AMC V-8s

All these feature the same 3.25" stroke forged steel crankshaft and 6.375" forged steel connecting rods and were internally balanced from the factory. The 1963-up AMC (non-Kaiser Jeep corp.) versions all came equipped with  revised/improved high-flow exhaust manifolds, although AMC did not change their advertised rating of 4bbl 327 from it's former rating of 270hp. The three CID versions were made by increasing bore diameter; The 250 made with a 3.50" bore, the 287 with 3.75" bore and the 327 a 4.00" bore. There were three different block castings. It is rumored that early 287 blocks can be bored out to 4.00", but the best advice is to have the block sonic checked '''''before''''' boring. All three of these will easily take an 0.125" over bore, but beyond that is pushing the limit. 327 Rambler V8 engines have been successfully bored and stroked to 418 cid, with no known durability issues.   

All 250 models use solid lifters, the 287/327s are hydraulic. These engines were also used by Grey Marine for boats in the late '50s and early to mid '60s. All the marine engines used solid lifters regardless of size.

The AMC Rambler V8 has only recently been labeled 'Gen 1' by newer AMC enthusiasts. This labeling was first used by AMC writer Frank Swygert (aka editor/forum member 'farna') in an effort to place the engine where it technically "should" be. Technically the labeling is correct; this is the first generation of AMC V-8s, AMC having been formed in May of 1954 and V-8 engine development starting in 1955. The 1966-'69 second generation models and 1970-'91 third generation models are very similar, but having a different block and head casting led to the labeling of Gen-2 and Gen-3. "Series" could have been used instead of "Generation", but "Generation" (shortened to "Gen") seemed to be the most correct description. Previously the first generation AMC V-8 had been (and still is) referred to as either the "Nash V-8" or "Rambler V-8". It was used in both Nash and Rambler branded, as well as AMC branded cars ("Rambler" was dropped from the 1965 Marlin and 1966 Ambassador, those being branded as AMC models). Technically it was built by the American Motors Corporation, not Nash or Rambler.