Hey all , new to the hamb & in dire need of help. So , ive got a new project & am going " el cheapo" on this thing. '64 rambler wagon ( i know , i know... Its a rambler ) thing is , its pretty cherry , only thing missing is the motor.(maybe a good thing , huh? ) anyways , ive seen others years ago , with stock trans , but swapped motor. Whats the deal on this? Can anyone help? Ive got a small block chev sitting around collecting dust. Ive heard bits & pieces on this swap of 350 to stock 3spd w/ od trans , but cannot seem to get the full story or list of parts needed. Any help with info & or parts list would be truly appreciated. I really need this thing going soon guys , i just want outta' my honda. If you have any info call me at the tattoo shop @ (530)-343-1313. Thanks to all. & remember , ... "it may be a rambler , but at least its american!!!!!":d:d:d:d:d
Hey Chas, first thing you'll need to do is an introduction, that's a must around here. Then post some pics of the AMC to invite the crowd to give you an assist with the engine swap. Otherwise you'll bring heat down upon yourself by not following the pre-discribed rules of the board. Anyway, welcome to the HAMB and good luck with the soon to be Ramber Scambler. I bought a new 1969 AMX back in the day, 390, 4 sppeed. FAST little surprise to many who dared...
Put that stock trans behind a V-8 and you'll be picking up pieces as you walk back home! The stock trans is a Borg-Warner T-96 three speed. No synchro in first, most "modern" drivers try to down-shift into first with the car still moving and strip gears. The big deal is the trans was marginal with a bigger six. AMC used it behind a 232/1V six in the early 70s in the Gremlin and Hornet and the trans didn't hold up well. After a couple years they finally dropped it. If you're going to drop in a 350, do a 350/350 combo. The rear axle is about equal to a Ford 8" or GM small axle. The AMC 15 axle has a 7-9/16" ring gear. Just make sure you loosen the nuts on the axles and have them torqued to 250-300 ft/lbs. They get loose with age even though the nut gets stuck and may take 500-600 ft/lbs to get loose. Stuck isn't the same as properly torqued! I usually call the local big rig shop and take the center caps off my wheels, they loosen and torque on the car. If not properly torqued you could spin a hub in an axle. Nothing to worry about running street tires that fit in the wheel wells, but do torque the nuts to be safe. Spin one and you have to replace the hub, IF you can find a replacement! Can't be a used one, has to be new due to the way they are splined together. You can of course get a used axle with hub... if you find one. I almost forgot, that car will have a "big nut" rear axle! There's a big nut around the driveshaft yoke that clamps it to the splined pinion shaft. You can use it, but I'd ditch the axle. Early Ford Ranger axles fit, and you can get an 8.8" from a 4.0L Ranger up to about 92. Somewhere around 93 or 94 the Ranger axle got a little wider. Search the internet for "Ford Ranger Axle" and you'll find the widths. The Ranger has the same bolt pattern as the Rambler. Chevy S-10 axles fit too, but different bolt pattern. If you don't mind that....
Thanks for tha help farna , ive already been thinkin' that was my best bet. Oh yeah as for the intro..... Im a tattoo artist outta chico ca. & just your average greasy redneck. Im hard headed , pissed off most of the time & spend the majority of my days cussin' my cars.my wife loves me (a little) & the cars (a little more) im a clamper in good standing & i hate hondas (though the wife insists on owning one) if youve got a question..... Ask me. Thanks for listening fella's.
Hey Charlie, if you head over to Welder Series' (HAMB Alliance Vendor) website they have a article on installing one of their universal 4 links into a Rambler wagon. I'm building a 64 wagon as well and ordered a four link from them. Check it out. http://www.welderseries.com/blog/2009/06/04/canadian-hot-rods-rambler-4-link-install/
Gas cap -- try: www.ramblerparts.com (Galvin's Rambler Parts) www.blaserauto.com (Blaser's) www..kennedyamerican.com www.[B]americanpartsdepot[/B].com
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