Any snafus like cam etc etc to look out for on rebuild

[Frankenstien]

Anything I should inform the machine shop on like a bad batch of cams or anything else they should watch out for. Just want them to get it right the first time.

J

[AMX factor]

Find a shop that knows what the hell they are doing. Many shops do Chevys all day long and get lazy and build all motors to Chevy specs. Well AMC's are not Chevys and when one is built as loose as they are they tend to go bad very fast. AMC's like tighter tolerances than most engines. Find a local AMC club and ask around which shop is best for AMC's.

[youwantedbig]

Don't do what i did, rebuild the enginge then get married have two kids and not start the engine for five years.
It did start and run for a few months then the cam lobes sheared, bent pushrods, and collapsed lifters.
just got done replacing the cam again, went with a speedpro 204 214 cam, it was cheap enough compared to the comp cam I wanted that i got headers too.

[billyrb]

Frankenstein, there are quite a few important things to look out for:

1. Bad cams which will cause cam walk, destroy lifters, destroy distributor gears, etc.
2. Cam gears that don't have the oiling pass-thru drilled completely, causing premature distributor gear failure from lack of oil
3. Rocker arms shimmed properly

Things you should consider adding:

1. Intake valley oil modification. Parts are about $20, labor from machine shop is another $25 or so. It takes oil that is under pressure, shoots it through a tube, and drops it on the rear bearings. Our AMC engines are notorious for failing from lack of oil on rear bearings.
2. It looks like you are already using the edelbrock carb/intake, which is a good thing.
3. Uses a Cloyes brand true double roller timing chain.
4. Rebuild your oil pump, and pack it with vaseline prior to the first startup.
5. Pre-lube your system prior to first start up. You can buy a tool from Gwamp (check the for-sale section) for about $25 or so. Makes it real easy.
6. On the heads, get a 3-angle valve job, and have them check the tolerances on the springs. You may be able to re-use them.
7. Reuse your stock exhaust. They flow better than most other exhaust systems. Also, adding headers really only adds to the top-end of performance for these engines. Since your rig isn't a pro-streeter, and you will use 4wd (this is just an assumption), you need the torque on the low end....and the stock manifolds are GREAT for that.
8. In all honesty, your best bet is to take it to a reputable builder, and have them tear it down and check everything, then tell you which parts you need. This will save time & money, and will get you a better bargain.

As for who to rebuild it, I can tell you that you are in a great state.....Texas has one of the larger AMC clubs, and those guys know everything there is to know about these engines. I'll talk to my AMC builder here (he was featured in Car Craft magazine this month) and get a contact out in Texas who will take good care of you and not rip you off. Shoot me an email around middle of next week, and I'll give you the low-down.

ryan@bjsoffroad.com

[Cliff]

The cam walk problem has gotten serious for us AMC engine fans. I would contact AM Performance in texas for cam selection advise. Randy Guynn is very helpful, and has made every effort to warn AMC'ers about the cam problems. Go to www.performanceamstyle.com. (http://www.performanceamstyle.com.) He knows which brands have problems. There is also a kit made to eliminate the possibility of cam walk. I think South Texas AMC has these. Contact Andre at akjamc@juno.com

[Chero77]

The two big things to watch out for are the cam and the oiling slot on the cam sprocket of the timing chain set. The problem with cams is that some cam blanks have one journal that's about .100 wider than stock. This causes the cam to walk forward chewing the dristibutor drive gear. Whatever cam you get carefully measure the width of each journal. If its wider than stock--don't use it. I used a Super Stock Industries cam from PAW. At least on mine, all journals measured the same as the stock cam (+/- .003) and I had no problems.

Another problem some people have is with the timing cover. If your factory one is cracked or otherwise not useable, your probably better off getting a good used original as a replacement. Many, many people have had problems with the Crown covers.

There is nothing special about rebuilding an AMC engine. The problems most people have mostly appear to be directly traceable to defective replacement parts.