Re: Fwd: My AMC NEEDS SPEED

[adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Sandwich Maker)]

" >From: "Dan Behunin" <mod_target@xxxxxxxxxxx>
" >
" >Dear all AMC Gurus, FANATICS and ENTHUSIASTS,
" >
" >  My name is Dan Behunin. I am a young hot rodder in training.
" >I have spent the last 5yrs restoring vintage scooters, and now I have 
" >decided to tackle something more provoking. I have aquired a 1963-64 AMC 
" >American. It has a 196 1/2 with an over drive.
" >Three one the tree. I want to drop a 232 or 258 in the grandpa.
" >    I have been told that that the mounts from a 258 from a hornet or 
" > spirit will line up.

this is true if it's a '64.  the platform was new that year and
carried through basically unchanged to '69.  the '63 is -very-
different, especially in underhood space.  it's cramped; the later six
will not fit without -major- surgery.

you'll want the special '65 232 american water pump and pulley, also
used iirc on '65-'74 jeeps.  you'll also want the hornet/spirit/etc
crossmember, as the motor mount pads are a little different from the
196 crossmember's.

or - for power and economy, a jeep 4.0.  it's based on the 232 and
drops in almost as easily, efi and all.  i've seen such a swap, and it
looked so stock it bugged my eyes out.

" >I have also been told that I would need the motor mounts and v8 cross 
" >members if I dropped a 360 in the old beast. I don't think the 360 would 
" >be practical being the body is of old fashion uni-body design. I am 
" >looking to keep good gas milage with alot more power, so figured I 
" >wouldn't be loosing much of a difference if I stick with a six. I am 
" >asking advice, opinions, and of warnings.

i'm a six fiend myself, but it's pretty much a drop-in too; '66-9 came
with v8s, as big as 390.  the unibody is very strong.  otoh it's also
pretty light; you don't need a v8 to go fast.

" >    I don't want to fall into something that would require more than my 
" > understanding, I need to be able to maintain what I create. Any ideas 
" > would be greatly considered and appreciated.
" >I am also looking to locate parts for my mission. Driveline, front disk 
" >brakes, 258/232, 904 on the floor or Automatic, Amc 20 rear. 

you don't need the amc20 unless you're considering serious hp, and
they're pretty rare.  the amc15 you already have was used with 258s
right to the end in '88.  likewise the 9" brakes, though 10" drums
all around and even front disks ['82-3 amc the best] are easy swaps.
if you just want to get rid of the 'big nut' yoke, i believe you could
rebuild the axle with later r&p and yoke.  certainly swap a '65-6 232
or '67-9 any six american rear in.

the dana 35 that comes in 4.0 jeeps is based on the amc15.  though it
won't fit, it suggests adequate strength.

also, a '74-6 dart 8.25" should be a good fit and easier to find then
an amc20, though it has lh thd studs on one side which i'd want to
change.

why not a stick?  a mustang 5.0 t5 is a pretty easy job.

also, be advised there was a major change in the sixes in '72: earlier
blocks have the 196 bellhousing but later [4.0 included] have the
larger v8 bell.
________________________________________________________________________
Andrew Hay                                  the genius nature
internet rambler                            is to see what all have seen

adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                       and think what none thought