'64 Rambler Ambassador Trans Options

What body style do you have?

The car is what I believe is referred to as a 2 door hardtop.  Does anyone make any kind of adapter plates to adapt to a GM or Ford Tranny?

The 287 used a T-85 (or was it 86?) three speed, the 327 used a T-89. The T-10 four speed was available in 1966. FYI, the T-10 is a T-89 with reverse replaced by fourth gear and the reverse gear put in the output shaft housing, so the T-89 is pretty tough. The T-85/86 (86 may have been OD only, I know Ford also used the T-86 but only in OD equipped vehicles) should be fine for a cruiser even with the 327, just don't "dog" it much.

As far as I know the T-10 or three speed from a later AMC V-8 will bolt to the Gen-1 (250/287/327) bell as it's the same depth as the later models. The "problem" is the torque-tube drive. To use a later trans you'd have to replace the rear axle and use an open driveshaft. There's a sticky on that topic in this section (56-66 Rear End Swaps). Read through all the posts -- some junk, some good info like always. I've done two myself, one with ladder bars, another with a Jag IRS, and assisted with several others. Not too difficult, but does require some fabrication. How much depends on what kind of suspension arm setup is used. Lots of good ideas! A universal four link or ladder bar kit with crossmember works well, but after considering all options I like the "Hot Rods to heck" Center drive "truck arm" kit best. The one for a GM G-body can be easily modded to fit the 63-66 big Rambler body. 


Edited by farna - Dec/28/2010 at 9:24am

As a $ hint.
There was a rebuilt Torque tube T-10 at Fall Carlisle.
The asking price was $1200. I did not see any sign of the changeover parts needed to go with it.

I have seen two cars go across the evilbay blocks in the last year or so and the very trashed cars brought about the same amount, IIRC.

You need the long input as Rebel says.
The bellhousing can be sourced from anything that ran the Gen I block, including the Jeep Trucks from 65-68 that used the 327.

You can also source a turbo 400 from a Jeep Truck with 327, get it complete, lots of one off parts.
You can then just put a manual valve body in the turbo 400 and fake it. Still need to go to open driveline.

Frank--that is a very good question about changing the input shaft from the T-8x to a T10.  Someday someone will have the parts and give us an answer.  Until then--back the the mans questions--just get the proper equipment from a simular car and it will all bolt right in.