AboutKevin Pilotte Expertise I can answer many technical questions relating to AMC vehicles prior to 1979. I also have experience with Rambler & Nash vehicles.
Experience I am a former AMC technician, service writer and service manager. I have worked in AMC dealers in Illinois in the 70's. After college, I was a Field Service Rep for American Motors Sales Corporation, working out of the Chicago Zone office. I traveled to AMC dealers assisting in the diagnosis and repair of AMC vehicles. I was also the Area Training Manager for DeLorean Motor Company. I have 10+ years as an Automotive Instructor. I have modified and restored
numerous AMC vehicles. I have been working on AMC vehicles for over 30 years.
Organizations I have been an ASE Certified Master Technician since 1975. This includes L1. I am also currently a Toyota Certified Master Diagnostic Technician.
Publications I have articles in "American Motoring", the official publication of the American Motors Owners Association. They are the largest AMC club in the world.
Expert: Kevin Pilotte Date: 1/11/2008 Subject: AMC 304 cam
Question QUESTION: I have an AMC 304 out of a CJ5 that I am planning on building up. I want to put a little bigger cam in but am not sure about the valve to piston clearance. I was thinking about a 270 to 280 duration cam but have been told that this is big. Can you put me in the right direction? I plan on having the stock crank, rods and pistons balanced and putting on maybe a summit intake and an Edelbrock carb. I'm not going to race this thing but want as much streetable power in it that I can get. Thanks for any information you can give me.
ANSWER: You don't mention what year the engine is, but unless it has 1970 heads, you have plenty of valve clearance for most street cams. There are a number of things one must consider when looking for a cam. I suggest going to the Comp Cams websight; go to the bottom of the page and click on "Cam Help Online". Complete the form to the best of your ability and let a cam expert tell you what cam would work best for your application. Here's the sight: http://www.compperformancegroupstores.com/store/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=CC
If you are installing a bigger cam, intake and carburetor, don't forget about headers and a better ignition system.
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QUESTION: It's a '79 which has never been worked on that I know of. Do you think that the balancing of the crank, rods and pistons is worth my money? I've already talked to a machinist and it's probably going to cost around 300, but everything I heard is that a good balanced engine will last forever, which is exactly what I want.
Answer The original engine components (crank, rods, pistons) are balanced close enough by the factory when the engine was built.
Paying to have the original components balanced would be a waste of money, unless you are going racing with it and have replaced the rods, pistons, & crank with aftermarket parts.
The thing that will make the engine last a long time is how well the engine is reassembled, using qualtiy parts, and how well the engine is maintained.
Good luck.
