I just went through the same situation, almost. '64 Rambler Wagon. I chose to keep the original driveline. I think ion the long run I will be happy. Just want to keep 'em true.
Never heard of Rambler using enclosed driveline. Have to look that one up. Too bad the 232/258 sixes are so long. That has a really strong bottom end, 7 mains. Head design not so good. On top of my 3.8 v6 suggestion, I would go with the 195 OHV Rambler from those years if you can find one. Just make sure you find a hydro from a 53-55 American to bolt up to it!
Yeah Rambler used a torque tube setup on at least the automatics and it's a pain to remove and to do the drive shaft and such. not sure on the stick as I saw a 59 rambler american with a drive shaft and no torque tube.
I would think that the Americans would use a Hotchkiss suspension, and that it wouldn't be a big deal to swap an open driveline rear end.
Hi guys, No enclosed driveshaft on the Americans... The biggest problem you will have is the overall size of whatever you want to install. The humps can be cut yes but you cannot do anything about the steering box and tie rod unless you eliminate the front end..Not much will just drop in. Again, it is becuase of the front steering.
"Full Size" Ramblers have a torque tube as late as 1968. But they also came stock with a V8, there was a 250-CI motor that became a 327 before it was replaced with the late AMC V8. They also used that Borg-Warner transmission that was the same as a Ford, so a Y-block or 352 should be able to be made to bolt up if it will fit otherwise. I've often wondered why no one's used a Rambler trans to convert his stock Ford with the same trans to a push-button control.
So would a ford engine bolt to the rambler transmission or would you need to swap it out for a ford bell housing? Are the ford engines much longer then the rambler engine and did ford use the same transmission for the 6 cylinder? I'd love to find a ford engine that would just drop into mine if that's the case.
the engine in the pic is the L head, flathead 196 AMC. They quit using this in 63-ish, some 64's could have been fitted but probably not many. replaced with the 199 / 232 / 258.
Olds Quad 4. To give you an idea of fit... Quad 4's are 19.250 tall, 18 inches wide. 21 inches from belhousing flange to front pulley. Not sure how long and wide the Ford is?
Just curious, what was so bad about it? I am considering picking one of these up and anticipate having to rebuild it.
The 58-63 American only came with a flat head or OHV six. They are short and narrow, so anything else is tight (but can be done). The bigger Ramblers (56+) were made to hold a V-8 and have plenty room. So if you have anything but a pre 64 American (64-69 American was bigger and will easily hold any small block) a V-8 transplant isn't difficult. The 56-66 big models use a torque tube rear axle though, so you have to replace that and build a rear suspension. Not terribly difficult, just has to be done!
Oh, pinman, you don't need to stub the front to put in a V-8. An SBC or SBF fits with stock exhaust manifolds or shorty headers, but it's tight. You do have to cut the humps on the inner wheel panels, but there is another panel right behind them -- you loose no strength with flat inner panels. The front suspension may look spindly, but the old flat-head six they used weighed as much as a modern SBC/SBF -- maybe 50 lbs. lighter is all. An aluminum V-8 is probably 30-50 lbs. lighter than the old six. You just need stiffer springs. Even the cars with the original six benefit from 15% stiffer springs. I had a little 63 American with a hopped up 196 (about 170-175 hp is all you can get without big $$$) and stiffer springs. Ordered the springs 1" shorter and 15% stiffer from www.coilspings.com ( FYI -- the HD springs were about 20% over stock and a bit too stiff). Used half leaf bolt on overload springs on the rear leafs. The car handled like a roller skate on rails! Made me wish I'd put something a bit more powerful and/or would rev up faster under the hood. Even a stock 2.2L or larger four with a four or five speed would have been loads more fun than the slow revving 196 OHV built up. I've helped a guy put a 2.3L Pinto engine with a four speed in one -- a fun driver! Didn't really perform any better than a Pinto, but no worse either, and had lots more character!.
The only Rambler that used torque tube drive was the big Ambassador sedan, top of the line luxury model with coil springs and torque tube at the rear. All other models had a conventional leaf spring and open drive. This was a carryover from the Nash Ambassador that featured all coil spring suspension and torque tube like Buick, since the forties.
I saw a real nice one at a local show that had a Ford SVO turbo engine from a T-bird The engine compartment is tight because the heater/blower unit is in the middle of the firewall and has to be removed for any swap. The rear end will have to go and some serious reinforcement will be necessary at the suspension anchor areas. Don't be discouraged 'cause it will make a neat street sleeper.
All Nash models had torque tubes EXCEPT the 1950-55 Nash Rambler. All 1956-66 "big" Ramblers (over 100" wheelbase) used a torque tube EXCEPT the Rambler American. The small 100" wheelbase Nash Rambler was reintroduced in 1958 as the Rambler American, and that same chassis was used through 63. In 64 a new American body was introduced but it still used an open driveshaft. AMC changed all car to open drive starting in 1967.
aaggie, you can keep the heater if you're using a V engine or four. The straight six that was in it originally is just a bit longer than a V-8. It might be better to move the engine back, but not necessary. Steering might clear the oil pan better if engine is moved back a bit also. Unless you're putting some serious power in (not just a stock LS... say something over 300-350 hp) the suspension should be fine. It's a unit body, but those old Rambler unit bodies (pre 64) are a lot stronger than anything made later. Rails go the entire length of the car like a full frame, only folded sheet metal and welded together.
The Jalopy Journal
