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American Motors/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| 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 ... | ||
| oil pan removal | 12/1/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Hey Kevin i have a 1960 american with a flat six. One of my piston rods may be broken and who knows ... A: No. I have attached a page from the repair manual on oil pan removal. If all of the bolts are out, ... | ||
| 1959 instrument clustrer | 11/30/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Can you describe what is necessary to change out the temp gauge on my 59 custom. I have checked all ... A: You will have to remove the instrument cluster. Remove the circuit board on the back of the cluster ... | ||
| FUELPUMP | 11/24/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: i was wondering if there was a trick or something to insalling the vacume fuel pump, i worked for 3 ... A: Being that the fuel pump on this engine is driven by a large eccentric on the front of the camshaft, ... | ||
| hard starting | 11/13/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: i have a 1983 jeep CJ5, the engine is rebult with about 1000 miles on it. i put a new carb on it. I ... A: Remove a spark plug wire from a spark plug and hold the end about 1/2" away from the engine block. ... | ||
| vacuum hoses and carb adjustment | 11/8/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have a 1970 Javelin with a 258 6 cyl engine and a one barrel carb. Where does the vacuum advance ... A: You would want ported vacuum to the distributor, that's the port that has vacuum when you start to ... | ||
| hard starting | 11/5/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: i have a 1983 jeep CJ5, the engine is rebult with about 1000 miles on it. i put a new carb on it. I ... A: Did you install the Weber carburetor? It sounds like the engine is starving for fuel. Before ... | ||
| 66 amc dpl flashomatic transmission | 11/3/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have a 1966 AMC DPL with its original Q code 327 4V and column shift flashomatic trans.The car ... A: I feel your pain. It has been over 35 years since I pulled a starter on a 327. All I remember is it ... | ||
| electronic ignition | 11/2/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have a 64 American convertable I am restoring. I took an electronic ignition distributor and ... A: Gord, Need to know what year distributor you have. It is either a Prestolite or Motorcraft. Pull ... | ||
| 1969 AMX 390 FUEL PUMP MECHANICAL WITH VACUUM WIPERS. | 10/28/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: What is the correct way to remove and replace the fuel pump on a 1969 390 AMX? Also how much Vacuum ... A: Remove the fuel lines from the pump, remove the vacuum lines from the pump, remove the bolts then ... | ||
| amc javelin & ambassadore | 10/22/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: are the frames on the ambassadore (72) and javelin (71) the same ? ANSWER: Technically, these are ... A: You're in luck. Numerous components will interchange. Front suspension & steering; brakes & brake ... | ||
| 1966 rambler amc | 10/21/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: i just got my hands on a 66 rambler been taken good real good care of the body and interior. but im ... A: You say you have power going into the coil; you should have 9-12V on the (+) side of the coil when ... | ||
| 88 Eagle Premeir In colum Ignition switch | 10/21/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: To solve some questions, in mid-year of 1988 AMC switched the location of the ignition switch from ... A: I do not have any local sources for later model Renault Eagles nor am I familiar with them. If my ... | ||
| Jeep t-5 transmission | 10/19/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: My jeep cj7 made a loud pop as I started out in first gear and then began to click loudly. The ... A: Try removing the rear driveshaft; place it in 4H; and drive it off the front wheels. If the noise ... | ||
| owner's manual of a '63 Rambler classic 550 2D | 10/10/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Mr Pilotte, I just got a '63 Rambler 550 Classic 2D as a gift from my uncle. This car is not running ... A: The best place to start looking is online AMC vendors and AMC/Rmabler clubs. Google 1962 Rambler and ... | ||
| Jeep CJ Steering Column Gear Indicator | 10/9/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I have a 81 Jeep CJ with GM steering column. What type of column is this? I am trying to find a ... A: The steering column is made by Saginaw, a GM subsidary. There are parts that are interchangable from ... | ||
| no fuel from tank | 10/7/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: please help i recently got a 1966 rambler classic 770 232 six but i cant get any fuel from the tank. ... A: It is possible that the pick up sock in the tank is restricted or clogged. It will require the ... | ||
| generator wires | 10/3/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: just picked up this cool 64 American. the wire from the generator smokes? A: The car is over 21 so it is legal to smoke. Just kidding. If a wire is smoking it usually means ... | ||
| 1985 jeep cj7 | 10/2/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: HAVE INSTALL MOTORCRAFT 2100 ON MY 1985 CJ7 IT WILL NOT IDLE ANY ANSWERS AND LOOKING FOR PICTURES ... A: If you removed the carburetor from a vehicle that hasn't been running for a while, it might need to ... | ||
| 1974 AMC JAVELIN -IGNITION- | 10/1/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I am having Ignition problems with my 1974 Javelin - 304 2bbl. - Car has started and ran by jumping ... A: 1974 AMC vehicles came with a seat belt system that required the seat belts to be connected before ... | ||
| 1969 AMX question - | 9/26/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Mr. Pilotte, I run across this site and have enjoyed reading your many answers to all kinds of ... A: How much money do you want to spend? One option would be to find an AMX with a good body and ... | ||
| circuit board for 69 Rambler | 9/25/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Who do you suggest I contact to purchase a new or used circuit board for a 1969 Rambler, Thanks A: If you are unable to find one online from one of the numerous AMC parts vendors, call Collier AMC in ... | ||
| 1966 Marlin | 9/25/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I bought the car and they had had the fuel tank boiled out and coated new fuel lines put on...car ... A: Hook up a fuel pressure gauge at the carburetor and measure the fuel pressure. Have you replaced ... | ||
| AMC 304 running rough and backfiring | 9/16/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: My Jeep 304 just cut out on me one day. Replaced all ignition components and carb. I found a broken ... A: Some things that can cause backfiring is a broken valve spring or rocker arm bridge support; spark ... | ||
| Timing | 9/13/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Kevin, Thanks for your help on the previous question. I have another. with timing at 10-14 initial ... A: Ahhhh, Another piece is added to the puzzle. A non-stock cam can give you those manifold vacuum ... | ||
| Timing | 9/11/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Kevin, Thanks for your help on the previous question. I have another. with timing at 10-14 initial ... A: As long as you don't have ignition ping. When you say intake pressure, do you mean manifold vacuum? ... | ||
| 1969 AMX REAR MAIN SEAL | 9/9/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Can I replace the rear engine main seal in my 1969 390 AMX without having to remove the engine? If ... A: Yes, but it's not easy. You have to remove the transmission & bellhousing. You also have to remove ... | ||
| 94 camry problems | 9/4/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I'm driving this 4-cyl A-trans car for about 35000 miles now (Its current mileage 144000). Did oil ... A: What was damaged and what was repaired after your accident? The AC could have developed a leak, or ... | ||
| 1974 amc javelin | 9/3/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: i have a 1974 amc javelin automatic on the column i needed to replace the key lock and when we ... A: Look on page 10-32 at this site: ... | ||
| temp/fuel gauge | 9/2/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: i have a 1969 amc javelin sst, the temp and fuel gauges used to work, now they don't, i ckecked all ... A: It is possibly the CVR, Constant Voltage Regulator mounted on the circuit board on the instrument ... | ||
| replaced alternator now no power 66 marlin | 9/1/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I had my motorola alternator rebuilt. I took a picture of the 4 wire connections and believe it or ... A: It's possible that you shorted the diode trio in the alternator when you connected the battery. ... | ||
| Fuel indicator in 1982 AMC EAGLE | 8/31/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Vehicle is in excellent condition with 53,000 miles. Dash fuel indicator is now stuck on "full". Is ... A: Disconnct the wire at the tank from the sending unit. If the gas gauge goes down, replace the ... | ||
| engine trans switch to wrangler | 8/28/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: I would like to put a 360 Jeep truck engine and auto trans and transfer case in my 1993 Wrangler. ... A: Is it possible? Yes. Can it be done with shade tree modifications? No. Your 93 Wrangler was not ... | ||
| possible vapor lock???? | 8/23/2009 | Kevin Pilotte |
| Q: Kevin I have a 1978 Jeep Wagoneer.360,4bbl,auto with 150,000 miles . Motor has 20,000 since rebuild. ... A: There are other items that can cause your condition. Ignition coils often break down when hot & ... | ||
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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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