1963 classic aluminum 196

Try FINDING a good aluminum block head. The AL block uses a different head, the standard 196 OHV head won't fit. Make SURE you're getting an AL engine head! Unless it's NOS have it checked for cracks before using. You may have to go through several before you find one without cracks. If you buy one off e-bay ask the seller if they will guarantee it not to be cracked -- will accept a return and refund of all but shipping if it 's cracked (can't expect them to pay shipping). I'd see if they would take it to a machine shop and check it, even PAY the bill (after checking with a local shop to see what the cost should be) if they will, and get a written note from the shop that it's not cracked. Hard to make a call on that, they may be dishonest and write something on a shop receipt (or make one up on the computer) and send it... it's possible! 

The 196 is a good engine, good enough for a cruiser anyway. I ran one for 14 years. Parts started to get hard to find and expensive. You can get most of what you need over a couple business days. I used mine for a daily driver and occasionally that meant long trips -- 8 hours + one way 2-3 times a year. The last time I needed a water pump it took me almost two weeks to get the right one. If that had happened on one of those long trips it would have cost me dearly! I'd have waited a couple days in a motel, then had to buy a bus ticket to go home (I was in the USAF at the time) AFTER finding a safe place to park it until I could come back a week or so later, and have to arrange transportation to get it and come back. In good weather I guess I'd have rode my motorcycle back to the car then rented a u-haul trailer to tow the bike back. In bad weather I'd have had to do something different -- maybe buy a friend gas and share a room for a night.

In any case, it would have been costly! That's why I decided not to run one any more. I might run one in a hobby car, would just be careful about long trips. To an AMC show would be okay, plenty help at the destination anyway!  So a lot depends on what you intend to do with the car. Local cruiser with an occasional long haul to a car show? No problem. Daily driver, or one you plan on taking long trips with regularly? The 199/232 you can get parts for -- often on the shelf. That last water pump I had to send in my core and have rebuilt to get the right one! 

All,

photos...

I made good progress today getting the engine ready to pull. I've been bagging and tagging pieces as they've come off the engine. I think I have everything off now except the connections to the drive train. I ordered a TSM over a week ago but it got shipped to someone else by accident so it's taking the scenic route via New Jersey.