232 Upgrade

Hey,

Yeah i am not trying to get on anyones nerves, just questioning the idea but i can understand your logic.
Im in Newcastle Australia.... Thats my main problem, it is extreamly hard to find Rambler parts over here which is leaving me to look at other options..

Matt, i think i have seen a website or ur restoration work on the rambler in your avatar?

...and a faintly warmed over and modernized 258 or better 4.0 will beat a deadstock 290 combo any time. no offense to the 290, it's just that the six is sooo better suited to the chassis and so many perf (and replacement) parts and options available... plus it will just fit right into the hole under the hood.

By the way, the body is very light so any ncrease in horsepower, even a small one, will be noticed.

Yes. The V-8 out of any 72+ Jeep CJ, Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer, big Cherokee, or J-series pickup will work fine. The only problem will be a transmission. The rear end is a bit weak, but will hold up for a cruiser for a while, just loosen then torque the axles nuts to 250-300 ft/lbs. If you run it hard much the stock rear axle won't last long, assuming it's a six cylinder axle (has a fill plug in the back cover, the heavy duty or V-8 axle doesn't have a fill plug in the cover, the plug is in the axle housing up next to the pinion shaft). It will last until you can find a stronger axle, just be a bit easy on it. We typically use a Ford Ranger or narrowed Ford Explorer 8.8" axle over here as a substitute for the AMC 20 axle, since they are hard to find for the small cars. Don't know if that would be a viable option down there, but I'm sure you could find something stronger that is about the same width as the AMC axle. Maybe a late Falcon V-8 axle?

Now for the transmission. The Jeep transmission will be a GM TH-400 up to 1979, a Chrysler TF-727 1980-91. Those trannys are made for a 4x4 transfer case though. To convert to 2WD you need an output shaft and housing from a 2WD TH-400 or TF-727. Doesn't have to be an AMC trans, a standard GM or Chrysler model is fine. The unique to AMC part is the bell housing and main case. The trans has to come all the way apart to change the output shaft though, so basically it has to be rebuilt. All AMCs with 360s and 401s came with a TF-727 from 1972 on, so you can use a car 2WD trans if you find one, but those have to be hard to come by in Oz. Your only other option is to get a GM trans adapter from Novak (my preferred source) or Advance Adapters and use a standard Chevy pattern GM trans. That might be your best solution.

hi mate !!!

i have a 66 coupe with the std 232 6 , once i went thru the carby, plugs/points/cap/leads it was amazin how betta it idles/ cruizes , and if i nail it will even squeal the rears..(not that i do it often) and it is really good on fuel , much much betta that my 287 /64 classic it drinks it!!, I got my bits and advice from jeff (rambler spares at castle hill nsw) i think Huddy 1955 is his older brother so like the other post said drop him a line.
i tried a bigger holley carb , it ran like dog poo..stick with the std carb ...im thinkin about puttin on a betta exhast system than the std one nothing noisey just something more efficent should help with better go ....

see ya in newie mate