My '88 Cherokee (which technically was a Chrysler product by then) was still an AMC product. GM steering column, Aisin Transmission, , Renix (Renault/Bendix) fuel injection on the AMC 4.0... A true mishmash of parts no doubt.
Tell me about AMC
- Thread starter expat
- Start date
- Status
The Penske AMCs beat the heck out of Chevy & Fords . I saw then run at Elkhart Lake Wisconsin.
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
My '88 Cherokee (which technically was a Chrysler product by then) was still an AMC product. GM steering column, Aisin Transmission, , Renix (Renault/Bendix) fuel injection on the AMC 4.0... A true mishmash of parts no doubt.
When I was a kid my parents had a '90. It was so weird to see GM keys with a Pentastar on them. I remember the heater hoses still had AMC logos on them.
My '88 Cherokee (which technically was a Chrysler product by then) was still an AMC product. GM steering column, Aisin Transmission, , Renix (Renault/Bendix) fuel injection on the AMC 4.0... A true mishmash of parts no doubt.
When I was a kid my parents had a '90. It was so weird to see GM keys with a Pentastar on them. I remember the heater hoses still had AMC logos on them.
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
My '88 Cherokee (which technically was a Chrysler product by then) was still an AMC product. GM steering column, Aisin Transmission, , Renix (Renault/Bendix) fuel injection on the AMC 4.0... A true mishmash of parts no doubt.
GM Alternator, Ford distributor ...
The first XJ Cherokee had a Ford Carb, GM engine (and alternator, steering column, steering box), Chrysler transmission ...
I do kind of like the Renix system. I will always refer to it as the god-awful Renix system just because when it gets to be 26+ years old, it has some issues.
However, they started an entire market segment with the thing.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
My '88 Cherokee (which technically was a Chrysler product by then) was still an AMC product. GM steering column, Aisin Transmission, , Renix (Renault/Bendix) fuel injection on the AMC 4.0... A true mishmash of parts no doubt.
When I was a kid my parents had a '90. It was so weird to see GM keys with a Pentastar on them. I remember the heater hoses still had AMC logos on them.
Friend of mine has a 90. It has a GM Style ignition key and Chrysler door keys - though, I think the doors were replaced at some point.
It has a warning in three different languages (French, German and something else) about the oil filter thread.
The Saginaw steering columns and ignition components were common; my father had a 90s Freightliner with an American Motors GM style key.
My '88 Cherokee (which technically was a Chrysler product by then) was still an AMC product. GM steering column, Aisin Transmission, , Renix (Renault/Bendix) fuel injection on the AMC 4.0... A true mishmash of parts no doubt.
GM Alternator, Ford distributor ...
The first XJ Cherokee had a Ford Carb, GM engine (and alternator, steering column, steering box), Chrysler transmission ...
I do kind of like the Renix system. I will always refer to it as the god-awful Renix system just because when it gets to be 26+ years old, it has some issues.
However, they started an entire market segment with the thing.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
My '88 Cherokee (which technically was a Chrysler product by then) was still an AMC product. GM steering column, Aisin Transmission, , Renix (Renault/Bendix) fuel injection on the AMC 4.0... A true mishmash of parts no doubt.
When I was a kid my parents had a '90. It was so weird to see GM keys with a Pentastar on them. I remember the heater hoses still had AMC logos on them.
Friend of mine has a 90. It has a GM Style ignition key and Chrysler door keys - though, I think the doors were replaced at some point.
It has a warning in three different languages (French, German and something else) about the oil filter thread.
The Saginaw steering columns and ignition components were common; my father had a 90s Freightliner with an American Motors GM style key.
Could you remove the ignition key with it running like you could with some of the old Chryslers?
Originally Posted By: lewdwig
My dad drove various Ramblers in the 1960s, then drove Pontiacs in the '70s.
The first engine I ever rebuilt was in a 1960 Rambler American. My FIL dontated it to my HS auto shop, and that was the first car engine I ever rebuilt. IIRC they had a flat head 6 in them.
My dad drove various Ramblers in the 1960s, then drove Pontiacs in the '70s.
The first engine I ever rebuilt was in a 1960 Rambler American. My FIL dontated it to my HS auto shop, and that was the first car engine I ever rebuilt. IIRC they had a flat head 6 in them.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
My '88 Cherokee (which technically was a Chrysler product by then) was still an AMC product. GM steering column, Aisin Transmission, , Renix (Renault/Bendix) fuel injection on the AMC 4.0... A true mishmash of parts no doubt.
When I was a kid my parents had a '90. It was so weird to see GM keys with a Pentastar on them. I remember the heater hoses still had AMC logos on them.
I recall Wranglers used GM columns (and keys) until 1995.
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
My '88 Cherokee (which technically was a Chrysler product by then) was still an AMC product. GM steering column, Aisin Transmission, , Renix (Renault/Bendix) fuel injection on the AMC 4.0... A true mishmash of parts no doubt.
When I was a kid my parents had a '90. It was so weird to see GM keys with a Pentastar on them. I remember the heater hoses still had AMC logos on them.
I recall Wranglers used GM columns (and keys) until 1995.
Originally Posted By: expat
"
It has a warning in three different languages (French, German and something else) about the oil filter thread"
What was so special about the oil filter thread?
Sometimes you could screw on the wrong filter because the threads were close enough. However, once oil pressure rose, the oil would blow the filter off of the engine. Also, the 2 filters had very similar external dimensions.
I witnessed that happen when the service writer gave me the wrong filter for a 1986 Nissan 300ZX. Somebody made a mistake, and ordered a filter that fit a Pontiac Sunfire.
"
It has a warning in three different languages (French, German and something else) about the oil filter thread"
What was so special about the oil filter thread?
Sometimes you could screw on the wrong filter because the threads were close enough. However, once oil pressure rose, the oil would blow the filter off of the engine. Also, the 2 filters had very similar external dimensions.
I witnessed that happen when the service writer gave me the wrong filter for a 1986 Nissan 300ZX. Somebody made a mistake, and ordered a filter that fit a Pontiac Sunfire.
As a guy who still drives and maintains a '70 Rebel "Machine" I can report that the 360, 390, 401 v-8's had forged crankshafts, forged pistons and high nickel blocks. They wear tough, tough tough. Some might remember the Wally Booth Pro Stock of the early 70's. It had **** Maskin cylinder heads on it and made bags of power at the time. I feel their quality was on par with others of that vintage.
Originally Posted By: expat
"
It has a warning in three different languages (French, German and something else) about the oil filter thread"
What was so special about the oil filter thread?
The early 4.0L engines (87-90) had a metric thread oil filter.
"
It has a warning in three different languages (French, German and something else) about the oil filter thread"
What was so special about the oil filter thread?
The early 4.0L engines (87-90) had a metric thread oil filter.
Originally Posted By: expat
"
It has a warning in three different languages (French, German and something else) about the oil filter thread"
What was so special about the oil filter thread?
Can't speak for the Jeep but there are 18mm and 20mm threads and 3/4 (right around 19mm) falls in the middle.
There were chryslers that went from one filter to another mid-production. The warning is also in the back of the fram catalog-- tech is supposed to span the boss with a predescribed open wrench as a go/ no-go gauge.
I've personally seen a mitsubishi eclipse take a 20mm filter for the mitsu engine or the 3/4 for the 2.0 neon engine. The 20mm will thread on only to blow off later.
"
It has a warning in three different languages (French, German and something else) about the oil filter thread"
What was so special about the oil filter thread?
Can't speak for the Jeep but there are 18mm and 20mm threads and 3/4 (right around 19mm) falls in the middle.
There were chryslers that went from one filter to another mid-production. The warning is also in the back of the fram catalog-- tech is supposed to span the boss with a predescribed open wrench as a go/ no-go gauge.
I've personally seen a mitsubishi eclipse take a 20mm filter for the mitsu engine or the 3/4 for the 2.0 neon engine. The 20mm will thread on only to blow off later.
I leased 25 1975 Matadors for the sales force in Wi. They were all doges! They would stop in the middle of the road for no reason, cost the company big bucks to keep them going.
I had a 1971 Javelin 360 with the "Go Package". Had E/60-15 Goodyear Polyglass tires, dual exhaust and heavy duty type suspension. It had a Borg Warner 3 speed auto transmission with 3.91 gears. I could watch the gas gauge drop as I drove it.
An alright car except for the vacuum wiper motor. Yeah, it used engine vacuum to drive the wipers. The seal in the vacuum unit was always going bad and the wipers would slow down to nothing.
Even funnier was the heater/ defroster which was called the "Weather Eye". I have no idea what that meant.
An alright car except for the vacuum wiper motor. Yeah, it used engine vacuum to drive the wipers. The seal in the vacuum unit was always going bad and the wipers would slow down to nothing.
Even funnier was the heater/ defroster which was called the "Weather Eye". I have no idea what that meant.
The early 4.0's had several "different" things. The oil filter was a 20mm metric thread - a different filter than everything else.
The Renix fuel injection - it didn't throw codes - so no check engine light. It just started running bad. Many memories troubleshooting with a multi meter...
Fuel injectors that would split and leak (and were commonly replaced with Ford injectors for the 5.0 that were way cheaper!). Did that on mine...
The closed cooling system with the pressure bottles that would crack, caps that wouldn't seal, and none of that got better as the years went by, leading many (including me) to convert to the 91+ radiator system with a real cap on it...
The GM keys amused me - I could pull my old worn keys out with the engine running. Same as my '89 cavalier.
AMC parts and labels on everything...
I learned a lot about wrenching on cars, enjoyed driving her, but have to say I don't miss the near continual tinkering!
The Renix fuel injection - it didn't throw codes - so no check engine light. It just started running bad. Many memories troubleshooting with a multi meter...
Fuel injectors that would split and leak (and were commonly replaced with Ford injectors for the 5.0 that were way cheaper!). Did that on mine...
The closed cooling system with the pressure bottles that would crack, caps that wouldn't seal, and none of that got better as the years went by, leading many (including me) to convert to the 91+ radiator system with a real cap on it...
The GM keys amused me - I could pull my old worn keys out with the engine running. Same as my '89 cavalier.
AMC parts and labels on everything...
I learned a lot about wrenching on cars, enjoyed driving her, but have to say I don't miss the near continual tinkering!
Originally Posted By: expat
"
It has a warning in three different languages (French, German and something else) about the oil filter thread"
What was so special about the oil filter thread?
They were Metric.
It's impossible to find anything other than OCOD for one of these in stores, too.
"
It has a warning in three different languages (French, German and something else) about the oil filter thread"
What was so special about the oil filter thread?
They were Metric.
It's impossible to find anything other than OCOD for one of these in stores, too.
my first job was at an amc dealer. i spent a lot of time around all the models and always liked the gremlin best. the matador police cars were real dogs. i got to help install the police gear in them before delivery
Two recollections I have of '60s and '70s Rambler/AMCs.
I seem to recall the straight six ignition system being sensitive to moisture. I recall them sometimes having trouble in the rain.
The air conditioned ones had a maximum setting that was labeled "Desert Only". I believe it ran the A/C system continuously and if it was humid, the evaporator could ice up.
They were a bit quirky, but when you're the little guy you have to think different.
I seem to recall the straight six ignition system being sensitive to moisture. I recall them sometimes having trouble in the rain.
The air conditioned ones had a maximum setting that was labeled "Desert Only". I believe it ran the A/C system continuously and if it was humid, the evaporator could ice up.
They were a bit quirky, but when you're the little guy you have to think different.
My dad had a Rambler. Must have been about a 1961 or 62. After it died, he bought another one about a '67 I'm guessing. He kept a big sponge in the car because it the floor got wet whenever it rained. We'd sponge out the rain water and then off we'd go! Overall, it brought fond memories of my dad and his beater AMCs.
The "kid" across the street had a Javelin when he was about 17 years old. A very cool car.
The police chief that lived behind me had a Matador back in the 70s.
Did a lot of fishing in 1992 and there was a guy with a 4x4 AMC car that ran pretty well.
The "kid" across the street had a Javelin when he was about 17 years old. A very cool car.
The police chief that lived behind me had a Matador back in the 70s.
Did a lot of fishing in 1992 and there was a guy with a 4x4 AMC car that ran pretty well.
- Status
