Hot Rods '63 Rambler Classic 550

You still have the six cylinder front spring in it, don't you? You might want to order a set of V-8 springs from www.coilsprings.com. I can get you the specs, but they will have them. The old Gen1 AMC V-8 weighed in at about 650 pounds, the old six around 530. The SBC probably weighs about the same as the old six, but those things were sprung really soft. I usually order stock height springs at 12% stiffer rates -- that seems to be the best compromise between ride and handling. I currently run a 10% stiffer, 1/2" shorter spring -- wish I'd got the 12% again, but not enough difference to change. If you think the SBC weighs a little more than the old 196 you might go as high as 15%, but even 1 or 2% more (than 10%) makes a difference! Factory HD springs were 18-20% over standard and road like an old 50s pick-up truck. 15% over the six cylinder rate is as high as I'd go. I wouldn't lower with springs more than 1", as any lower upsets suspension geometry. The 1/2" I lowered is barely noticeable, but coupled with the stiffer rate works well. My 4.0L with AW4 auto trans is about the same weight as the old 195.6 six and aluminum three speed auto the car came with. The 4.0L is about 50 pounds lighter than the iron 195.6, but the AW4 is a little heavier than the old Borg-Warner auto.

 

Another big step drive. Drove her down to my grandparents house, which is only a block or 2 away from where the Rambler sat for years before I bought it. Took her on the highway and she drove really well. I was quite happy with it.
Next week there'll be an NHRA inspection/party thing that I'm gonna go to. After that, with exceptions to a few things here and there, the Rambler is finally going to be parked at home.

 

Excellent ‼️ Enjoy a summer full of cruising ‼️‼️

 

Long haired young dude, beer in hand with his car.
Those were the days! Your expression exudes contentment.

 

Great! Nothing like really driving it the first time on the road, even if it is only a few blocks. Now that it's running/moving good you can think about upgrades! But enjoy it a bit first...

 

Congratulations! That was a lot of work, but you kept at it and didn't give up when things were tough, and at the end you've got a great car there to enjoy, with the satisfaction of knowing what it took to get it to this point. But you're not done yet. Next comes the body and paint!

 

Congrats! Car is turning out great and sounds like it is time to enjoy it!

 

Nicely done. You should be proud! Great job.

 

Nice, sleeper, hot rod! Way to go!

 

Went to an NSRA safety inspection event today. First time on a lift. Neat to see underneath the car whilst standing. 2 exhaust mounts have melted pretty bad, one is broke and rattles against crossmember. Gotta fix that. I probably ended up putting over 30 miles on her today, and she drove fantastic. Temp sticks around 180. Taillights are a bit screwy, grounding is messed up. Here's some pics

 

I think you probably drove 45 miles today.

 

Spotted this one today

 

He’s down talking it. Kinda like “what ya running”?

“Just a stock small block”

 

Nicely done. There are always bugs to shake out in those first few hundred miles.

 

You should be very proud. Now you can go have fun with it!

 

First important bug to shake out today. Was driving her alot today, stayed good temp all day but overheated quickly going uphill. This is probably due to how close the gas line is to the right side exhaust pipe. Going to have to reroute the fuel line. It was also pretty hot today, so that probably didnt help.

 

Catching up a bit, great job man!
Yeah, summertime shakedown is here. I have plenty to do myself
Have to catch up to do fixes for next winter

Joe

 

Might check total ignition timing, see if you need to back down a little @ the top end when you load her up a bit..

Joe

 

I finished up my car in early July 6 years ago, those were some HOT day time drives. If I drove it to work, I'd be soaked in sweat on the ride home. I found out 1st that it got way too hot in traffic rather quickly.

 

Away from the car at the moment so no pictures for now. But the area where the tank meets the gas neck is still leaking. Even After being soldered, and after nearly 2 maybe 2.5 tubes of jbweld. Not sure if I'm going to have to source another tank or not. Wanted to ask you all first

 

Please help

Getting a very annoying rattle when I let off the gas. We thought it was the exhaust rattling against something, but we fixed that up this morning. It's getting so annoying I'm not enjoying cruising around. Letting off gas or any deceleration causes rattle. When pressing on gas it goes away. Really starts up around 30mph.

Please any suggestions to help fix this would be much appreciated

 

Crappy video but here's something
https://youtube.com/shorts/0VjsC6WTXNs?feature=share

 

May post up a sound video of when/how the rattle happens.

 

Loose pinion in the rear end causing it to rub against the body of the carrier or this?

 

^^^^^ Found this photo so you can see and understand better what it is I'm referring to.

 

Also doesn't make the noise in park when revved. Only in gear. Sounds to be under the car for sure. It's not quiet like some litting thing tapping the floor, it's loud like someone tapping the floor with a hammer

 

Maybe at trans mount?

 

Knocking seems to mostly go away when turning kinda sharply.
Wheel bearings perhaps? All we did was regrease them. I know it was slightly pitted from rust. But they didn't seem bad.

 

Remind us of how your rear axle is mounted, is it parallel leaf springs? The axle will rotate under acceleration due to torque forces, when you let off the throttle those forces are relieved the axle will rotate the opposite direction. Does it do it only when in gear? If you put the trans into neutral when you let off the throttle does the rattle continue, or only when in gear?

 

Just curious if there was any modification to the drive line ? If so, was it taken to a drive line shop to have it re-balanced, also, are the universal joints old or were they replaced ?