Match Race '67' Dart 273 Commando vs. Rambler American 290

[69 Cuda 440]

The 'Mother of all 1967 Compact Car ' Match Races.......

1967 Dart GT ~ 273/235 HP 'Commando'

1967 Rambler American Model 440 ~ 290/225 HP

Can the Rambler American Model 440 2-Door Hardtop take down the '273 Commando'

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Shipping Weights

1967 Dodge Dart GT......................... #2940 lbs.

1967 Rambler American Model 440...... #2817 lbs.

 

[rumblefish360]

What is the bore and stroke of the AMC?

 

[RedFish]

Transmissions, rear gears, etc.., factor in also. Just better flowing exhaust manifolds in the Rambler could make a considerable difference.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Good Question Mr. Rumble Fish,

290/225 HP 'N-Code'

* 3.75" Bore x 3.28" Stroke
* 10.0 - 1 Compression Ratio

* Cylinder Heads
* 52.93 CC Combustion Chamber
* 1.78" Intake
* 1.40" Exhaust

* Camshaft {Hydraulic}
* .425"/.425" Lift ~ 266* Duration ~ 44* Overlap

* Carburetor
* Carter AFB {625 CFM} {1 7/16" Primary x 1 11/16" Secondary}

Note; The 'optional' Dual-Exhaust did not change the 225 Horsepower Rating
on the specification sheet.

 

[68gtxman]

My brother had a 1966 American Motors Ambassador with a 271 V8 IIRC and it idled so smoothly that many times you would grind the starter thinking that the engine wasn't already running. I've never seen an engine idle as smoothly ever again.

I loved the Ramblers too.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

One of our customers who owned an ARCO Gas Station had a 1967
Rambler American Model 440.

A 290/225 HP 4-Barrel, with 4-Speed.

Came through with a Borg-Warner T-10, and 'optional' Hurst Shifter.

A little 'Pocket Rocket' that was quicker than most people thought.

They had the 'smaller' 'Dana-type' Corporate 20 Rear End, and you could get the 'optional'
3.54 Gears with Twin-Grip Differential for only $36 bucks more.

 

[cudavert]

Wow! A 625 AFB on that sucker?! You sure?! That cam doesn't look too bad either! Was this Rambler 440 billed as a performance option? I had a feeling the AMC was a bit lighter as well. I think with the extra cubes, lighter weight....it's gonna come down to rear gear. One thing that 273 Commando has in its corner is the solid lifters and dual point will let it really scream.

Interesting......

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Cudavert,

That Carter #4252 AFB is correct,,,,,,,625 CFM

1 7/16" Primary x 1 11/16" Secondary........with 1.062" x 1.562" Venturi Sizes

It had 'one-size' smaller jets installed at the Factory, but still a 'Thirsty Rambler'.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also, the Cast Iron Dual-Plane Medium-Riser Intake Manifold

Had a good Runner Port Design, but was one heavy bastard.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Performance Results

1967 Rambler American Model 440 2-Door 'Hardtop'

290/225 HP 'N-Code'

4-Speed, Dual-Exhaust, w/3.54 Twin-Grip Differential, D-70 x 14" Trires

* 16.55 @ 83.0 MPH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Dealer would also install Optional Gears,
* 3.73 - 4.10 - 4.44 - 5.00
* Doug Headers
* Thrush Mufflers
* Performance Camshaft and Valve Train
* Aluminum Dual-Plane Intake
* Holley Carburetor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 1967 A-Body with the 273 Commando, could get Factory 3.23 - 3.55 - 3.91

 

[rumblefish360]

And the Dart ......

 

[69 Cuda 440]

1967 Dart GT

273/235 HP Commando

4-Speed, Single-Pipe Exhaust w/Special Resonator, w/3.23 Sure-Grip, D-70 x 14" Tires

16.44 @ 86.4 MPH

 

[dart4forte]

I had a SC/Rambler back in the early 70's. 390/4 speed and 3.54s That car ran like a scaulded dog. I picked stop light to stop light tangles with big block chevies all the time. left most of them embarresed that they got beat by a Rambler. I was amazed that tapered axle held up since I ran slicks a lot of the time

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Rambler/American Motors had a pretty good 'over-the-counter' Performance Catalog
and 'Dealer Installed' fast parts program.

That little 1967 Rambler American 290/225 HP I mentioned earlier had Doug Headers,
a Mallory Distributor and 4.44 Gears.

It could run 14.90's, which wasn't too bad for a 'Pocket Street Car' for that time period.