Re: AMC INK

[farna@xxxxxxx]

While I'm not dead set against re-powering an AMC, I agree with you Jock! It's to bad that the cars that get noticed in rags like these are mostly re-powered. The only good thing is that most of the builders aren't repowering because they don't think the AMC powerplants are any good, but out of convenience. I don't buy the old "it costs more" routine, but when someone argues that they know Chevys or can go pick up a crate engine and drop it right in they have a valid point. It is harder to find someone who really knows AMCs and can build one. Not impossible, and even a bit easier with the Internet, but what's the chance of finding a local builder? I'm not arguing for repowering with a non-AMC engine, but I can sympathize a bit. I've advised a couple people on how to go about swapping (if they are going to do it, may as well do it right and not ruin the whole car), but the first advice I give is they would be better off to keep it AMC. 

One thing you have to remember is in the hot rod/street rod world WHAT powers a car is irrelevant to a true rodder. Some have preferences, many nowadays like to go with unusual powerplants -- and any AMC engine would qualify as "out of the ordinary". Unfortunately, that's even in a nicely built AMC.

To most of those guys an engine is just an engine, and the SBC is a universal part only because it's handy. In the early days (50s to early 60s) even the SBC was often swapped out for something else. I have a 1958 "Speed Mechanics" magazine high lighting a 283 being pulled from a 55 or 56 Chevy and a 348 Cadillac being dropped in as an "upgrade". Those guys look at ANY car as just a bunch of parts -- most rarely see a name badge at all. They see the body lines and appreciate the overall look of a car, usually with some (hopefully) artistic or tasteful personal tweaks. Customs and hot rods are more rolling art than what's under the hood. So in a way "our" cars are being appreciated and getting some recognition, at least stylisticly. But I'll continue to encourage as many as I can to keep AMC power, even if it's swapping in a later model AMC V-8 or 4.0L six like I did. 

On August 3, 2005 Jock J Jocewicz wrote:

> The September 2005 issue of Hot Rod, show a 69 Rambler 2dr. sedan that is
> being made in to a Pro Touring car. It has a Chevy engine, too bad (my
> feelings!) & they show w/blurb a 64 Rambler Classic that came in 6th. at
> the Pump Gas Drags 2005 but it is also Chevy powered, too bad (my
> feelings!) but then Hot Rod makes up for it by showing a Rambler wagon
> that ran a 139.461 mph at the The Top-Speed Challenge and it is powered
> by an AMC 390!!
> 
> Jock Jocewicz - President/Editor NAMDRA     NAMDRA@xxxxxxxx
> 8537 Antioch Rd., Salem, WI 53168 (262) 843-4326
>           JOIN NAMDRA, the best AMC club around!!!
> '05 AMC NATIONALS - SEP. 15-17, 2005 CORDOVA DRAGWAY PARK
> 
> AMO#19, NAMDRA#46, AMCRC#974,  NHRA#41915, IHRA#6766


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