Is this a stupid idea (that won't work)

MARTINSR wrote: I didn't read every word in this thread so forgive me if I am repeating something but if you aren't dealing with a REAL parts store, you could be spinning your wheels looking for the "rare" part. I was blown away to find my local REAL parts store (not the McParts chains) that supply the local shops, they had IN STOCK the master cyl, wheel cylinders, brake light switch, they had it all for my 59 American and this is Wagner, not even the more popular Bendix.  So do some home work, don't give up and go to a REAL parts store first off. Brian

I agree with the above in spades. I have been maintaining at least 3 AMC products that are essentially drivers, although they all have been driven cross country to shows where we (Valerie and I) enjoy ourselves. There are many many mechanical parts available over the counter at major autoparts stores.  Specialty mechanical parts are problematic and you learn to take very good care of the smog parts that are unique to AMC.  However many of them are blanket certified from a GM application.
It is the cosmetic stuff that gets more than a bit tricky
And give our vendors the credit due to them.  They stay in business by being on top of what fits, where to get them and who else is using the same thing.
I have yet to have a problem a vendor has not been able to solve.
Recently I had an AC control knob for my Spirit turn into knob bits and pieces and the right question phrased correctly got me a functional replacement at a Chevrolet venders booth at a local swap meet.  I also obtained replacement seat belts from a used seat belt pile at a Chevrolet booth at a swap meet.  The fit, bolt into place and are the right color and trim appearance.  Except the say Chevrolet on the buckle I.D. and you know something, I have received compliments on how nice the belts look but no one once said anything about spelling Spirit incorrect.

Javelin69 wrote: Thought I'd mention that my 68 AMX has the rear mounted proportioning valve and servo brakes. Must have been a running change, unless non servo cars also had that valve. I've always has a rear lock up issue on quick brake application, although road tests of the day mention that also. I've thought about rebuilding the valve per an article I saw on line.

So I guess I'm wondering since mine is a 68, should it have the non servo rear brakes even though it has the rear valve? Could this be part of the rear lock up issue? Perhaps the rear axle has been swapped at sometime with servo rear brakes. My TSM is at work but the Chilton manual I have here shows all 68 AMX with servo rears regardless of disc or drum fronts.

Edited by Javelin69 - Jul/08/2014 at 8:49am

The 66 Marlin had an odd combination of brakes when we got her. She had the non-servo drums in back and regular drums in front. We had no way of knowing if the discs had been removed from the front or if the non-servos had been placed on the rear. Both front and rear needed work and the rear non-servos were missing parts. What we opted to do was replace the non-servo rear brakes with regular drum brakes as it was an easier system to get parts for.

The Marlin wasn't stock when we got her. A Gen 2 or 3 engine had been placed in her (the T-10 and original torque tube remained - they had made adapter pieces for this). The rear end is a 3:45 ratio and it was running 10 inch wide tires. Possibly, the rear axle was replaced...possibly the front discs were removed to lighten the car. We opted for what was going to be the easiest system to maintain. It's factory correct...we just have no way of knowing if it was how this
particular car left the factory.