A: In the same vein (hopefully this won't get too bloody!) not vain (as in taking the lord's name) I always opt for something a little more AMC. Replace the tired old flatheads with Jeep 4 cyls (there is a remarkably large amount of them being pulled along with the wiring harness and computer and being replaced with 4.0L and 4.6L strokers) You wouldn't believe how many people think I'm crazy for replacing the dead 360 in my '73 J4000 with a 304 from a '77 AMX (it's been keeping me rolling for almost 4 years now and only the waterpump disintegrating has been catastrophic because it took my brand new rad with it!) because I use it for near extreme hauling. (many loads in the 6500lb range without much of a whimper unless the 2100 has bad gas) I'd like to do more with it. (wish I'd kept the Holley 2 bbl TBI system off the 5.0L Tbird I sold a couple years ago for next to nothing) Then my wife would be more inclined to ride around in it (too noisy and too cold with no tunes cuz it looks like a toon car! AM radio doesn't work in the boonies) From: "Jim Boone" <fljab@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [AMC-List] Blasphemy To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx Message-ID: <BAY116-F19EDCD5EFF081AE8CBE775ACE60@xxxxxxx> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Non-AMC powered cars has been and still is a subject that brings out very vocal opinions. It's been discussed here on the list at length at different times, usually with great debate. AMO a couple of yrs ago finally voted in a non-AMC powered class for shows. I have always been of the opinion that there really is no good-enough reason to put a Cheby engine (the usual choice) in your AMC (or Ford, Mopar, etc). There are still plenty of good engines - esp. 360's - out there that can be configured to make good power reasonably to satisfy most needs. Now, that being said, it's hard to argue when you go to a car show/large swap meet, and you see trailer loads of wreck/take out LS1 engines+OD trans that make good power, are very reasonably priced, and require little to put in other than figuring out the mounts and how to hook the computer up with the appropriate sensors. With that in mind, I saw something this weekend at the Daytona Turkey Rod Run that I think is a great alternative to using GM power. Use a late model Hemi! I saw a 4000 mile 5.7L engine+auto trans w/computer/sensors/wiring for about $3K. At least it's in the family, or you can make that argument anyway. Plus, that's in the range of what it would take to build a good AMC engine at today's prices. The Mopar Hemi's are getting plentiful in the junkyard - at least the 5.7's. The 6.1L - 425 HP versions are still scarce and pricey, but for a driver, the smaller one would surely liven up an American. It would offer power, reliability, driveability, and wouldn't be a GM! So, if you must do a swap, then think about using this combo. Just a thought from my overactive mind... Jim Boone Mims, FL _________________________________________________________________ Get free, personalized commercial-free online radio with MSN Radio powered by Pandora http://radio.msn.com/?icid=T002MSN03A07001 _______________________________________________ AMC-List mailing list AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list or go to http://www.amc-list.com