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'65 Rambler American engine swap

7K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  SSedan64 
#1 ·
I have a '65 Rambler American with a 196 6cyl/ Auto. The engine is extremely tired and in need of a rebuild ( which I'm not going to bother with ). even though it starts easy, it uses a lot of gas and it smokes a lot ( blue, so I know it's blow-by as it never goes away ). I want to swap to a modern V8, preferably a Ford 302.. I know the BW-M35 trans ( what it has now ) uses most of the same internals as the BW derrived Ford FMX trans.. would the Rambler X member fit a FMX trans? I'm not worried about modification but if I don't have to, that would be awesome. The car is a daily driver so the least I have to worry, the better
 
#9 ·
The only problem with using the original axle and driveshaft is the tiny universal joints. The axle is 7-9/16", and strong as a Ford 8", so it's okay for a stock 302 in a light car. If you put very big tires on and drop the pedal hard, the u-joint will break before anything else. 8" street tires (about all that will fit the wheel wells anyway) should be okay with normal driving, but keep a spare universal joint on hand. It will last a while, but how long I don't know. Those joints were used on Fords with the 200 six, but I think the 250 six cars used a bigger joint. No way to put a bigger joint on the original axle. That axle is narrow, but a Chevy S-10 (and probably Ford Ranger) axle will fit with a little work.
 
#10 ·
I'm keeping everything stock on the new engine/ trans. and keeping the rubber the stock size all the way round.

Ford 200 I6 cars came with a 71/4" rear end from 1960-1969 ( 8" after ), and the 250 cars came with a 8" or an odd 8.8" in 1978-1979 in some Mercury's. 1 of my other cars is a '67 Falcon 6cyl but I'v never changed the U joint on it... Didn't know they used the same joint as the Rambler :)
 
#11 ·
farna said:
The only problem with using the original axle and driveshaft is the tiny universal joints. The axle is 7-9/16", and strong as a Ford 8", so it's okay for a stock 302 in a light car. If you put very big tires on and drop the pedal hard, the u-joint will break before anything else. 8" street tires (about all that will fit the wheel wells anyway) should be okay with normal driving, but keep a spare universal joint on hand. It will last a while, but how long I don't know. Those joints were used on Fords with the 200 six, but I think the 250 six cars used a bigger joint. No way to put a bigger joint on the original axle. That axle is narrow, but a Chevy S-10 (and probably Ford Ranger) axle will fit with a little work.
Hey Farna is the Union Switch & Signal Co. still in biz in Batesburg? Used to work for them.
 
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