Re: [AMC-list] Rambler American in LeMons...

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Well, it's a good chassis to work with, just needs stiffer springs. That's a good engine to work with too -- reliable and you should be good gearing so it runs at 4000 rpm instead of 5000 and STILL kick butt! The only problem is the two don't fit together well. You'll need to take the heater out and notch the firewall about the width of the heater opening so the engine sits back 3-4" and will fit. For a race car that's not a big problem. I'm not sure if the intake will clear the left side, but you can cut the hump off the inner wheel well panel and gain a bit more clearance, probably enough.

196 rods in a 199/232?? I don't know about that... They're forged, so that's a plus, but finding a piston to fit might be a problem. I wouldn't bore that Indy block any more than I had to for a more or less common piston to fit. That might dictate rod length too (piston pin height). Don't want to have to order $700-$800 of custom forged pistons for it!

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Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 23:55:52 -0700
From: tom jennings<tomj@xxxxxxx>

So my ex-LeMons friends are agitating to run a car (next year). I have an
iron pile that includes all that Indy Rambler stuff. T-14. 61 American.
Hmm...

I'm thinking that we'd follow the simplest possible path -- since the block
is so insanely sleeved, it could be re-bored for any pistons that are
convenient and cheap. I have a set of 196 rods. I have those insanely
flowing heads (need valves). I have that wild cam, hard tappets and
adjustable pushrods. My idea is, no turbo, naturallly aspirated, make it rev
reliably 5000 rpm all day long, get the right axle and set the chassis up
for 2nd and 3rd, lighten it as much as possible, sticky tires and STAY ON
THE TRACK FOR 400 LAPS.

Index of Effluency would be very high. So would HP to weight. Wouldn't it be
fun to kick modern import a** with a rusty old Rambler?

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars"
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://www.amc-mag.com
(free download available!)

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