Junkyard_Dog
Junkyard_Dog HalfDork
6/28/10 6:36 p.m.

1972 AMC Hornet SST 4-DR - $600 (Old Louisville). Ad says it has a right rear axle/break problem. Maybe the model 20 snapped an axle somehow? Pull-a-part has a 78 AMX shown on the website but I don't know if it still has the rear in it. Is a 4 door 6 cylinder SST worth anything to AMC guys or is it about as collectable as the AMX in the junk yard?

P71
P71 GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
6/28/10 7:00 p.m.

Maybe. First off, as a 6-cyl car it's a Model 10, not 20. The problem is likely the drum brakes being rusted up due to non-use. The axle itself rarely has issues. All of the Hornet's are built on the same wheelbase/floorpan, so the 4-door is not noticeably heavier than the 2-door. That said, they are not very desirable.

SST is just an options package for luxury things, usually power brakes/steering and electric wipers along with a vinyl top and some chrome. If the 6 is a 258 it has some value, but the 232's aren't worth much (then again, I sold mine so YMMV).

The big problem I see is rust. I found out the hard way that small AMC's rust from the inside out, so if the rockers, sills, or "framerails" have any rot on the outside, you can guarantee the whole floorpan is junk. On a unit-body car that means it's shot beyond repair.

I say offer him $400 if it's a 258, otherwise walk.

Junkyard_Dog
Junkyard_Dog HalfDork
6/28/10 8:22 p.m.

Pretty much what I thought. I fit has A/C I might bite. I really don't need another "summer car" thats doubles as a sauna.

WilberM3
WilberM3 Reader
6/28/10 8:36 p.m.
P71 wrote: If the 6 is a 258 it has some value, but the 232's aren't worth much (then again, I sold mine so YMMV).

do you know if the engines are similar enough to swap crankshafts? like how i put a 258 crank in my 4.0L block building my stroker engine, could you theoretically de-stroke a 4.0L with a 232 crank?

STS_ZX2
STS_ZX2 New Reader
6/28/10 8:49 p.m.

I don't see why not...but then again--other than you can...why? It will never be a 'revver'...

Powar
Powar Dork
6/29/10 7:15 a.m.

Just do it. It'd be another one of your cars for me to drool on when we cross paths again.

P71
P71 GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
6/29/10 9:47 a.m.
WilberM3 wrote:
P71 wrote: If the 6 is a 258 it has some value, but the 232's aren't worth much (then again, I sold mine so YMMV).
do you know if the engines are similar enough to swap crankshafts? like how i put a 258 crank in my 4.0L block building my stroker engine, could you theoretically de-stroke a 4.0L with a 232 crank?

I do know. But as mentioned, the 232 is pretty useless. People want the 258 and 4.0 so they can mix em up into a 4.6L (282). Using 232 parts doesn't make any sense as the AMC I6 is way too stout to ever be a high-RPM motor, so you might as well go for maximum cubic inches.

Junkyard_Dog
Junkyard_Dog HalfDork
6/29/10 9:55 a.m.

I'm waiting on pictures. I'm busy for the next two nights and can't look at it until Thursday. I figure if I wait long enough it might go away on its own.

Then again if its still around maybe I can get it for half the asking price

WilberM3
WilberM3 Reader
6/29/10 10:03 a.m.
P71 wrote:
WilberM3 wrote:
P71 wrote: If the 6 is a 258 it has some value, but the 232's aren't worth much (then again, I sold mine so YMMV).
do you know if the engines are similar enough to swap crankshafts? like how i put a 258 crank in my 4.0L block building my stroker engine, could you theoretically de-stroke a 4.0L with a 232 crank?
I do know. But as mentioned, the 232 is pretty useless. People want the 258 and 4.0 so they can mix em up into a 4.6L (282). Using 232 parts doesn't make any sense as the AMC I6 is way too stout to ever be a high-RPM motor, so you might as well go for maximum cubic inches.

yea, i'm not necessarily saying it would be amazing, and having already done the big cubic inch amc 6 i like to daydream about stuff like that. i think it might be interesting (perhaps fruitless) to see if with big valves and good porting on a H.O. 4.0L head with a cam and appropriate springs if you couldnt squeeze an extra 1000-1500 rpm out of it, or with a bit more money maybe even a hesco aluminum head and/or boost.... might be fun in an sx4 or something else light(ish).

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