Re: [Amc-list] Fw: 1966 Rambler V8 conversion

[adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Sandwich Maker)]

" From: "Eddie Stakes" <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
" 
" Todd below wants to switch his 199 six to a possibly AMC V8, if anyone here 
" can give him tips or has a AMC V8 for sale, even a 727 please feel free to 
" comment and thanks in advance to all who might reply.
" 
" ----- Original Message ----- 
" From: "Todd Dixon" <tadixon12@xxxxxxxxxxx>
" 
" 
" >I just purchased a mint condition 1966 Rambler 220 2 door hardtop with a 
" >199 six cylinder and three speed on the column.  I would like to a put a 
" >V-8 in it.  Is there any out there other the 290 that would bolt up to the 
" >existing transmission and also would you know anything about how hard it 
" >would be to change it over to a small block chevy with a Borg-warner T -10 
" >tranny??
" >
" > any help would be greatly appreciated.

with an early '70s 3sp bell any 290-401 would bolt up, but you'll frag
that little t96 in short order; it's not really strong enough for
anything bigger than a 232.  you'll also start to encounter rear end
problems; it's meant for six duty only also.

you can bolt an amc v8 in with the bulltear adapter mounts on the six
crossmember or a hornet/gremlin/concord/spirit v8 crossmember.  nobody
makes mounts for any other engines.

amc v8s also came with t-10 trannies but they're getting harder to
find.  a late-'70s 3sp setup is a ford toploader and you can sub a 4sp
for the 3 easily.

if you would like to dare to be different, a jeep 4.0 six will bolt
straight to your 199 motor mounts and it has a ton more power, as much
as the 290 you're thinking of.  you'll still need to upgrade the
tranny and probably rear end.

the jeep 5sp are good, but coming from a truck have trucky gearing,
very low 1st.  if you're lucky enough to find a turbo supra in a
junkyard, their r154 tranny is basically the same as the jeep ax15 but
with better car ratios.  or you could go with the amc t10 or ford
toploader setups, or the right amc bellhousing lets you use a mustang
5.0 t5 without much work.

there are also ways to put a 6sp behind a 4.0 or v8.

american v8 rears are scarce.  the hornet etc rear is wider but may
fit well enough.  8" and 9" rears from some fords - early mustangs,
falcons, mavericks are also in this width range.  the '73-6 dart-
valiant 8.25" is a near exact width match and strong enough for 318s,
but you'll want to replace the studs on the side that's left-hand
threaded.

start thinking about upgrading your brakes too.  later amc disks can
be bolted on, and there's a kit that uses ford ranger rotors.
________________________________________________________________________
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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