replies

-->Frank Swygert wrote:

Mike, you NEVER have to apologize for jumping in! The main reason for the list is discussion, which includes asking "stupid" questions (it's only stupid if you don't know and still don't ask!) as well as giving opinions and stating facts.

"...have noticed the numbers and all changed a lot in the late 60s. It could have a lot to do with manufacturers, as you stated. I always beleived it had to do with the changing state of paint technology, going from the old baked on enamel to more modern acrylics, and in between.
"...The leading "P" just stood for "Paint", it's there from 1958 in the TSM, but the "P" isn't on the ! door tag for any year.

"...I just pulled my Dupont paint code book out. You're talking about a "p" AFTER the code, not the "P" as in "P1 Classic Black". Dupont had three different paint formulas at the time (I'm looking at a 1970 page as I type) -- Lucite acrylic laquer, Centari acrylic enamel, and Dulux enamel. Most of the colors are available in all three. "

and Glen Hoag wrote:
-->" Mike, "P" in the color code simply means "Paint". Some vendors list it,
others do not. It may be there so that when the code is seen out of
context, it's recognizable as a paint code. "A" after the color
number indicates Lustre-Gard acrylic enamel. (As opposed to a
lacquer finish?) "Poly" in a color description is short for
"polychrome", which lay people generally call "metallic".

I hope this helps. :-) "

---->Mike replies:
Thanks very much for the info. I still have at least one question:
    The Alamosa ! Aqua on my car very obviously is the irridescent variant. In today's hyper-critical restoration environment, how do I document the paint as irridescent as opposed to polychrome? (or metallic etc.)
    On the window sticker it simply lists,
    "68/00 alamosa aqua" and no charge or "n/c". The build sheet lists "color" as "68|00". As previously stated, the data plate lists 68A as opposed to 68.
    And what's the deal with two build sheets? At first glance, it appears to me that one was simply a mistake, and the other printed to correct it. The only difference between the two sheets is that the bottom row is one space off.

Matt Haas wrote:
    --> "The first year for the 258 (1971, I think) will not work since it has the
old Borg Warner transmission bolt pattern."
in response to:

"...Will any 258 fit in the Spirit? Are the mounting points different for! a Jeep
>or an Eagle?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Todd"

--->Mike replies,
    for what it's worth, I am currently repairing a transmission on my 74 Gremlin daily driver. This car has the t-14 3spd behind a 258. On that bellhousing there are multiple drills to mount other transmissions. Another thing: I'm not especially familiar with AMC sixes, but on other motors, (specifically Ford sixes and Chevy V8's) it is necessary to watch out for a manual vs automatic engine block. Certain blocks have provisions for things like bellcrank or hydraulic clutch slave cyl. mounts. On AMC's i'm not sure. I do have a 76 232 with an auto that I'm swapping onto the 258, so i'll look and see if there's any difference.
    Mike