AMC · Gen II AMC V8
AMC 290 Typhoon V8
The compact thin-wall V8 that launched AMC's modern 1966–1970 performance engine family.
290
Cubic inches
AMC's second-generation V8 dropped significant weight and introduced the compact architecture that evolved directly into the 304/360/401 family.
Displacement
290 ci
Bore
3.75"
Stroke
3.28"
Years
1966–1969
Key Takeaway
The 290 introduced AMC's lighter Gen II V8 with thin-wall cast-iron construction, a shorter deck, and a 3.75-inch bore with 3.28-inch stroke. The compact block significantly reduced weight compared with the earlier Gen I family.
Technical Specifications
- Compression
- 8.7:1 two-barrel; 10.0:1 four-barrel in documented period specs
- Horsepower
- 200 hp two-barrel; 225 hp four-barrel gross
- Torque
- 285–300 lb-ft gross depending induction
- Architecture
- 90-degree OHV V8, short-deck Gen II AMC family
- Block
- Cast iron thin-wall casting
- Cylinder heads
- Cast iron
- Valvetrain
- Pushrod OHV with hydraulic lifters
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Fuel delivery
- Two-barrel or four-barrel carburetion
- Firing order
- 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
The 290 introduced AMC's lighter Gen II V8 with thin-wall cast-iron construction, a shorter deck, and a 3.75-inch bore with 3.28-inch stroke. The compact block significantly reduced weight compared with the earlier Gen I family.
Internal Specifications
Variant-specific values are labeled. Engine families that span multiple years or RPOs can have different heads, cams, induction and rotating parts, so the exact code/year always takes priority.
Rotating Assembly
- Main journal
- Approximately 2.747 in
- Rod journal
- Approximately 2.094 in
Notable Applications
Strengths
- Compact thin-wall block
- Good parts-family interchange
- Lightweight compared with Gen I V8
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Small 3.75-inch bore limits valve size
- Early deck-height differences matter when mixing Gen II/III parts
Common Upgrades
- Four-barrel induction
- Camshaft and headers
- Later AMC cylinder-head upgrades with proper compatibility checks
Racing History & Legacy
The 290 established the basic modern AMC V8 architecture used for another quarter century.
References & Image Credit
Engine image: Christopher Ziemnowicz (CZmarlin) · CC BY 4.0 · source
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
290 cu in / 4.7 L with 3.75 x 3.28-inch bore and stroke.
Short-deck Gen II 90-degree OHV V8.
Factory ratings included 200 hp two-barrel and 225 hp four-barrel versions.
The Gen II architecture evolved directly into AMC's later raised-deck V8 family.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind AMC 290 Typhoon V8
The 290 was AMC's clean-sheet move toward a lighter, more compact V8. It laid out the basic proportions and architecture that would eventually produce the 304, 360, 390, and 401.
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