Twin Stick lockout cable + Big nut driveshaft

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   The engine is currently out of my 63 American, and I pulled out the transmission as well to clean it up. My car is a twin stick, but the cable to lock out OD is missing. I figured with it out, this would be a good time to get that working again. I don't think any of the parts vendors sell this cable, so does anyone know what it looks like and how it's mounted, as there's no remains of the cable anywhere on my car?

My second question is about the driveshaft. When I pulled out the transmission, the driveshaft came off the rear axle. From my understanding, this means that the 'Big Nut' was already loose as it acts like a clamp, and I should be able to torque it back to spec, right?

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al1630 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Oct/05/2017 Location: Boise, Idaho Status: Offline Points: 174	Post Options Post Reply Quote al1630 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Twin Stick lockout cable + Big nut driveshaft Posted: Apr/01/2020 at 4:01pm
	The engine is currently out of my 63 American, and I pulled out the transmission as well to clean it up. My car is a twin stick, but the cable to lock out OD is missing. I figured with it out, this would be a good time to get that working again. I don't think any of the parts vendors sell this cable, so does anyone know what it looks like and how it's mounted, as there's no remains of the cable anywhere on my car? My second question is about the driveshaft. When I pulled out the transmission, the driveshaft came off the rear axle. From my understanding, this means that the 'Big Nut' was already loose as it acts like a clamp, and I should be able to torque it back to spec, right?
	Alex 1963 Rambler American 440H

raysinvegas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/01/2007 Location: Las Vegas NV Status: Offline Points: 2501	Post Options Post Reply Quote raysinvegas Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/01/2020 at 5:01pm
	That specific cable is made of unobtanium. Blaser AMC MIGHT still have one, but last I checked I think they wanted $400 for it. I ran my '64 with a "loose" big nut rear for a long time. Everything was kind of rusted in place, but the driveshaft could slip on and off the output shaft of the diff. There was no vibration, and I daily drove it back then. Besides, I thing the torque spec on that big nut is around 300 pounds!!
	Andy Ray 64 440H 64 440 Convertible 68 Javelin SST 343 69 Javelin SST 343 69 SC/Rambler

6768rogues Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/03/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 6241	Post Options Post Reply Quote 6768rogues Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/01/2020 at 10:17pm
	300 lb. ft. can be attained with a 3’ bar and 100 lbs. of force on the end. Not all that hard to do.
	Content intended for mature audiences. If you experience nausea or diarrhea, stop reading and seek medical attention. Located usually near Rochester, NY and sometimes central FL.

tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7553	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/01/2020 at 11:46pm
	Here you go #1 https://www.sr-ix.com/AMC/1963-Rambler-American/Big-nut/index.html here you go #2 https://www.sr-ix.com/AMC/Parts-Catalog-1960-1965/Book/866H.html It's like a fat bicycle cable. Wouldn't be that hard to buidl from generic cable stuff. Pegasusautoracing.com custom makes cables with ends you specify. I had a throttle cable made for my roadster, $50 or so, it's wonderful, solid heavy stuff, not cheap krap. It's a weird little car. 'big nut', the excreble T96, the impossible little 8" clutch, the weird OHV's foibles, then the front suspension, all totally foil "ford vs chevy" folk, and half of AMCers with it's ancient Nashcan lineage engineering. But it's a solid well made car, it's flatly my favorite. Just gotta get used to its weirdness. And buy a pair of hilarious comical wrenches. It was some work to find a ball joint tool small enough to pop the tapers out of the weird steering link (drag link). It's hollow, with a dozen moving parts! Its honestly a mystery to me, but if you tighten the kjoints, it drives very funny on the freeway. But 'up in the air' it has side to side play like a worn out car. I assume you that it's right. I have made a canyon-carver out of a '61, with that weirdo drag link set per specs (maybe 1/4 turn tighter each). It's the only thing in that car that I cannot puzzle out.
	1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com

little unc 48 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Apr/08/2019 Location: Stanhope N.J. Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote little unc 48 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/05/2020 at 7:36am
	The twin-stick o/d cable must be laid forward around the front of trans- at bell-housing area and around to driver's side of trans to push and pull o/d lever the correct direction.

6PakBee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Charter Member Joined: Jul/01/2007 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 5458	Post Options Post Reply Quote 6PakBee Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/05/2020 at 11:55am
	The FWD manual transmission cars I've worked on all use two shift cables. I'd be surprised if one of those couldn't be used IF you knew the approximate cable length. I'm assuming of course that the end fittings would be a detail you could handle.
	Roger Gazur 1969 'B' Scheme SC/Rambler 1970 RWB 4-spd Machine 1970 Sonic Silver auto AMX All project cars. Forum Cockroach

tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7553	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/05/2020 at 10:10pm
	Here's where I'd get one. https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=1270 * From the shifter you can determine the maximum cable stroke. * With a piece of hose you can determine routing and length.
	1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com

farna Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19689	Post Options Post Reply Quote farna Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/09/2020 at 5:11pm
	Any shifter cable about the same length (or longer) will work fine. You just have to be able to anchor both ends of the cable. If you search "custom shifter cables" you will find several shops that will make a cable with whatever ends you want, whatever length. Not terribly expensive... Make sure it's a SHIFTER cable and not a motorcycle type control cable! Has to be pretty stout...
	Frank Swygert

tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7553	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/09/2020 at 10:05pm
	OK Frank's comment induced me to pull mine out of storage and clean it up. It is stout. I don't think my suggestionof the throttle cable will work. It doesn't just pull -- any cable can do that -- it PUSHES. So it needs to be fat and stout. In typical Nash fashion it's grossly overbuilt. It has ball-pivoted guide sleeves, rubber seals, race-car clevis, too many details and parts for a company to actually turn a profit. (Many things in these early 01's are like this, why I love this chassis so in spite of it's incredible inconveniences.) I'm reluctant to part with mine. But I can give dimensions and photos if you like. Edited by tomj - Apr/09/2020 at 10:07pm
	1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com

al1630 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Oct/05/2017 Location: Boise, Idaho Status: Offline Points: 174	Post Options Post Reply Quote al1630 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr/09/2020 at 10:25pm
	Some photos and dimensions would be great, then at least I would have an idea of what it looks like. It's not really needed if you want to be in OD most of the time, though, right? This car certainly has it's fair share of odd quirks.
	Alex 1963 Rambler American 440H