Re: Spirit 2.5 and...

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Thje American is actually LIGHTER than a Spirit. Just a few hundred pounds (200-400) though. The old 196 weighs in at over 500 pounds, the 2.5L GM at least 100 pounds lighter. I don't recall the exact weights, but my 61 American w/L-head weighed only ~100 pounds more than my high school buddies 71 or 72 Pinto, and hte Spirit, with door girders and other items, is a bit heavier than a Pinto. A Ford 2300 moves an American around just fine, I've done that before, with a four speed. Top speed is about the same as the old 196, mileage is too. The car will seem a bit more spunky though, because the old 196 takes so long to wind up. You'll need a rather low rear end gear to help the little four get the thing moving thoughy. The one I helped with had a 4.11 rear gear because it was originally an OD car. With the Pinto four speed (not my HS buddy's, this was much later) first was a little low, but the car didn't like taking off in 2nd on anything but a level or down grade. So get it !
 moving in first then shift quick. A five speed would have been absolutely wonderful!! Use the original rear axle, just get a driveshaft made (not that expensive!). 

The problem with putting another engine undfer the hood of a 50-55 Nash Rambler or 58-63 American (they are actually the same under the hood, with a different firewall in the 61-63) is the "humps" on the sides. They will interfere with the intake manifold (on the intake side). The older Pinto 2300 manifold didn't have very long runners -- I don't recall doing more than "a little hammering" to fit the Pinto engine in, but that was about 15 years ago. In any case, just cut through the inner fender panel only (there is an inner and outer -- no torch or sawzall -- use a cut-off wheel) and remove the hump on the intake side. The hump is a remnant from the 50-53 models. The panel was just never changed after the need for the hump was eliminated (change in upper shock mount). Then get some panel adhesive and rivets to put a flat panel over the hole. No welding required. Make the filler panel cuts straight and you won't be able to tell it's not original once painted, if you remove a!
 nd cover both sides. 

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

 -------------- Original message ----------------------

> Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2005 12:29:35 -0500
> From: imfatdad@xxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Spirit 2.5 and.....
> 
> Any opinions on whether a Spirit 2.5 and Auto tranny would push around a 63 
> American??  Just thinking aloud...  Anyone have any ideas if gas milage be about 
> the same as the 196 or??  I beleive the car is heavier for sure..   
> 
> Opinions and critism equally accepted.