Project 80 proof Spirit (AMC content)

[Thephranc]

So the motor and trans are in. Install was pretty straight forward as far as physically fitting. Ran into several issues most caused by me like the fuel pump plumbed backwards and shearing the head off a grade 8 bolt when I went to install the smaller harmonic damper because it didn't clear the electric water pump. Had to have some one else drill out and tap the damper bolt. Then for the part that wasn't my fault. Went to start it and there was a horrid sound from the starter and the rebuilt carb leaked like a colander. It was just too warped. Bought and installed a new Summit 4100/4010 style carb and looked at the dist that I knew wasn't lined up optimally because the intake runner was sitting where the vac advance would have normally sat. At that point I gave up and pushed it to the speed shop around the corner. AA Speed in Woodbridge, VA. They set the dist, installed the 6AL fixed the fuel pump and a few other things I just didn't have time to deal with while closing one business and starting two others. Then they looked at the starter and fly wheel to see if they were straight. Flywheel was good but the starter was off. Turns out the block had been broken and welded at some point so now the starter doesn't sit right. It only has holes for the offset bolt pattern on the starter. So its getting machined for the straight bolt pattern and the starter is getting milled so everything fits perfectly and no more binding.



There have been so many little things going wrong on this build but it should all be sorted out and I should get it back running by Monday or Tuesday. After doing all the work on my own cars for decades it pained me to see the price for some one else to do the work but its worth it to mitigate the stress when you so much else going on at the same time.