I'am building a 1965 rambler american 330. I'am swaping in a chevy small block and auto trans. My qustion is what should I use for a rea end? My motor is about 300 hp and I would like to race the car. I'am building this on a budget so a correct width would be cool. I don't mind relocating the mounts. Any comets thanks jim  

Thought I'd piggy-back on this thread instead of starting another. I have a 66 Rebel and am considering sticking a chevy 350 and 700r4 in it for a couple years while i acquire and build a proper AMC drive train worthy of the car. While Jim's is an American, my Rebel is more closely related to the Classic and Marlin. What can anyone tell either of us about this swap? What about trans tunnel clearances,underhood clearances, etc? If we're both under 400hp, shouldn't the stock rear end be sufficient? as long as we change the yoke and get a drive shaft to fit?

What other concerns should we both be aware of?  

Okay, here's what I've heard. The Ford 8.8 axles out of a late model Ranger or Explorer with leaf springs in the rear is very close to the correct width, and reputed to be strong enough for a healthy V8.

  The 64-65 American, being leaf sprung is fairly easy to convert to an open driveline. The larger cars with coil sprung rears are a whole nother kettle of fish. The torque tube locates the rear axle on these cars, and you must basically put a whole new driveline in the car as the Borg Warner autos that were used are not easily modifiable to performance specs, and bolting other trannys to the torque tube falls into the catagory of anything is possible, but...

  This subject is frequently discussed on amcforums.com and you can get more info there.