258 on a flash o matic. ..

Ok I have a 63 660 here in the UK, I've been searching for a long time for a 232 to swap out the 196 it runs, but they're impossible to find over here.
I've stumbled across a 258 engine and autobox out of a Pacer.
Would it be possible to hook up the 258 to the original gearbox by means of an adapter plate? Anyone tried it? Stupid idea?
I'm not going to be racing the car but a nice increase in cc's, torque and tuneability would be cool.
I don't want to swap out the torque tube transmission etc.
Cheers.

Pretty much a no go. Unless you are a fabricator..

The only way to install a newer six is to use a 64-71 199/232/258 (71 only for 258). They used the same bell housing to engine bolt pattern as the 196. You would need a bell housing and flywheel (or flexplate if auto)as well, since the 199/232 parts are slightly larger in diameter than the 196 parts. The 196 parts may bolt on and work, not sure.

The 196 needs the head retorqued every 2-3 years or 10-12K miles. If not you'll end up with a blown head gasket and possibly cracked head, as the first indication the head has worked loose is usually running hot.

To change to a later engine than 71, you need to change or modify the torque tube. There are lots of ideas here: http://theamcforum.com/forum/rear-end-swap-5666-classic_topic11214.html. I put a Jag IRS in mine. It's not terribly hard to replace the rear axle and suspension, but you do need some fabrication skills. The Jag IRS is actually pretty easy, but you will need to run the Jag wheels in back, which are deep offset and use a 5x4.75" bolt pattern. Standard AMC is 5 x 4.5". Here in the US dual pattern wheels are easy enough to come by. I run those all around, but you could just get a dual pattern spare. I use a 5" dual pattern wheel and tire as a "space saver" spare. Same size as the old VW Beetle tire.

That should work Vinny -- forgot about the V-8s using the same bell to engine pattern as the 72+ sixes. Neutral balance the V-8 flexplate (remove the weight) and probably use the V-8 converter...  The M-35 converter most likely won't work, ring gear is made onto converter and too small for one thing, but it might bolt to the V-8 flexplate anyway.

65 and 66 ring gear diameters are 13". Older ring gear diameters for the 196 are 12 1/2".

Today I tried the 12 1/2" converter on the 65 and 66 transmissions and the 13" on the 64 transmission. They all fit across from one to the other but the bell housings were off at the time..

When I said they changed the spline count in 67 that is information supplied to me from someone else. I have not personally confirmed that but have no reason to doubt it.




Edited by vinny - Sep/04/2017 at 9:32pm