196 tune up

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Im getting ready to do a tune up on our 61 American 196,it hasent been started in about 10 years,the radiator was pushed into the fan during a fender bender.It cranks so i know its not frozen,im just wondering what preliminary things i should do before starting it,first i gota get the fan off the rad.I want to know what types of plugs work best,what oil to use,etc.

Edited by DocCreer - Feb/19/2012 at 11:56am

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DocCreer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/03/2009 Location: Portland Oregon Status: Offline Points: 1568	Post Options Post Reply Quote DocCreer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 196 tune up Posted: Feb/19/2012 at 11:51am
	Im getting ready to do a tune up on our 61 American 196,it hasent been started in about 10 years,the radiator was pushed into the fan during a fender bender.It cranks so i know its not frozen,im just wondering what preliminary things i should do before starting it,first i gota get the fan off the rad.I want to know what types of plugs work best,what oil to use,etc. Edited by DocCreer - Feb/19/2012 at 11:56am
	61 American 82 eagle limited

pacerman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jul/03/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9057	Post Options Post Reply Quote pacerman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/19/2012 at 1:29pm
	Doc, I'm sure you've heard all this standard advice before but any good 10W30 or 10W40 mineral oil (not synthetic) will work in that engine. I don't recommend synthetic because there is the persistent rumor that it causes more gasket leakage and the fact that it's designed to last for longer all change intervals that you'll probably be making. You won't get your money's worth out of synthetic oil. You'll have fuel dilution and some blowby in that old engine which will contaminate the oil faster than on a modern engine. I recommend that you get an owner's manual for that car and present it along with some factory sales literature to your sister as a gift. That will help get her interested in the car and she'll better be able to understand what they looked like when new. It's probably like an antique to a 17 year old. Get some good quality distributor points (Blue Streak or equivalent) and condenser. Replace the spark plug wires if they are over 10 years old. Maybe replace the distributor cap if there is any sign of corrosion on the terminals. Make sure it has a clean carburetor and fuel. Make sure it has good brakes and that your sister understands the difference in stopping distances required for drum brakes. Good luck with it. Joe
	Happiness is making something out of nothing.

59ramblersuper6 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Nut Joined: Nov/19/2007 Location: Delaware Status: Offline Points: 337	Post Options Post Reply Quote 59ramblersuper6 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/19/2012 at 9:49pm
	I'd pour some ATF in the cylinders and let it sit. It will help loosing up any stuck rings from sitting. Is it an OHV? If so Follow the procedure for re-torquing the head bolts. Standard plugs work best nothing fancy. Replace the plug wires for sure and ditch the points in favor of a Pertronics HEI unit. Clean the carb real well, I fired my 196 up and the float bowl stuck spilling gas everywhere. You may do better with having it rebuilt. If it has an oil filter its a PH50 I think and there hard to come by so order one in advance.

billd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: Jun/27/2007 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 30894	Post Options Post Reply Quote billd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/19/2012 at 9:58pm
	Doc same advice as for your others - standard plugs as recommended in the owners manual. Noting fancy. it's a low compression slow running 6. You won't need anything else. Either good quality points or if you don't want to deal with them, a convesion kit. You won't need any voltage or potential in that engine other than what a good well tuned points ignition can supply. Remember what we've stated in the other threads you've asked the same questions in - same advice. You don't the overkill of the other things in that car. The engine simply won't use them. I go with Joe's advice myself..............
	http://theamcpages.com http://antique-engines.com

Kenosha62 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Jan/24/2009 Location: Sacramento Status: Offline Points: 104	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kenosha62 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/20/2012 at 2:27pm
	Don't cheap out on the brakes! Rebuild the master & wheels cyl. Brake lines are very easy to bend, replace em' , I get premade lengths at NAPA. First thing on any new (to me) old car is a full(everything) brake job. Might want to consider a two stage master cyl if it's going to be a daily driver. Don't want to sound like I'm beatin' a my drum to loud, but I had a bad experience in a '62 Catalina back in the day. I'm cool if it don't run but if it don't stop it can really ruin your day.

CanuckRambler Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Oct/06/2011 Location: Edmonton, AB. Status: Offline Points: 91	Post Options Post Reply Quote CanuckRambler Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/20/2012 at 5:57pm
	Great thread. I was about to post the same for my '66.
	1966 Rambler American 440 / 4dr Auto (Canadian)

DocCreer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/03/2009 Location: Portland Oregon Status: Offline Points: 1568	Post Options Post Reply Quote DocCreer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/20/2012 at 8:59pm
	Thanks guys,i took out mosymt of that bs i though i needed before.
	61 American 82 eagle limited

tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7539	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Feb/21/2012 at 12:02am
	do NOT start the engine on the gas in the tank. 10-year-old gas has most definitely gone bad. This is near-universal experience with everyone in your position. don't do it no matter how hard it seems to be to clean out the tank. and i WILL say 'told-ya-so' if you do :-) and i'm not usually so mean!

DocCreer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/03/2009 Location: Portland Oregon Status: Offline Points: 1568	Post Options Post Reply Quote DocCreer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/17/2012 at 1:45pm
	OK Got it started,got a new water pump but need a gasket and it has a weird slip on oil filter.
	61 American 82 eagle limited

DocCreer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/03/2009 Location: Portland Oregon Status: Offline Points: 1568	Post Options Post Reply Quote DocCreer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/17/2012 at 3:01pm
	does the water pump use a gasket or not?61 196?
	61 American 82 eagle limited