Help please - 66 Rebel front end

I'm working on a 66 Rambler Rebel. It's been a very different experience to building my Beaumont (Canadian Chevelle). I've discovered that AMC parts and information are far more difficult to find than I expected, I'm finding that even true AMC guys can't tell me much about my model. It seems to be a bad one for parts interchangeability.
Just finding drum brakes to fit has been a complete nightmare. After months of searching for drums we gave up and had a machine shop alter some old chrysler brakes, which wasn't cheap. Now the stopping power is worse, and the backing plates are slightly warped from all the messing around. The warpage is negligible, but shakes the car pretty bad under hard braking. I really wanted to keep the car completely stock, but now I'm at the point where i just really want to drive it and disk brakes might be a good idea.

If anyone knows anything that will fit I'd be extremely gratefull.

I'm also embarrassed to say that I can't figure out how to remove the oil pan. I've tried everything short of pulling the block. I undid the mounts and lifted the engine 'till the trans hit the firewall, I then disassembled most of the front end in an effort to drop the "k" member. I unbolted it from the frame rails, unbolted the shocks, removed the sway-bar, loosened the steering linkage, and loosened the "A" arm bushings (but did not separate them). Even with everything loose the k member stays tight to the frame rails. I think the springs are preventing this. but using a jack under the control arm to load the springs doesn't help either.
It's a weird design, it has shocks mounted on the control arm in the normal position, but the springs are mounted way up inside the fenders like a McPherson setup
I'm a little lost on this one, it's frustrating to be stumped by something that a high school auto student can do to a Chevy in an hour.

Does anybody know the easiest way to get this oilpan out?  

on getting the oil pans out of these ... some times it is easier to pull the motor... the chiltons manuals that cover 64 to 71 cover these cars...  mine is boxed and burried.. but they are available in most parts stores...

and just curious... are the brakes the same as the 67 rebel??? those drums are shown on the autozone web site ...  if not post the size.. i have a bendix illistrated guide...
bolt pattern.. pilot hole... size...  height from rear to front face... maybe its time to go disc...  

Keep weight on the tires by using ramps or some sort of blocking under them. The crossmember will drop after the four bolts are out. It is probably just stuck from being on so many years. Pry it down -- nothing but those four bolts and the weight of the car is holding it in place -- assuming the engine mounts are already unbolted.

I would assume you're having problems getting brake parts because they are Wagner brakes. All six cylinder Rebels and Classics used Wagners, which are harder to find parts for. There are a couple Rambler specialty places -- www.ramblerparts.com (Galvin's) and www.blaserauto.com (Blaser's) that will likely have the parts or be able to direct you to a source. The fronts can be replaced with 79-83 AMC front discs, or you can get a special mount and adapter kit from www.scarebird.com that will let you use Ford Ranger front rotors with standard GM calipers. Will cost around $400 with all new parts (including the kit). Scarebird has it listed for Javelins, but it will fit any AMC originally equipped with drum brakes in front. I've test fit them on a 63 Classic, 62 American, and 65 American. The calipers will need to be mounted in front of the wheel on most of the older cars for clearance.

The rear brakes are 9" drums, I believe they are 2.25" wide (factory manual doesn't give width, but lining is 2.0" wide). Wagners were used 58-69 on the six cylinder Classic/Rebel, except on 68-69 Canadian built models, which used a 9" Bendix. The Bendix drum *should* fit the Wagner brakes, but I haven't tried it. I'd suggest you try Ford Falcon/Mustang/Fairlane/Torino drums of similar size if you can't find anything. Ford typically used Bendix brakes as well.  
Frank Swygert
http://farna.att.net/AMC.html