Re: [Amc-list] 61 classic super (engine swap)

[farna@xxxxxxx]

You have plenty room under the hood for a GEN-2 or GEN-3 AMC V-8, but will need to change the transmission, rear axle/suspension, and driveshaft also. It can be done in several ways -- longish ladder bars (at least 30", longer is better!) with the stock springs is the easiest way to go. they don't ride the best, but on a smooth road you'll hardly notice. I know a guy with a 401 in a 62 Classic with ladder bars -- it rides great until you hit a real rough road. Handling is great on a smooth road also. 

The air cooled auto trans (a Borg-Warner M-35, might have "T-35" on the trans tag near the shift lever of the trans body) will bolt up to another six made before 1972. In 72 the bell housing bolt pattern changed. A 232 would be easy to find and have noticeably more power than the 195.6, though it's not a V-8. The trans would tolerate the extra power with normal driving, but if you "romp on it" a lot it won't last long. It's a light duty trans not really made for anything more than 200 inches, but as I said, it would be "adequate" for cruising with a 232. 

Even if you swapped in a GEN-1 287 or 327 and transmission, you would also need the torque tube and rear axle -- just about an entire donor car. The TT and axle are bigger (by necessity) in the V-8 models. 

Since everything needs to be changed, and AMC drivetrains are hard to find, thoughts of using "other" drivetrains are entering your head I'm sure. I don't blame you for that, and I've even helped with a few. When there is no easy stock solution it's to hard not to consider all options. You'll have to fabricate engine mounts to put a late model AMC V-8 in -- just as much work as putting whatever you have avaalable cheap and handy. I prefer to keep my AMC/Rambler cars at least all AMC/Rambler, but it's not always possible or practical. Some people are, however, very "touchy" on the subject! I'm not saying I condone it, I just prefer to assist with getting it right than doing a hack job that can't be converted back to original later. It's your car, your decision. Once the engine is swapped it's more of a custom or at least mild rod rather than a true AMC -- even my daily driver is that, and it has an AMC derived engine. 

One AMC derived engine to consider is the Jeep 4.0L. It's as strong as most stock mid-size V-8s from the 60s and 70s (about the same as a 74 360/2V), and relatively modern. The EFI isn't real hard to swap in either -- it's the engine I have in my 63 Classic wagon daily driver. The trick is finding a 2WD Cherokee or Comanche for a complete drive-line donor. If you live in snow country that's almost impossible to do! 


---------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2007 11:59:11 -0800 (PST)
From: Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Amc-list] 61 classic super

On Sun, 25 Feb 2007, JT <JT@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I have a 1961 Classic Super with a bad 195.6 I'm looking to put a AMC
> 340 or 360 in it. Will these engines bolt to my auto trans ???
>
> John

The short answer is no, not even close. The torque tube/enclosed
driveline cars use the older trans and bellhousing patterns, and
are different 6 and 8. Also, a 8 of any kind will probably eat
the transmission that's in there (little 3-speed or air-cooled
auto).

The only bolt-in solution is to get an older V8 (287, 327)
and transmission, but since all the donors are old you'll need
a known good/rebuilt one. Not easy or cheap unless you are lucky.

Unfortunately I believe that for 1961 that's your only "bolt in"
choice -- besides another early six -- since that year still
has the motor mounts up at the front of the engine.

For non-bolt in there are other options, but without replacing
the rear axle and suspension with an open driveshaft type,
no small project, it won't be a weekend job.

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