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American Motors 232ci 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, 1975.
The American Motors 232ci 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 5 engines in the American Motors 232ci family, all of them 232 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement.
| Displacement | 232 ci / 3.8 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.75" |
| Stroke | 3.5" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Compression ratio | 8:1 |
| Rod length | 6.125" |
| Rod ratio | 1.75 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.071 |
| Piston deck clearance | 0.024" |
| Induction | 1-1 |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 90 hp |
| Years | 1975 |
| 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 |
| Chamber volume | 62.5 cc |
|---|---|
| Rocker ratio | 1.6:1 |
| Lifter type | hydraulic |
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