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Build an AMC

What to Do When You Can't Find an AMX or SST

Photography by , The Primedia Archives
116 0502 Amc06 Z
The 401 cranks and rods are forged and tough enough for a performance rebuild. Look for the 5.858-inch rods and the forging mark (left) on the crank. Builders have also been turning down the rod journals and using new 2.100 Chevy rods for performance 401s.
116 0502 Amc06 Z
The 401 cranks and rods are forged and tough enough for a performance rebuild. Look for th

Transmissions
Early AMCs came equipped with the Borg-Warner Shift Command automatic or the T10 four-speed on the performance models. The T10 has always been a decent piece, but the Shift Command automatic shifts poorly and has little or no aftermarket support for performance use. The reason is that after 1972 you could get the TorqueFlite 727 Chrysler transmission with an AMC bolt pattern from a fullsize Jeep or AMC passenger car. With the door open to all the mainstream Chrysler speed goodies like converters, shift kits, and shifters, it's no wonder the early automatic is more for pleasant street cruising while the 727 is used for Friday night drag racing.

The easy way, of course, would be to pick up a catalog and order the 727 or even a 904, a converter, and a shifter and call it done. But if you're into it, Advance Adapters has an adapter to retrofit any GM trans, including overdrives.

116 0502 Amc07 Z
This is a stone-stock 401 from a '78 Cherokee. If you know what you're looking for, it isn't too difficult to score in the boneyard. The engine builders we spoke to told us building 450 hp at 6,500 rpm is no problem if you modify the oiling system to supply the No. 4 and 5 main bearings.
116 0502 Amc07 Z
This is a stone-stock 401 from a '78 Cherokee. If you know what you're looking for, it isn

The standard transmission is a bit more straightforward; if you're lucky enough to score a four-speed T10 car, leave it in there. It also should be known that the T5 five-speed from late-model Mustangs and Camaros can be used with the stock bellhousing from the 401 AMC V-8. With a pilot bushing or flywheel swap, both are acceptable for performance applications.

Details
Finally, the dress-up. Unlike Big Three cars, AMC used the 5-on-4.5 bolt pattern on all its musclecar-era cars. This happens to be the same bolt pattern as Ford and Chrysler, so swap meets and any of the huge number of wheel makers can provide rims for an AMC. Also, because of the Jeep guys, you can score about any part for the engine in chrome. All good, just don't overdo it. CC

  • 116 0502 Amc08 Z
    After 1970, the 390/401 engines had dog-leg exhaust ports. Early text suggests they flowed 50 percent better than the rectangular design. This is more for identification since we would probably use modern aluminum heads.
    116 0502 Amc08 Z
    After 1970, the 390/401 engines had dog-leg exhaust ports. Early text suggests they flowed
  • 116 0502 Amc09 Z
    Although these engines are from the same family, they share external dimensions only. Left-to-right are the 390ci, 343ci, and 290ci blocks. A few '69 blocks and all '70-'72 blocks have the cubic inches cast on either side near the motor mount.
    116 0502 Amc09 Z
    Although these engines are from the same family, they share external dimensions only. Left
  • 116 0502 Amc10 Z
    This is the Model 20 that you get with a V-8 AMC. It's got a bad reputation, but with the right parts it will work in a healthy street machine.
    116 0502 Amc10 Z
    This is the Model 20 that you get with a V-8 AMC. It's got a bad reputation, but with the
  • 116 0502 Amc11 Z
    Here is the problem with the Model 20. The axle passes through the hub and is attached with a bolt. Fixes include replacing the hub every time the two are separated, following the complicated factory setup procedure, adding extra Woodruff keys, or replacing the axles with a new one-piece set. We fear all but the last fix.
    116 0502 Amc11 Z
    Here is the problem with the Model 20. The axle passes through the hub and is attached wit
  • 116 0502 Amc12 Z
    The TorqueFlite 727 has an AMC bolt pattern after 1972. These can be rebuilt using the standard Mopar performance goodies. It can be ordered from aftermarket companies as well. They are not rare.
    116 0502 Amc12 Z
    The TorqueFlite 727 has an AMC bolt pattern after 1972. These can be rebuilt using the sta
  • 116 0502 Amc13 Z
    Everything you see here is off-the-shelf for the AMC. This 401 has an Edelbrock Air Gap intake and Thunder Series carb, Crane ignition and cam, Comp Cams roller-tip rockers, a high-flow water pump, and ARP bolts. Pretty mainstream for a car company that disappeared in 1987, don't you think?
    116 0502 Amc13 Z
    Everything you see here is off-the-shelf for the AMC. This 401 has an Edelbrock Air Gap in

Barn Cars
We found several cars hidden in a warehouse right here in Los Angeles. Know what they are? Log on to carcraft.com if you think you do.

  • 116 0502 Amc14 Z
  • 116 0502 Amc15 Z
SOURCES
Advance Adapters Inc.
8-00/-350-2223
www.advanceadapters.com 		Edelbrock
Dept. 5.0
2700 California St.
Torrance
CA  90503
310-781-2222
www.edelbrock.com
AMX Enterprises
3-03/-428-8760
www.amx-perience.com 		Moser Engineering
2-60/-726-6689
moserengineering.com
Auburn Gear Inc.
2-60/-925-3200
www.auburngear.com 		Reider Racing (Precision Gear)
7-34/-946-1330
www.reiderracing.com
B&M TCI Automotive
151 Industrial Dr.
Ashland
MS  38603
662-224-8972
www.tciauto.com
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zynkangel
 the car in james bond was a amc hornet
knightjp
 I never knew AMC existed until I saw Man with a Golden Gun. I wondered what kind of car he did that stunt in. It had such as awesome V8 sound...
This is a forgotten brand in the public eye and the AMC V8, a forgotten engine.

I had a 1969 Big Bad Orange Javelin.Had a 390 cid 315HP.First time I have seen a article like this.AMC was pushed in the background when they weren't considered a Muscle car.On the show what 's my car worth those guys called it a odd bird,look at me love me!I would like to read a story of what to do with a 390cid not just get a 401,remember David and Goliath?
Thank you.
Rich Lange.
Car Craft