Re: New Member, New Car...

[amcnut@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Nothing at all is unusual about the bulbs used in your Ambassador. They're commonly available at any auto parts store in the nation. You probably couldn't find listings online due to the Ambassador being so old. 

The Ambassador uses the smaller 5-inch round headlights, which are most commonly available as halogen bulbs these days. You'll need two high-beam (4001) and two low-beam (4002) bulbs. The halogen versions of these bulbs might have a slightly different number, but as long as they're 5-inch automotive bulbs, you're in business. The taillights and the front park lamps should use the good ol' 1157 double-element bulbs. The backup lamps use 1156 bulbs. You can upgrade to a 2057 (for 1157) or 2056 (for 1156) for a bulb that's a bit brighter. The tag light bulb is a number 67. 

The car uses a variety of interior bulbs. They are normally listed in the owner's manual and they are also listed in the factory service manual. The bulb numbers I have provided are bulb industry standard numbers, making it easy to find them at a parts store.

Your 327 is one of the finer engines AMC built. It is based on the design first used in the late 1950s as the 250, and was also available in a 287 displacement. The 327 isn't really a hi-po design, but with some mild modifications such as a bigger cam and larger carburetor they can be made to perform quite nicely. You'll find that there are few speed parts available for this engine, but a stock rebuild will provide you years of trouble free service. I had a 66 Ambassador with a 4bbl 327 and that was one of the SMOOTHEST engines I've ever experienced. It ran so quiet and smooth I often couldn't even tell if it was running. 

You'll find that your car has the old torque-tube driveline, which doesn't really lend itself to hi-po modifications (but is fine for a mildly warmed 327). If you were to change engines, you would likely have to change the transmission as well (you can make the rear end work with an open driveline with a slight modification). If you just have to make an engine swap, at least consider using a later AMC V8 such as a 360 or a 401. AMCers seldom like to see a Ch**y or F**d engine used in an AMC product. 

As far as finding an owner's manual or a service manual, keep an eye on Ebay--they show up there with some regularity. Also check Eddie Stakes' vendor list at www.planethoustonamx.com--he has at least a couple of AMC literature vendors listed. 

Good luck,
Jeff Reeves
Auburn GA
79 Spirit GT
72 Javelin SST
69 Ambassador DPL

On October 14, 2004 John M. Livingston wrote:

> Hey Everyone,
> 
> My name's John and I'm new to the list and new to AMC cars.  I just picked
> up a '65 Rambler Ambassador 990 with the 327 V8 and I'm looking to build it
> out as a muscle car over the next two years or so.  It seems to be running
> fine, so nothing too major on the motor to start with but just about every
> light (headlights, turn lights, brakes, etc) are shot.  I've looked online
> for bulbs at all the common places like Napa and Kragen but couldn't find
> any bulbs for this car.  Any ideas?  I  guess my next step will be to take
> the bulbs out and go down to one of the shops and see what they can dig up.
> I'd also like some pointers to a service manual if any are available for
> this thing.  When I do get to working on the motor, is there any common
> methods to building this 327 out or should I consider dropping something
> else in such as a 350?
> 
> Ideas and sources for parts would be great!  Any AMC/Rambler clubs in
> Southern California?
> 
> TIA,
> 
> John Livingston
> 
> 
> 
> 
> .


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