Thread: rambler to chevy conversion

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some say it blastphemous to swap engines and trannies?
yet we are all hot rodders here so that's practically our grail to swap and swip and make do with new and old...

anyway - i have a sweet looking [looking being the key word here] 63 rambler classic - 2door, v8 [287] - shaved [door handles, gas cap, and mirrors] nice little car but the motor is going and i dont feel like even attempting finding parts for such an mill..

now awhile back a guy emailed me with a particular converter or bellhousing to mate a sbc to [and here is where things get fuzzy] the stock rambler tranny [the auto is a b/w m-8 and the manual is a t-86 non sync] - anyway bascially this converter would mean all i'd have to fab was motor mounts and a spiffy new radiator and i'd be good to go...

so i'm trying to keep to the stock driveline [from the tranny back] and replace the mill with something easier to get parts for and repair [sbc, ford, chry...]

thanks in advance

Doesn't this car have an enclosed driveshaft ? I had a 64 I thought the u joint was going bad in. You had to pull the rearend to get to it. I think I'd change the drivetrain too.

Originally posted by 63amcclassic
some say it blastphemous to swap engines and trannies?
yet we are all hot rodders here so that's practically our grail to swap and swip and make do with new and old...

anyway - i have a sweet looking [looking being the key word here] 63 rambler classic - 2door, v8 [287] - shaved [door handles, gas cap, and mirrors] nice little car but the motor is going and i dont feel like even attempting finding parts for such an mill..

now awhile back a guy emailed me with a particular converter or bellhousing to mate a sbc to [and here is where things get fuzzy] the stock rambler tranny [the auto is a b/w m-8 and the manual is a t-86 non sync] - anyway bascially this converter would mean all i'd have to fab was motor mounts and a spiffy new radiator and i'd be good to go...

so i'm trying to keep to the stock driveline [from the tranny back] and replace the mill with something easier to get parts for and repair [sbc, ford, chry...]

thanks in advance

Nice Ride!......... Kool to see another Rambler guy....

You should be able to get all you need to rebuild yours from Egge Machine in Santa Fe Springs Ca. (Napa also carries a number of parts)
I got the parts to build my 60 196 six from them.......

MM64

www.greganti.com/rambler

We had a discussion about sleepers a week or so ago, that would make a great one! It looks like it has a big wide engine compartment that you could put just about anything in. Is it unibody or does it have a frame? I would not try to adapt to the existing transmission, I suggest a modern overdrive automatic behind whatever you swap into it.

Keep us posted

Pat

This is a second on Egge Machine for parts. This is their website;

Egge Machine

The other thought is to put a 390 or a 401 in. They bolt up to a T-10 or T-5 , or if you want an auto, I believe AMC used Turbo 400's behind these engines. You might need to upgrade the rear axle and drivesheft as mentioned earlier. The best part as these engines should use the same motor mounts. If those engines are hard to find, try a 343.

Hey....anyone out there with some knowlege on swaping small block chevy's into a 68 Rambler American, or for that matter, any swap info regardless of engine?? I'm picking up a very clean '68 2dr post and have both a stoutly built 327 chevy w/muncie 4spd, and, maybe a little crazy, but also have a Buick 455 w/th400. What did these R/A's have for a rear? I haven't yet crawled around this car and never owned one....what am I looking to create a pretty strong, and definately unique street car? Thanks for any advice, links, directions or ???.

I put a 355 in. small chevy in my Rambler "Typhoon" a little red hardtop. Circa 65. I used fabricated front mounts and a Lakewood scattershield that had several bolt patterns and a small adapter ring in it. I do not remember the part no. But this belhousing and the proper disc and pilot adapter, got it hooked up to the twin stick BW overdrive trans. Mine had a (Rambler)3.55 posi rear in it and really made a great sleeper street car..