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American Motors/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| how to tell the difference between#1 compresstion rings | 2/19/2011 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: how do i tell the difference between the top and the #2 compressyion rings they got mixed up they ... A: The top two grooves are the same size. Usually, the #2 ring has a bevel which faces downward ... | ||
| 1965 Marlin | 2/14/2011 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Kevin, just purchased a survivor Marlin with a 287 automatic. Car is out of Arizona and in very ... A: The AMC 287 & 327 are identical engines, with the exception of the CID. The 327 AMC engine will drop ... | ||
| brake lights | 2/2/2011 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: turn signals , marker lights , and dash note lights don't work neither does the gas gauge or temp ... A: Sorry, I do not have a wiring diagram for your 66 Ambassador, try to find one. There is a CVR ... | ||
| Neutral safety and B/U switch for saginaw column | 2/2/2011 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Kevin, I am in the process of installing a small block Chevy and TH 350 in my 84 CJ7 which was ... A: I think the easiest thing for you to do is visit your local salvage yard and find a GM vehicle with ... | ||
| 1964 Rambler Classic 770 | 12/7/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I can't figure out how to remove the rear drum on my '64 Classic 770. It has a leaking wheel ... A: The drum is probably rusted to the axle hub. Saturate the area where the drum & hub meet (right in ... | ||
| tech manuals | 9/25/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: My son and I (he's 16) just bought a 1964 AMC Rambler 330. We had the brakes redone by a local ... A: Here's a 66 Rambler American repair manual that you will find helpful: ... | ||
| 63' Classic 770 Steering | 9/24/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: What you described sounds close to the problem I have with one exception. The slop in the system is ... A: The "ram" is called the steering gear box. It would be best to just replace the complete steering ... | ||
| Steering bushing for 1963 Classic 770 | 9/24/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have a 63' Classic 770(287 w/TorqueFlite 727) that I'm having steering issues with. It's got power ... A: What you are describing sounds like the pittman arm mounted on the steering sector shaft. Do you ... | ||
| Pacer Engine Noise | 9/17/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have a 1975 Pacer with the 258 I6. The engine has 244,989 miles on it (un- rebuilt) and it has a ... A: It is possible the lifters are noisy, but more likely the rocker arms and rocker arm bridges are the ... | ||
| 1978 amc amx | 9/15/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: .ive found a 1978 amx..the engine compartment sticker say its a 304..the owner says its the real ... A: I don't know the number of units made, though I am sure that could be located online. As for the ... | ||
| 69 rambler | 9/15/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Hey Kevin, just trying to see if someone can help me out..there's a 69 rambler near me for 3k that ... A: If the car is in very good shape, it might be OK. I would suggest having a qualified technician ... | ||
| 78 CJ w AMC 304 | 9/7/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have an original 78 CJ w the AMC 304. I would like greater performance and am considering porting ... A: Don't know how much more power you want from your 304, but porting & polishing the heads and ... | ||
| Exhaust system 4 max torque | 2/26/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I've got a J10 with rebuilt 60 over 360. Runs great now w/500 2bbl and stock iron exhaust and ... A: Anything you do to reduce the backpressure created by the stock exhaust will increase the torque AND ... | ||
| Exhaust system 4 max torque | 2/26/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I've got a J10 with rebuilt 60 over 360. Runs great now w/500 2bbl and stock iron exhaust and ... A: The longer hedders will give you more torque, but with the layout underneath, you might consider ... | ||
| oil pan removal | 2/22/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: how do i remove the oil pan from my 1963 rambler 287 v8 A: Gain access to the pan by: 1) Removing the engine 2) Dropping the front crossmember and suspension ... | ||
| 1974 360 Javelin broken teeth on flexplate | 2/20/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Think that I put the distributor in 180 out. Turned engine over, backfired while starter was ... A: If it has been sitting for 4 years and you would like to do some performance modifications, I would ... | ||
| 65 rambler 330 rear end | 2/20/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: i have a 1965 rambler 330 2 door and would like to know what rear end is in the car and how strong ... A: It has a 7 9/16" ring gear, not very strong or desireable; especially for a small block Chevy. The ... | ||
| Pacer Problem | 2/19/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have a 1975 Pacer with a 4.2 258 I6. Recently the car has been bucking at low RPM. Recently all ... A: A weak ignition coil will usually show bad when under load, as during hard acceleration. The most ... | ||
| points to electronic distributor | 2/18/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I was wondering if there is a conversion to change from a points distributor to a electronic,I ... A: I do not know if this conversion kit will fit a Prestolite distributor, but you can ask the company. ... | ||
| hei | 2/13/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I just put a hei distributor in amc 360 in 76 cj5. the vacuum advance is in the way of power ... A: What you are doing is changing the position of cylinder #1 on the distrbutor cap. This will allow ... | ||
| headlight remove & replace | 2/9/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: What is the best way to install a headlight switch in a 70 AMX. Is it necessary to remove the upper ... A: Locate the switch behind the dash. Depress the release button while pulling out on the knob. Once ... | ||
| ignition | 2/5/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: i have a 74 amc matador 304, the problem is that when i crank over the car it will only run when its ... A: I've attached a page from the repair manual, along with a link to the second page. Follow the ... | ||
| 1978 Jeep CJ7 | 1/29/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have a problem after replacing the ENTIRE fuel system on my 1978 Jeep CJ7 V8 304 I now thing I ... A: The eccentric is located on the front of the camshaft and is the same for all AMC V-8 engines from ... | ||
| what is the tube coming off my valve cover for | 1/20/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: hay Kevin thanks for the wire diagram. Everything worked out great. So my question for you this time ... A: You are correct. The hole in the valve cover is for a crankcase breather. It must be there to allow ... | ||
| 1976 DJ5 Jeep Wiper Blades | 1/18/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I am looking for replacement blades for my RHD mail jeep. The ones on it are 11 inches long. Any ... A: The best I can recommend is bring your blades to your local NAPA auto parts store and try to match ... | ||
| 2007 Ford Focus Coolant | 1/17/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: The coolant appears low. Manual says to add 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water. Also ... A: There is two ways of doing it. 1) Buy a gallon of QUALITY coolant/antifreeze. Mix it 50/50 with ... | ||
| wire diagram for amc javelin 304 | 1/15/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: so heres the problem or the question for that matter. I'm wondering if you have a picture of a wire ... A: I've attached a copy from an AMC repair manual showing the location of the spark plug wires. If you ... | ||
| 1964 Rambler classic | 1/9/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: My car has the 287 V-8 w/flashomatic trans.How feasable is trading out to a small block chevy & ... A: How feasable is subjective. If you have the money and time, anything is possible. It is NOT a simple ... | ||
| Pacer Won't Start | 1/8/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have a 1975 Pacer with the 4.2L 258 I6 and a three speed manual with overdrive. The car had been ... A: Three things are necessary to get your Pacer running, and they must occur in the proper order. 1) ... | ||
| amc pacer front disc brake conversion | 1/7/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have a 1953 Chevy pickup with a AMC pacer front end. I thought it was a 1978 but through my ... A: Pacer front ends were the same from 75 up. They did, however, use different make calipers. 75-76 ... | ||
| bulb replacement question? | 1/2/2010 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Question The small bulbs on my speedomoter and tacometer went out and I have removed the instrument ... A: I do not have a listing for the bulbs on later model vehicles. You should, however, be able to bring ... | ||
| 64 amc rambler ambassador 990 H | 12/31/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have my hands on a 64 amc rambler ambassador 990 H it is overall great condition. The engine is ... A: Installing any engine besides the original 327 AMC will require modification. Besides, the AMC is ... | ||
| 65 Rambler american instrument cluster removal. | 12/30/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: What do I have to do to remove the instrument cluster on my 65 Rambler American so I can replace the ... A: You should be able to remove a few phillip head screws and pop the instrument cluster out. Place a ... | ||
| just bought a 1964 amc rambler classic | 12/25/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: vin# is G540183, on engine block # j173, 3168465, I understand its a 6 cyl the engine runs well but ... A: I don't understand what your quesiion is. Is there currently an oil filter on the engine? It should ... | ||
| 1960 rambler super | 12/19/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: it looks like something from the manifold to the carb is missing.A small tube with threaded ends if ... A: What you describe sounds like the choke heat tube. Its job is to provide heated air to the automatic ... | ||
| broken pipe where oil dip stick goes on 304 amc | 12/18/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: So here it is i have a 1970 amc javelin with a 304. Somehow the pipe where oil dip stick goes broke ... A: I have experienced the same thing. Unfortunately, your engine is in the car. Try using an E-Z out ... | ||
| starter motor AMC Hornet 232-1977 | 12/11/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have a Hornet 1977, engine 232, 6L.The starter donīt work perfect, several times I have to turn ... A: It sounds as though the flywheel has damaged teeth on the gear. This is not uncommon. I do not know ... | ||
| 1976 amc 304 distributor timing | 12/11/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I just bought a 76 cj5 with 304 and a howell tbi kit installed by previous owner. my question is, ... A: You can inspect the timing gear & chain, but it would require a bit of work to access it. The ... | ||
| classic 550 | 12/9/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: since my Rambler has only 38k miles since 1964 should I repaint it? because it runs like new and ... A: It depends on whether you want to keep it original or not. An original paint job will make the car ... | ||
| 1976 amc 304 distributor timing | 12/3/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I just bought a 76 cj5 with 304 and a howell tbi kit installed by previous owner. my question is, ... A: Check the firing order. It should be 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 Also, the engine can pop like you describe if a ... | ||
Kevin Pilotte
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer many technical questions relating to AMC vehicles prior to 1979. I also have experience with Rambler & Nash vehicles.
Experience
I am a former AMC technician, service writer and service manager. I have worked in AMC dealers in Illinois in the 70's. After college, I was a Field Service Rep for American Motors Sales Corporation, working out of the Chicago Zone office. I traveled to AMC dealers assisting in the diagnosis and repair of AMC vehicles. I was also the Area Training Manager for DeLorean Motor Company. I have 10+ years as an Automotive Instructor. I have modified and restored
numerous AMC vehicles. I have been working on AMC vehicles for over 30 years.
Organizations
I have been an ASE Certified Master Technician since 1975. This includes L1. I am also currently a Toyota Certified Master Diagnostic Technician.
Publications
I have articles in "American Motoring", the official publication of the American Motors Owners Association. They are the largest AMC club in the world.
Education/Credentials
I have a certificate I printed out from a website.
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