QuestionI have a 66 american 6cyl 199ci bw m-36 auto trans
no power steering, no power brakes, no radio 32amp alt. am swapping alt to 63amp chevy and adding electric wiper motor from ford-- escort or bronco-- but when i do this can i use orig style fuel pump and block vacuum off at fuel pump and just leave 2nd vac line to carb I assume this vacuum line from fuel pump to carb is a neccessity and cant be run from anywhere else?? is this the only source of vacuum?? can a vacuum tank from say a 68-70 chevy be added from fuel pump between carb to improve?? or can i use reg fuel pump with no vacuum pump and what years models other manuf interchange?? need some help understanding trunnion r&r. have problem with passenger side. bought it recently and owner told me of this problem. never saw or worked on this setup. can backyard mechanic do this with ease or is this major service?/ can you advise on where to get a service manual--all leads i have followed are sold already. want orig service manual with all the info not some clymer basic.. also can you advise on where to get info on conversions interchanges it seems to use some ford and some gm parts on this engine. is this a ford engine using gm ignition or amc engine with ford alt/voltage reg and gm ignition?? does this engine require lead additive and a different style plug wire-- noticed non adjust valve train--have some tapping but not sure since i expected to see adj lifter style ?? is this normal noise like the slant 6 dodge valve train noise or do i have a problem? also what common "issues" or "problems" did this year have engine-trans- overall that i should look for or be proactive in repair or maintenance?? i love this basic little car and hope i am driving it 40 years from now and can pass it down to my grandchildren. i also wondered if you know of any where i can get info on the non hot rod amc's i had a javelin and a hornet with a 360 but lets face it gas prices have made me love the little 6 that will run for decades no car payments and low insurance premiums means more to put into maintenace and restoration. sorry for all the questions but answer what you care to all help especially from a former amc tech is welcome as most other online info is so generalized and either chevy or ford oriented.
AnswerAS they say down here, You sure got a heap of questions!
1) Use a fuel pump from another AMC 6 cylinder w/o vaccum wipers. It is a regular looking fuel pump with no vaccuum pump. If you have electric wipers, you don't need a vaccuum pump type fuel pump. Check out this websight for American Performance Products: www.oldcarparts.com ask for part number 3193899.
2) Trunnions were used in place of upper ball joints. If they require replacement, you need a special spring compressor and knowledge on how to replace the trunnion. It will also require alignment. If you do not have experience replacing a trunnion, I don't reccommend trying it. I have seen mechanics get injured because the spring let loose and hit them. Find someone at an alignment shop that has been around awhile and has replaced trunnions.
3) As for a service manual, check e-bay. Also, get on some AMC websights. i.e. http://www.skidmore.edu/~pdwyer/amc/stonelist.htm or http://www.amonational.com/
4) Your engine was designed and manufactured by American Motors. It might use a GM or Ford starter or a GM distributor; a Motorola alternator, but that's it. The engine itself is ALL AMC.
5) Because this engine is pre-unleaded gas, using a lead substitute or additive would not hurt it.
6) Standard spark plug wires are sufficient.
7) The valve train is hydraulic and not adjustable. They can be prone to tap, especially if worn or with low oil pressure.
8) As for other information about AMC vehicles, Google "American Motors Corporation" and see what comes up.
Overall, this is a very good 6 cylinder engine. The basic design was used up into the 80's on Jeeps.
Hope this helps.
Kevin
