1965 AMC Rambler American 330 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Actually the only major thing that has gone wrong with this 40 year old car since I've had it is the altenator went bad.

This car is overall very cute. People like to look at it, especially mine with 34000 original miles. It is extremely and outragoesly slow (expect no faster than 55), has nothing power, and handles terribly. The interior is uncomfortable and featurless, small and awkward. The car is extremely easy to repair, although many of the original parts are cheap and easy to break as they are to fix. The electric choke is faulty-full. You can expect it to stop working and the motor to die about 2 minutes after you get her running, especially in cold weather. In good condition, this car is worth a little more than twice as much as new.

Your car was originally equipped with a thermal choke, so the electric choke would have been a replacement. If it doesn't work, you should be able to replace it with a manual choke that you control with a knob under the dash. You just have to remember to open it once the car has warmed up!

Ijust purchased a 64 american 330 with a full tank of 1995 gasoline in it (11 years old). The guy I bought it from put additives and sta-bil in the fuel and got it running. now I know the varnish makes it impossible to run so I dismantled the carter rbs 3708 carb and cleaned it out thoroughly, the carb kit does not have a diagram in it. I need to get a diagram so I remember how the accelerator pump, bushings and springs go. What a simple car as you stated witha 6 cyl flat head. Should I remove the fuel tank and clean it out or run it with all the octane additives once I put the rebuilt carb back on it? I live on Long Island New York,Thanks Dan.

Taking out a gas tank can be a real pain. I would try the easiest option first, in other words, siphon out the old gas or drain it off, fill it up with new gas with a can or two of Gumout carburetor cleaner, and try driving it until the remaining varnish is diluted. You may have to change your fuel filter, but that's easier than dropping a gas tank. My guess would be that on a car like this, it will probably run if you dilute the stale gas enough with fresh.

I just dropped the gas tank on my 65 Rambler American, it is the easiest gas tank I have removed. One gas line, the filler neck hose, one gas tank strap and two wires for the sending unit is all that is required. Nothing to it. So far everything has been very easy to fix on this car. There is plenty of room and there are no hidden engineering surprises. I have had plenty of cars that are basically a fight till the end to work on, this car has truly been fun to work on. I wish I could say the same about some of the other cars I have owned in the past.

I own an 64 american 330 in Australia, it has just ticked over 63000 miles and I now need to replace the head gasket and welsh plugs. Does anyone know the torque setting for putting the head back on the car?

Other than this, I have only had to work on the brakes a little and the water pump. Good old car it is, looks nice with its shiny new paint too.

Still need those head bolt specs and sequence for tightening them? Let me know? 480-258-3251 Arizona USA James.