Re: [Amc-list] one way or another

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Dave, that's just how it is with an old car that probably wasn't well maintained in its last years of operation! Any real Rambler guy knows you're just going through that nickel-dime phase that usually lasts a year or tow -- or until right after you sell it. Nothing is more irritating than to sell the car and the new owner replaces a few things you hadn't got around to and is then happy with his great buy! 

To drop in a 287 (or 250 or 327) you need the V-8 engine supports, bell housing, torque tube, and rear axle (you already have the trans). Six cylinder cars used a lighter torque tube and AMC 15 rear axle, V-8s used the AMC 20. The front engine crossmember is the same on the six and V-8. The rear auto six crossmember looks just enough like the V-8 rear crossmember that it could be modified to fit with some welding. But you'd need the two pieces that go front to rear between the crossmembers (see page 3 of the 6 cyl. section and page 4 of the V-8 section in your 62 TSM). Being a decent fabricator you could probably make those pieces. Better yet, get a universal support for an SBC to 1930s chassis then modify it to drop between the Rambler rails, drill the engine supports for the AMC V-8 (you can get it from JCW). I've done that -- it can be made to bolt in easily. If you don't mind ladder bars it would be easy enough to put in a late model AMC V-8 and trans with something like 
 a Ford Explorer rear axle. With all the work involved you may as well, unless you find a 56-62 V-8 Rambler for parts. Remember that the 58-61 Ambassador has a longer wheelbase though! Everything should fit from the transmission back, but the engine mounts will be in a different location. The stretch is between the firewall and front axle centerline, so the engine mount locations are different (further back). The engine mounts can be modified or fabricated though. 
-------------
Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2007 19:16:52 -0700 (PDT)
From: d stohler <das24rules@xxxxxxxxx>

so i think i have decided if i cant get this 65 on the
street in the next month or 2, i am going to pull the
drivetrain out of it and part it out. im sick and
tired of fixing one thing, and something else screws
up. 

how hard would it be to drop that 287 in my 62 classic
with the 196? i am in need of a bellhousing, flywheel
and clutch stuff. i have a newly rebuilt t86/r10 in
the garage. if i put that 287 in there, i want to use
that setup. i could swap out the entire drivetrain,
but i HATE automatics. 

anyone have any leads on bellhousing and clutch stuff?
i REALLy just need the fuel tank sending unit/pickup
and i can put the tank in and i "THINK" its about
ready to go on the street. minus heater, and some
other misc. stuff. 

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


_______________________________________________
Amc-list mailing list
Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list