Shortening the driveshaft is no big deal, just have
trans installed, hold up driveshaft, measure how much to be lopped off, and have
it cut. Here is Houston, there was/is(?) a place called US Driveaxles where I
took mine, they cut, sanded, welded, balanced it for $36. Since (I think) you
are in Michigan, you might get with Richard estermeyer who hails from Ypsilanti
and was parting out a number of Gremlins & Hornets. Also Vic Owens at Circle
City AMC in Indianapolis area, both on my VENDORS list
I don't remember is the Gremlin/Hornet Series with
the six has a altenator on different side as opposed to the V8s which is on
passenger side, so if different, easily splice wires to lengthen. Someone asked
a ebay seller about power steering on their Gremlin 'as they didn't see it' but
like my 74, the power steering pump on passenger side, while actual framebox is
on, duh, driver side, so was last year they used that goofyass setup with the
sixes. And yes, AMC ran the power steering hoses under oilpan to other side.
On Bob's mention of headers, I have never had a set
that actually fit, and have tried them all thru years, Doug's, Hedman,
Blackjack, Cyclone, you name it. Either had to put two sets of gaskets on
manifolds to seal, or had issues with baffles, but biggest problems was
clearance with starter. The pipe literally sits on it, which causes issues like
burinign up armature. You can seadte it with heat wrap, but that only works 1/2
the time. Otherwise will be like my 71 SC/360 with Hedmans, if I go to car show,
or even store, I plan to stay a little as it won't start, rrr...rr..rrr as
starter too hot, and when it cools off, cranks right up and go. I have not tried
the shorty headers mentioned below, and $1200 Headers By Ed are out of my price
range, but understand best out there custom made.
A big yes to the mini starter as Bob said I have fought
with one several times.Takes more beer and a couple of perks for pain
. Finally got it in but not worth the effort. Jegs has a
powermaster mini good for up to 18-1 compression I willl be installing
on my 401 soon. Cost is under $240 And with the new pistons a
stock starter is not getting the job done .I had a whole new driveshaft
made by a race shop in WVA for $125 and it is larger than stock but no
problems. Good luck !
From: baddassgremlin@xxxxxxx
<baddassgremlin@xxxxxxx>
Yes, Bulltear makes a good mount kit for putting in
a V8 on to the 6 crossmember, and yes Bulltear sometimes has customer
support issues, mainly because he takes on more than he can handle
sometimes, he's a great guy, and very Pro AMC, but like I said,
he tackles too much sometimes and can't meet deadlines if you order
something special. But if the engine mount kit is in stock, then you
should be fine with ordering from him.
Headers I would go with Heddman. A couple years back
I ordered every available header made for any AMC application, just to
see what one fit my Grem the best. I'm running a TF 727 and the
heddmans fit the best, including clearance around the transmission,
and overall quality was good.
Yes, you'll need to get the yoke for the 727, as the
904 will not fit. Best bet is to get a driveshaft from about a 72/73
jav/amx that had the 727. this is a heavier duty shaft then what any
of the small V-8/TF 904 set ups had, so it should hold up to the 401
power. Also, with that driveshaft, you'll have the proper yoke and a
long enough driveshaft that you can have shortened to the correct
length to meet the ford 9"
As far as the rear end yoke situation, when I had my
drive shaft shortened, the driveline shop had the proper yoke end that
they welded on the back end of shaft that matched the 9"
rear end u-joint size.
Yes, you might want to consider going to the front
springs out of a V-8 equipped grem or hornet, although I have a friend
that kept his stock 6 cyl springs and it seems Ok?
I'm not sure about the 6 cyl trans crossmember, as
mine was a factory v-8 set up, but you could wait till you
get it in and see how far off the mount is?
Also, I think the fuel line coming from the
tank is on the pass side for 6 cyl, and driver side for the factory
V-8's, so you'll need to account for that.
As far as the starter: Plan on going with a mini
starter ($350)... I tried getting the stock starter in with the
headers for many hours and finally gave up. I know it should fit, but
I could not find the secret to getting it in. even with headers
unbolted and engine loose so I could move things around, it was still
not happening... Maybe another 10 beers might have
helped?
Hope this helps...
Bob in MN
schustercj asked:
"I just bought a '74 Gremlin and I want to add a 401 / 727
to it. What do I need besides a v8 cross member? Do I need the v8
trans cross member? If I go with a Ford 9" rear end what do I do for
the drive shaft? Are any of these parts available after
market?"
|
__._,_.___
![]()
__,_._,___
|
Back to the Home of the AMC Gremlin