[Amc-list] Re; How 'bout a Chevy?

["John Elle" <johnelle@xxxxxxxxx>]

That the thought of some using something other than an aprx. 20 year old
outdated engine in their personal car, has apparently raised the ire of
normally rational people on this list. 
As some people refer to them selves, I was different before it was
fashionable to be different. 
Thus when I look at my stable I see; 
A 1970 Mark Donohue 390 cooking version w/ Isky/Edelbrock (air
gap)/Mustang T5 smog legal street machine. 
A 1974 Hornet 304 Auto PS/PB/A/C Levi/X, Hatch back that will be a 360
bolted to a 998 when done. 
A 1976 Hornet 232/auto PS/A/C X Sportabout that when done will join the
stable. 
A 1980 AMX, Very Close to OEM manufactured, a show winner and a driver w
a 258. 
A 1980 Spirit with nothing stock, fuel injected 258/Isky, compression
and parts galore. Also a show winner 
and a driver. 
All of above will run well and be smog legal in this state. 
All "will" be show winners and drivers and will add to the current 100
dash plaques and 50 some place awards I have. 
Included is a spare rebuilt 232, a spare rebuilt 904 and a builder 360
that lives on an engine stand.  
And I done it myself
 
Rough Quote, 
In my area, people don't put Chevy engines in other brand cars!
The current Issue of the Good Guys Gazette good deals shows 60 Chevy
engine cars for sale. 20 of them are Chevy's. Guess what the other
brands are?
And this is typical
And for those with Rambler mentality on costs, you don't even want to
guess at the prices. Try getting any of this with an AMC car. It won't
happen!
 
Objective, 
To build a fast reliable up to date street machine using a body that I
like. 
This objective will not be met with a 20 year old out dated motor. 
It will also not be met with a Borg Warner automatic transmission which
did not have any record of reliability when they were new! Much less
after 35 years of neglect and abuse. 
 
A quick look through the local Craig's list shows about 7 possible
running Camero Donor cars with 700R4 transmissions. Some thing that is
far better than any of the old BW or Torqueflite transmissions. 
They will also have a SBC engine, running, not full of mud dobbers,
water or desert dust. These will have ALL of the mounting brackets for
accessories such as alternator, A/C, P/S plus all of the appropriate
smog equipment, a starter, A tuned port injection system, a computer to
run the engine and a 700R4 transmission that works, There will be a
radiator, condenser and a bunch of misc. hardware along with the wiring
harness (All GM and many aftermarket compatible). 
Not only that but the fuel injection will work better than the one I
have on my Spirit and the one that is in my Chrysler. It was not until I
had purchased my Chrysler that I discovered why the Spirit runs as poor
as it does, it is based on the Chrysler and it does not run so hot
either. Any GM car I have owned ran better than 
my Chrysler and Spirit do. 
The costs of the RUNNING donor car will probably average out to about
$1500 and will be worth every dime of it. 
If I want something more there are small block Chevy engines available
in any tune you want to pay for and turn key at that from under $1000
with a 1 year warranty to prices pushing $15,000 that are show case
pieces them selves;
 
http://www.smedingperformance.com/
or 
http://www.southernperformancesystems.com/
 
The 700R4 transmission is a very capable transmission and it too can be
had with a variety of options, as long as your budget can swing it. 
 
http://www.phoenixtrans.com/
 
You can pays ur money and get ur products. 
I't don't happen w/old AMC stuff. 
 
In addition there are plenty of manufacturers of replacement parts,
modified parts, misc. support parts such as motor mounts,  transmission
mounts and the list goes on. 
There is no way that the average Joe can build a really nice AMC car out
of the rejects that are left over after the portable crushers have gone
around and made the wrecking yard boys happy at $200 a ton lately.
Between rust, sun rot, neglect and abuse, what is left is just not worth
the trouble unless you really want one and then be prepared to pay the
price to get the body and interior back into any kind of decent usable
shape. 
I am not talking about another years worth of use as a back yard beater,
but as an alternative to going out to a new car or used car lot and
purchasing decent transportation. 
So if I wish to add a small block Chebby powered AMC to my collection of
automobiles, I really do not expect to hear the narrow minded attitude
that prevails in some areas. 
Keep in mind MY basic philosophy, 
My Car!
My Money!
My Choice! 
If you don't like my choice, Lump it. 
I support you on any manner that you choose to practice this hobby, 
And to be perfectly honest, I don't really give a dam whether you like
my decisions or not!
Face the facts, there are not many of these cars left and what is left
is hardly worth the money to drag them out and deal with the rust, abuse
and neglect. 
Another rough quote
My AMC driver is not reliable enough to make the trip. 
Response to that, all of my AMC cars can be driven cross country turn
key at my whims and be show competitive when they arrive.  And all of
the currently licensed ones have done that.
Now just out of curiosity does any one want to buy my Hornet Hatch back.

$2500 will get it rolling with all of the parts. 
Another $500 will get the 360 that goes with it. 
Buy it now, it will be a lot more expensive when I am done with it. 
John 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note, 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.amc-list.com/pipermail/amc-list/attachments/20070625/3aa093af/attachment.htm 
_______________________________________________
Amc-list mailing list
Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list