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American Motors 232ci (1976–1979) specs: 232 ci (3.8L) 6-cylinder, 3.75 x 3.50 in (95.3 x 88.9 mm) bore and stroke, 8:1 compression. Rated 90 hp, 1976–1979.
The American Motors 232ci (1976–1979) is oversquare — the 3.75" bore exceeds the 3.5" stroke by 7.1% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.5" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,850 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. A rod ratio of 1.75 is long by production standards — less side-load on the cylinder wall and gentler piston acceleration around TDC, the geometry that tolerates high RPM. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 38.7 ci (634 cc).
8:1 is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
It is one of 6 engines in the American Motors 232ci family, all of them 232 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 6 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 90 hp across 1976–1979.
| Displacement | 232 ci / 3.8 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.75" |
| Stroke | 3.5" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | I6 |
| Compression ratio | 8:1 * |
| Rod length | 6.125" |
| Rod ratio | 1.75 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.071 |
* Compression ratio from a single source; not yet cross-verified.
| Fuel type | gas |
|---|---|
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Advertised HP | 90 hp |
| Years | 1976–1979 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.071 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,500 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Rod ratio | 1.75 — long — less side loading on the cylinder wall, favours high RPM |
| Displacement per cylinder | 38.7 ci |
| Static compression | 8:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 90 hp | — |
| 1977 | — | — |
| 1977 | 90 hp | — |
| 1978 | — | — |
| 1978 | 90 hp | — |
| 1979 | — | — |
5 factory vehicles, 1976–1979. Each year opens that model's engine table.