[Amc-list] Re; Rack and Pinion Steering

["John Elle" <johnelle@xxxxxxxxx>]

SNIP

I honestly don't think it's worth the effort to do on a system that is in
good condition.

SNIP

This is probably more true than not in "Most" cases. I seem to have stayed
with any AMC made 1970 and later, all of which have a fairly functional
front suspension that can be rebuilt easily and will work well on today's
roads and by-ways. Despite what appears to me as design concessions made
towards economics rather than precise performance, with new rubber, a decent
set of shock absorbers, a set of up graded AMC disc brakes all of which can
be accomplished for generally around $500.00 in parts not counting my own
labor my AMC car will drive and handle well enough to be proud of. Bling of
course is another subject and a whole different approach to accomplishing
the same thing. 

But in the case of the Pacer where the rack is an on going problem area and
as it was (as far as I know) a one model only application there is nothing
else to be able to salvage parts off of I sure would be tempted to figure
out how to deal with something like the Flaming River conversion as a model
as to what could be done. And if I ever felt the need to work with a Pre-70
AMC (that which has trunions) and some really funky power steering
configurations something of this nature would be seriously considered. Also
checking various "Hot Rod" vendors for 3 and 4 bar rear clips some of which
look pretty sharp and complete and are being sold as conversions for the
rear end and looking at the Ford Cop Cars 9" I would also be taking a
serious look on how to get rid of that torque tube drive system and be
looking towards a more functional transmission and engine combination.
Granted, nothing is particular in-expensive, but then again, the hobby is
not one of the cheapest ones around no matter how you try to justify it. 

As far as the $36,000.00 '63 Rambler American, the odds that some one will
pay a lat closer to that for the finished product than one would pay 20% of
that for a nicely restored example of the same thing. And the restoration
cost would probably exceed the selling price at that level anyway. 

At one of our shows a couple of years back an owner brought just exactly
that to the show. A nicely restored Rambler American Hardtop with some
really neat options on it. He had just bought it for about $2500 (and that
would not have paid for the paint job.) and was planning to pro-stock the
car after the show. The drive train was for sale. The rational behind the
plan. He could not have built a basic rolling chassis cheaper than what he
paid for restored Rambler. And that is the realism of the situation like it
or not. 

John.  

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