They had the Red, White & Blue paint scheme. There was one of these in the El Segundo area of California. It was in front of one their offices sitting a large square cement pad.

[@matthewward627]

Great video I would like to see a video about international v-8 and 4cyl. Engines

[@willattwood8303]

I'm surprised you didn't cover the mighty 401 a little more I had a 71 AMX when I was in high school it was a very fast car it had over 400 horsepower

[@ajwilson605]

Don't forget about the short lived Gremlin X.... Where someone discovered that the AMC 401 was the same size as the 304 and 390/401 so they dropped a 401 into the Gremlin. THAT was a car to be reckoned if set up correctly!

[@anthonyc1883]

When I was a teenager in the mid-'70s my best friend's dad drove a 1971 Ambassador Brougham station wagon with a 401. Very powerful car. He'd drop the shift selector into Low 1 and let that car rip all the way up to 60 before nonchalantly shifting it into 2. Classic old, unassuming guy with a sleeper.

[@willbar1961]

I had a 70 Mark Donohue Javelin with the 390/4 speed. It is the car I most regret selling. Still in the AMC game though with A 1980 Jeep CJ7 with 304/4 speed. I also have a 360 and 401 sitting on pallets stored.

[@RamblingClassics]

The 327 came in two versions, a 2b @250hp and a 4b @270hp. The other stats you have mentioned are for the gray marine motor not for the amc rambler cars. They did a 327 efi rated at 288hp but it didn’t run right so only one was ever kept set up which was the one used at speed week in the 57 Rebel. It was quicker than all other cars there as stated in video except the 2 door corvette which was also injected, quickest 4 door though. The 327 chev motor is the exact same size as the amc both bore and stroke but very different motor otherwise with the Chev superior in power output capacity. It was produced 6 years after the AMC 327 so you would expect it to be. Great engines!

[@jjtrucker5950]

I never heard of an AMC with an International engine, but they sure did put AMC engines in some Internationals.

[@timrussellguitar1516]

Love this series!!

[@jeffreypierce1440]

I high school a friend of mine had a pacer that he put 16 inch Chrysler wheels on...made that 6 into a torque monster. It would roast the tires and scratch hard in 2nd gear.

[@kb9oak749]

I had a 68 Javelin with an SST 343. It may not have been the equal of some cars of the time, but it faster than one would think

[@dansmusic5749]

The 327 AM engine debuted in 1957. The first year for Chevrolet 327 was 1962 so AM was first in this size by years so definitely wasn’t copying Chevy. Also, the ‘57 Rambler Rebel which featured this engine, was one of the fastest cars on the road at that time.

[@daryllect6659]

A Chevrolet 327 is far superior to the Rambler 327. Not even in the same category. The only thing they have in common is the displacement and the bores and strokes aren't even the same. "the ‘57 Rambler Rebel which featured this engine, was one of the fastest cars on the road at that time." Ha! Ha! Ha! Uh huh. Sure they were.

[@ivanrousseau5066]

@@daryllect6659 the 327 rebel were quicker than a a 283 Chevy,in 57 fact they didn't even have a 327 until after 61 62 , and the 66 second gen amc 343 outpoweted the Chevy 327 with the same mods , Chevys had wild factory cams, while amc had standered 266 dur cams with the group 19 hi po cam kits equal to the Chevy 325hp cam they made more power ,Chevy never made a more powerful super stock engine as the 390 ss hurst rated by the nhra at 420hp the most powerful super stock small block of the muscle car era.im fact Chevy never made a super stock small block that raced in ss/c. Ever.

[@ivanrousseau5066]

And the 343 amc out flowed the Chevy 327/350 by a lot not even close.

[@ronstucker3550]

I owned a 1970 AMX (390 4speed dog leg port headed) and a 1975 worked 304 (4 BBL and 390 heads Jeep CJ5) in 1971-1974 the Javelin AMX. came optional with the 401 CID. stock 360CID.

[@michaelreppert1207]

My first street stock build 1969 Javelin SST.

[@63bbray]

The Wagoneer and Gladiator (J series) pickup did offer the AMC 327 until 1967, but switched to the Buick 350 in 1968. Jeep didn't become part of AMC until 1970, and that is when the 3rd. gen. AMC V-8's (360, 401) replaced the Buick 350 in the Wagoneer and J series truck.

[@5610winston]

24:47 AMC added a V8 option for the Pacer about 1977. Kaiser had acquired rights and tooling for the Buick V6 in the late sixties, calling it the _Dauntless V6_ , and after AMC acquired Kaiser (to get rights to the _JEEP_ name) they sold the tooling back to Buick. To be fair, the early Buick V6s were rough and crude with an odd firing geometry alternating 90 degrees and 150 degrees between power strokes, and Buick eventually worked out the problem by splitting and offsetting rhe crank throws and adding a harmonic balancer, thereby proving that you CAN polish a turd. The V6 would readily and neatly have fit the Pacer engine bay with little more modification than the boxy eggcrate grille of the later models.

[@user-pn3gl5jf5d]

Well done video

[@Myvintageiron7512]

The international 304 was named the Comanche engine it was not a Jeep Comanche pick up wanted to clear that up

[@davidcoudriet8439]

O, been waiting for this one!

[@tonyrichards254]

The Mopar 4.8 PowerTech V8 was an AMC design. It and the Grand Cherokee, along with the innovative and highly efficient and flexible AMC design and engineering structure, were what Chrysler was after when it bought AMC for its Jeep division. They were all ready to roll out another generation of K-car derivatives until they got their hands on the AMC/Renault (later Eagle) Premier.

[@donaldvinson7204]

I installed a 74 police intercepter 401 in my 70 sst javelin in 1980 ut out performed everything

[@chuckschillingvideos]

My parents had a series of Matador station wagons back in the day. I more or less inherited the last of these pigs, which had a very disconcerting habit of expelling freeze plugs on hot days. It happened to be a 360.

[@tomstulc9143]

327 amc was available in jeep wagoneer an jeep gladiator pickup.have one our parts pile. Put a 304 out of a Gerlim into a 68 Dodge body ran it in 6 demolition derbys almost indestructible.

[@axleratio]

The 1978 Pacer did come with a 304 V-8. It was offered in the X package.

[@Myvintageiron7512]

true they made 2500 ish of those they were all ordered that way by customer

[@axleratio]

@@Myvintageiron7512 I worked in a AMC dealership in the seventies . When we got our new allocation in one day I opened the hood of one and there was a 304 V8. The 258 6 cyl. could easily keep up with 304. Love your series on all the V8s .

[@michaeleggemansr8661]

Love the series

[@airforceveteran71]

My first AMC car was a '69 Javelin SST BBG with the 390-4V...wished I still had it...later a '69 AMX with the sturdy 290-4V...sold that and bought a '70 AMX 360-4V which I still have after 42 years...most ask me..."What's American Motors?"

[@russellalbertson1670]

Please allow me to share with you some auto related myths floating around: 52 Hudson had a Firedome V8, not so, that is DeSoto. Auto trans were offered in the 50s with overdrives from the factory, not so, not until the 80s. Ford invented the car, not so, he brought out assembly line production of Model T Fords. Hudson know for a slant six, not so, slant six on exclusive to Chrysler. 61 Pontiac offered with 421 V8 and alternator, not so, they came later on. I thoroughly enjoy your presentations, keep it up.

[@mylanmiller9656]

The 327 was first released in the 1957 Rambler Rebel. there was also a 1968 390 Super stock AMX with two four-barrel carbs. I know this to be a fact because My buddy has one. the super stock also has Crane Heads.

[@billrobertson2122]

By 1956 Nash and Hudson were of course not independent companies -- they were carryover model names within AMC, formed two years earlier (1954). Prior to 1956 AMC purchased V8's from Packard, in exchange for Packard's purchase of AMC sheet metal stampings. When Packard reneged on their part of the deal, George Romney tasked his engineers with making a V8 of AMC's own.

[@robertgoulet1961]

Does anybody remember the commercials where they show a guy in the back seat with a grinder/ submarine sandwich it was the whole width of the car basically showing how wide the car was I remember that being the main selling point.

[@Myvintageiron7512]

yep I do remember that it was a last minute order so he had to make the Sandwith in the car on the way to the party

[@scottsullivan1464]

You sort of skipped Renault in the AMC history when inn the Pacer segment. Renault had a huge influence on the trajectory of the Jeep side of the company. And w/o Renault AMC would have been gone before 1987 when Chrysler stepped in. Your V8 research was very good

[@brentestep1688]

Hey thank you for the content. I have a 1965 rambler Marlin with a 327. I would love to see some history on the Marlin and that motor. I’m told that motor was very limited in That car.

[@MRtucnakCZE]

I know this series is on V8s, but speaking of AMC, their Inline 6, which was used in the Pacer, had a very long life under AMC and then later Jeep bonnets. Perhaps new series - insteresting Inline 6s?

[@maryboisvert932]

What about the ford 477 and 534 .great videos keep them comming

[@5610winston]

The AMC 327 introduced in 1957 powered Nash Ambassadors and Hudson Hornets as well as the '57 Rambler Rebel, giving the Rebel phenomenal performance comparable to the Supercharged Studebaker Golden Hawk, the Chrysler 300C, and the Chevy 283 "fuelie". The 327 powered the "Ambassador by Rambler" models from 1958 through 1962, while the '58-'60 Rebel got the 250. Except for the imported Metropolitan, no American Motors car of this period was equipped with a 4-cylinder engine.

[@lelandrogers1078]

I owned a 72 Gremlin and really loved it. I sold it to buy a motorcycle and now I regret that I did that.

[@darwindwelle5267]

My Brother had a black mask 70 AMX with a 390 4 speed just like the one shown here. Wow it was fast.

[@chevyrc3623]

So I am only 23 year old the AMC manufacturer I never thought of because no body talks about them then now I see you talked about the history of the V8 like the 360 390 and 401 I go dang they sounds like really good engine but that's sad that there gone

[@robertgoulet1961]

Having run an auto machine shop since the mid 80s I have worked on some of these AMCs all the 304 and 360 motors had the cast steel rods and cas5 crankshafts like most of the Pontiacs, the only one I can remember that had forged connecting rods I believe was the 401, I would assumevthe performance 390s must have had forged rods but I've never actually worked on one.

[@davidgold5961]

I love your videos, and I would like to make a suggestion. Look at yourself in the mirror and put the loop of your eyeglasses on your left ear down lower. People instinctively have a higher trust level if their eyeglasses line up even with their eyeballs. Your left lens is quite a bit higher and your eyeglasses are not sitting level on your face. Thanks!

[@8000RPM.]

How could you not mention the "Scrambler" (1969 AMC SC/Rambler). P.S. a friend of mine had a Rebel,....it was truly underrated.

[@shoominati23]

I think AMC got alot of Tech / Engineering coming over from the Nash , Hudson and Packard companies when they folded, interestingly enough the head of AMC had tried to convince the CEOs of the other 3 companies to unite the brands together in one 'super company' if they were to have a hope of competing with the big 3 just after the war - which probably was a missed trick for them if I'm honest..

[@jamesalexander5246]

You left out Studebaker. It was supposed to be a four way merger. Too many egos to make it work, I guess. All of these four companies could see the writing on the wall for independent car manufacturers. Packard didn't know just how bad Studebaker finances were before their merger and it cost them dearly. The Packard brand was gone after 1958 and Studebaker liquidated US car production in December 1963 while part way through the 1964 model year.

[@mylanmiller9656]

If All 4 odd Companys had come together in 1952, they may have become a great company. The reason Packard and Studebaker merged was, both were looking for the other company to bail them out . like has been said it was like two drunks hoping the other would hold them up. Packard had no market for their cars and Studebaker had more overhead than they could cover, with the amount of cars they sold.

[@davidcoudriet8439]

Check out the connection between Kaiser and AMC's first V8.

[@gbunton]

Did you ever work with the IHC v-8's I know they were mostly tractor and class 8 truck stuff oh and school buses but the Scout series stuff is pretty interesting and being totally American made they have quite a large following.

[@jeepingeo]

It breaks my heart to read some of these comments of people saying "I had" or "I used to have"...implying they got rid of their AMC/Jeep vehicle. I can tell you my 77 CJ5 is my daily driver currently and I will never get rid of it. The AMC following is definitely building back up - Ford, Chevy, and Dodge are great but just too boring anymore and theres so much forgotten history with AMC, they left behind a lot of uniqueness that the big 3 never had and never will have.

[@tigerseye73]

Although I despised it when it came out in 1973, Of lately, I wish I could find a good AMC Gremlin for sale. They were unique at the time, and performed very well as drivable low cost to own cars.

[@drippinglass]

The Gremlin came out in ‘71 I believe. The ‘71-‘72 looked better because they had the smaller, sleeker bumpers.

[@robertdavis6708]

The one thing everyone had in common with the Pacer was weight. I think you had to weigh 275-325 lbs. to purchase one. Two people in that thing would drag the rear bumper. I never heard that story about the Pacer. But I am one who despised that turd.

[@peterfairlane2065]

The pacer did have a V8. I did see a few with 304s in them. When I worked at an AMC dealer.

[@Myvintageiron7512]

true it was an option that could be ordered by the customer

[@keithstudly6071]

I always thought AMC made a mistake when they dropped the Rebel and brought out the Matador (remember the ads "Wat's a Matador?") Then they brought out the 2 door Matator with the frog eyes and kept the old body for the 4 door which confused even more. They lost the equity they had in the Rebel name and confused their buyers with the 4 door and 2 door being completely different and the money they spent on the 2 door was a total waste. The Pacer on top of that was enough to spoil anyone's balance sheet. Remember this was when Renault stepped in because they wanted Jeep. After that they did bring out the Eagle but most of that was Renault and selling LeCar, Medallion and Alliance. The president of Renault was murdered and Renault sold AMC to Chrysler-RIP..