1965 Rambler American

[Matt167]

Ok, being my new daily driver is a '65 Rambler American 330 4dr, I know that I'm going to need a few spare parts in the car, just in case it breaks down. I know I need a set of points/ a condensor ( 2 new sets came w/ the car ), a couple spark plugs and maby some starter fluid.. all in a box in the trunk.. is there anything else I should keep in the car, besides a basic set of tools? also, how do I tell bendix brakes from Wagner brakes? '64-'66 the American used both brake types, I know they look diffrent from eachother but I don't know what ither of them look like

[Dave Severson]

Maybe a cell phone and a Triple AAA card.... That old of a car is going to have some driveability and reliability issues.....

[gassersrule_196]

if its the old 6 popper those things run forever bring the norm's liek you metnions but iw ouldnt sweat it. bring extra hoses and belts though.

[Matt167]

I do have AAA and a cell phone. I know it will have it's quirks and stuff.. The mechanic in town is an AMC guy so if I get stuck and don't know what to do w/ somthing he can bail me out most likely... he has 2 AMC Concords, a summer driver and a winter beater, and a '63 Studebaker Larke, and hasn't really owned anything other than AMC's

[Matt167]

if its the old 6 popper those things run forever bring the norm's liek you metnions but iw ouldnt sweat it. bring extra hoses and belts though.

yeah, it's got the 196.5 6cyl.. I think it's the 8.7:1 compression 120 HP version. it has the automatic trans.

[Matt167]

Also.. I have a new never used aftermarket tape deck radio, the kind that goes in from behind and is held in by the 2 knobs. the rambler radio appears to not use that method for attachment unlike anything else from that era I have seen... w/o cutting would this fit? the AM radio turns on but does not recive anything

[firebird77clone]

extra hoses.. naw. Just put new hoses on it and you are good. An extra belt and fuel pump would be good idea.

[gassersrule_196]

those things run forever what are your plans with it? a stout 343-390? or turbo 6 popper?

[Matt167]

Thanks for the diagrams..

now if I can only figure out the carb problems. it's got an old Carter RBS w/ a side mounted fuel bowl. car don't go any faster than 10 MPH now and it floods itself out over time at idle. revvs up fine but has no power

[Matt167]

Recheck timing, and make sure the float level isn't to high, or the needle is not leaking fuel through. Is the carb real dirty looking ?

I was thinking of checking the timing, just too late to do it tonight.. needle crossed my mind, a rebuild kit came w/ the car in the milk crate full of spare parts in the back seat.. the carb does look very dirty on the inside

[Matt167]

do you have a blowup of that old RBS by any chance.. the fuel bowl on the side has got me baffled..

[Matt167]

thank you... there are letters and numbers on it on the drivers side but I can't remember what they are. I know it says Carter RBS

[Matt167]

thanks, that should help w/ the rebuild

[Twitch]

Make sure you go to www.kanter.com and get a print catalog. They got lots of stuff for old cars. Can't say they're heavy on AMC but take a look.

[Matt167]

The lady that I got the car from keeps finding the parts she has for it and dropping them off to me.. today she brought a valve cover gasket, the original owners manual and an an original accessory booklet.

the carb kit that came w/ the car is an old Standard motor products " Jiffy " kit and unlike any carb kit I'v seen, it has specific dissassembly and reassembly instructions using corrisponding part letters on the blowup schematic.. should make it easy.