engine swap (bigger motor mounts for 199?)

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: Kingkoopa1431@xxxxxxx 
To: eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2005 3:59 PM
Subject: engine swamp

were can i buy engine mounts so i can put a bigger engine in my 67 amc
rambler with the inline six 199! and do u have any clutch kits for the
199 3 speed?
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You don't really need "motor mounts", but you'll need a bell housing
unless you find a 64-71 AMC 232 or 258 six. In 1973 AMC changed the bell
housing for the six to the same as their V-8, so 73 and later sixes
won't bolt to your bell housing. Since you asked about clutch parts I'm
assuming you have a manual transmission. You should have a T-96, which
would be marginal behind a stronger engine. So you really need to change
the transmission as well. A later model six, even a Jeep 4.0L (that's
almost the same engine as your 199, with a bigger bore and new head and
manifolds with fuel injection). I have a 4.0L in my 1963 Rambler
Classic. If you can swing a 4.0L (the wiring isn't hard) you'll have the
power of a STOCK 1974 360/4V, but it will be easier to put in and you
won't need to change any suspension parts since it weighs a little less
than the 199 (about 40 pounds less). 

Installing a V-8 is possible, and not terribly difficult. The six
cylinder cross member can be modified, but you'll need the engine side
plates (bolt to engine between block and mounts) from a V-8 American,
Hornet, Gremlin, Concord, or Spirit IF you have an American. The Rebel
uses the mounts from any of the big cars (Rebel, Ambassador, Matador,
and even Javelin). For a bolt in job you will need the suspension/engine
mount cross member from the same cars as listed above. The exception is
you can't use an Ambassador cross member in any of the other big cars
(or Javelin). It had an extended wheelbase and the perches on the cross
member would push the engine back to far. 

You will find that the car will generate a lot more interest, and be
more salable in the future if you stick with an AMC V-8. Rambler/AMC
guys aren't much interested in Chevy/Ford/Chrysler powered AMCs, and the
other guys aren't interested in Ramblers with "their" engines in them.
The exception is if it's a particularly well done custom. Not the
ordinary home built custom, but the professional looking, really stands
out kind. Custom car lovers really don't care to much where the power
comes from as long as everything is particularly neat in appearance and
works very well together. So unless you're planning on throwing $20K+ in
to making this a super neat custom, start looking for a nice 360. 

360s were used in Jeep Grand Wagoneers up through 1991, so you should be
able to find one. Forget looking for a 390, or 401. 304s are plentiful
enough, and if you happen across one does make a great engine. But it's
going to be a little harder to find anything but normal rebuild parts
(i.e. -- no one makes performance pistons anymore, and stock rebuilds
may be hard to find). AMC never built a lot of 390 or 401 engines, and
they are in high demand. There were probably 100+ 360s built for every
390/401 out there, from 1970-1991. People are paying good money for 401
blocks that need sleeves and cracks repaired -- more than a good 360
block would run. Since the 360 was the mainstay, it's still relatively
easy to find.

You can use the transmission that comes from a Wagoneer also, though it
will be 4WD. Wagoneers used a GM TH400 71-79, Chrysler TF727 80-91. The
bell housings have the AMC bolt patter cast into them, so you can't use
any old TH400 or TF727, but the internals of the AMC model transmission
is the same as the GM/Chrysler counterpart. So standard 2WD parts from
those can be used to replace the output shaft and housing on the 4WD
model trans. For the most part that means rebuilding the trans. All AMC
360 powered cars used the TF727, so if you find a car you will be better
off. The last AMC car that used the 360 was built in 1978, so the auto
trans needs refreshing (gone through and seals replaced) anyway. 

MSgt Frank Swygert
436 CES/CECM (MilCon)
302-677-6436, Cell 302-363-0530