Re: [AMC-list] Some newbie questions amc gremlin engine swap six to v8

["Eddie Stakes" <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Shortening the driveshaft is no big deal, just have trans installed, hold up driveshaft, measure how much to be lopped off, and have it cut. Here is Houston, there was/is(?) a place called US Driveaxles where I took mine, they cut, sanded, welded, balanced it for $36. Since (I think) you are in Michigan, you might get with Richard estermeyer who hails from Ypsilanti and was parting out a number of Gremlins & Hornets. Also Vic Owens at Circle City AMC in Indianapolis area, both on my VENDORS list

http://www.planethoustonamx.com/AMC_Vendors/amc_vendors.htm

I don't remember is the Gremlin/Hornet Series with the six has a altenator on different side as opposed to the V8s which is on passenger side, so if different, easily splice wires to lengthen. Someone asked a ebay seller about power steering on their Gremlin 'as they didn't see it' but like my 74, the power steering pump on passenger side, while actual framebox is on, duh, driver side, so was last year they used that goofyass setup with the sixes. And yes, AMC ran the power steering hoses under oilpan to other side. 

On Bob's mention of headers, I have never had a set that actually fit, and have tried them all thru years, Doug's, Hedman, Blackjack, Cyclone, you name it. Either had to put two sets of gaskets on manifolds to seal, or had issues with baffles, but biggest problems was clearance with starter. The pipe literally sits on it, which causes issues like burinign up armature. You can seadte it with heat wrap, but that only works 1/2 the time. Otherwise will be like my 71 SC/360 with Hedmans, if I go to car show, or even store, I plan to stay a little as it won't start, rrr...rr..rrr as starter too hot, and when it cools off, cranks right up and go. I have not tried the shorty headers mentioned below, and $1200 Headers By Ed are out of my price range, but understand best out there custom made. 
Eddie Stakes
Planet Houston AMX
713.464.8825 days
eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.planethoustonamx.com 
  To: BaadAssGremlins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
        A big yes to the mini starter as Bob said I have fought with one several times.Takes more beer and a couple of perks for pain . Finally got it in but not worth the effort. Jegs has a powermaster mini good for up to 18-1 compression I willl be installing on my 401 soon. Cost is under $240  And with the new pistons a stock starter is not getting the job done .I had a whole new driveshaft made by a race shop in WVA for $125 and it is larger than stock but no problems. Good luck !



          From: baddassgremlin@xxxxxxx <baddassgremlin@xxxxxxx>


            
          Yes, Bulltear makes a good mount kit for putting in a V8 on to the 6 crossmember, and yes Bulltear sometimes has customer support issues, mainly because he takes on more than he can handle sometimes, he's a great guy, and very Pro AMC, but like I said, he tackles too much sometimes and can't meet deadlines if you order something special. But if the engine mount kit is in stock, then you should be fine with ordering from him.
          Headers I would go with Heddman. A couple years back I ordered every available header made for any AMC application, just to see what one fit my Grem the best. I'm running a TF 727 and the heddmans fit the best, including clearance around the transmission, and overall quality was good.
          Yes, you'll need to get the yoke for the 727, as the 904 will not fit. Best bet is to get a driveshaft from about a 72/73 jav/amx that had the 727. this is a heavier duty shaft then what any of the small V-8/TF 904 set ups had, so it should hold up to the 401 power. Also, with that driveshaft, you'll have the proper yoke and a long enough driveshaft that you can have shortened to the correct length to meet the ford 9"
          As far as the rear end yoke situation, when I had my drive shaft shortened, the driveline shop had the proper yoke end that they welded on the back end of shaft that matched the 9" rear end u-joint size.
          Yes, you might want to consider going to the front springs out of a V-8 equipped grem or hornet, although I have a friend that kept his stock 6 cyl springs and it seems Ok?
          I'm not sure about the 6 cyl trans crossmember, as mine was a factory v-8 set up, but you could wait till you get it in and see how far off the mount is?
          Also, I think the fuel line coming from the tank is on the pass side for 6 cyl, and driver side for the factory V-8's, so you'll need to account for that.
          As far as the starter: Plan on going with a mini starter ($350)... I tried getting the stock starter in with the headers for many hours and finally gave up. I know it should fit, but I could not find the secret to getting it in. even with headers unbolted and engine loose so I could move things around, it was still not happening... Maybe another 10 beers might have helped?
          Hope this helps...
          Bob in MN

          schustercj asked:
          "I just bought a '74 Gremlin and I want to add a 401 / 727 to it. What do I need besides a v8 cross member? Do I need the v8 trans cross member? If I go with a Ford 9" rear end what do I do for the drive shaft? Are any of these parts available after market?"
       



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