Thread: 59 Rambler 289

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I'm new to the forum. I'm rebuilding a 59 Rambler American Super with a 289 engine and c-5 transmission. What would be the best rear with the least modification. It will be strictly a cruise and show car.

Thanks

Oldgrunt

have you measured anything? rear end won't be the problem.. fitting a V8 in the tight engine compartment will be a chore, and next to impossible/ probably impossible with stock suspension

being the American is a leaf sprung car, you could source an AMC 15 or 20 out of a later car, or use a Maverick 8" or even make a Ford Ranger rear end work.. but the rear will be the easy part

My dad put the suspension out of a Courier in his 50 Rambler Wagon.

What is the engine bay clearance needed (Width and Length) for the 289.

I'm not sure.. I just know that anything wider than the original 196 flathead or OHV really will be a tight fit, and most likely, theres not a V8 that will fit with the stock suspension. possible that a Flathead Ford V8 would.. Ford 144-200 I6 will fit, but there integral head just like the 196

Hi old grunt How about some photos and measurements so that can have sort out for you?? I know that there are lotz of people here that will be able to stare you right.

I have approximately 21 wide X 30 long (transmission to fan).

Hehe, in about 1963 I owned a 1954 Rambler station wagon that had an Olds 371 engine and old 4 speed hydro installed in it. I didn't build the car but traded straight across for a 56 Ford. I have NO idea how the builder got the Olds in there, but he cut some of the front subframe away. The car ran like stink and I hurt the feelings of my buddy when I beat his brand new 383 Sport Fury. Car was the best sleeper I ever owned, except the wicked cam made the entire car shake at idle.

Anyway, as for your swap..... that engine bay is very narrow at the bottom but flares up at the top, so you might be able to get a sbf in there. The heater box will probably have to go and I think some of the suspension pieces are in the way. The Olds had a rear sump pan, but the typical Ford pans are front sump, which might cause a problem. But later double hump pans or a Bronco pan might work.

As for the rear end, mine had the stock Rambler rear which I think was something like a 4:22 ratio. It took a beating and hung in there for me, you might be able to get away with keeping yours too.

Post lots of pictures as you go, this one will sure be different and bring back lots of memories for me.

Don

Well - the physical size of the 289 is as follows:

24" wide
29" long
27.5" high
Weight is 460 pounds.

I'm thinking that you'll need a lot of talcum powder and a mighty big "shoe horn" for this swap...

Think a flathead v-8 would slide in there? If so, where would I find a good reman or crate.

Originally Posted by oldgrunt

Think a flathead v-8 would slide in there? If so, where would I find a good reman or crate.

If a flattie will fit so will a sbc.

IDK. flattie might fit, being the clearence issue comes with the heads/ intakes with inline engines.. being a flattie is shorter it 'might' fit... I know the SBC deffinetly won't.. not without changing the front suspension..

the only non stock ( 196 flathead/ OHV ) engine I know of fitting without issues is the Ford 144-250 I6 and that is because the integral heads provide enough clearence. also, if you have a 3spd manual, you can use the bellhousing for a '60-'63 Falcon I6 on the stock Rambler T-96 transmission, being the Falcon in those years also used the T-96

3.8 V-6 from a Supercharged T-Bird supercoupe or a V-6 Turbo Buick would be an option .

Both of those engines are 90 degree V-6's and would be wider than the small block Ford. The T-Bird V-6 is actually the back 3/4 of a 351 sbf.
A possibility might be the 60 degree 4 litre Ford V-6 used in the Explorer which is quite narrow. It can be stroked to 4.5 litres if desired. It will attach to either the Ford AOD automatic transmission or a 5 speed.
I'm not sure of the dimensions but I could get them if anyone is interested.

the 4.0 has a diffrent bellhousing.. I think it is the same as the other Cologne V6's ( 2.8/2.9/4.0 ) in which a C4 from a 2.8 could be used... but the only automatic the 4.0L came with that is not computer controlled is the A4LD.. The Mazda M5-OD R1 is the manual it came with