Re: [Amc-list] Late engine/trans into earlier body...(83 Spirit running gear into a 1963 Breadbox)

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

The late model AMC six (199/232/258/4.0L) WILL NOT fit in a 58-63 American. It's 4-5 inches too long. In the 64-65 it's a tight fit, but can be done -- you only need about two more inches in the engine compartment and a special short shaft water pump to do it -- but that engine compartment is 4-5 inches longer than the earlier American. You could probably fit an Iron Duke in there, but then you have to contend with left side clearance -- the "hump" has to come off, and even then the intake is likely too far over. The only way to fit a late AMC six in is to toss the heater and set the engine back Pacer style. I've seen one guy do it, but no way I'd go to that much trouble -- may as well stick a small block V-8 in it, or a small V-6. Those also have hurdles -- the accessory drives, especially on the short V-6s, are way to wide. Easy enough to solve, but costly, using hot-rod narrow accessory mounts. 

The only more or less modern engine that is an easy fit is the Ford 200/250 six. Swap transmission with it. The late model 250 uses the SBF bolt pattern and could use an early model AOD or a five speed. I wouldn't use a 200 unless it was free/cheap -- not much more power than the 196, but parts availability is of course better. May as well go with the 250 and get the benefit of the extra inches. 

A fellow over on www.hotrodders.com (goes by "ramzoom") is working on two interesting early Rambler engine swaps (in 58-60 models, the same under the hood except for heater design -- placement is the same). One is a Mazda rotary from an RX-7 (twin turbos) and the other is a Quad-4. The Q4 intake curves back over the engine, so it might fit without cutting the left hump off. This guy plans on using side draft Webers, I think -- will have to check it out again. The rotary engine looks like it would fit without the turbos, but he ended up doing a custom Mustang II front end and cutting most of the fenderwells out for room for the turbos. NOT for the feint of heart, and some Rambler guys will find all the cutting disturbing, but he IS doing a real neat and professional job, not a hack! 

Here's the link to the Q4 swap: 
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/rambler-american-engine-conversion-2-a-149011.html

Here's the twin-turbo rotary swap link:
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/rotary-rambler-update-146961.html

---------
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:25:33 -0400
From: "Jerijan" <jerijan@xxxxxxxxxxx>

I have decided that I'd like to consider 'dropping' my Spirit engine and 4
(or 5?) speed floor shifting tranny into my Breadbox convertible 'lock,
stock, and barrel'; The 258 is one bulletproof, super tuff engine; reliable
yet cheap to run.with the 2bbl and it oughtta get fair gas milage with an
'overdrive' tranny.

-- 
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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