Re: [Amc-list] I hate to say it...

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Oh I understand completely Jim, but the Hemi can be a handful to put in. There's a guy over on the AMC Forum that's done it, but he used the rack and pinion and everything from a Dodge truck. 

If you want to do something like this you can go one better -- the 4.7L V-8. Look at it closely and you'll see that it has as much (or more) in common with the AMC V-8 than previous Chrysler designs. Story is that it was designed mainly by former AMC engineers (Jeep Engineering), and that's why it was first available in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Should be a good tow engine, and you can get some old Classic "287" emblems to put on the fenders! Everyone I know of with the 4.7L seems to like it... I think Mark Price has one. More at http://allpar.com/mopar/47.html

You could also use a 4.0L six. It would be adequate for towing the Rambler, but get a light trailer and make sure it has brakes on one axle. The XJ was rated at 5500 pounds towing capacity with the auto, 5000 with five speed (I'd use an auto with a good cooler). That old wagon weighs in close to an XJ, so setting it up with a 4.0L, AW4, and 3.55 (maybe a little more, but would make cruising hard) gears should make an economical cruiser as well as a decent tow vehicle. 

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Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 14:22:07 -0400
From: Jim Boone <fljab@xxxxxxxxxxx>

Lately I've been considering something sacrilegious;

I've been looking at my AMC projects, what to "cast off", and what to keep.  My absolute keeper is the '69 Rambler sedan which currently has a '70 390 with T5.  I also like my '67 Rebel wagon that currently has a 232 with T-14 3 speed that was installed later (before I owned it).  I had wanted to rig the wagon as a tow vehicle for the '69 - I thought that would be a cool setup to go to car shows out of area.

So, I was thinking, instead of scrounging/refurbishing all the correct AMC stuff, why not look at getting a 5.7L late model Hemi/auto trans setup and install in the wagon?  Would solve all towing and drivability issues.  Good, low mileage takeouts go for ~$4K with the trans and computer/wiring.  You can't hardly rebuild engine/trans setup for that, much less have the power and ease of operation of the late model stuff for that.

It wouldn't be AMC exactly, but it is "in the family", and certainly not the SBC setup most folks retrofit.  I'd have to upgrade brakes, rebuild suspension (which I was gonna do anyway), fab a custom driveshaft, and the stock rear AMC 20 would be OK - maybe a rebuild, upgrade to twin-grip and gear change (currently a 3.15), but, there again, I was looking at doing the rear anyway.

This would leave the '69 as the lumpy-cam, manual shift, "old skool" car for fun, and the wagon as a AMC version of the late model Dodge Magnum...

-- 
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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