Re: [AMC-list] best automatic behind healthy 304?

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

You're not stupid, but you are turning into more of a hot rodder than a Rambler guy! I can't really talk, of course... 

The V-8 will fit in the American with a lot of work, stock suspension. The biggest problem will be exhaust on the left side. An old "Speed Mechanics" magazine I have  from the mid 50s tells of a 283 stuffed into a 54 Nash Rambler (basically the same under hood as Rosie)/ They swapped the rear exit exhaust manifolds side to side (you can do that on a Chevy, not sure on an AMC) and wrapped the piped UNDER the crossmember to clear the steering. A more recent swap used Chevy II "over the rail" headers and cut big holes in the sides for them between the spring tower and firewall, leaving as much as possible and adding bracing under the hood. That could probably be duplicated with a 304/360 and Jeep CJ "over the rail" headers. 

I think I'd use an 87-95 Jeep Cherokee AW-4. I know it will take up to 300 hp just fine in unmodified form, and I doubt you'll be making more than my 4.6L EFI stroker (about 260 now, will be making mods to up it to 275-285... that's NET hp, not GROSS -- gross would be around 330 now...). You will have to mod the flexplate to use a 4.0L AW-4 converter, but that should be easy. Otherwise you want a 998 or 999, which was used behind the last 304s and behind the last Wrangler 258s. Finding a 2WD model may be tough, but I'm pretty sure the output shaft and housing form a 904 will work on a 998/999... better verify with a TF expert though. The 998/999 would require a complete tear-down to change the output.

I'd get something stouter than a T-5 for that 401! That's all I'll say about that... 

------------
Date: 26 Nov 2009 06:56:38 -0000
From: das24rules@xxxxxxxxx

ok, so i got a 304 im am fixing to start going thru, refresh ect. edelbrock
intake/carb, headers, decent cam (not sure what one yet) little head work,
you know, healthy streetable stuff. i want to drop this motor into rosie. (63
american 440H) ya ya ya, i know, gotta do some cutting. i want to be able to
drive it to town when i want. now remember, town is 45 miles away also. but,
i want to have it stout enough to be able to take it to the drag strip to run
also. i have heard that the 727 eats a lot of torque, but the 304 would NEVER
lunch it. so, i guess that would be the 904 and 998? one has a lock up
converter also if i recall correct? are the lockup converters controlable? or
is that all in the trans? im planning to go find an 8.8 rear out of one of
those mountaineers/exploders with disk brakes, lsd. 

the engine i have has flexplate for auto, and the car already has the auto in
it, so i want to just stick with a tf auto i think. i assume they are better
than the bw autos? i am NOT an auto guy, but going to stick with it, just
because both already are set up for them. 

i am HOPEFULLY getting a 401 for little of nothing that i want to put in
casper. leave the 401 just pretty basic and put a decent t-5 behind it, and
be REAL careful. i think they will both be fun...

--
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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