American transmission interchange

[Roger Blake <rogblake@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have an acquaintance with a '66 Rambler American with 232 and
column-shift manual transmission. He wants to change it over to
automatic for his wife, and has located a junkyard transmission that
is in an older American with the L-head six. (He was not sure of the
year, but it sounds like it is probably a '61 through '63 "breadbox"
model. The junkyard transmission would be overhauled before installation.)
Will the automatic transmisssion from the L-head bolt up to the 232? If
so, what other issues would there be with the kickdown linkage, etc.?

Presumably the steering column would have to be replaced also with one
from an automatic-equipped car. I know the mid-1960s American has a lot
of parts in common with the Classic/Ambassador series -- would a column
from the big Ramblers fit in the American? (I assume that the transmission
from one of these would be no good for the swap due to the torque-tube
drive.)

Presumably adapting a Chrylser Torqueflite from a later model AMC
such as a Hornet would be a major project.

--
  Roger Blake

  rogblake@xxxxxxxxx