Prototyping early next month on a new AMC V8 timing cover with a removable oil pump that uses a new style water pump, Chevy HEI and a couple other goodies we have planned.
The main idea of this is to make very cheap accessories.
We want to allow the use of high flow water pump that is very inexpensive (even the electric versions)
We have also thought a seperate oil pump would increase the value of the motors and make the AMC V8 oil pumps bullet proof (without adding a ton of cost!)
The use of a Chevy HEI and other Chevy style distributors is obvious. when a small weight change is implemeted these distributors work great in a AMC V8 and are very cheap!
While this is in the early stages of planning we are looking at making every facet of the timing cover seperate. Why? because if you have one thing in a stock cover that goes bad the entire assembly has to be replaced. We have done Ni coatings and they are great for the soft cast but I believe we can even evolve from there to a ceramic oil pump (possibly electric)
Opinions? Concerns?