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.

Restoring Seats Pending Install

Yes, it took a while to get the parts here but www.legendaryautointeriors.com came through again.   Their main order control employee was at SEMA instead of manning his post at the order desk.  No worries, a SEMA trip is worth the backlog of orders.  :)

Anyway, my seat foam has arrived.   I've got to pull the seats and get them over to the shop to be recovered and the springs repaired.   I've got to say driving her will be much more fun once you aren't sitting on the floor.

Onward.

AMC Fanatic

Coming Home Not Repaired

I get it.

Really?  I knew what I was getting into but come on!

We've replaced the gas tank all of the lines, sending unit, fuel pump, rebuilt the carburetor and still the fuel gauge is non-operable.

Wait, I forgot to mention we had to remove and replace the instrument voltage regulator.  If you forgot about that part, me too.   American Parts Depot just happened to stock this hard to find part for the everyday low price of $75 bucks.  Still no joy.

I'm picking her up tomorrow to take a break and order a replacement gauge.  Yes, American Parts Depot has that part for $75.  Wow, how did you guess.

The good news is the transmission seal is fixed and I've got wiper blades so I can start testing moving forward with cleaning up the interior and checking out the electrical.

Onward

At the DMV

A funny thing happened at the DMV the other day.   I was standing in line with the rest of humanity

AMX Racer

then realized that the DMV was about to issue me new license plates with no smog for a race car.

If you haven't driven a 69' AMC AMX with a 390 + 4 speed you more than likely will not get it.    This car isn't make for cruise night or a trip to the supermarket.   Two seats, short wheel base, big engine and the need for speed.   It's a fracking "race car."

She could have yellow with black stripes, or red with white stripes.  Either way you slice it, she was made for a track.   I remember the literature stating that once the engine is broken in, you can take it right to the track and race it.   It's true.

I don't know what I was thinking when considering her for a daily driver in potential traffic.   On the way to the DMV, my wife and I ran into stop and go traffic.  "Ellie" was not happy sitting in first gear just idling.  Not a fun ride.

When the DMV handed me my plates, I smiled and ran outside to install them and drive my race car legally on CA streets.

The saga continues.

Countdown - Saturday - Shopping Day

I've got a bid out on an original eaton power steering unit with bracket and pulley.  Complete replacement items just don't grow on trees and although my wife agreed to this adventure I doubt she'll be happy climbing around a pick-a-part getting greasing on Sunday.

Heading to O'Reilly Auto for tune-up parts, air and oil filters all the basic safety check items to make sure it's running well.   There is the fact that she smokes a bit on start up.   Makes sense based on the fact there is 140k on the original motor.  Probably leakin valve guides, right?    Engine rebuilt is in her future.

Out the door...