RE: V8 into 258 humpster

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Heck John, if you liked the way it drove with the six why don't you do something unusual and KEEP THE SIX! One of the most looked at cars at one show was a pristine, unrestored light blue 71-74 Javelin with the original six in it. If you really want to swap engines swap a 4.0L in. Keep the EFI and all and you'll have the power of a V-8 but no suspension changes required. you can even put an AW-4 OD auto in! One caution if you go with the AW-4 though. It's got a high efficiency torque converter that doesn't multiply torque much. US built trannys (at least through the 50s to early 80s) have a torque multiplication of around 2.5:1 (anywhere from 2:1 to 3:1). That's why such a high (low number) gear was used in the rear axle (most AMCs are 2.87 or higher). The AW-4 convereter only multiplies 1.2:1, so a rear lower rear gear (higher number) is needed -- someting in the 3.23 or lower range. I tried running a 3.08 with my stroker 4.6L and got worse mileage than I do since I changed!
  to a 3.55 gear (this in a 63 Classic wagon). I wanted a 3.31, but got a good price on a set of Jaguar 3.55 gears with limited slip (yeah, I put a Jag axle under the rear for IRS and 4 wheel discs). I think the 3.31 gears would be ideal for something the size of the Javelin, 3.08 might work fine in a Spirit. 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)
			

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: "Widiker, John D" <john.widiker@xxxxxxx>
> To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: V8 into 258 humpster
> Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 11:18:53 -0500
> 
> Well drove it 300+ miles and got it home fine, it's very very nice, almost
> no rust anywhere. Do need a passenger front fender as the one on the car is
> pretty creased. No cracks in the dash, interior is super nice. Trunk looks
> great and I could take my hands off the wheel for miles it tracked so
> straight. I LOVE THIS CAR!!!
> 
> Today I'm going to be looking for a fender, investigating v-8 swaps, looking
> at turbos, and smiling my butt off the whole time!
> 

> ~John