Re: New Member, New Car...

["Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A: The headlights new numbers are 5001 (2 prong high beam) and 5002 (3 prong 
high/low beam)for Halogen, which use the same amount of power (55w/60w) as 
the originals, so wiring isn't damaged running them. (I still prefer making 
a light brightener with a couple relays and some wiring to bypass the tired 
old system, which then only has to operate the relays. I do it w/o chopping 
any of the original system)


From: amcnut@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: New Member, New Car...
To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <ADVANCES62nzi95HfqR00000444@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Nothing at all is unusual about the bulbs used in your Ambassador. They're 
commonly available at any auto parts store in the nation. You probably 
couldn't find listings online due to the Ambassador being so old.

The Ambassador uses the smaller 5-inch round headlights, which are most 
commonly available as halogen bulbs these days. You'll need two high-beam 
(4001) and two low-beam (4002) bulbs. The halogen versions of these bulbs 
might have a slightly different number, but as long as they're 5-inch 
automotive bulbs, you're in business. The taillights and the front park 
lamps should use the good ol' 1157 double-element bulbs. The backup lamps 
use 1156 bulbs. You can upgrade to a 2057 (for 1157) or 2056 (for 1156) for 
a bulb that's a bit brighter. The tag light bulb is a number 67.

The car uses a variety of interior bulbs. They are normally listed in the 
owner's manual and they are also listed in the factory service manual. The 
bulb numbers I have provided are bulb industry standard numbers, making it 
easy to find them at a parts store.

Your 327 is one of the finer engines AMC built. It is based on the design 
first used in the late 1950s as the 250, and was also available in a 287 
displacement. The 327 isn't really a hi-po design, but with some mild 
modifications such as a bigger cam and larger carburetor they can be made to 
perform quite nicely. You'll find that there are few speed parts available 
for this engine, but a stock rebuild will provide you years of trouble free 
service. I had a 66 Ambassador with a 4bbl 327 and that was one of the 
SMOOTHEST engines I've ever experienced. It ran so quiet and smooth I often 
couldn't even tell if it was running.

You'll find that your car has the old torque-tube driveline, which doesn't 
really lend itself to hi-po modifications (but is fine for a mildly warmed 
327). If you were to change engines, you would likely have to change the 
transmission as well (you can make the rear end work with an open driveline 
with a slight modification). If you just have to make an engine swap, at 
least consider using a later AMC V8 such as a 360 or a 401. AMCers seldom 
like to see a Ch**y or F**d engine used in an AMC product.

As far as finding an owner's manual or a service manual, keep an eye on 
Ebay--they show up there with some regularity. Also check Eddie Stakes' 
vendor list at www.planethoustonamx.com--he has at least a couple of AMC 
literature vendors listed.

Good luck,
Jeff Reeves
Auburn GA
79 Spirit GT
72 Javelin SST

69 Ambassador DPL