I have a comment on a recent meltdown that my AMC 360 experienced related to new lifters. I am hoping this story will help save a lot of you a great deal of pain and money. I bought a cam and lifter set from Summit ealier this year and got everything installed in July 2007. The problem I ran into was zero oil to the top end of the motor. I had good pressure for about 45 minutes during the break-in and I thought everything was fine. Took the car for its maiden voyage and after about 20 miles lost all my oil pressure suddenly and the car got incredibly hot. When we got it home and tore it apart the heads were as dry as a bone, no oil circulating. All 16 pushrods were either bent or broken. When I pulled the "new" lifters out and compared them to the old AMC lifters I had replaced I found a terrible problem. The new lifters, while physically the same as the old AMC lifters, had the oiling band in a different location than the originals. The second issue was the new lifters had no oiling hole drilled through the center. The AMC lifters clearly have a squirt hole for oil through the center and an oiling band in a completely different place than the new lifters. I called Summit and questioned the tech guy. His answer floored me "the supplier has grouped all AMC 360 lifters with the MOPAR 360 lifters. They are basically the same motor so the lifters should work the same way." I said "you're kidding right ?" and he said "No. That's the way our in-house tech manuals read and that's the way we sell them". Sure enough if you go on-line to Jeggs, Summit or look in a Mellings book the lifters all have the same part number. In other words AMC 360 and MOPAR 360 are the same to them. I don't mean the Chrysler 360 that's in the Grand Wagoneer I'm talking about the MOPAR 360. The cam fit like a glove so they got it partly right. I have been meaning to post this thread to the AMC community at large to warn everyone to take a close look at their lifters before they drop them down the bore and fire it up. I am at least $400 down in rebuilding the heads not to mention scuffing/tearing up the paint in my engine compartment when I pull out the block and tranny this weekend. Pay attention to your business. I didn't and I should have known better. The best advise is to buy your stuff from an AMC vendor that sells the right parts for a living. If I do another engine I will definirely be talking to Doug, Jeff, Jim, Bruce, Nick, Andre etc. Those are the guys that know what you need. Best of luck from Florida. Jeff Thomas Orlando Fl 407-297-9500 -----Original Message----- From: amc-list-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:amc-list-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of amc-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 3:00 PM To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Amc-list Digest, Vol 8, Issue 58 Send Amc-list mailing list submissions to amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to amc-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx You can reach the person managing the list at amc-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxx When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Amc-list digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: Delco Alternator Swap 70 V8 (Dan Curtis) 2. Re: noisy after rebuild (Dan Curtis) 3. Twin Grip (Keith Evenson) 4. Re: Twin Grip (JOE FULTON) 5. Re: noisy after rebuild (Andrew Blomer) 6. Re: if cam related..... (Dan Curtis) 7. Re: Twin Grip (Dan Curtis) 8. Re: if cam related..... (Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx) 9. Re: Twin Grip (Sandwich Maker) 10. Re: noisy after rebuild (Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx) 11. Re: noisy after rebuild (Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx) 12. Re: American Parts Depot (Armand Eshleman) (Sandwich Maker) 13. Re: American Parts Depot (Armand Eshleman) (Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx) 14. Alignment stuff (Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx) 15. Re: noisy after rebuild (Dan Curtis) 16. Re: noisy after rebuild (Dan Curtis) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:25:21 -0500 From: Dan Curtis <d.curtis@xxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Amc-list] Delco Alternator Swap 70 V8 To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx Message-ID: <7d4cde5f5c769966a1b292ad45bd5f68@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Have you tried going to the local parts store and getting a shorter alternator drive belt? I am assuming that the reason you are so close to the oil filter is that dimensions of the single wire alternator version are larger than the stock alterntor so that when you pull the belt tight the outer case is pressing up against the oil filter. If that is the case, a one or two inch short belt should do the trick. Regards, Dan Curtis ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:37:19 -0500 From: Dan Curtis <d.curtis@xxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Amc-list] noisy after rebuild To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx Message-ID: <d92d4a73f5e5bd1a06720f11f4ae0273@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" I only have experience with AMC V-8s and not the 6 clinders but cam and lifters are eseentially the same no matter what engine they go in. If your old cam and lifters had substantial wear on them, no matter what you do with the new lifters on the old cam you will not get rid of the noise unless you also replace the cam as well. My rule of thumb has always been to replace both if one or the other needs to be replaced. What about the old lifters, do you still have them? If so you may want to soak them in solvent to clean them, then drop them in a bucket of oil and reinstall to see if the noise goes away, hopefully the new lifters have not changed the old cam's profile enough for it to be an issue. I am not sure how much work it would be to swap lifters on the old AMC 6 but I seem to recall side covers on the block covering the lifters on older 6 cylinders that owned in years past so hopefully an older AMC six won't be that much of a pain to swap out the lifters. Regards, Dan Curtis ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:22:41 -0500 From: Keith Evenson <epd@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [Amc-list] Twin Grip To: drivers and fans. AMC/Rambler owners <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Message-ID: <D38690C9-B0FF-486E-977C-AB4236008F23@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed So is there any ID #'s to look at to see if a car came with a twin grip? Thanks Keith ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:28:32 -0700 (PDT) From: JOE FULTON <piper_pa20@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Amc-list] Twin Grip To: "AMC/Rambler owners, drivers and fans." <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Message-ID: <945557.25732.qm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 If you have the build sheet, you might find an axle code. If so, someone with an AMC data book for that year, might be able to decode it. Most AMC axles were marked with a code on the passenger side of the axle tube (on the rear side) with a code indicating the axle ratio and whether the axle was twin grip. The axle codes are in many of the TSMs for the 60s and 70s model cars. Joe Fulton Salinas, CA --- Keith Evenson <epd@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > So is there any ID #'s to look at to see if a car > came with a twin > grip? Thanks Keith > _______________________________________________ > Amc-list mailing list > Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx > http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list > ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:33:31 +0000 From: "Andrew Blomer" <lotharamc@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Amc-list] noisy after rebuild To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx Message-ID: <BAY127-F40ECC46568A22933A7B90AACCD0@xxxxxxx> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed I see the second subject I listed about a new cam came in first. It doesn't make much sense the way it is. The engine was running in the car a month ago. I had a headgasket blow, and it was making noise at startup. So I decided to take it out, and freshen it up. The engine origianlly came from an Ambassador parts car that had "68k" miles on it. I don't know for sure though. I put about another 10K on it. I didn't find anything to lead me to believe otherwise. It could be that the new lifters are just bad. However, like you said it doesn't matter if they are new or not, if they arn't rotating, the cam will be gone soon enough. I don't want to replace a cam, and still have this problem when I get it going again. If it does, there will be a 66 Cross Country for sale fairly soon. _________________________________________________________________ Find a local pizza place, movie theater, and more....then map the best route! http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&ss=yp.bars~yp.pizza~yp.movie%20the ater&cp=42.358996~-71.056691&style=r&lvl=13&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&sce ne=950607&encType=1&FORM=MGAC01 ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:49:43 -0500 From: Dan Curtis <d.curtis@xxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Amc-list] if cam related..... To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx Message-ID: <afc6185b2af47b80e7820b7f43f638be@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" I would be surprised if going from a .381 to a .416 lift would bind off the springs from a mere .035 change in valve lift. Changing the cam will require the usual removal of the lifter and pushrods and removal of the timing cover and timing chain along with anything that is attached to our around the timing chain so it is no trivial process. One thing that will make it MUCH easier to install the new cam however is to get the longest bolt you can find to screw into the end of the cam so you have levarage to gently move it around when reinstalling. Steve Feniello(amxgopak with ebay store http://stores.ebay.com/Way-Out-West-AMC-AMX-Javelin-Parts_W0QQssPageName ZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm )usually has a nice cam installation tool that he sells on ebay for under 20 bucks so you may want to contact him if you decide to replace the cam and make it much easier to remove the old one and install the new one. Regards, Dan Curtis ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:53:11 -0500 From: Dan Curtis <d.curtis@xxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Amc-list] Twin Grip To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx Message-ID: <4d1bd30a3f147fec2cd7c226c6f2194c@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" There is a build code but otherwise the axle is the only other indicator that I am aware of. Of course there is always the trusty manual way to jack it up and spin one wheel to see if the other spins an equal amount with it. Regards, Dan Curtis ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:00:18 +0000 From: Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [Amc-list] if cam related..... To: "AMC/Rambler owners, drivers and fans." <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Message-ID: <083020071700.6262.46D6F7A2000C3244000018762216549976CDCBCD0A0C079D9F059 D0E03@xxxxxxxxxxx> Depends on the rest of the car, 1 bbl or 2bbl? Gears? Trans? I'd suspect that with a cam of that mild lift you will not hurt anything and see a mild improvement. The danger with cam swapping is the temptation to go too large. This is one case where bigger is not better! especially with a six, too much cam kills the bottom end torque. While any engine this old could probably stand new valve springs, stock will most likely handle that cam. -- Mark Price Morgantown, WV 1969 AMC Rambler, 4.0L, EFI, T-5 " I was different before people dared to be different" ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:12:32 -0400 (EDT) From: adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Sandwich Maker) Subject: Re: [Amc-list] Twin Grip To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx Message-ID: <200708301712.l7UHCWk26665@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> " From: Keith Evenson <epd@xxxxxxxxxxxx> " " So is there any ID #'s to look at to see if a car came with a twin " grip? Thanks Keith as joe said, there's a ratio code. it's usually a single letter [eg. A] for open, doubled [AA] for twingrip. ________________________________________________________________________ Andrew Hay the genius nature internet rambler is to see what all have seen adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and think what none thought ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:17:54 +0000 From: Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [Amc-list] noisy after rebuild To: "AMC/Rambler owners, drivers and fans." <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Message-ID: <083020071717.22941.46D6FBC20006093C0000599D2216549976CDCBCD0A0C079D9F05 9D0E03@xxxxxxxxxxx> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" If you do the cam, I'd take extra time to inspect the cam bearings as now is the time. I doubt they are bad with those pressure readings. Those are close to what my 4.0L carries with an HV pump and 10k on it! -- Mark Price Morgantown, WV 1969 AMC Rambler, 4.0L, EFI, T-5 " I was different before people dared to be different" -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Andrew Blomer" <lotharamc@xxxxxxxxxxx> > I see the second subject I listed about a new cam came in first. It doesn't > make much sense the way it is. > > The engine was running in the car a month ago. I had a headgasket blow, and > it was making noise at startup. So I decided to take it out, and freshen it > up. > > The engine origianlly came from an Ambassador parts car that had "68k" miles > on it. I don't know for sure though. I put about another 10K on it. I didn't > find anything to lead me to believe otherwise. It could be that the new > lifters are just bad. However, like you said it doesn't matter if they are > new or not, if they arn't rotating, the cam will be gone soon enough. > > I don't want to replace a cam, and still have this problem when I get it > going again. If it does, there will be a 66 Cross Country for sale fairly > soon. > > _________________________________________________________________ > Find a local pizza place, movie theater, and more....then map the best route! > http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&ss=yp.bars~yp.pizza~yp.movie%20the ater&cp= > 42.358996~-71.056691&style=r&lvl=13&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=95060 7&encTyp > e=1&FORM=MGAC01 > -------------- next part -------------- An embedded message was scrubbed... From: "Andrew Blomer" <lotharamc@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Amc-list] noisy after rebuild Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:33:52 +0000 Size: 646 Url: http://www.amc-list.com/pipermail/amc-list/attachments/20070830/d3974755 /attachment.eml ------------------------------ Message: 11 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:23:46 +0000 From: Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [Amc-list] noisy after rebuild To: "AMC/Rambler owners, drivers and fans." <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Message-ID: <083020071723.18409.46D6FD220008C87F000047E92216549976CDCBCD0A0C079D9F05 9D0E03@xxxxxxxxxxx> No side covers on an AMC 6 :[ Mixing the lifters will quickly kill the cam. They need to stay on their correct lobes. I've done new lifters on used cams many times with no ill effects, however the current conditions and questionalbe lifter quality can make it all a crap shoot! For a new cam I'd use nothing short of Diesel grade, the old non emission grade, and a can of GM EOS for breakin. Aftermarket/replacement cam engines would all get EOS at every change if I was running them. no matter what oil I ran. -- Mark Price Morgantown, WV 1969 AMC Rambler, 4.0L, EFI, T-5 " I was different before people dared to be different" -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Dan Curtis <d.curtis@xxxxxxx> > I only have experience with AMC V-8s and not the 6 clinders but cam and lifters > are eseentially the same no matter what engine they go in. If your old cam and > lifters had substantial wear on them, no matter what you do with the new lifters > on the old cam you will not get rid of the noise unless you also replace the cam > as well. My rule of thumb has always been to replace both if one or the other > needs to be replaced. > > What about the old lifters, do you still have them? If so you may want to soak > them in solvent to clean them, then drop them in a bucket of oil and reinstall > to see if the noise goes away, hopefully the new lifters have not changed the > old cam's profile enough for it to be an issue. > > I am not sure how much work it would be to swap lifters on the old AMC 6 but I > seem to recall side covers on the block covering the lifters on older 6 > cylinders that owned in years past so hopefully an older AMC six won't be that > much of a pain to swap out the lifters. > > Regards, > Dan Curtis > > > _______________________________________________ > Amc-list mailing list > Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx > http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list ------------------------------ Message: 12 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:26:19 -0400 (EDT) From: adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Sandwich Maker) Subject: Re: [Amc-list] American Parts Depot (Armand Eshleman) To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx Message-ID: <200708301726.l7UHQJf26961@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> " From: "John Eckersley" <john.eckersley@xxxxxxxxx> " " " " I was considering whether there might be a better option than " resleeved calipers (not least because I have to ship the old ones to " the USA and that ain't cheap) - I hear the later single pot setup is " more reliable but I have been told the spindles and other fittings " need changing. I was wondering if there are any "performance" " calipers (wilwood, brembo, whatever) that would fit in place of the 4 " pot bendix ones. the later designs got progressively more reliable and trouble free, though the strongest are probably the '74-8 'big bendix', with the largest calipers, pads, and rotors. these calipers were also used by ford, on cars and trucks up to 6900 lb f-250s. '74-8 bendix - big and small - used different wheel bearings from all other amcs, so you have to use their spindles in the swap*. as for the others - we usually swipe the conversion parts from a junk car, and since you have to take the spindles off to get the caliper brackets it's just as easy to take them too and be assured the whole system fits. i'm not positive the spindles are any different, but i also don't know anyone who's made the comparison. it wouldn't surprise me to find they're the same. best for parts availability is the '82-3 delco setup. rotors are amc-only, but the calipers were also used on the popular jeep xj and yj up through '89. * the only difference i can find between '77-8 and '79-'81 -small- bendix is the spindle and matching rotor. i believe you could switch to the easier to find '79-'83 rotor by swapping spindles. ________________________________________________________________________ Andrew Hay the genius nature internet rambler is to see what all have seen adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and think what none thought ------------------------------ Message: 13 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:52:25 +0000 From: Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [Amc-list] American Parts Depot (Armand Eshleman) To: "AMC/Rambler owners, drivers and fans." <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Message-ID: <083020071752.23912.46D703D90006880100005D682216549976CDCBCD0A0C079D9F05 9D0E03@xxxxxxxxxxx> The only problem I ever had with an item from APD is UPS left it on the front porch and my dog, then a puppy ate it! It was all the rubber items and bushings for my clutch linkage! Must have smelled good to a puppy! I taught him some new swear words that day! For years afterwards he would duck and run for cover when I swore!!! Luckily I salvaged enough to install my linkage, though I ended up using some of the old stuff that was still good :[ It's still in there though! -- Mark Price Morgantown, WV 1969 AMC Rambler, 4.0L, EFI, T-5 " I was different before people dared to be different" -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "John Eckersley" <john.eckersley@xxxxxxxxx> > APD have been great with me - shipping parts to England no problem and > excellent service. Doug has been great at answering my e-mail > questions. > > ------------------------------ Message: 14 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:26:43 +0000 From: Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [Amc-list] Alignment stuff To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx (AMC List) Cc: "AMC-DelMarVA: yahoogroups.com" <AMC-DelMarVA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Message-ID: <083020071826.12346.46D70BE2000DF5590000303A2216557996CDCBCD0A0C079D9F05 9D0E03@xxxxxxxxxxx> This may be a bit too old to let anyone get a copy. I meant to send it in earlier, but it keeps slipping my feeble mind, or I have CRS. Anyway the day before I left for Hawaii, I don't rememebr why I thought I needed to come back here?, anyway I picked up some magazines and the Rod and Custom mag has a pretty in depth story on alignment theory. I did not notice what month the issue is. -- Mark Price Morgantown, WV 1969 AMC Rambler, 4.0L, EFI, T-5 " I was different before people dared to be different" ------------------------------ Message: 15 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:58:23 -0500 From: Dan Curtis <d.curtis@xxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Amc-list] noisy after rebuild To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx Message-ID: <435f82666287d098fc77bea77005bd51@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Good point on mixing up the old lifter's alignment on the old cam. It's been so long since I removed lifters and reinstalled without replacing them I completely forgot about having to keep them in order! Regards, Dan Curtis forum moderator for www.amazingmusclecars.com ------------------------------ Message: 16 Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:12:27 -0500 From: Dan Curtis <d.curtis@xxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [Amc-list] noisy after rebuild To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx Message-ID: <8751f63a75fb0b27eca8cb0ae94c2dda@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" I've had a hefty Crane cam in my AMX 390 in the past that only rotated the lifters a small amount back and forth so that it created a figure 8 looking mark on the bottom of the lifter. I put 60K miles on that car and the motor was as strong when I sold it as it was when I first had it rebuilt with no cam or lifter wear despite the partial rotation and very head duty crane valve springs. I would check to be sure to look that the lifter is indeed stationary and not just moving a small amount or rotating back and forth. Regarding whether or not the lifters are bad, it is highly doubtful that more than one of them would be bad at the same time. I would be more inclined to think that who ever you got the parts from may have given you the wrong ones. Regards, Dan Curtis forum moderator for www.amazingmusclecars.com ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Amc-list mailing list Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list End of Amc-list Digest, Vol 8, Issue 58 *************************************** _______________________________________________ Amc-list mailing list Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list