Marlin eXperimental (M/X)

Think of this Marlin as you would what the Shelby was to the Mustang, the Z-28 was to the Camaro, the Superbird was to the Roadrunner. This is the Muscle Car Marlin that AMC should have built, but never did.  Some people refer to these kind of concepts as phantom cars.  I look at this Marlin as the car I always knew what the Marlin could be.  This Marlin will get some respect when it debuts in a few years.  feel free to ask any questions.

Blue Skies, Phil Heitman (April 2008)

Of course there's progress on the Marlin M/X.  I am having another engine built that I may or may not use.  Specially ground cam; .060 over custom pistons; Solid lifters; Offset ground crankshaft for more displacement; Two four barrel carbs.  Much work on the heads to make the engine a great air pump.  Cast aluminum valve covers that will make the engine look even bigger.  This baby will have eye appeal and should hopefully make about 400 hp. The grille has been fitted now.  It is out of a 1967 Rebel.  I’ve sent pictures of the car showing the grille and the wing laid across the back.  
Editor: pictures are below.


Blue Skies, Phil (October 2009)
I am ready to reveal the former 327 cu.in. engine that will go into the Marlin Experimental (M/X).

Other than the obvious dual four Edelbrock carbs on an original, heavily modified, Offenhauser aluminum intake, with 1/2" spacer/adapters, the engine has a modified aluminum valley pan (not seen, but from the Graymarine engine), specially modified aluminum valve covers (not seen here either), heavily modified and ported heads, larger valves, a custom ground cam (an original stock hydraulic cam that was re-ground for solid lifters), solid lifters, adjustable rockers, custom made forged pistons, big block Chevy rods, offset ground crankshaft, modified deeper oil pan, modified oil sump pickup, and is a 345 cu.in. now.  Formerly, this was a Jeep 327 engine.

Once it is dyno'd, I'll reveal the numbers and send more pictures.  I'm hoping for at least 375 hp.  Cross your fingers!  Editor: pictures are below.

Blue skies, Phil (June 2010)

MX Model
The model is a concept/prototype creation of the Marlin M/X that I am building.  M/X stands for Marlin eXperimental.  These may not be the final colors or the final scheme, but you can get the idea of where I am going.  There will be a wing over the rear deck.

Before Marlin
April 2008

This is the starting point for my M/X project.  This particular car began life as an original 1966 4-speed car, with a 287.
MX Engine
April 2008

I am building a 327, with many custom, one-of-a-kind parts.  The crankshaft, the cam, the valley pan, the oil pan, the intake, the distributor, the rocker arms are all different than what came in a stock Marlin 327.  It was bored out to a 333 cu. in. At 3800 rpm, the peak torque was about 352 ft-lbs. At 4300 rpm, the peak hp was about 352 hp.


The engine held its torque at 350 ft-lbs across a range from about 2800 rpm thru I believe 5500 rpm, and across the same range the average hp was 319 hp. At 6400 rpm, it all started to drop off, but the hp remained at 319 hp.

More numbers as I get them.
MX Grille Oct 09
October 2009

The grille has been fitted now.  It is out of a 1967 Rebel.
 
Wing BackOct09
October 2009

Side view.of the MX with the wing on the back.

MX RearOct09
October 2009

Rear view of the M/X and the wing going on the back.
MX Engine
June 2010

The former 327 cu.in. engine that will go into the Marlin Experimental (M/X).  Dual four Edelbrock carbs on an original, heavily modified, Offenhauser aluminum intake, with 1/2" spacer/adapters.
MX Engine June 2010 June 2010

The former 327 cu.in. engine that will go into the Marlin Experimental (M/X).  Heavily modified and ported heads, larger valves, a custom ground cam (an original stock hydraulic cam that was re-ground for solid lifters), solid lifters, adjustable rockers, custom made forged pistons, big block Chevy rods, offset ground crankshaft, modified deeper oil pan, modified oil sump pickup, and is  345 cu.in. now.  Formerly, this was a Jeep 327 engine.