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American Motors/1963 AMC Rambler Classic 550

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Expert: Kevin Pilotte - 4/18/2007


Question
   Kevin, I ended up with the above car, and my son and I would like to put a decent, readily available, easily swapped (and inexpensive) V8 engine and transmission in it...what would you suggest?  Or would a 232 or 258 from a later AMC be a good choice?

Answer
Either 232 or 258 will work, but the question should be "how much money and time do you have?". It is not a bolt in job. The motore mounts will have to be welded & the transmission will not bolt up. There are no later model engines I know of that will "bolt up" without some modification.

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Kevin Pilotte

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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