re: Replies (any difference in manual/auto trans AMC six)

[farna@xxxxxxx]

There are no differences between an auto or manual trans AMC engine. The clutch bell crank end bracket bolts onto the engine via a couple of the bell housing bolts. The crankshaft is different between pre 72 and post 71 engines due to the way Borg Warner (56-71) and Chrysler TF (72+) center on the crank. The BW flange is perfectly flat and the torque converter has a "nose" built onto it that uses the pilot hole to align it, and the TF flange has a "step" or ridge machined around it (different casting, the BW flange isn't simply machined -- spacing is different too) for the flex plate to center on. The BW has a small flex plate with the ring gear made onto the torque converter on most models (there are some exceptions), the TF has the ring gear mounted on the large diameter flexplate. Manual flywheels will work on either crankshaft, but the autos have to have the correct one.

It's interesting to hear that your 74 has the multi-pattern bell housing. I didn't think it came into use until 1977 when the SR-4 came into service. Your's is probably drilled for the T-96 and T-14 -- six holes, I believe, as I seem to recall the top two holes are shared with a T-96 and T-14. I could be wrong and there are eight holes though, it's been a while since I looked at one. The 77+ bell has seven or eight holes in it, though not all are always tapped (they are drilled though). The older T-96 (pre 68 or so -- when the T-14 started being used on 232s) uses a smaller main bearing/throw-out bearing guide diameter than later models. That's good to know if you're ever swapping transmissions. The retainers can be swapped though. 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)

--->Mike replies,
    for what it's worth, I am currently repairing a transmission on my 74 
Gremlin daily driver.  This car has the t-14 3spd behind a 258.  On that 
bellhousing there are multiple drills to mount other transmissions.  Another 
thing:  I'm not especially familiar with AMC sixes, but on other motors, 
(specifically Ford sixes and Chevy V8's) it is necessary to watch out for a 
manual vs automatic engine block.  Certain blocks have provisions for things 
like bellcrank or hydraulic clutch slave cyl. mounts.  On AMC's i'm not sure.  I 
do have a 76 232 with an auto that I'm swapping onto the 258, so i'll look and 
see if there's any difference.
    Mike