64 rambler starter fitment issue HELP

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   Ok so I have been hired to do a full restoration of a 64 rambler 4 door. I have torn into the mechanicals right away only to find out the starter does not engaget the torque converter. Customer told me this right away when I started the project that he had issues with the starter. He said his ex-father-in-law put the starter in it and it never engaged after that. Of course that was close to 10 years ago when the car last run. So now here's the issue, I have a AMC 199 that is not original to the car I believe it is a 65 or a 66 if I remember correctly. And the Borg Warner automatic transmission. I found a starter in the back seat that was halfway disassembled and it looks like the holes were ovaled out by somebody to make that work. But I'm not sure if there is a different starter or a different size torque converter or ring gear for the car to make a starter bolt up but it still doesn't fit quite right. Normally this would not be a big issue but he plans to use this as a daily driver. Does anybody have any information on different starters rear gears or torque converters that might be able to help me out?
Thanks in advance, Larry.

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Larry21 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Jul/19/2016 Location: Hot Springs, sd Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Larry21 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 64 rambler starter fitment issue HELP Posted: Jul/19/2016 at 5:11pm
	Ok so I have been hired to do a full restoration of a 64 rambler 4 door. I have torn into the mechanicals right away only to find out the starter does not engaget the torque converter. Customer told me this right away when I started the project that he had issues with the starter. He said his ex-father-in-law put the starter in it and it never engaged after that. Of course that was close to 10 years ago when the car last run. So now here's the issue, I have a AMC 199 that is not original to the car I believe it is a 65 or a 66 if I remember correctly. And the Borg Warner automatic transmission. I found a starter in the back seat that was halfway disassembled and it looks like the holes were ovaled out by somebody to make that work. But I'm not sure if there is a different starter or a different size torque converter or ring gear for the car to make a starter bolt up but it still doesn't fit quite right. Normally this would not be a big issue but he plans to use this as a daily driver. Does anybody have any information on different starters rear gears or torque converters that might be able to help me out? Thanks in advance, Larry.

vinny Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jan/05/2012 Location: Calgary Status: Offline Points: 2837	Post Options Post Reply Quote vinny Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul/19/2016 at 9:29pm
	The original 196 has a smaller torque converter than the 232. I made the starter fit (it contacts the 232 block) by elongating holes (can't remember exactly where) to get the starter to come down the circumference of the bell housing. I also ground away a bit on the starter housing. That way you can make a 196 bell and TC and starter work with the 232. If they put in a 232 bell housing with the engine change and kept the 196 TC it won't work. You will need to get the larger 232 TC (or the 196 bell).