Car Craft Magazine Homepage
 

1967 American Motors Rambler - Build a $3,500 Street Machine



This is a 100 percent bolt-on in front. We didn't bother with the rear drums because we needed to swap out the rearend anyway.
This is a 100 percent bolt-on in front. We didn't bother with the rear drums because we needed to swap out the rearend anyway.		We scored huge when Steve Magnante spotted a '72 Gremlin in a Wilmington, California, wrecking yard. It was a 304/904 car with the M20 rearend in it. The M20 is an 8.875-inch differential that came standard in AMC V-8 cars. We were hoping for a Twin Grip limited slip but it is actually a 2.73:1 open differential.
We scored huge when Steve Magnante spotted a '72 Gremlin in a Wilmington, California, wrecking yard. It was a 304/904 car with the M20 rearend in it. The M20 is an 8.875-inch differential that came standard in AMC V-8 cars. We were hoping for a Twin Grip limited slip but it is actually a 2.73:1 open differential.		Everything on a small V-8 AMC has value, so we pulled the entire drivetrain and took home three crossmembers.
Everything on a small V-8 AMC has value, so we pulled the entire drivetrain and took home three crossmembers.
Before we pulled the six, we had the car running and driving with the disc-brake swap. We could have just scrubbed it down and added it to the collection, but what fun is that? We want some speed!
Before we pulled the six, we had the car running and driving with the disc-brake swap. We could have just scrubbed it down and added it to the collection, but what fun is that? We want some speed!		At this point we had to decide what to do with the engine compartment. Paint it body color or fog it flat black? Guess which one won.
At this point we had to decide what to do with the engine compartment. Paint it body color or fog it flat black? Guess which one won.		We stripped the heater and the wiper motor and filled the holes with flashing left over from the neighbor's new roof. Another cool trick is to fill screw holes with a rivet if you don't have access to a welder. They disappear when you paint over them.
We stripped the heater and the wiper motor and filled the holes with flashing left over from the neighbor's new roof. Another cool trick is to fill screw holes with a rivet if you don't have access to a welder. They disappear when you paint over them.
This is the Gremlin crossmember after we sanded and painted it. It is a simple design that attaches to the frame with four bolts. We also took the time to address the wasted lower-control-arm bushings while we were there.
This is the Gremlin crossmember after we sanded and painted it. It is a simple design that attaches to the frame with four bolts. We also took the time to address the wasted lower-control-arm bushings while we were there.		We decided to simply pressure-wash the Gremlin running gear and plug it into the car. We found that the full-length headers will fit with the V-8, but you'll need a small starter. Powerhouse sells one for Jeeps that we will use when we start the performance upgrades.
We decided to simply pressure-wash the Gremlin running gear and plug it into the car. We found that the full-length headers will fit with the V-8, but you'll need a small starter. Powerhouse sells one for Jeeps that we will use when we start the performance upgrades.		The Rambler was overheating even with the six. We found a Pontiac Fiero and pulled the ample electric fan and scavenged a two-core radiator from a Matador. They bolt in like they were stock.
The Rambler was overheating even with the six. We found a Pontiac Fiero and pulled the ample electric fan and scavenged a two-core radiator from a Matador. They bolt in like they were stock.
The M20 bolts directly to the leaf springs on the Rambler. The measurement to the outside of each spring perch is 44-5/8 inches, and the track width with stock wheels is 55 inches. The Gremlin spring-perch dimension is 3/8 inch wider, requiring that you move the springs slightly outboard. We needed to have a custom driveshaft made using the Gremlin yokes.
The M20 bolts directly to the leaf springs on the Rambler. The measurement to the outside of each spring perch is 44-5/8 inches, and the track width with stock wheels is 55 inches. The Gremlin spring-perch dimension is 3/8 inch wider, requiring that you move the springs slightly outboard. We needed to have a custom driveshaft made using the Gremlin yokes.		We also partially stripped the '74 Matador of its exhaust when we pulled the radiator. It fit the transmission crossmember but required that we weld on a passenger-side head pipe and a new muffler.
We also partially stripped the '74 Matador of its exhaust when we pulled the radiator. It fit the transmission crossmember but required that we weld on a passenger-side head pipe and a new muffler.		We found a four-door Rambler and took the stock hood for the hoodscoop installation in the Apr. '06 issue along with the American scripts and other parts. You'll never see a junkyard Nova or Mustang with parts on it like this.
We found a four-door Rambler and took the stock hood for the hoodscoop installation in the Apr. '06 issue along with the American scripts and other parts. You'll never see a junkyard Nova or Mustang with parts on it like this.
Prev  | 1  | 2  | 3  | Next
Discuss in Our Forums
Get a FREE no-hassle price quote on any new car.

Related Photos

1967 American Motors Rambler Project Car Front 1967 American Motors Rambler Project Car Engine Bay 1967 American Motors Rambler Project Car Brakes
1967 American Motors Rambler Project Car Interior 1967 American Motors Rambler Project Car Junkyard 1967 American Motors Rambler Project Car Brakes
More Photos

 

Related Articles

 
1962 Pontiac Catalina - The Phantom Bubbletop
Pontiac Changed The Catalina Roof In 1962. Today, David Greene Changes It Back.... more
 
Muscle Car Electrical Tech Tips - Diagnose Those Musclecar - Electrical Gremlins
Don't Let Those Annoying Charging Or Starter Circuits Get The Better Of You. Don't let those... more
 
Put 'Em In The Air - Wheel Standing Championships
The Byron Wheelstanders Drive Like They Just Don't Care.... more
 
2010 Camaro - Latest Pictures and Spec Sheet
GM has officially released new pictures of the 2010 Camaro and most of the production details,... more

Car Craft Forum

 
converting 289 to roller cam without Crane retrofit kit, how?
ok, so i got a question. i don't want to pay $500 for some crane roller lifters. what is required... more
 
6cyl. 700r4 swap
i have a 88 gmc s15 with a 2.8 liter engine and 700r4. S15 is going to salvage yard. Would like... more
 
2000 Dakota poping sound under hood.
I am no mechanic so i'm thinking the worst. I replaced plugs, wires, cap, rotor and had injection... more
 
versailles rear end
hi-where do i find the casting number on this rear end; also, what is distance axle housing flange... more
 
WAS IT WORTH IT..75 ELCAMINO
I bought a 75 elcamino for $500 w/o an engine or tranny. Good title. It came out with a 454 block... more

Car Craft Blog

 
Rust
Rust bucket ... more
 
’55 Chevy
My Old ’55—Part II ... more
 
Isetta
Oddball car of the day.      ... more
 
’55 Chevy
My Old ’55—Part I ... more
 
Car Show Food
Taking one for the team. ... more

Car Research Guide