AMC-List Digest, Vol 8, Issue 11

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Today's Topics:

   1. back from the salty desert (Tom Jennings)
   2. Jeep XJ Speed Control (cruise) For Sale (JOE FULTON)
   3. 66 rambler for sale (J. w.)
   4. Typhoon available (KENT ANDERSON)
   5. Re: Javelin electrical problems (John Elle)
   6.  how not to sell a car (francis.swygert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
   7. 1968 Ambassador Ad (Michael Bailey)
   8. Re: how not to sell a car (Eddie Stakes)
   9. Re: Javelin electrical problems (Tom Jennings)
  10. paradise - HONOR ROLL - road (Brien Tourville)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 18:13:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] back from the salty desert
To: AMC List <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.64.0609061720280.5772@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

(Long post; photos below.)

What a week! Got back Monday night from the Burning Man
festival. A whole week of camping with 40,000 other idiots on
a corrosive dry salt lake. A day or two of dust storms, many
photogenic dust devils, one complete whiteout storm with 60 -
70 mph winds (our PVC quonset hut survived).

Poor Rambler (63 Classic wagon, '70 232, M35 air-cooled trans,
torque-tube rear) made it OK, but I really pushed my luck; the
trans is in dire need of a rebuild [I knew this ahead of time],
it was weight-wise overloaded (600 lbs?) with gear: bedding,
clothes, food for two for a week; a 16 x 24 PVC quonset hut,
two bikes, tools and spares, and for the last 150 miles, 30
gallons of water. From sealevel up to 7000 feet (sans water
weight), the dry lake is at 4000.

Very nice slow drive up US395, the east side of the Sierra
Nevadas, a spectacular drive, if you ever get to make it;
about 450 mi. from LA to Reno I think. All quite beautful,
once you get to the town of Mojave (home of Space Ship 1).

For the last year, the trans has been slow to go into D1 after
sitting (fluid level fine). Of course, on the very first pull
onto I5, it refused to shift into 3rd. Had to bring it to
50mph, then throttle up. Thenceforce it shifted OK 2-3, but
slowly. Not Good. It did that a few times throughout the trip,
usually early in the day.

I really babied it; a dead M35 hundreds of miles from home
would be most un-fun. After 18 years driving this configuration
of parts I know every noise and can tell you what each component
is doing and at what stress-level and temperature; my brainstem
logic kept the trannie cool.



I tell you one of the worst inventions ever is air conditioning.
Yes, the Rambler has it, 2nd year now. But it has allowed
us to grossly overpopulate the desert (think: Phoenix. Sorry
phoenixites, no offense meant, it's a lovely town, but I think
it and other desert cities would be better off populated with
you actual desert denizens instead of LA A/C refugees) -- and
it encourages driving with the windows rolled up, the real crime.

Car A/C has turned "vacationers" into impatient, rude, dimwit
SUV consumers-of-fuel-and-landscape. I couldn't tell you how
many jerks flew by me in dark-windowed SUVs at 75+ past the
awe-inspiring sights, with LCD TVs in back glowing blue. Idiots,
why don't they just stay home?




Anyhoo, I had one road "failure", the wiring to the alternator.
I long ago converted to a three-wire GM-style. Bought one of
those replacement connectors for the sense and idiot-light
wires. The blue butt splice I used (probably 10 - 15 years ago)
corroded, resistance went up, and the alternator voltage was
hopping 15 - 17 volts, sometimes 17-18 volts. I heard the A/C
fan speeding up, and looked at the dash voltmeter!

A diagnostic tug on the wire momentarily flattened it out to
14.5V indicated.  Pulled out the connector, poked it cleaner
with a pocket knife, cut the bad splice out, recrimped (from
the toolbox) a new butt splice, problem solved.

I have the old corroded butt splice in my pocket. I plan on
sawing it open this weekend to see exactly how it failed. Failure
analysis is the key to reliability!

(I will buy a new connector, and SOLDER-splice the leads, no more
crimp splices under the hood! It also points out just how good
a job the factory did on their cheap-ugly-but-reliable wiring.)

The factory AM radio died over the summer; high alt voltage is
almost certainly the reason. Now I have to find a replacement
antique transistor (2N176). Battery looks OK, no water loss,
probably fine, as the voltage was spiking high, enough to kill
a transistor (and hurt a lamp) but not a big massy battery.


Anyways, it made it home without event, 17 hours of driving
instead of 12; 2.5 hours to get from Black Rock City to the
highway, and the other half avoiding inbound LA holiday traffic.
I was reminded why I never drive on holidays!

On our way out the door, still clean. No room in the car
for the spare tire; trunk occupied by huge propane tank,
so on the hood it goes.

http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00662.jpg on our way out

600 mi from home on the playa, camp set up, from Michael's tower
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00691 1st day setup, from tower

a pretty little dust devil
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00709 pretty little dust devil

start of dust storm
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00714 start of storm

pippa's pedal honda 600
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00736.jpg pippa's pedal honda 600

playa lifts into sky; soon total whiteout, 60 mph
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00741.jpg whiteout storm pre-arrival

home made steam car, including engine
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00750.jpg home made steam car

the rambler ensconced in camp
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00755.jpg rambler
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00761.jpg rambler dust

 >>> shudder <<< this is a flayed nash skin,
attached to a Ford Ranger pickup. Really.
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00767.jpg ranger

another steam machine, an old, restored Case thresher. It
drove around a lot. The train whistle was dangerously loud!

http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00775.jpg case

another stationary rambler shot
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00804.jpg camp

return trip, Bridgeport CA, view S. over Mono Lake.
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00815.jpg snow
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00822.jpg view

at home, drivers seat looking back
http://wps.com/BM/2006/images/dsc00827.jpg junk


I didn't see another AMC product at the event; in fact except
for an occasional big truck, and the steam Case thresher, I did
not see any vehicles older than mine. I doubt I saw more than
20% of the place though, and with 40K people, there likely
was 20K vehicles, not including the mutated ones.



I think I can state with some authority, the little air-cooled
BW M35 is a very strong and reliable transmission. Mine's 40+
years old; rebuilt well in 1989 or 1990; has had 8 or so fluid
changes/tuneups since then; and I keep the throttle rod adjusted
annually. It's in a car a bit too large for it, with an engine
bigger (1970 232) than what the factory installed with it
(195.6ci). I take care of it like aircraft, but I use the HELL
out of this car, and certainly did this last trip.

This winter I will find a rebuilder I trust (might even take
it to San Francisco if B&E Transmissions is stilll good) and
spend the $800 or more it will cost. 




------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 18:16:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: JOE FULTON <piper_pa20@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] Jeep XJ Speed Control (cruise) For Sale
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <20060907011619.50742.qmail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Folks,

Several years ago I bought a bulk lot of miscellaneous
NOS AMC/Mopar parts.

One thing is a (supposedly complete) speed control
unit for air bag equipped XJ Jeeps.

I can provide pictures and a bill of materials, but
the unit appears to be complete and is in the original
Mopar box with Mopar installation instructions.  I'll
sell it for $25 plus shipping to any U.S. address.

I would appreciate it if someone could also post this
to one or more Jeep lists.

Joe Fulton
Salinas, CA


------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 18:43:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: "J. w." <sacranoidclub@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] 66 rambler for sale
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <20060907014305.2954.qmail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/clcracers/album?.dir=418cre2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photoshttp://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/clcracers/album?.dir=418cre2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

that is the link for some pics of the car that i am
selling. due to the fact its taking more money then i
though and time which i am out of to finish for the
challange i am getting rid of it and taking something
else tothe challange this year...sigh...it looks like
the delta again....

anyway, the car is very good shape and runs and
drives. i have done a tune up to it gotten the lights
working that where out...had no turn signels and brake
lights. had to install a new turn switch, had to rig
something from something else since i could not find
the swiitch. but it will be easy to go back to stock
though.
fixed a bunch of little things with the wiring that
was causing the light issue. have all the pieces that
came out. the couple of things that will need to be
fixed are brakes, and shocks, and a set of tires since
the ones are pretty old it looks like with cracks.
the body is pretty clean and a few dings on the car.
the enine fires right up and runs very good. we fixed
the linkage that was having issues. the trunk is very
solid and very clean. 
any other things you want to ask or more pics email me
and i can talk to you about them.
the car is located in round lake beach, ILL and i am
asking $2000 for it.
thanks for your time.
jason walters

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Thu, 07 Sep 2006 00:15:53 -0400
From: "KENT ANDERSON" <65marlin327@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] Typhoon available
To: <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <002a01c6d234$50b947d0$6400a8c0@SONY>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"

It is with a great deal of intrepidation I write this post.  My illustrious dream of having TWO Typhoons to take to the cruise-ins is now shattered.  I must either PART WITH the "complete" car, or PART OUT the complete car.  I bought it, originally, to be a donor for the frame-off Typhoon in my garage.  But, it's a not a total gonner, and CAN be saved.  An original Typhoon.  The engine is as strong as an ox.  Interior is a wasteland.  Body needs help... and a lot of it.  Still, it can be saved.

My problem is this;  It just KILLS me to think about destroying a car that can be brought back to life.  It has a good heart, that 232 engine.  New tune up parts and timing chain and gears, and it's strong, strong, strong.  It WANTS to run, and take someone for a drive.  However, I REALLY need a lot of the parts on that car for the one I'm currently restoring.

So, here's the deal.... IF I can get the $1500 I have in it, it will be saved.  If not, I'm going to have to part it out to be a donor for my other one.  I'd really rather sell this one, and buy the parts I need.  That would cost more, but I don't care, if it will save one of these rare cars.

If you're interested, or know someone who might be, PLEASE contact me.  I have only about seven weeks, and I HAVE to move.  This car is not going to come along in tact.  It will either be in pieces, and the remaining hulk junked, or it will be in the loving hands of someone who will save it.  I can take/send photos.

Kenny

------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 21:23:29 -0700
From: "John Elle" <johnelle@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Javelin electrical problems
To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <000b01c6d235$6367e250$dfdc0d82@john1>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Jonathan
SNIP 
Problem not solved though, as soon it's the same thing where it won't
want to restart after driving for a while.  Putting a battery booster on
when it's acting up makes it fire right up, and I took apart and cleaned
up the starter and put in new cables, which leads me to think it's an
alternator problem.  Then when I'm driving it at night for the first
time, I notice the alt light is glowing dimly with the headlights on.
SNIP
In the for what it is worth department, I have owned my 1970 Javelin
since 1979 and my Dad owned 
It since 1971 and it too had a starter that ran poopy when hot. Right
from the get go. Of course the 
story at the time was that the high compression engine was hard to start
when hot thus the starter
would of course run poopy. As it was not the only car in the world at
the time that did that most every
one and myself bought into it. Eventually the starter went and surprise,
the replacement did the same 
thing. Until it went and then whatduyuh know! The next replacement never
gave a bit of trouble. I really 
do not know why so many cars of the time had the same problem unless the
starters of the time were 
one step removed from basic junk. Since then I have gone through the odd
starter here and there and 
have lost them when I did not think that I should (I currently have 3
AMC cars registered plus 2 drivers)
but I have never had a starter act like that again. Sorry I can not help
you here except give some 
sympathy but to tell the truth my feeling is the starters are faulty. 
 
Continuing on, the Motorola Alternator system has always left the idiot
light on glowing dimly at night. 
Some times more so than others. My 68 Rambler Rebel 290 did it when it
was a late model used car 
and my 70 Javelin still does it and has been doing it as long as I can
remember, which is since 1971. 
Never had a problem keeping the battery charged. Irritating as it might
be the system works. Why 
have I not changed it? The basic reason, it keeps the battery charged
and if it ain't broke there is no 
sense in fixing it. 
 
However trouble shooting is easy. Harbor freight sells a $3.00 digital
voltmeter on sale. I always buy 
a couple of them as they make good gifts, I can keep one in every tool
kit I own and they work just 
as well as the $350.00 DVM I also have. 
 
To trouble shoot. 
Key off, motor off. DVM reading of battery equals 12.4 volts DC.
Indicates fully charged. 
Key On Motor running, DVM reading of the battery equals 14.3 Volts DC.
Indicates alternator is working. 
 
There are  few other types of tests that you can do also to indicate a
nuance or two, such as read the
battery voltage with the key off and then turn on the headlights. The
reading should not drop by much,
 a volt or less is normal. However if the lights do not come on and the
batter voltage changes very 
little that says you have a defective connection on one of the big wires
from the battery. (usually) 
Take them off of the posts and the terminals and the engine block and
clean and re-assemble will usually 
fix things up.  If the battery voltage drops considerably down to
something less than 8 volts and the lights 
do not come on that is a good indication that your battery is toast,
make it go away. 
Just keep in mind, if the battery voltage is 12.4 volts with the engine
off, the alternator is probably getting the
job done. 'Specaily if it reads 14.3 with the engine running. 
 
Don't know if this helps any, but been there, done that and managed to
live through it. 
John. 
 
 
 
 


------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 04:27:02 -0000
From: <francis.swygert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List]  how not to sell a car
To: <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID:
	<8B4C911BEBA5E24888E353FF362B9E7702E660E6@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
	
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

The photos aren't to bad, at least they show what needs to be done --
EVERYTHING! So we have a $500 car, well, $1500 if it's not rusty
underneath... And you really want one. From Pensacola though?... I bet
it is rusty in all the wrong places..., with a starting bid of $5,000???
It would be worth $5K if it were a decent driver that needed paint, seat
covers, and a little mechanical work but was mechanically sound. $8-12K
decently (but not 100%) restored, and a 343 or even larger transplant
would sell better then stock 290 (cc??? Thing has to be a real dog...)
would, which is unfortunate. "Haven't seen one of these in a long time,
has to be worth a lot" (even in pathetic condition??).

-----------------------
Date: Wednesday, September 6, 2006 04:45 PM
From: eddiestakes <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 

This would be how not to sell a car!

The dog is getting into the car to take a dump.

Then the old lady is made to clean it up:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Florida-tag_W0QQitemZ280024927259QQihZ018
QQcatego
ryZ5357QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
My apologies is this is anyone's here car. Three words: change the
photos!




------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 21:28:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: Michael Bailey <route66rambler@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] 1968 Ambassador Ad
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <20060907042857.21321.qmail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

 
>From John Mahoney:

...Can you remember the only 1968 car that compared to
an AMC Ambassador? Can you please post the ad?...

Ambassador VS Rols-Royce Ad from Chris Z's Hobby Page


 
   Sorry, this one's kind of small and unreadable, but the gist of the message is there.
m.



 		
---------------------------------
Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com.  Check it out. 

------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 23:38:34 -0500
From: "Eddie Stakes" <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] how not to sell a car
To: <francis.swygert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: baadassGremlins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <044801c6d237$7dbb29d0$e8f3b148@piageedc1iqa5q>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
	reply-type=original

Hey, you would be smiling like Fido here too
http://i11.ebayimg.com/01/i/08/3b/7d/4f_1.JPG
 if you just let loose a load of Alpo...just to PO the missus knowing she 
will have to be the bucket brigade! How many of you remember Castor Oil? 
Yeee.....can dot the letter i on the wall.

Here is a Katrina car a state 1/2 over and in better shape, granted it is a 
Rebel, but shares same body with Ambassador:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230021204016
started at $599, now $499 and still no bites! Maybe we fido over there with 
them nutrias!

Them nutrias good eatin you know. Frank, you in the military (and thanks for 
serving our country and be safe in Afghanistan) but here is a government 
website on how to cook rats. I mean nutria:
http://www.nutria.com/site14.php
yeallllllee....them dare Cajuns et anything you put enough spice on it, pass 
the Jax and Dixie, maybe a Hamms!


Eddie Stakes'
Planet Houston AMX
713.464.8825
eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.planethoustonamx.com
Email is currently HEAVY
5-12 day reply times, call if important
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <francis.swygert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 11:27 PM
Subject: [AMC-List] how not to sell a car


The photos aren't to bad, at least they show what needs to be done --
EVERYTHING! So we have a $500 car, well, $1500 if it's not rusty
underneath... And you really want one. From Pensacola though?... I bet
it is rusty in all the wrong places..., with a starting bid of $5,000???
It would be worth $5K if it were a decent driver that needed paint, seat
covers, and a little mechanical work but was mechanically sound. $8-12K
decently (but not 100%) restored, and a 343 or even larger transplant
would sell better then stock 290 (cc??? Thing has to be a real dog...)
would, which is unfortunate. "Haven't seen one of these in a long time,
has to be worth a lot" (even in pathetic condition??).

-----------------------
Date: Wednesday, September 6, 2006 04:45 PM
From: eddiestakes <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

This would be how not to sell a car!

The dog is getting into the car to take a dump.

Then the old lady is made to clean it up:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Florida-tag_W0QQitemZ280024927259QQihZ018
QQcatego
ryZ5357QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
My apologies is this is anyone's here car. Three words: change the
photos!




------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 21:53:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Javelin electrical problems
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.64.0609062151250.5969@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Wed, 6 Sep 2006, John Elle wrote:

> It since 1971 and it too had a starter that ran poopy when hot. Right
> from the get go. 

Could it be a starter alignment problem, and not electrical? If
the starter is binding on the ring gear, it would draw TONS
of current (hmm, that is the unit of measure for current,
the ton, right?).

A test might be, loosen the starter bolts so it is slightly
wiggly, and start the car. If it turns over faster shimming or
reaming the holes might help.



------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Thu, 07 Sep 2006 02:34:03 -0400
From: "Brien Tourville" <hh7x@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] paradise - HONOR ROLL - road
To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <44FF851B.4101.9A4B54C@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

There's a 'Fresh Breeze' blowing thru the amc rank & file,
a new sense of righting long standing misconceptions with
a commingling new urgency that demands recognition
for their contributions to 'Encounters of the AMC'.



To this End I present:







=The Paradise Road Honourably Mention HONOR ROLL=
                    *audacity - mentalitty - chivalry*





The Right & Honourable:



*Michael Bailey

*Jim Blair






------------------------------------





=ENCOUNTERS OF THE AMC=




Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 08:44:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: Michael Bailey <route66rambler@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] Confused in Phoenix


 I had a most bizarre experience this morning after picking up my son 
from work.  

While we were cruising Molly past a county mountain park, a
Chrysler 300 came up on my tail so fast I thought he was going to
actually hit me.  

He proceeded to honk plus accelerate up to my bumper over and over, 
and flipped me off several times. 

The speed limit in that spot is 40, but of course in Phoenix the 
custom is to run about 25 over, and the guy seemed irritated that I 
was not following the custom.  

I never do these days, not for about 15 or 20 years now.

Pretty soon there was room in the oncoming lanes, and as he blasted
past, the dude in the passenger seat pointed at my Gremlin and 
laughed,flipped me off, then threw his coffee out the window.  

All over my car. 

I don't know what it was, maybe because I hadn't had my coffee yet, 
and this guy was wasting it. 

Don't know.  But I already knew it was splitting out to two lanes on 
my side at 55, and surprisingly, when I slapped the gas, I had no 
problem keeping up.  

"300 man" gets tight up on the next car and repeats the process with 
that person, then looks in the mirror, and seems genuinely amazed to 
see Molly running the same game on his tail. 

I couldn't stop myself from hitting the horn and running up on him a 
couple of times myself.  

My 22 year old son was grinning from ear to ear.

The guy goes into oncoming lanes again, and flies past that guy, more
bird waving etc., only to find himself waiting behind a tractor, as 
the left lane was solid work trucks.  

At this point the parkway on the other side is full of commuters, so 
that route is out.  

When he looks in the rearview, there's Molly, irritating him 
something fierce from the look on his face.  

I was starting to think it was the song "Beep Beep Little Rambler" 
coming to life. 

So I beep beeped.

Pretty soon, he has a small opening on the left side of the road 
again, and blows past the tractor.  

I didn't follow this time, because a couple of work trucks were 
turning off, and I knew there would be room, plus there was a dump 
truck in front of him.  

I had time. Quick dose of leadfoot, and he's mine again.

Mr. 300 checks the rearview once more, only to find a 74 Gremlin. 
AGAIN? 

Beep beep. 

He had nowhere to go this time, because there's a stop light right 
there.  We ended up next to each other.  

I didn't even look at him, just pushed in the cigarette lighter and 
took out a smoke.  

My song goes, "You're gonna do it, right?"  

I didn't think I was going to, but as the green neared, I could hear 
the guy's idle rise as he tried to pre-load the torque convertor, and 
the front of his car began that little lift.  

My hair began to stand up, and I knew I wasn't resisting. I notched 
the floor shifter into 2nd.  In front of us was a four lane state 
highway with a 75 limit.  

As the moment approached, his car was beginning to surge forward a 
tad.  

When the green hit, I dropped the hammer while camly lighting my
cigarrette.  

I had the guy cold on reaction time, but that ain't gonna get it by 
itself. 

And that's the strange part.  I heard one hell of a lot  of fan 
noise, and them Flowmasters on the Chrysler were belting out a 
beautiful tune, but I never saw him come up next to me.

I slipped the shifter into drive at around 55, a nice hard shift.  

I
watched as the odometer ticked off a half mile, still no 300, but I
could still hear it coming.  

My speedo was nearing the 120 mark, which I've always taken to mean 
more like 85 on a passenger car.  

At the next exit the guy got off without ever getting next to Molly. 

 We went on home. 

About an hour later, this guy and his friend were out in my driveway
walking around my car.  He wanted to know "what I had".  


When I told him it was a stock six, he insisted I lift the hood. I 
mean REALLY INSISTED.

  So I did.

You could just about hear his jaw hit the ground.  Dude was 
dumbfounded.
 
He asked about nitrous. nope, just stock carb.  

He looked at his friend, dazed, and that guy just licks his index 
finger, makes a mark in the air, and says:

 "Beep beep" with a big grin on his face.  

The 300 guy  turned beet red and told me he had 435 horsepower. I 
told him he's full of crap unless his car weighs 8000 pounds. 

Told him next time get an AMX.

 I don't know what happened, but I think his transmission is probably
 slipping.  
The only "performance modifications" to Molly are a .020
 overbore, a .260 cam, a trans rebuild and shift kit, and the twin-
grip rear end that came with the original 3-speed manual. 

It's still got the replacement one-barrel I bought in July when I did 
the cam. 

No header. 

My son then admitted that he also smoked a brand new Charger on a 
milk run without my knowledge.

Maybe I don't really need to build that six-pack, 5-speed setup after 
all.



mike




===    ===




From: "Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Confused in Phoenix


A: Ditto! Even though doing so is bad, I recently blew away a coffee 
can Honda in my '87 Comanche. Seems 33" tires, 3.73 gears and the 
Peugeot 5 speed agree with the 4.0L. 

He tried to take me on the I-405 onramp (2 lanes wide with a traffic 
light and 200 feet till it becomes 1 lane as it merges with the 
highway and the coast was clear), so I got on it and
squealled the tires as I hit second gear at 3500 rpm coming out of 
first (this trans speed shifts nicely since I put Redline MTL in it) 
Good thing I don't do it too often as the trans/clutch doth protest 
at such treatment!



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End of AMC-List Digest, Vol 8, Issue 11
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