More obsessing about hoses and other 1964 engine bay details...

Ya'll,

In looking for this radiator hose for Little Car, I note how few 
resources are out there for putting together a restoration of the 63-64 
Classic engine compartment.  Of course, I don't expect much of that to 
change, as the interest and focus is (and will likely remain) on the AMX 
and Javelin models.

Nevertheless, I'm trying to do what I can with my little car and my own 
rather obsessive tendencies, and I wonder if others 'round here can fill 
in a few gaps in my knowledge.

So, I figured that I may as well toss these questions out to the list, 
with the hope that they might stimulate some discussion.  All the below 
refer to a 1964 Rambler Classic with a 195.6 OHVC and optional 
"POWER-PAK" dual throat carburetor.  All are also very, very nit-picky 
questions.

1. Heater hoses
>From any source materials I've been able to see that actually show these 
hoses in any detail, they appear to be held in place with pinch clamps 
(possibly also called "Corbin Twist" clamps, though I am not sure on 
this).  Is there a good source for these clamps within the community 
(likewise, tower clamps for the radiator hoses).

The hose themselves look to be 5/8" I.D., and black, but otherwise I know 
very little.  Was there any sort of part number present on these (I doubt 
such, as it was sold in bulk 'n' all), and did these have the white 
stripe or raised details seen on other similar hoses? Is there any hope 
for reproductions being out there... somewhere?

Also, some images (though I've not seen a 1964-contemporary source) show 
what appears to be a valve assembly of some sort on one of the heater 
hoses.  My car does not have such, but then again the hose in question 
was obviously replaced on Little Car.  Should such an item be present?

2. Thermostat Housing
I note that the 195.6 engine during this time frame came in several 
different varieties, and this only seems to muddy the waters as I try to 
figure out why the ventilation system on my engine is different from 
source to source, or other minor differences that could simply be the 
whim of any given day's assembly line employees.

On my 195.6, the thermostat housing is set at an angle, rather than the 
straight (vertical) I've seen in some examples.  Is the angled version 
correct for my car? Most -- but not all -- contemporary photos would say 
yes, though the Technical Service Manual schematic says no.

3. Battery cables
Is there a good source for cables for this car -- that is, cables that 
actually match OEM stock?  From the look of contemporary images, both 
posts were straight (rather than some later AMC cars, which appear to 
have one straight off the cable, and one with the head to the side of the 
cable).  I cannot tell if the original battery cables were both black, or 
if the positive was coated with a red jacket.  Does anyone happen to know?

4. Distributor cap
I believe this was black plastic.  Was it?

5. Hood padding
I am under the belief that only Classics with a V-8, or possibly just 
1964 Ambassadors, had any sort of under hood padding.  Is this the case?

6. Black components
Is there a good source for that slightly-shiny black paint seen on some 
under hood components (radiator, horns, etc.)  Is "Under Hood Black" from 
Eastwood a good match?

7. Turquoise components
>From all contemporary visual sources (and visible paint on Little Car's 
block), the 195.6 OHVC in a Rambler Classic was painted Lancelot 
Turquoise, rather than the red and gray combination of earlier 195.6 
engines.  Did this paint extend to the exhaust manifold, oil filter 
platform, fan and pulley, and oil filler cap?  Where there notable 
locations on the engine where such paint was not seen, such as head 
bolts, etcetera?

Okay -- I think this is quite enough for now.  Anyone know enough on the 
above obscurities to tackle these queries?

Cheers,
Gwen Smith
(yes, I will likely have to batch all this up and at least put it on my 
own site, if not write something for the AMCyclopedia)

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(O|O) =RAMBLER= (O|O) Gwen Smith * gwen@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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