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American Motors 343ci specs: 343 ci (5.6L) 8-cylinder, 4.08 x 3.28 in (103.6 x 83.3 mm) bore and stroke, 9:1 compression. Rated 235 hp, 1967–1969.
The American Motors 343ci is oversquare — the 4.08" bore exceeds the 3.28" stroke by 24.4% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.28" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,300 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. A rod ratio of 1.791 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 8 cylinders displaces 42.9 ci (703 cc).
9:1 is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
It is one of 2 engines in the American Motors 343ci family, all of them 343 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 3 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 235 hp across 1967–1969.
| Displacement | 343 ci / 5.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 4.08" |
| Stroke | 3.28" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Compression ratio | 9:1 |
| Rod length | 5.875" |
| Rod ratio | 1.791 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.244 |
| Piston deck clearance | 0.05" |
| Induction | 1-2 |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 235 hp |
| Years | 1967–1969 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.244 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,280 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Rod ratio | 1.791 — long — less side loading on the cylinder wall, favours high RPM |
| Displacement per cylinder | 42.9 ci |
| Static compression | 9:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel |
| Intake valve diameter | 2.025" |
|---|---|
| Exhaust valve diameter | 1.625" |
| Chamber volume | 51.39 cc |
| Rocker ratio | 1.6:1 |
| Lifter type | hydraulic |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 235 hp | — |
| 1968 | 235 hp | — |
| 1969 | 235 hp | — |