Re: Reality Check Weekend

[JOE FULTON <piper_pa20@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

--- farna@xxxxxxx wrote:

> Joe, sounds like typical heater rust-out of the cowl
> floor. It starts around the heater air inlet in the
> cowl floor then eats its way across. The second
> place these cars rust id the pinch weld seam between
> the floor and side of the car. The seam is bent in
> such a way under the wheel well that mud can get
> trapped in it, which then holds in moisture, which
> eventually rusts the seam. It's sort of structural,
> but isn't the main support -- the cross member and
> transverse bracing under the seats are. I'd trim the
> badly rusted area, clean and paint the rest, then
> epoxy and rivet sheet metal over the area to
> strengthen it -- no welding required as the epoxy
> will be just as strong, and it's covered by carpet.

The corrosion is higher on the body than what you are
describing...more into the corner where the inner
fender and the cowl meet and into the passenger side
door post.  I haven't removed the passenger fender yet
and probed with a screwdriver, but I can see rust
holes when I look forward through the passenger door
hinge openings.
  
> I'd have to see pics of yours to really know how bad
> it is though.

I'll get some help from my sons and build a little web
site to show pictures..soon I hope.

> The 195.6: If the valves are the problem, replace
> them.

The machinist only knew of Egge Machine as a source
for valves and suspected that they would be expensive.
 Since I'm postponing further work on the car, I'll
have time to shop around. Yes, new exhaust seats, at
least, were planned.  The head was magnafluxed and
passed inspection already.  

> The ticking sound might not be a rod knock! Unless
> you KNOW it's coming from the bottom end check the
> valves first.

Well, with the engine running you it sounds and feels
like something is hitting the oil pan.  There is also
brazing on the pan, where a whole was probably patched
previously. It's been awhile since I've been around
solid lifters but I think I can recognize the lifter
noise. One thing, though, when I was getting the
engine disconnected and ready to pull I discovered two
of the bell housing bolts were only finger tight and
one was missing entirely.  The two larger bolts at the
bottom of the bell housing were tight though.  One
starter bolt was loose also.  

I also have a 196 aluminum engine which I can inspect
and see if it's worth installing.  There's some
external corrosion of the steel freeze plugs so I
don't know what to expect when I pull the head.  It
has hydraulic lifters though, how fashionable of AMC?

For the present, the wagon will be relegated to a yard
ornament, hopefully to return to the roads someday.

Joe Fulton
Salinas, CA