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
you will also need a true driveshaft and a different rear end. Rambler Americans had torque tubes and they are very weak. But, when you get that car done, it should be pretty quick due to it's low weight. Also, post some pictures
The junk yard I go to is a u pull it littered with crown vics.. but anything 302/AOD I will pull if it's good... less than $300 trans and engine togther from that yard.
The rear end/ drive shaft does use a really weird pinion nut that is diffrent from normal cars. but that's not really a problem, as I'll just give the driveline shop the old 1 so they can salvage the end to make the new 1
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.
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
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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