Re: [Amc-list] Take a look at a tired old Rambler

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

After looking at your pics of the engine and the rare service tag (http://backtokenoshawi.blogspot.com/), I have to agree with Mark and the others -- it's definitely a Service Replacement engine. Ignore the "S" and the date code comes out to be a 195.6 made in 1967, March 01. Most manufacturers would make a few replacement blocks/engines after the engine had been discontinued in the main product line, especially if there are cars the newer design engine wouldn't fit still under warranty and/or a reasonable amount of time after the engine was discontinued. AMC had that problem -- the 199 couldn't be easily substituted in a 58-63 American at all, but of most concern was the 64-65 American with AC. Those cars won't take a 199 without losing the AC -- something that wouldn't do for owners I'm sure. That the engine was made in 67 is unusual though. The stamping looks like it came from the engine plant, but it could have been stamped on a block that was made years before and sat ar
 ound for final assembly -- the engine code wasn't stamped until the engine was at least ready for assembly (it wasn't stamped at the foundry, but the assembly plant). The note stating to order parts for a 65 model is necessary because of the 67 date code. Order by the date code and you get parts for a 199/232, not a 195.6. The note about the water pump makes sense too. The 6501 (65 American) was the last car to use the 195.6, but it had a short shaft water pump that would hold the fan way to far back from the radiator. There were a few changes in the mid 64-65 block that make a few parts (camshaft and bearings, as well as oil pump -- it has a filter on the pump as your photos show) incompatible with earlier 195.6 engines, such as the original 63 engine.

Take and post a pic of the number plate in the driver's door. It should be just below the latch on the edge of the driver's door. That will have the model number, which should be 6316-5. If it is an Ambassador it would have 6386-5. The serial number is on the plate on the passenger side spring tower under the hood. A 63 Classic 6 will start with the letter G, Ambassador would start with the letter H. If there is a "T" after the first letter the car was assembled at the Brampton, Ontario, Canada plant. 

The hood and grille were likely replaced at some point with used parts, possibly the entire front clip. If it were an Ambassador it wouldn't have a six cylinder -- 63 Ambassadors all had 327 V-8s. It would also be an 880 instead of 770 model. 

Thanks a lot for documenting this car! The service tag is extremely rare -- I've never seen one! The number on the engine is unusual as well, in case you didn't notice by the message traffic. I don't think any of us on here who are usually consider experts on Ramblers have seen one. I know I haven't, and I've seen a LOT of Ramblers over the years! I've only seen a couple with special paint codes. 

------------
Date: Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:47:12 +0000
From: Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx

S is almost definitely for Service.
The trans out of my 69 was designated an S-42 on the tag.
I'd saying we are getting every close to being able to say that the S was stamped or cast into the service replacement assemblys to identify them to mechanics at a later date.
I wish I'd have thought to take a pic of that tag! before I shipped it out to California.

-- 
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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