Re: [Amc-list] Vibration in '63 American 440-H

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Haven't got to the vibration question yet, reading on my e-mail web interface on my back-up computer right now, which displays newest mails first...

I don't know why the engine always has an oil mist in it, but that would be why it uses a bit of oil at higher rpm. I had mine rebuilt and it still used a bit of oil at higher speeds. Will be interesting to see what your oil use is! When I was driving my old 63 American daily I made at least one long trip every year (over 12 hours on the road... usually 18 hours from Warner Robins GA to Elgin, IL, just west of Chicago). Cruising around 70-75 most of the way used around a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Driving around town and on shorter trips it used a quart every 1300-1600, depending on how much high speed driving was done. 

Oh, I had an automatic. It had the "performance" gear (3.31) instead of the standard 2.87. Remember, the torque converter multiplies torque by around 2.5:1. I had pretty much the same experience you did -- get it over 40-45 mph in high gear (around 2000 rpm) and it performed very well, below that and it was pretty much a dog... just the opposite of modern small cars! 

When you mentioned "learning how to drive it" all I could think was that's an understatement! People jump in old cars and expect them to be like newer ones, and they just aren't. You need a 64 or newer AMC with at least a 232 to not be disappointed if you expect it to drive sort of like a modern car. The older ones drive more like 40s and 50s cars, not even 60s though they were made then. Remember, a 63 American is a slightly updated 1950 Nash Rambler (mainly bigger engine, but close to the same old design that first appeared in 40 as a low cost economy engine), and a 62 Classic/Ambo is a slightly updated 1956 Nash/Hudson Rambler (first year of the "big" car, no small car for 56 & 57). 


-----------------
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:13:55 -0700
From: Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Amc-list] Vibration in '63 American 440-H
To: "AMC/Rambler owners, drivers and fans." <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <4891F2D3.4000608@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I'm revving to 3500 before upshift (was keeping it to 3000), shifting 
faster, and pushing through traffic more. It's not fast, but it's 
actually pretty nimble -- the way it's geared it's weakest in the first 
to second gear range, right where all the little Hondas are winding up 
into 2nd or 3rd the 195.6+T96 is strugging to get into the "power" (sic) 
band. But once you're above 2000 in 2nd it's fine. And it's surprisingly 
fine in top gear at 50 - 70 -- push that button on the shifter and it 
passes just fine, and torque at 2500 in 3+OD is adequate especially with 
enough spark!

I think people are afraid of this engine, it's pretty gutless if you 
live with V8s or 258's but it pulls great. The head-torque thing is so 
stupidly easy and quick it's not even a problem. Frank suggests every 
two years, but I'm driving about 10K miles a year (8000+ since Nov07) so 
I'll do it twice a year.

It's an old-fashioned motor, it's always got a mist of oil in the engine 
compartment somehow. Nothing serious. OK mine's fairly old, but still, 
the filler tube is the old fashioned breather type, and they made it 24" 
tall for a reason. It's got PCV, not road draft.





--
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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