Re: Found a 70 Matador with 304

["amc74hornet" <AMC74HORNET@xxxx>]

--- In BaadAssGremlins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "blue77gremlin" <blue77gremlin@xxxx> wrote:
> --- In BaadAssGremlins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Eddie Stakes" 
> <eddiestakes@xxxx> wrote:
> > Finding a good running AMC these adays is a real challenge. Less 
> and less
> > exist. On the Matador you found, there will be a number of items 
> that you
> > will be abele to sell if you part it out also, such as the 
> windshield,
> > windshield chrome, trunk lid, rear glass & chrome all interchange 
> with a
> > Rebel Machine. If in good shape you should be able to fetch $10+ 
> for the
> > trunk lid, $200+ for the windshield, $20+ for the chrome, and if 
> nice, the
> > rear bumper you can name your price, as cores command over $100, 
> and ones
> > straightened and rechromed are $350 + core charge. A number of 
> interior
> > parts will also interchange with Rebel Machine which is why I m
> > model. That is your 'high water mark' vehicle, and most desirable 
> for the
> > parts. So that is where you focus your parts to sell, as if you 
> say you have
> > a Matador trunk lid, you will have it sitting at your place thru 
> Y3K and not
> > sell it, same with the other items, including many dash items.
> > 
> > The trans may be hard to find parts for if you ever need a 
> rebuild, for
> > instance as simple as it is, no one stocks a trans pan gasket for 
> it. Get
> > used to this as more and more companies quit making some of the 
> items we may
> > need for cars that few exist, whether Moog, TRW, Wagner, whoever.
> > 
> > I commonly joke with AMCers who call that AMC owners are like 
> Cubans. The
> > Cubans are wonderful people who love their old cars and are very 
> resilient
> > and resourceful when it comes to keeping them not only looking 
> good since
> > the 60s, but running good, regardless of what is under the hood 
> from a
> > Soviet Lada engine or lawnmower engine in their 56 Chevy for 
> instance. AMC
> > people are the same way and find a way to the means to keep their 
> cars
> > looking and running great. As for that trans pan gasket? I simply 
> went to
> > Home Depot and bought a roll of cork, and cut my own gasket for 
> that old 71
> > Javelin 304/AT, worked great never had a problem with it 
> afterwards.
> > Eddie Stakes
> > www.planethoustonamx.com
> > *Note volume of email is
> > extremely heavy, expect
> > 5-12 day responses
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "amc74hornet" <AMC74HORNET@xxxx>
> > To: <BaadAssGremlins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 4:20 AM
> > Subject: [BaadAssGremlins] Re: Found a 70 Matador with 304
> > 
> > 
> > --- In BaadAssGremlins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "blue77gremlin" 
> <blue77gremlin@xxxx>
> > wrote:
> > > Hey guys I found a 70 Matador 4 door with 50k and a 304 with 
> auto.
> > > The body is in bad shape but the owner said the motor is real 
> good.
> > > I was wondering if this motor and trans would swap easy in a
> > > gremlin. Anyone know the horsepower rating for the 70 and 71
> > > matadors? This car can probably be bought dirt cheap. Thanks for
> > > any info. SCOTT
> > 
> > I agree with Eddie, a 70 was still a Rebel although a Matador was 
> just a
> > slightly re-sknned Rebel except for the Matador coupe. The only 
> thing bad
> > about the deal is if there is one of those Aluminum Warners behind 
> the 304.
> > That was the trans they used behind the 6 cyl's and small V8's. It 
> was
> > marginal at best behind a 6 cyl. never mind a V8. There are 
> adapters made to
> > mount a later torqueflite to the Warnner equipt. engines. It it is 
> cheap I
> > would still go for it.
> > "Doc"
> > 
> > This Matador probably was a 71. I llok at so many sifferent cars 
> I can't always keep track. I was thinking along the same lines as 
> you Eddie - about the parts. Does the 4door and 2 door share the 
> same windshield? 
> If I have a 6cyl Gremlin and use this Matador with 304 to 
> convert it to v8 Gremlin, what else would I need besides a v8 
> crossmember? Will the motor mounts off the Matador work? 
> THANKS
> SCOTT
> 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Yahoo! Groups Links

The rubber motor mount may be the same but I believe you will need an engine plate from a V8 small car to mount it. Gavain/Galvins Rambler (I can't remember) sells repo engine plates and has exchange V8 crosmembers. Check Eddie's venders list for the proper name and info. If you have an early Gremlin with an aluminum Warner you don't have to futz with the rear crosmember or tranny mount.
"Doc"