Re: [AMC-List] rambler hot rod

[adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Sandwich Maker)]

" From: "Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>
" 
" A: Now that I see the original post, some things are a little clearer.
" 
" My take:
" Front axle should be a Dana 60 (or maybe 9". Dana 44 if not too much power 
" is made) flipped from a 4x4. D30 won't take much power to kill if it's the 
" only drive axle.

imho a d60 would be monstrous overkill for a little light track car.  i
agree about the d30 though.

" OR
" Rear motor facing forwards using Jeep 727 trans and NP208 tcase from a CJ10 
" tug shifted to 4 high (I drove my '83 Cherokee for several months this way 
" with no rear driveshaft) The one from a tug is built stronger than a regular 
" Jeep one (wider chain, etc) as they are used to move planes on the tarmack 
" with a Nissan diesel.

the nissan was also available in dodge pickups about then, so i
wouldn't be surprised if the t/c is a np208d.  one of the tricks for
beefing a jeep nv231 t/c is to use 231d dodge sprockets and chain, as
they're wider then the 231j parts.

i don't think an auto trans would take kindly to being spun backeards
though - unless you're talking about projecting fwd of the axle and
driving it from the front.  but if you're thinking of this --

" Balancing the weight/power will be the toughest part. Too bad the Tornado 
" didn't come with a Nailhead motor. Then you could use an FSJ adapter ring 
" from a TH400 to bolt it up!

-- then why not project the driveline back behind the rear axle and
use a t/c to reverse direction and drive the axle from the back?

offset the engine/tranny to the right and place them so the tailshaft
is about over [or under?] the axle.  strip the t/c of everything it
doesn't need, low range for a start.  maybe make a custom case with
only the sprockets and chain.  divorce it from the tranny and put it
on short driveshafts from the tranny and to the axle.

imho the axle would work best if the diff were also offset, to the
left.  start with something like a narrow-track cj quadratrac d44;
it's probably offset the wrong way so pull the tubes off and swap
them.  i'd also suggest pressing them back onto a high-pinion ford
front chuck; hypoid r&p are stronger pushing than pulling.  or just
call one of the custom axle places like currie and hand 'em your
specs.

or you could use/make a d44-based irs, like the jag or corvette [or
viper?].

" From: Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>
" 
" So I've been thinking and drawing over the last year or so ideas
" for a rambler hot rod. Six cylinder, sort of "old style" rod,
" track-roadster-ish. Two seats. Open wheels (motorcycle-type
" fenders), no doors, no roof.
" 
" I really want a mid-engine car, but Hallibrand transaxles are
" out of my range, but I think I've come up with a scheme for a
" rear engine, front drive car, using a jeep or eagle front axle.

wasn't there a relatively-recent corvette that had a transaxle?  they
oughta be showing up in junkyards...

just noodling...  but what about a cord-like layout, where the driver
and passenger sit mostly behind the engine but almost between the rear
wheels?

" I do have this Navarro-built turbo six... but it's not a
" requirement, and might not be appropriate to run in the street.

i think if you don't get weight/power distribution right, this engine
would be a big mistake.  likely a handful even if you do get it
right...

" The big chunks lay out OK for a 104" plus or minus wheelbase.

the cord approach would probably shoot the wheelbase up.  it'd be
novel though!  thought: doesn't the jeep liberty [ugh] have ifs?

" Big HP isn't a goal, so driveline strength isn't an issue. It
" goes without saying it'll be all AMC.

you'd have to make a custom bellhousing adapter, but a midengine
kitcar-modified corvair transaxle/irs might fit the bill.  iirc it's
saginaw made, so i'd guess perhaps 250 ft-lbs for a design limit.

" I figure standard hotrod kitcar junk for the rest of it. Weight
" distribution won't be all that great (heavy rear), eh, I'm
" not racing.
________________________________________________________________________
Andrew Hay                                  the genius nature
internet rambler                            is to see what all have seen
adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                       and think what none thought
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