Re: [Amc-list] aluminum 196

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Part of the problem was the anti-freeze used in the early 60s -- it wasn't all compatible with aluminum like it isnow, and cheaper stuff caused accelerated corrosion. We all know that the 2nd/3rd/4th owner of a Rambler hardly ever took proper care of it! (excluding the occasional Rambler enthusiast such as found here!)

The aluminum engine pump and filter WILL NOT fit the cast iron engine! totally different design. The AL engine used as many of the CI engine parts as possible, but that's not one of them! 

The heads will interchange, but the AL engine head (which is iron) is wider by about 1/8" on the passenger side only. Heads for any 196 OHV are hard to come by in good condition, so it's worth saving as a spare if you drive one.

Once the head gasket blew the engine would run hot and could cause the block to warp. The AL engine is die cast like the old Vega four in one way -- the tops of the water jacket are completely open when the head is off. Wouldn't be able to pull it from the permanent srteel mold (die) otherwise! So when the head worked loose due to not retorquing occasionally and the gasket blew causing the engine to over heat, therewas nothing holding the tops of the cylinders in place. If the bottom of the block warpedslightly the tops of the cylinders moved a lot more, and the head gasket wouldn't seal again. 

Do note that the Rambler engine used cast iron cylinder liners that were clamped in the mold before the aluminum was poured, permanently attaching them to the block. The liners are siamesed in pairs to increase rigidity. 

----------
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:11:42 +0000
From: Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx

Most of the issues where with the head gasket as Joe says.
Once it is done correctly they will last a long time, especially if maintained 
properly which I'm pretty sure you would.
Tom seemed to think the filter on the pump would clear in his car.
I'd guess from what I can recall him saying that in the worst case you may have 
to do some drilling and tapping to fit a couple of hydraulic lines and run a 
remote filter. That is a guess, so treat it as one.
   Aluminum engine has hydraulic lifters, due to the different expansion rates 
of the block they went that way,  I assume to allow for the lifter to compensate 
as mechanicals will not stay in adjustment with the block resizing itself.

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