AMC-List Digest, Vol 8, Issue 43
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AMC-List Digest, Vol 8, Issue 43
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- Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 12:00:01 +0000
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: torqu tube Q??? (farna@xxxxxxx)
2. Re: "....Do you know where you ARE ?"....... (farna@xxxxxxx)
3. AMC INK (namdra@xxxxxxxx)
4. Re: torqu tube Q??? (Peter Marano)
5. Play on Words (Brien Tourville)
6. Re: Play on Words (Tom Jennings)
7. Re: Play on Words (Tom Jennings)
8. I can't make it to the Swapmeet! (Jim Blair)
9. Re: Play on Words (Russell Neyhart)
10. I can't make it to the Swapmeet! (Jim Blair)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 21:01:47 +0000
From: farna@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] torqu tube Q???
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: johnnykazek@xxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID:
<092320062101.26480.4515A0BB0006E1960000677021603762230E029D0E00@xxxxxxx>
I just checked. According to tread width the 63-65 torque tube axle SHOULD fit. The only way to know for sure is to measure the axle once it's pulled out from end to end. Splines on the inner end should be the same for all years.
Tread width isn't reliable as an indicator of axle width. Tread width varies with tire size and wheel offset. The widths vary from 58-65 by only 1-1.5 inches total, which is a good indicator that the axles are MOST LIKELY (but NOT definitely) the same width and tire/wheel changes are the only differences.
--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars"
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)
-------------- Original message ----------------------
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 09:13:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] torqu tube Q???
To: AMC-List <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: johnnykazek@xxxxxxxxxxx
> The axle/hub from any 58-62 Rambler Six or Classic six
> cylinder should work.
Wouldn't any 58?-up six cylinder torque tube axle work? There's
a hell of a lot more 63-65 donors out there than 58-62.
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 21:16:14 +0000
From: farna@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] "....Do you know where you ARE ?".......
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID:
<092320062116.4966.4515A41E000393910000136621603762230E029D0E00@xxxxxxx>
Wow, really interesting views from the "upper crust" and "down in the dirt" people of the AMC world (no offense to either...)!!
The problem is Nash/Rambler/AMC cars NEED recognition to survive. Not just as a $250 hulk that is still good enough to bring back to life with scrounged parts, but as collectible cars with at least the most needed and/or hard to find parts being reproduced for a reasonable price. Recognition and collectible status is a double edged sword -- parts availability (both repro and used, since fewer of what's lkeft will be crushed as parts value goes up) will get better, but prices will go up some. Prices for cars will go up as they become more desireable/acceptable to own and restore. You'll start hearing fewer "what do you want to restore THAT for?" queries as the general public begins to appreciate the cars more. It's happening now because the collector car hobby has stratified the most popular cars out of reach of blue collar "collectors".
Most of those really aren't collectors, but are more like Brien -- they like an old car(s) and want to "fix it up" rather then restore, and enjoy working on and driving it as a hobby (or even a passion). I'm more that way myself, though I'd have liked to have been able to collect and restore. Moving around with the USAF made that impossible, and now that I could afford a collectible or two I'm getting ready to retire and build a house!! I've thought about restoring one or more after the house thing settles, but not sure if I will. Not many shows close by where I'll be, and I think I'll get more out of a driveable "collector" rather than a true resto. I've already planned one modified AMC and even bought some parts for it, though I may still restore another if I find the right one. Maybe a late 50's Nash, or early Ambo...
Anyway, we need the recognition for the hobby to thrive, but it will inevitably drive prices up. It's the sign of a maturing old car hobby. Unlike GMs, we can't go to a slightly newer, still not quite collectible car (like the small body Monte Carlo, Gran Prix, and Malibus). AMC stopped production of 2WD cars in 83, and even those are on the verge of becoming true collectibles as they reach 25-30 years old (20 is officially "antique", but it seems the 25-30 mark is where prices start climbing). The Eagle 4x4, because of its rather unique status, is more of a collectible even though it's not quite as old (most of them, anyway).
Those who just want an older, CHEAP car to play with will eventually have to jump the AMC ship and go with something more plentiful and less desireable. Unfortunately there aren't to many rear drive models around -- Ford Fairmonts, late 70s/early 80s LTDs, and the ubiquitous fox body Mustang are going to be the best bets. The GM G-bodies and older Malibu models are a lot more popular (except for the fox Mustangs, but there were so many of those made that there are plenty of the lesser models [four cylinders] around and cheaper), so they aren't very good candidates. Strip down a New Yorker/Diplomat? Four doors just don't quite cut it though. A two door New Yorker could be done with a bit of "cut and paste" welding, just move that B pillar back... Well, at least it would be interesting if done in a professional manner! Stick some Ambassador emblems on it to make a faux 87-89 AMC Ambo -- at least that was a thought when Kenosha assembled the New Yorker/Diplomat (though not a tw!
o door)
. Does anyone have any photos of the test mule/prototype Ambassador? John Mahoney maybe? I'd like to have a couple if they exist. Might be interesting to actually build one, maybe even AMC powered!
--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars"
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 18:01:14 -0500
From: namdra@xxxxxxxx
Subject: [AMC-List] AMC INK
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <20060923.180115.-42586593.0.NAMDRA@xxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The November issue of Car Craft, in an article by Douglas R. Glad on his
favorite web sites, has our own Eddie Stakes site listed first!! They
also did a 5-page article on how to black out a hood, using the
CC/Rambler as the model. They also pictured w/blurb the project Pacer
they did back in 1976.
Jock Jocewicz - President/Editor NAMDRA NAMDRA@xxxxxxxx
8537 Antioch Rd., Salem, WI 53168 (262) 843-4326
JOIN NAMDRA, the best AMC club around!!
AMO#19, NAMDRA#46, AMCRC#974, NHRA#41915, IHRA#6766
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 20:43:52 -0500
From: Peter Marano <PMarano@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] torqu tube Q???
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <4515E2D8.9030401@xxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Slightly usefull information: The hub is a steel forging, and it may not
have a keyway. My 1960 Ambassador did not The keyway was added to help
durring the reinstalation of the hub.
Personal experience: Every spun hub that I have seen was a hub that
someone had removed and failed to reinstall correctly and/or had seen
service in a Rebel at the drag stip. I have toqued axle shaft nuts to
600 ft lbs without the nut or threaded portion of the axle failing. (A
grade 5 7/8 thread can take 300ft lbs.)
Peter Marano
Kenosha WI
>Message: 1
>Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 00:59:54 +0000
>From: farna@xxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: [AMC-List] torqu tube Q???
>To: johnnykazek@xxxxxxxxxxx, amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx (AMC-List)
>Message-ID:
> <092320060059.8200.45148709000C58C30000200821603759640E029D0E00@xxxxxxx>
>
>
>You're not bugging us, that's what we're here for -- answering questions and helping AMC/Rambler people!!
>
>The hub is cast steel, but not hardened. It has no splines in it (a new one doesn't), but has a keyway. The axle is hardened steel with shallow splines. When a new hub is installed the axle "digs into" the smooth inside of the hub and creates shallow splines in the hub. The end of the axle is tapered and the hole in the hub tapered ot match. If the hub is ever removed it must go back in the same position on the same axle, that's why the keyway. The key really doesn't keep the hub from spinning, those fine splines and the torque of the nut on the end do.
>
>There is not re-torque interval for the axle nut, but it should be loosened then torqued back down every 10-15 years. It should be torqued at 250-300 lb/ft. The TSM states 250, but 300 will be fine. More than 300 won't help, and may hurt if a lot more due to added stress on the end of the axle. I take the car to a big truck, construction equipment, or farm tractor shop with the hubcaps or wheel centers off so they can see the nut. It's no big deal for them to loosen it a bit then tighten back up. Most small auto shops can't reliably torque over 200 lb/ft -- a 3/4" drive torque wrench is really needed. Most front wheel drive axles have a nut holding the hub on that should be torqued to around 200 lb/ft, and 200-250 is the limit for 1/2" torque wrenches. Torque isn't very accurate at the beginning and end of a wrench's range.
>
>The nut probably worked loose with age or the end of the axle stretched a bit (which would in effect loosen the nut) over the years. It's a 60, "only" 46 years old!! You can't use the old hub, it won't tighten back on the axle. Finding a new hub is going to be difficult and may be expensive if you do. You best bet is to get the axle and hub from a parts car. The hub has to come off to get the brake backing plate off and change the seal. I usually pull the axles and take them to a machine shop so they can press the hubs off. Tightening the nuts as much as you can is fine for the initial drive to the truck shop, just take it a bit easy. Your machine shop might be able to tighten the nuts to 250 lb/ft though. If they work on heavy equipment as well as cars they likely can. You may as well change the outer axle bearings and seals while you have the hub off, and may as well do the other side as well. The hub has to come off for those procedures anyway.
>
>The axle/hub from any 58-62 Rambler Six or Classic six cylinder should work. V-8 models used a heavier rear axle assembly (Model 20 in V-8, yours is a Model 15 axle). Or you can change the entire axle assembly out if you can find one locally.
>
>--
>Frank Swygert
>Publisher, "American Motors Cars"
>Magazine (AMC)
>For all AMC enthusiasts
>http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
>(free download available!)
>
>
>
>
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 22:36:04 -0400
From: "Brien Tourville" <hh7x@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] Play on Words
To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <4515B6D4.19067.1D660AA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
"Independence - it's the Spirit that drives the most
successful American investors"
something off an investment firm commercial >
Ameriquest maybe - didn't catch that part.
We don't have many Spirit owners on The List
do we ?
For their limited amount of time in production,
I don't believe they faired well in surviving -
Opinions ?
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 21:19:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Play on Words
Cc: AMC List <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.64.0609232111590.31445@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
On Sat, 23 Sep 2006, Brien Tourville wrote:
> something off an investment firm commercial >
> Ameriquest maybe - didn't catch that part.
arf arf arf arf ....!
> For their limited amount of time in production,
> I don't believe they faired well in surviving -
> Opinions ?
They do get a bad rap. I owned one, it was basically an
upgraded gremlin, but minus most of the weirdness that made
gremlins... gremlins.
Great fun chassis for modding. All the AMC-latest good stuff,
anything bolts into it, light, common parts, and the "AMX"
trim package's rear "fin" is oddly attractive.
I had a black 79 AMX with the screamin chicken on the hood,
the complicated orange decaling and the fender flares. I ended
up stripping all that gunk off -- except the tail which was
inexplicably attractive -- and painting it white. Had 304 and
998. I used to autocross it (I wasn't a goodf autocrosser and
I made a lot of chassis mistakes in the car, none the fault of
the car).
Made my own grille (eh, but I hated that late-70's baroque
pointless complexity) and converted it to single headlamps
(which I think was a big win). kept the fin, bumpers black.
You can judge it here:
http://wps.com/AMC/1979-AMC-AMX/index.html
I kinda wish I had an 83 GT...
In fact I have to stop now, I'm talking myself into thinking
about another one...
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 21:19:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Play on Words
Cc: AMC List <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.64.0609232119310.31445@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
On Sat, 23 Sep 2006, Brien Tourville wrote:
> We don't have many Spirit owners on The List
> do we ?
The infamous John Elle has a nice one!
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 00:49:24 -0700
From: "Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] I can't make it to the Swapmeet!
To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <BAY114-F142AC542978BEB747A0C6DAC270@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
After all the planning and spending my whole vacation moving and loading the
van to go to the meet, it suddenly started running rough and I'm too worried
to try to make the 70 mile trip to the meet. I'll have to wait till the next
Monroe event I guess. (lifters suddenly started clattering yet it read I
have oil pressure. I wasn't worried till it started backfiring)
_________________________________________________________________
Find a local pizza place, music store, museum and more?then map the best
route! http://local.live.com
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 05:04:42 -0400
From: Russell Neyhart <rtneyhart@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Play on Words
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <45164A2A.4030201@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
...not to keep you talking about this long enough to go out and get
another Spirit, but... maybe a four worked a bit with a manual would
have given you a better front/rear weight bias and made for better auto-x?
Russell
Tom Jennings wrote:
> On Sat, 23 Sep 2006, Brien Tourville wrote:
>
>
>> something off an investment firm commercial >
>> Ameriquest maybe - didn't catch that part.
>>
>
> arf arf arf arf ....!
>
>
>
>> For their limited amount of time in production,
>> I don't believe they faired well in surviving -
>> Opinions ?
>>
>
> They do get a bad rap. I owned one, it was basically an
> upgraded gremlin, but minus most of the weirdness that made
> gremlins... gremlins.
>
> Great fun chassis for modding. All the AMC-latest good stuff,
> anything bolts into it, light, common parts, and the "AMX"
> trim package's rear "fin" is oddly attractive.
>
> I had a black 79 AMX with the screamin chicken on the hood,
> the complicated orange decaling and the fender flares. I ended
> up stripping all that gunk off -- except the tail which was
> inexplicably attractive -- and painting it white. Had 304 and
> 998. I used to autocross it (I wasn't a goodf autocrosser and
> I made a lot of chassis mistakes in the car, none the fault of
> the car).
>
> Made my own grille (eh, but I hated that late-70's baroque
> pointless complexity) and converted it to single headlamps
> (which I think was a big win). kept the fin, bumpers black.
>
> You can judge it here:
>
> http://wps.com/AMC/1979-AMC-AMX/index.html
>
> I kinda wish I had an 83 GT...
>
> In fact I have to stop now, I'm talking myself into thinking
> about another one...
>
> _______________________________________________
> AMC-List mailing list
> AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list
>
> or go to http://www.amc-list.com
>
>
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 00:48:45 -0700
From: "Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] I can't make it to the Swapmeet!
To: john@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <BAY114-F27A8713B8FB3E279ED5248AC270@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
After all the planning and spending my whole vacation moving and loading the
van to go to the meet, it suddenly started running rough and I'm too worried
to try to make the 70 mile trip to the meet. I'll have to wait till the next
Monroe event I guess. (lifters suddenly started clattering yet it read I
have oil pressure. I wasn't worried till it started backfiring)
_________________________________________________________________
Be seen and heard with Windows Live Messenger and Microsoft LifeCams
http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwme0020000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/default.mspx?locale=en-us&source=hmtagline
------------------------------
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End of AMC-List Digest, Vol 8, Issue 43
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