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What to check/ fix for a daily driver

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Beyer13 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Beyer13 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: What to check/ fix for a daily driver
    Posted: Oct/19/2021 at 11:54pm
So my 7.3 powerstroke decided to grenade a transmission.  Now my 64 rambler american wagon has to be called up to the daily driver league. Any concerns or suggestions. History of the car is it sat for 5 or so years before I got ahold of it.  I drove it off the guys property and since then have redone the interior, changed fluids and filters, cleaned carb and new tires and battery.  She likes to run no pumping the throttle to get her started. Valves do seem as little loud and the front end feels sloppy.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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matty 401 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote matty 401 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/20/2021 at 7:56am
basic check tie rods ball joints and brakes  you already changed fluids just nut and bolt everything 
72 matador 401 the beast
79 concord 2 door
72 matador 304 grasshopper
68 Rogue 406
93 Cherokee 4.0 5 speed

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purple72Gremlin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote purple72Gremlin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/20/2021 at 8:08am
Id make sure the gas tank is clean and doesnt have rotten gas in it. Your car has trunnions instead of upper balljoints..
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raysinvegas View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote raysinvegas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/20/2021 at 9:09am
On the 196 in your American, better the valves sound a little loud, than no sound at all. It should sound like a sewing machine.
Andy Ray
64 440H
64 440 Convertible
68 Javelin SST 343
69 Javelin SST 343
69 SC/Rambler
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Beyer13 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Beyer13 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/20/2021 at 6:21pm
Great info guys! Brakes are a must they look good just need to be bled I believe, they go to the floor and then when they do start to engage the car starts shaking. Also I don't believe there is any difference other than stroke but the car has a 232 in it. As far as the trunnions is there any way to check for concerns? This being my first trunnion car I don't want to assume something that I don't know. 
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LakesideRamblin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LakesideRamblin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/20/2021 at 9:38pm
I would buy a kit to replace your front suspension bushings, including trunnions, strut rods, tie rods, etc.  Prothane sells them but you may prefer rubber to urethane.  Otherwise your teeth will rattle if those bushings are completely shot.  Not pleasant.  However, brakes should be #1 on your list.  Drum brakes front and back.  Should not be a huge job but of major importance.
LakesideRamblin
69 Rambler 360
73 Javelin 360
"If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month." T. Roosevelt
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Beyer13 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Beyer13 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/20/2021 at 9:49pm
Oh damn only 115 bucks is that right?! I'll order that soon! Thanks 
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Pokerchip View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pokerchip Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/20/2021 at 10:12pm
I put the Prothane kit in my '64 American Sedan. It made an incredible difference, and definitely worth it. 
I'm planning on doing the same to my '67 American soon. 
1962 Rambler American 400 Convertible

1967 Rambler American 440 Sedan
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LakesideRamblin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LakesideRamblin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/20/2021 at 11:03pm
Did the same in my 69 Rambler.  Tight and nice.  Some squeak but don't care when I'm hauling arse down the road.  Everything hugs nicely.  I did install an Addco front sway bar and it works great as well.
LakesideRamblin
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73 Javelin 360
"If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month." T. Roosevelt
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wittsend View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote wittsend Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Oct/21/2021 at 12:02pm
"Also I don't believe there is any difference other than stroke but the car has a 232 in it."

If the engine is a 232 then do understand that it is a completely different engine than the 196 that another poster suspected that your car had.

 Unfortunately you have under 35 points (8 as of this posting) and can't post pictures. But to assist, if the carburetor sits on top of what could be termed a 'long aluminum plate' it is a 196. If the intake is cast iron and has six individual runners to the head then it is likely a 199, 232 or a very early 258.


Edited by wittsend - Oct/21/2021 at 12:08pm
'63 American Hardtop
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