-> There were two V8 engines available, a 287 cu in (made by Chevrolet)
-> like I had and the Chevy 327 cu in engine.
 CH> Whoa!  AMC (Rambler) *never* had a Chevy engine from the factory.  The
 CH> 287 and 327 were AMC-manufactured and had no components in common with
 CH> the small block Chevy.  I cut enough of those up when I worked in a
 CH> junkyard to know.  The fact that the bore and stroke were the same as
 CH> the Chevy is just coincidence.
Well, it's a shame the AMC dealership did not know that when I was trying to 
replace a cracked carb base plate.  I don't claim to have the detail 
knowledge you do, but the employees at the parts counter of the AMC 
dealership (and various mechanics from time to time) said the reason it took 
forever to get non-stocked engine parts was the dealership had to order the 
parts from American Motors, which in turn had to order the parts from 
Chevrolet.  Since it took months to get a replacement base plate, I have some 
pretty vivid memories of why I was told it took so long.  But based on what 
you state (and I'm not doubting you), they were just shooting me a line 
because I was just a 17 year old kid at the time.
Brien
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