Re: [Amc-list] Breadbox American 440H with Twin-Stick

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

I have to admit enjoying reading about an older car like this too, especially the 61-63 American. I drove one for 14 years! The 196 is adequate in those cars, and can even be described as "spunky" with OD. The main reason I quit driving one (as a daily driver) was maintenance. Being in the USAF I often had to drive long distances, and my 63 American was my "second" car (meaning my primary transportation, "family car" was really the wife's). When you can no longer easily find repair parts, like a water pump, or even a starter, generator, or voltage regulator off the shelf, things get a bit scary. I lost one of the caps to a lower trunnion joint half way through a long drive (SC to NY!) once. Had to have the car towed, rent a car to continue the trip, then come back in two weeks with the part (training over in two weeks) and fix it! Now a trunnion coming off is very rare, I didn't consider something like that a problem -- unexpected things like that happen even to new cars! But
  on an older car you can expect to possibly loose a water pump, etc., on a trip one day. It took me three weeks to get the correct water pump the last time I had to replace one on a 196. THAT is scary on a time restraint trip (like meeting a training class date). If I broke down on the way to an AMC meet I'd just miss the meet, not to big a deal. The problem is when you're 2-3 STATES away and have to arrange a repair that will take a few days for a part to come in. It's not fun staying in a hotel for 3-4 days just to fix a car! Had to do that once too, but it wasn't a normal maintenance thing either (cracked head!) and not something I would consider a "normal" problem. So I don't think I'll ever build a 196 unless it's for something that will just be driven locally (more or less like Tom). 

You can plan for typical replacement items like a water pump, but I didn't want to carry a bunch of spares either. One contingency plan could always be to have the spares available at home, then have someone you can call and get them overnighted to you if on a long trip. Would be costly to deliver something like a starter, but not as much as waiting in a hotel for several days! I just thought that a bit much for a daily driver, so ended up with my Classic wagon rather than an American and an engine swap. I do sometimes miss the little car though! Maybe I need to build another...

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Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 12:46:07 -0700
From: "Andy&Tonja&Phoebe&Miles Ray" <raysinvegas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Tom, I've really been enjoying reading about your new found love of the mighty 196 with twin-stick! There are lots of nay-sayers, but you and I know the truth. I just finished the interior in my Rampart Red 64 440H/Twin-Stick and started driving it again after 4 months of garage life. I too have the "Power-Pac" 2 barrel, and with this light body I can easily scratch the tires at every light. The T-96 is what it is. I finally have a "good" one in the car but that will change soon. You see, I now have in my posession the super rare T-14 OD!!! I hope to have the swap completed before the AMCRC nationals in Seattle this July. Wanna caravan with me and a few buddies from Southern Nevada AMC?  :) 

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


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