My first car was a 73 ambasador 2DR 401/4Barrel.At time it was just an old car. Though I really liked it.But the tranny slipped.I lost my license.It sat all winter.In spring I couldn"t get it to start.I had no mechanical ability at this point(1984).I junked it for $20.00.I kick myself in the ass.Because I seen a guy that worked at the junkyard driving it around a few months later.But it looked like he was restoring her.So she was in better hands.I wonder if he ever finished it.Or still has it?
steel crank and rods,quick stroke ,big bore,these motor's made big horse power.now with better heads being made by the aftermarket,indy,etc they really come alive,check out August 2009 Hotrod mag.
No, AMC V8's were made of a high nickel content,Not steel.The 390 & 401 engines did have steel rods and a crank though.and your right about them being among the best.Their heads flow better than most V8's out there.
all AMC V8s of that family have the same EXTERNAL diminsions...but the cylinder spacing and deck height differed. You could theoretically bolt 304 heads onto a 401 but the valves and ccs were smaller, so it wouldn't flow. The reverse is interesting, slapping 360/390/401 heads onto a 304...be like a Boss 302, it would breathe great at high rpm, but probably fall on its face at lower Revs.
No all AMC V8's had a high nickle content thus making them hella strong blocks.The thing that differed the 390 and 401 from the other AMC v8's were the factory steel rods and crank.And your right about them being damn good blocks for hi performance applications!
My first car was a 73 ambasador 2DR 401/4Barrel.At time it was just an old car. Though I really liked it.But the tranny slipped.I lost my license.It sat all winter.In spring I couldn"t get it to start.I had no mechanical ability at this point(1984).I junked it for $20.00.I kick myself in the ass.Because I seen a guy that worked at the junkyard driving it around a few months later.But it looked like he was restoring her.So she was in better hands.I wonder if he ever finished it.Or still has it?
smithdsmit 1 year ago
@smithdsmit Type AMC Ambassador 401 sport coupe into google and look at the craigslist listing. Was your car like that?
williejenkins666 6 months ago
Register and discuss about this car in V6wall com ;)
FriendlyDriver 2 years ago
i just built a 401 but nothing like that.. i have a hard time finding parts
redgoat99 2 years ago
steel crank and rods,quick stroke ,big bore,these motor's made big horse power.now with better heads being made by the aftermarket,indy,etc they really come alive,check out August 2009 Hotrod mag.
inagod 2 years ago
Cool...Dig the magneto!!!
homotorsports 3 years ago
Ok now drop that baby into my jeep:) Pleeeeese!
capridrifter 4 years ago
Too bad amc isn't around today. I wonder what crazy car they'd make now that every car today looks the same.
listlesssleeper 4 years ago 13
401 and 390 AMC motors were made of special steel blocks and are among the best small blocks out there!
sirsartana 4 years ago
No, AMC V8's were made of a high nickel content,Not steel.The 390 & 401 engines did have steel rods and a crank though.and your right about them being among the best.Their heads flow better than most V8's out there.
HOTROD74GremlinX 4 years ago 7
i think the 290/343/360/390/401 were all the same block
and they were amazing
very very very strong blocks
even better than some made by the other three - the strength
otterhead45 3 years ago 2
what about the 304? was it not the same block as well?
Gustofwind4 3 years ago
all AMC V8s of that family have the same EXTERNAL diminsions...but the cylinder spacing and deck height differed. You could theoretically bolt 304 heads onto a 401 but the valves and ccs were smaller, so it wouldn't flow. The reverse is interesting, slapping 360/390/401 heads onto a 304...be like a Boss 302, it would breathe great at high rpm, but probably fall on its face at lower Revs.
tinkerjeep 2 years ago
@HOTROD74GremlinX also AMC forged not cast their parts.
ZaidNitsua 1 year ago
@ZaidNitsua I know that!
HOTROD74GremlinX 1 year ago
No all AMC V8's had a high nickle content thus making them hella strong blocks.The thing that differed the 390 and 401 from the other AMC v8's were the factory steel rods and crank.And your right about them being damn good blocks for hi performance applications!
HOTROD74GremlinX 3 years ago 2
AMC made some badass shit... this coming from a chevy guy
j4a1991 4 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
what?? blow and sucking???? HAY! best thing for that AMC is a big stick of dynamite! lmfao j/k :)
peejaa 5 years ago
Hey I'm cleaning house on a fair share of big 3 rides with my 11 sec AMC 360 pwd 74 Gremlin.
HOTROD74GremlinX 3 years ago