After researching the spare 1960 196ci engine that came with the car I was convinced to find a newer 232ci to swap in. The 232 should be easier to fabricate motor mounts for. The parts are easier and cheaper to get, and it should perform better that the old 196.
I needed to find a 1968–72 engine that would bolt to the 1963 bell housing of my existing transmission. CL to the rescue, I found a rebuilt engine from a 1968 Javelin an hour and a half away.
Transporting home to start its new life.
The first step was to get the blown engine out of the Rambler. With a big hole in the side of the block, this engine needed to go. The radiator and accessories came off.
Knowing we would need to turn over the engine to get to the torque converter bolts, we started stripping it down. A breaker bar and 3 feet of pipe wouldn’t turn over the engine. The head came off and we saw the damage the rod did to the cylinder wall.
Since the engine still wouldn’t turn over we had to pull the engine and transmission as one unit. This ended up being easy to do, and what we should have done initially.
Engine and tranny on the floor, 2 team mates in the engine bay.
Leaving a nice hole for the future engine.
Room for an LSx?
With the engine and trans out of the car we were able to separate the bellhousing and get to the torque converter bolts to get everything apart.
