Re: [AMC-list] SoCal TT!

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

No, not everyone... you just haven't been LISTENING!! I've been saying my 63 handled like a roller skate on rails for years, no one believed me... apparently including you!! Want to improve the handling? Forget a front sway bar. It only works if you're pushing almost to the limit of control on that chassis. You need heavy duty front springs. The high mount springs right over the turning center are very roll resistant, the stock springs are just too soft! So spend $160 at www.coilsprings.com and get a pair of progressive rate springs 12-15% stiffer than stock, at stock ride height. I think I ordered mine 1/2" shorter, 12% stiffer. You can just tell it's stiffer at low speeds, takes a lot of roll out. For the back end, you also need to stiffen the springs. Rather than order new ones, I used "half leaf" overload springs that clamp to the long rear part of the spring. Perfect! You need new spring bushings though. What I didn't get around to was installing sliders in place of the 
rear shackles (http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Leaf-Spring-Sliders,5817.html?sc=WGB&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=GoogleBase). That takes a LOT of slop out of the rear springs!

You don't need to rev the engine if you have really good torque. The 196 doesn't mind a little lugging, though I wouldn't let it get to that point. Regrind the cam and open up the breather and exhaust, then don't let it get below 45 mph. That was with an auto, with the stick you can go back and forth between 2nd and 3rd a lot easier, so can let speed drop to 35 or so (in second). I had 195/65R15 Bridgestone radials on aluminum wheels, M-35 auto, 3.31 gear. At 45 mph in 3rd I was running around 2000 rpm (assuming no torque converter slip, probably more like 2100). The cam regrind didn't take effect until 2000 rpm, so I had to keep the engine between 2000-3000 for prime running. 

That little body is STIFF!! The suspension gives, the body doesn't twist. You can't bottom out the suspension either. So it handles like a dream once the springing is right!! I told you so.... check the archives!! ;>


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Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:47:15 -0700
From: tom jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>

This American -- and i can't believe it's any different from any other
American if you simpyl fix all the broken worn out crap, no matter how hard
it is, and take the car seriously -- handles better than any rear-drive
stock American car I've ever driven.  I'm 54, I've driven a fair number of
cars.

Everyone is wrong.

--
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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