AMC V8 Block Engine - Identity Crisis

The single-stage oil pump takes oil from the pan (via a -12 AN line) and pumps it out to a remote filter. From the filter, the oil goes back into the block. Since the cam drives the distributor, and the distributor in turn drives the oil pump, an MSD small-block Chevy crank trigger kit was modified to fit the Indy AMC timing cover. Crank triggers ensure steady timing events.

Indy's CNC-ported heads get five-axis porting. The process takes four hours per head, but the end result is every port has uniform shape and size.

Indy's new 401-1 CNC cylinder heads are a work of art, featuring 300cc intake runners, that reportedly flow 390/282-cfm on the intake and exhaust respectively! Stock AMC "dog-leg" heads have roughly 166cc intake ports. With a 58cc combustion chamber, a flat-top piston will get you up over 14:1 compression. Indy o-ringed the heads, and fitted them with Manley 2.25/1.81 intake/exhaust valves. Indy built their heads so that they have six bolts per cylinder. The 401-1 is essentially a big-block cylinder head for a small-block, and at 300 cc, nearly perfect for a bracket racing engine in the 470 to 500ci range.

The outboard 7/16 head stud bosses are for use with the IC-401 Maxx block that has been equipped with six bolts per cylinder. On the exhaust side, Indy used a Chrysler 440 pattern to space and help cool the center exhaust ports.

Jesel's state-of-the-art shaft-mounted roller rockers (PN KCS-22044) were used in a 1.7:1 ratio. The trick sheetmetal valve covers are made by Indy (PN 401-8).

The Jesel mounting bar uses eleven 7/16-inch mounting bolts. Combined with Indy's own 3/8-inch diameter pushrods (PN 401-9) and Comp's offset roller lifters, the end result is one bulletproof valvetrain. Here, J.T. is lashing the valves on his monster Rambler motor.

The ignition system on the 500-inch AMC is all MSD, featuring a Pro Billet distributor (PN 8519), crank trigger (PN 8600), and plug wires (PN 31189). Indy made the custom crank trigger bracket that adapts the small-block Chevy crank trigger to the AMC timing cover.

Making over 800 hp requires a pretty serious induction. Indy stepped up with this new 401-2 high-rise, single-plane, single-quad intake manifold, using a 440-2A Dominator adapter. The intake is fully ported and polished for maximum performance. The Holley 1150 Dominator is from their new Ultra-series featuring billet metering blocks, and a big site glass to set the float level with accuracy.

So there you have it. Is it a 290? 343? Nope, 500 inches of aluminum small-block knocking out a reliable 840 hp and a very un-small-block-like 675 lb-ft of torque. The headers were made from a Hooker weld-up kit (PN 2957HKR) for a big-block Chevy. Indy supplied the flanges and the primary tube size is 2 1/4 inch.