Still waiting my turn for an engine rebuild from AZ Restorations in AZ

 It's been almost a year since I put down a deposit with AZ Restorations in AZ.   There have been supply chain issues and of course COVID was the main cause of delays.   My 69 AMX 390 runs good and is fast but has some lifter noise and seems to top out at 65 mph.   During the build we will update the 4speed and rear end to handle the 400 hp motor Dan Curtis creates.

Looking forward to it.

Keep Original or Update

I think anyone with an older classic car constantly wrestles with the question, do I keep everything original or do I upgrade where I can within a budget.    

What comes to mind off the bat is color, both inside and out.   The inside color of my 1969 AMC AMX is saddleback tan.   It sounds good but the seats, dash, door panels, and carpet are all different colors of light to medium brown.   My take was to redo everything in black since much is available aftermarket and go with light brown trim in the seats and floormats.

The exterior color is Pompeii Yellow, a one-off with black stripes.   I like it but I have seen many AMXs in a shark grey or matte black with the lines in light grey.

Any thoughts?

Thanks to Leon P. from FB Group - Found NOS sidemarkers

Thanks to Leon P. from FB Group - Found NOS side markers for my 69 AMX.   They are in great shape.  After install I found that there is a short on the passenger side so I've only got one side working so far.  

Found Parts at Galvin AMC Rambler Parts

Great catalog and personal service at Galvin AMC http://www.ramblerparts.com

I also found an OEM horn that works off an AMC facebook group so I can get rid of the universal horn I bought at Napa.   It was a two prong anyway.

There was one issue with the turn signals.   The front drivers lights up but does not flash.   All other lights flash fine.   Flash?   $4 bet.

Hopefully, I can get it back up and working so I can get my registration completed.

Cheers

Need Parts to Pass Registration

Texas requires a safety check yearly meaning all lights and horn need to work.  I found an aftermarket horn that will work for inspection but I am still looking for an original one wire one blade.

Also one of the front side marker lights is out which looks like a sealed unit. WTH?

If anyone has a working OEM horn or like please contact me.

Classic Car or Antique?

Classic Car or Antique?

My wife calls her an antique based on her being 50 years old. 

I refer to "Ellie" as a classic car or hot rod.  Most people would agree.

That all changed sort of a few weeks ago when we were out for a ride in the sun when two blocks
from home we hard a loud noise.   I thought I ran over something but my wife said something fell off the car.   "No way", I said looking back in my rear view mirror.    Something was in the street so I backed up and my wife got out.

She returned with my horn in her hand.   Antique she said.

I didn't have an answer, sort of embarrassed that the horn just fell off.

Weird.

AMX is now a Texas Hot Rod -

1500 miles later in a closed car carrier, Elle, our 69 AMC AMX arrived in Austin, TX.    I had her delivered to my friends house up in Round Rock about 100 miles away from her home so the journey wasn't over.

I picked her up about 1:30 in the afternoon to miss the drive time traffic.  60 miles a trek for a 50 year old hot rod with a tired engine and a bit of wiring work.   I gassed her up and hit the freeway.   My top speed was 60 mph down the one Mopak, I was pushing it hard based on the combo engine/tranny issue.   Being a 4 speed card with I think 3:43 gears, getting to the top end really is a tough one.

As I drown slowly down the freeway in the slow lane, the alternate light keep flashing on and off.  My mind was racing, what now?    Frankly, I was thinking I must of shaken something look based on the vibration the big 390 engine put out.   I pulled over, opened up the tool kit in the truck and tightened everything that looked loose.    Back on the road in less than 10 minutes.

69 amc amx

Everything was fine for a while, then the alternator light started flashing getting bright then dim.   Bad regular or a short maybe, bad alternator?

I didn't stop and made it home in a heighten state of distress.   Now that she is here, I'll start looking for parts.

Onward.

Good Guys Car Show in Alameda, CA March 2017

We checked out the Good Guys car show and swap meet this weekend at the fairgrounds in Alameda, CA and found one 71 Javelin and a 68 Javelin SST.  Not an AMX to be found.

We did find any AMC connoisseurs at the swap meet either.   I wasnt looking for anything specific but its always nice to find a local parts source.

There were plenty of Camaros and Mustangs to be found either totally restored or for sale in the corral.

Maybe we'll have better luck as we move into summer.

AMX Fanatic

Getting Dark and Wet - Garaged

I hear a lot of AMX owners put their cars to bed during the rain and snow part of the year.   Out here in CA we are no different.   It may not be snowing but I still do not like to take her out in the rain.

In the last few months, I've driven her at least twice a week with no issues.   It's time to get the motor done based on the loud tick coming from the heads.   I've chatted with a AMX engine expert in AZ about pricing but the Taxman took too much this year pushing my project out till next year.

I'm estimating between parts and labor the project with costs roughly around $10k including adding the PS back on to the car.

Signing off for now.

AMX Fanatic

AMO Nationals Last Week 2016

AMO Nationals

Last week every AMC car within driving distance came out to show off and trade stories at the AMO National event in Clevland, Ohio.  I've had my AMX for a little over a year and haven't seen another
AMC of any kind in California.   Not one Javelin or Gremlin anywhere.

I've love to drive her out from CA next year and make a trip of it.   On the road in one of the coolest muscle cars ever made.   My wife is onboard with the trip.   When I originally started looking I wanted the 390 - 4 speed which is what I bought.     Looking back, I should have looked for a 390, Automatic with PS and AC so my wife could drive it.

Maybe our next AMX.

She's a daily driver.

Well, my wife office is officially moved so no more commuting together which saved a ton on gas.   

AMC AMX 390 Current State

The good news I no longer am driving a mini-van to work.    The bad news is "Ellie" my 69 AMX hates traffic.   I mean really hates it.    Granted a 390 combined with a 4 speed has no business in stop and go traffic but what the hell, right?

The carb and engine need to redone soon so my gas mileage is terrible but I've got to say it is FUN to drive her.    There are stretches where I can open it up a bit so you can hear the magnaflow mufflers rumble to life.

There is nothing like pulling up to a stop like, engine rumbling next to some electric car with a fracking leaf on it which so quiet you really can't tell it is on.    Then burning a bit of rubber sending the smell of gasoline and pavement on to that stinkin hybrid.   Smile.

Gotta run - time to make a pit stop at the gas station with high octane.   I can't wait to redo the engine so it runs on pump gas and has more horsepower.

L8ter

AMX Fanatic

Failed Brake Proportioning Value Part 1

We went through the entire brake system when I first brought her home.  All new rotors, drums,

69 AMC AMX Brake Proportioning Valve

calipers, wheel cylinders, hardware, master cylinder plus booster and all new brake lines.   I purchased a used brake proportioning valve from American Parts Depot.

Granted it was a refurbished part that is over 46 years old but I've only put 200 miles on her in over a year.   Last week, my wife's office moved so we can no longer commute together leaving me to start driving her to work every day.

She's heading into the shop to R&R the valve and bleed the brakes.   Her Eldebrock Perfomer carb is also acting up in the morning as well but that is another story.

Onward

Start with the engine... Then what?

69 American Motors AMX

I haven't found a local shop either via search or through a recommendation to rebuild her 390 power plant.   Ideally, I'd like to go with Edelbrock aluminum heads and manifold with a new performer carburetor.

I did find a shop in South Carolina and in Arizona that I'll be calling soon.   It's strange there is no one local with experience rebuilding an AMC motor.  

If we do the engine and trans then do we need to rework the driveshaft, then do we get into the rear end as well?

While the engine is out - is it the right time to repaint the engine bay and remove and replace everything attached to the engine bay walls?   If paint is in the mix,  should she just go to the body shop for metalwork and a full repaint?

If these domino's fall in that order we go from a $10k engine/trans job to a $20k plus job with a ton of unknowns.

Has anyone been through this with a plan of attack?   

Thanks

AMC Fanatic 

Planning on Engine and Transmission

No major news yet on getting the 390 done by an engine rebuilder who has AMC experience.   We haven't anyone local in CA with references.   There is one company in AZ and one in NC but nothing else yet.   If anyone has info on a great rebuilder in CA please post the info.

I've been driving her to work here and there based on the weather.   The wipers are intermittent and the fuel gauge is still inoperable.   There is one other classic car at work.  It's a cherried out 64 1/2 Ford Mustang.   Nice restoration and runs great.

I'm looking forward to getting the engine and transmission done but haven yet decided to redo the front and rear brakes with the Freak Ride systems.

Found the part at American Parts Depot - One Down - One to Go

After a false start, I found the brake differential valve at American Parts Depot.   That completes a full brake overhaul - complete.

We are still having issues with the fuel and temp gauge.   I've already replaced the instrument regulator - no joy.   We are going to pull apart the dash to see if their is corrosion.

I haven't found a set of used gauges yet but I created an flag so if one pops up I'll get notified.

Looking for a 1969 AMC AMX 140 speedometer - Go Pack

Please post a comment if you can help me find this part.

Thanks