It's an AMC witch means that it uses a ton of GM parts mainly cause AMC was a bastard child that used parts from everyone else and made it work for their stuff
As a Ford guy im glad this Gremlin was saved. AMCs in general are very underrated in my opinion. A friend of mine bought two AMC Eagles off of us a few months ago. A 1982 AMC Eagle SX4 in really good shape and had a 304 V8 swapped into it and a 82 Wagon for parts. Just today he found the original build sheet in the SX4. And my dad owns a restored 1969 AMX. You dont really see many AMCs around anymore so when i do i cant help but smile
Man, I always liked Gremlins, but I really wanted an Eagle. I searched online not too long ago and couldn't find a single one for sale. I'm glad there are still at least a few around.
Good shit man. Please don't ever lose your way. Seems every youtuber falls victim to the success and ends up a totally different person than who I started watching.
@@tabbott429 Yep. My second car I bought in 1984 I paid 75 bucks for it. A 1968 Chevy Belair. Drove it a couple of years until the valve and the piston decided to meet. Ended up scrapping it for $100 buck.
The 225 slant 6 is basically bullet proof too. I had one in a 1978 Aspen. Beautiful chrome. Only issue was the lower quarters. Wish I kept it but I listened to the wifey. 😢
My buddies first car was a Gremlin! It was the first time we did body work. We riveted an aluminum patch and body filled it ! We were very proud of how it turned out! Circa 1978 great memories!!
Those cars used to be ugly, but since you don't see them anymore, they have become cool. I love those rally wheels. Looking forward to see the pressure washer video
As a Gremlin owner, it's hysterical to me how public notions change. When the Gremlin was new, they were well liked. By the 80's and through the 90's, they were a joke and AMC became a laughing-stock as it faltered and then was purchased by Chrysler. The early 2000's you would have to literally GIVE AWAY an AMC.... and yes, I had MANY straight up given to me. My own Gremlin I purchased for $700 in 2001 as a perfectly running & driving car. But by 2010.... I noticed opinions seemed to change. The Gremlin was seen as "cool" again. Just recently I've had the paint, bodywork and interior all re-done on my Gremlin and at the last car show I went to.... I seemed to get more attention than my friends' Rebel Machine!
What do you mean by "...those cars used to be ugly..."?!? They're STILL ugly! As for any "cool" factor, in my experience only those under about the age of 30-35 seem to go in that direction, undoubtedly because they haven't ever seen them on the road just like most haven't seen a Vega, Pinto, Pacer, Hornet, etc-etc-etc. While the Pinto and Vega sold quite a number... and served some folks as cheap, sometime reliable transportation, they were all reviled back in the day for being mostly problematic junk. As for the cars I mentioned, you couldn't give them away by the 1990s. Of them all, only the Pinto had anything worthwhile about it. The I-4 most of them had under the hood was one of the best I-4s ever made. The real question for anyone that owns a Gremlin in this day and age is what to do with it? If you're in it for nostalgia, then go through the beast and drive it. What would I do? If I were Luke, I'd get it running, driving, cleaned up and put a bit of elbow grease into the car's appearance then sell it off for what the online auction would bring. He might be surprised as it seems folks these days are tossing money around foolishly again on what used to be total garbage. Since the projected massive nationwide recession hasn't hit yet, IMHO is such that now is the time to cash out. Personally, I wouldn't drive the car thus would devote the proceeds (if any) to more favorable interests. Peace & good vibes! - Max Giganteum
Still are ugly. I have the 86 Hornet- Eagle version, it's an ugly car too. Number one reason AMC died was build quality; from line workers to all the way to top cared little.For comparison,the Volvo 140/240, and 700/900 Series were pathetic cars like the AMC. Big difference was build quality. Consumers for 3decades+ did not care the Volvo were crude in every criteria,but at least they were put together well.
Well, The ATF caused the smoke, which you know. I'd keep it as a fun alternate seasonal driver, after cleaning it and getting a good coat of wax on it. Seems like you could probably get it roadworthy fairly simply. Neat car. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
Those parts master filters were sold at a lot of independently owned parts stores. They're actually made by WIX and share the same part numbers as WIX filters. They also sold parts master oil that was made by valvoline.
Gotta admire Luke, kills spiders with an aerosol can fire, sucks on a disgustingly dirty vacuum line, tapes spark plugs together,sits in a heppa virus home, and actually bought a Gremlin. Great video can’t wait for part two. Thanks Luke
WOW, that old straight six fired up and ran like a champ. A friend of mine in highschool had one with the six and a three speed, during the summer before our senior year, with the help of our dads ,we swapped in a 340 and a 4 speed. What a difference, was so much fun to drive.😎👍🤘🇺🇸🔥🔥🔥🔥
I worked for AMC in the early and always happy to see a old Rambler back on the road. Whether a Gremlin or jeep those engines are tough. Once your mice problem is addressed, these simple cars are a fun drive. Granted i only drove Hornets, Javelins and other large AMCs. The only Gremlin i drove was a factory V8. FUN.
First car was a 72' sportabout with the 258 straight six (three on the floor). Great engine. Car body and frame was shit after six years of Wisconsin winters and 168k miles. Had the one barrel - the choke in winter was an issue - lots of pencils to hold it open, then kick it down because the engine was racing. Burned out the clutch three times (damn teenagers). Other than the rust just destroying the fenders and underbody, she was a great runner. Rings were going by 168k, but still ran and did not smoke to bad.
They usually run a Chrysler 904 auto in the six cylinder AMC's. Worked on a bunch of these over the years to know that the transmission lines always rot out. Good luck with the project.
My first car was a '76 Gremlin. In '84 my friends dad told me if I could get it running, and get it out of his garage, It was mine. 20 minutes later while it was warming up, I was using a hand pump to fill the flat. He put a sign in the back window that said "car in tow", and I followed my buddy real close, all the way home. It was my "Jeff Spicolli" ride.
Gremlins were great, my family owned a couple of 'em, and the only new car I ever bought was a '73 Gremlin (sport package; dual buckets, floor shifter, black with white stripe.) Glad you saved this one from the crusher.
I'm sad to say I haven't watched a ton of your videos, Luke. I'm really really impressed with your methodical approach to diagnosis and repair. The care you show in how you go through all the systems before ever really turning the key really shows a very sublime pride & competence in your work. I watch your contemporaries' videos (Junkyard Digs & Pole Barn Garage) and while those guys are both also extremely knowledgeable mechanics they both have varying degrees of skipping along without attending to all the things that make engines run & run well. Long time sub, newish viewer; I'm gonna check out more of your videos in the near future. Thanks for the uploads.
@@ThunderHead289 I love JYD videos too, don't get me wrong. I guess I haven't gone that far back, I have seen some of your earlier collaborations which are always a treat.
Just started watching this one Luke, My guess is it's a 73 or 74. My Mom's first car she ever bought was a 72 Gremilin, same color, sharper looking bumper and grill w/o the goofy saftey bumpers. Much peppier little car than the 74 she got after the 72 got wrecked. 72 was actually fun to drive! I always thought they looked like someone took a giant hatchet to the back of a Hornet.
ironically a v8 gremlin has always been one of my dream cars, my late great uncle had a pacer with a 401 stuffed in it and that car was a blast to drive.......
I'm not sure about the gremlins but one odd neat thing about the pacer is the passenger door is a little longer than the driver door for people getting in and out of the back seat
Those cars are pretty cool, I don't think they're ugly at all. They were serious oddballs when they first came out based on what cars mostly looked like at the time, but now they don't really look that different from most hatchbacks. The running gear is basically the same as a Jeep of the same vintage, should be easy to get parts for it. I like it!
My grandfather had one of these in the mid 70's with a manual. He used to love zipping around in it and scaring my grandmother. I have a soft spot for these, and wouldn't mind a manual V8 version.
I owned a yellow 1970 Gremlin. At the time, most interstate speeds were 55 mph and it would take me about 2 miles to get up to 55mph. Lol but I drove it from Apalachin NY to Casa Grande AZ, with no AC or radio, where I went to college. I sold it while at school and bought a 1963 Chevy Apache pickup to drive back east. I have good memories of my yellow submarine.
I'm a Mopar fan, but have owned GM and Ford vehicles, however I am glad you rescued this Gremlin. Never had an AMC but I have a soft spot for AMC cars. I always liked the Gremlin so I hope you can resurrect this car.
Gremlin is a solid mileage cruiser. And they are some real fun when v8 swapped. Yours is really solid and would be prime for some updates , carb cheater, and run it on powertour with other tubers
in 1977 I had a 1971 Gremlin and loved it, drove it all over the country putting bout 40,000 miles on it in 2 and a half years. Mine had a 232ci motor in it and I changed it from points to electronic ignition. always wished I'd kept that car. Anyway, love yer channel and even thou I'm 66 years old, I still refer to you as Uncle Luke.
The Interstate MegaTron was the best battery you could buy back in the day...whoever owned that Gremlin cared enough to buy the best. My father had a Gremlin of that vintage but it had the V8 in it (304 maybe?) . Thing was so nose-heavy that he'd do 360 spins coming to a stop in the winter. After the third time he got rid of the car
I live where those cars were built. The plant is now torn down. It's good to see this car saved. I Love Gremlins. Luke I'm not sure how you don't like the Gremlin but you like the Maverick. AMC didn't have money to retool like the big 3. Foreign hatchbacks were coming over and they took basically a hornet front end and built a hatch on it, to compete with foreign cars of the time. AMC had lots of Cool Names. I love the Rebel and the name. The inline 6 258 which later became the Chrysler 4.0. Is one of the best engines ever. The 5 millionth 4.0 sits in our history center building.
The 4.0 was never a Chrysler. It was designed by AMC before Chrysler bought AMC/Jeep. It was always a Jeep engine and never branded or sold as a Chrysler.
Are you kidding me, sleeper of the century. Clean it up, keep the patina and LS swap it with an L33/4L60 and an 8.8 rear. Don't want to, sell it to me, I've been looking for one for years. A Pacer would work too.
Those Gremlins have a special place in my heart. It was amazing that it fired up like that. Just last week I revived a Toyota 22r motor that had been sitting for 13 years. It ran great. I was interested in the Toyota Pick up as well.
I bought a 1973 Gremlin X when I came home from Vietnam, just to be different than all my buddies. We called it the Tieajuana taxi, we took it every where cause we knew no one would steal it. I had it a year and traded it for a Pontiac which I still have it . When I think back it was a cool car.
I live in Northwest Louisiana... Parts Master filters are sold here as a private label brand at our local Bumper to Bumper auto parts stores. They're numbered like Wix / NAPA filters.... I believe Wix makes them for Bumper to Bumper / Parts Master.
I just sold me 76 Gremlin yesterday and it is going to the new owner in Germany. What's not to like. You will get used to the shape. Very maneuverable and fun to drive.
Parts Master oil filters were sold by Auto Value auto parts stores I believe, that's a nice little Gremlin, the automatic transmission should be a AMC specific Torqueflight,they went to those starting model year 1972.
That's the same engine I had on my '78 Jeep CJ5. Nowadays you'd call it a 4.2 liter. Those straight 6 258's were pretty bulletproof. Put that old Jeep in granny gear up against a tree, step out of it and you could watch it idling, dig itself into the ground pushing on the tree, lol. Considering how capable it was I never saw the point of putting a V8 into one. Parts Master came from an auto parts store called Auto Value or General Auto Supply as they used both names interchangeably. My brother worked at one for about ten years. Their in-store brands like Parts Master were every bit as good as any Motorcraft or AC/Delco parts you could buy. The hand tools my little brother's store carried were Blackhawk and had the same lifetime warranty as Craftsman back then, and since the closest Sears was an 80 mile round trip and General Auto was a mile away it was a no-brainer just to buy the Blackhawk stuff. I still have a lot of it.
Amazing that there is anything left of the body and frame, that alone makes it a very rare AMC. Definitely brings back lots of memories. Grew up during the '70s in the Kenosha area, so many friends and family members worked at the plant there. Most everyone owned one at one point it seemed like. Those straight six lumps will run a long time, but you'll never get that valve cover to stop leaking for more than 5 minutes that's for sure! Great revival and a car worth keeping on the road for someone to take to their local car shows a few times a year.
I found your channel while searching for Gremlin rescue videos. I would love to find one that isn't ridiculously priced or completely rusted out. Or both. I hope you keep it, Wash it, and continue to fix it up. They are so ugly they are cool. And that orange is a cool color on the Gremlin.
Hay buddy. Been awhile. Can't believe you got an AMC. Let alone a gremlin. I got a new place with a massive shop on it. I tore my 68 completely apart. All new engine, Trans. All new disk brakes. Ect. Now it is in the body shop for some work and paint. It will finally be finished 😊
I always liked gremlins, I just discovered you a week ago, and really like the style and way you teach and present info, thank you for that and thank you for saving the gremlin
I've been looking forever for a reasonably priced Gremlin with zero luck and you just stumble across one. I need some of your luck. Treat the old gal nice.
Brings back memories. My first car was a used 72 Hornet {had the trunk}. Paid $1200 for it. Never failed to start. Put 100k on it and then sold it to my brother who put another 100k on it going back and forth to auto school.
On so many of the vids of cars with points, only the points get dressed with sandpaper. It always helps get a happy spark if one also sands the rotor contact and also scrapes the contacts inside the caps.
I know they're weird but I can't help but entirely and unironically love the gremlin. If I had the money to buy one that wasn't an absolute pile of rust on the ground I absolutely would
glad to see someone saving an AMC. my other and I have had gremlins an Pacers. I presently drive a 59 Rambler with aAMC 327 with 490k miles. also salvaged a no runner 72 Javelin 360 4 speed. auto manufactures from about 72on retarded timing and reduced the advance and added air pumps, made them run rich so the exaust would burn emissions. this killed fuel economy and power. then came the 70s oil crisis. I've had good luck with AMC's and a few Fords.
I had a 6 cylinder spirit. One of the most reliable cars I have ever owned and I’m a Toyota Subaru owner/fan. It literally never failed to start or strand me. Which happened in the 70s and 80s.
Same wheels I had on my gremlin, the straight 6 I had was the 4.2 and was indestructible. Ours had a 3 speed manual on the floor. The 4.2 was also in many Jeeps in those days.
I had a Jeep J20 with the AMC 360 2bbl and 4spd 4wd Dana drive train. That engine was great. Sold that truck to a friend he operated oil wells with it for several years a lot of the sheet metal was galvanized so it did not rust.
On behalf of the cars you revive.... Thank you for caring enough to not just blast them with brake cleaner and rev the hell out of them as soon as they fire... like your buddy Kevin does ! Great video !
I had a LIME GREEN one! good times. Arguably the Smart Car of it's era. that inline 6 torque is legendary. I also had a Rebel, not the machine though, the inline 6.
Thunderhead... I am a fan! Just wanted to re-post my remark about the Ported vs Manifold vacuum discussion. In case you want some more honest data. 1964 Dodge Dart, 170 CID, bone stock. 60,000 miles, 120 lbs compression. 20" vacuum at idle . Runs buttery smooth. So, I run 16 BTDC, base timing. Vacuum advance pulls 18-20 degrees, Mechanical advance must be adding another 24 above 3,000 RPM's. So, somewhere between 55 and 60! LORD. Anyhow, Cold start... ON the fastest idle cam, the Ported vacuum must be kicking in, plus some mechanical... putting me at 30 BTDC, dead cold... but, runs like a top. Fast idle drops to lowest fast idle... then timing moves back to approx 20 ish. Off the cold start, fast idle.. Back to 16, and idles like a kitten. PURRRRRRR. So, I ran a Temporary Vacuum gauge on the dash, and tried it both ways. It might be my imagination... but, the throttle response seems better from 1000 to 2000 RPM's, on ported vacuum. Steady state vacuum ... (As seen on my Temporary, vacuum gauge) seems like its the same. *My Theory* The accelerator pump on my rig.. might be a little bit weak. So, the ported vacuum is actually compensating slightly... by adding timing... at just the right time. The motor seems to want more timing... due to a slightly lean mix on quick throttle opening. The throttle response seems excellent on Ported vacuum. It is hard to tell... but, after swapping to Manifold... the motor seemed more sluggish. 16 BTDC is the highest vacuum reading at idle. If I use manifold vacuum... It pulls way too much advance at idle, so... I would need to move the base timing to probably 5 BTDC, and before i pull the distributor, to move it a tooth, ... I guess... I'll throw in the towel and not mess with it.
Thanks for the Gremmi vid. Ibought a new 73 Gremlin X with the 258 and auto transmission. Was a fantastic car for a teenager who was tough on cars. I sure miss it and would love to have it back. Enjoy your vids!
i had a 72 gremlin. was my mom's old car. in the early 2000's they gave it to me and i used my graduation money to fix it and got it back on the road after being parked for 11 years. drove it till i wrecked it. miss that car.
the transmission is a chrysler tranny. i think it's a torque flight 929, amc alled it a torque command 727 or something like that. the belt housing is the only difference. amce changed it to fit their engine blocks. one thing to watch out for is the rear engine seal. it's a rope style two piece. they can go bad if they sit too long with out getting oiled.
![LISA - ROCKSTAR (Official Music Video) REACTION [SHE'S BACK!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QBxE30vavMQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Aside from almost burning my garage down, that was pretty cool.
Undecided about what to do with this car, thoughts?
sell it to me, I'm joking I can't drive to where you are and pick it up.
Rearmount turbo setup
You, JYD and sleeperdude all have a Gremlin now. Do a collab!
I think someone who likes gremlins would probably love to buy it.
Wheelie machine.
Im a GM guy, but am glad you didnt let that car go to the crusher.
It's an AMC witch means that it uses a ton of GM parts mainly cause AMC was a bastard child that used parts from everyone else and made it work for their stuff
Yeah its basically half gm lol
I'm a Ford guy, but am glad you didn't let that car go to the crusher...too.
GM guys never fail to let other people know they’re a GM guy
True, used a lot Of Ford parts as well, it's quite an odd mix of what brand they used and how they made them work together.
As a Ford guy im glad this Gremlin was saved. AMCs in general are very underrated in my opinion. A friend of mine bought two AMC Eagles off of us a few months ago. A 1982 AMC Eagle SX4 in really good shape and had a 304 V8 swapped into it and a 82 Wagon for parts. Just today he found the original build sheet in the SX4. And my dad owns a restored 1969 AMX. You dont really see many AMCs around anymore so when i do i cant help but smile
Think a mower carb on this Gremlin can get 50 MPG's?
i have a whole dealership down the road from me collier motors is the name.
Man, I always liked Gremlins, but I really wanted an Eagle. I searched online not too long ago and couldn't find a single one for sale. I'm glad there are still at least a few around.
Good shit man. Please don't ever lose your way. Seems every youtuber falls victim to the success and ends up a totally different person than who I started watching.
That's life in general. Very few people stay humble when given money or power.
Derek from vice grip stayed the same
@@gregorybell7301 idk. I find him too annoying to watch.
Who changed?
@@joshuagibson2520 Try watching at 1.5x speed.
A lot of people don't know but back in the 70s and 80s people just didn't keep a car once it got past 100 thousand miles .
Cars were affordable and abundant back then. I bought so many used cars for under $1000. Cheap junk but easily fixable for cheap.
@@tabbott429 Yep. My second car I bought in 1984 I paid 75 bucks for it. A 1968 Chevy Belair. Drove it a couple of years until the valve and the piston decided to meet. Ended up scrapping it for $100 buck.
Can't really kill a straight 6. Almost bullet proof. Love that car man! That was a find and in really great shape...from what I've seen!
motor was so good that chrysler kept using it after they bought amc out, the cheerokees used them for a long time.
@@spicydeath82 Yup, all the way leading up to the 4.0L well into 2004 I believe.
@@trickyricky12147 - Through 2006 in the Wrangler.
The 225 slant 6 is basically bullet proof too. I had one in a 1978 Aspen. Beautiful chrome. Only issue was the lower quarters. Wish I kept it but I listened to the wifey. 😢
For the newbies - always use compressed air to blow the dust and dirt out from the base of the spark plugs BEFORE you remove them.
I watch a lot of TH-cam car shows and honestly Luke at Thunderhead 289 is probably one of the smartest. Love the show and the knowledge bombs.
You have to love the AMC gremlin The Mopar community welcomes them with open arms. They're a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll 😏
Amazing how it idled on startup after sitting so long 👍🇺🇸
40 Minutes of pure delight. That is a very cool car with a top notch engine. Definitely has potential as a daily driver.
My buddies first car was a Gremlin! It was the first time we did body work. We riveted an aluminum patch and body filled it ! We were very proud of how it turned out! Circa 1978 great memories!!
You got an in-line six and that you can’t go wrong with that you got a figure the torque in that thing is incredible for a short wheelbase like that
Those cars used to be ugly, but since you don't see them anymore, they have become cool. I love those rally wheels. Looking forward to see the pressure washer video
As a Gremlin owner, it's hysterical to me how public notions change. When the Gremlin was new, they were well liked. By the 80's and through the 90's, they were a joke and AMC became a laughing-stock as it faltered and then was purchased by Chrysler. The early 2000's you would have to literally GIVE AWAY an AMC.... and yes, I had MANY straight up given to me. My own Gremlin I purchased for $700 in 2001 as a perfectly running & driving car.
But by 2010.... I noticed opinions seemed to change. The Gremlin was seen as "cool" again.
Just recently I've had the paint, bodywork and interior all re-done on my Gremlin and at the last car show I went to.... I seemed to get more attention than my friends' Rebel Machine!
What do you mean by "...those cars used to be ugly..."?!? They're STILL ugly! As for any "cool" factor, in my experience only those under about the age of 30-35 seem to go in that direction, undoubtedly because they haven't ever seen them on the road just like most haven't seen a Vega, Pinto, Pacer, Hornet, etc-etc-etc. While the Pinto and Vega sold quite a number... and served some folks as cheap, sometime reliable transportation, they were all reviled back in the day for being mostly problematic junk. As for the cars I mentioned, you couldn't give them away by the 1990s. Of them all, only the Pinto had anything worthwhile about it. The I-4 most of them had under the hood was one of the best I-4s ever made. The real question for anyone that owns a Gremlin in this day and age is what to do with it? If you're in it for nostalgia, then go through the beast and drive it. What would I do? If I were Luke, I'd get it running, driving, cleaned up and put a bit of elbow grease into the car's appearance then sell it off for what the online auction would bring. He might be surprised as it seems folks these days are tossing money around foolishly again on what used to be total garbage. Since the projected massive nationwide recession hasn't hit yet, IMHO is such that now is the time to cash out. Personally, I wouldn't drive the car thus would devote the proceeds (if any) to more favorable interests. Peace & good vibes!
- Max Giganteum
My thoughts exactly!
Still are ugly. I have the 86 Hornet- Eagle version, it's an ugly car too. Number one reason AMC died was build quality; from line workers to all the way to top cared little.For comparison,the Volvo 140/240, and 700/900 Series were pathetic cars like the AMC. Big difference was build quality. Consumers for 3decades+ did not care the Volvo were crude in every criteria,but at least they were put together well.
I have owned a few amc cars . Those 258 6 cyl. are indestructable. Gremlins are a hoot to drive , low wieght good torque. Enjoy the car
Well, The ATF caused the smoke, which you know.
I'd keep it as a fun alternate seasonal driver, after cleaning it and getting a good coat of wax on it. Seems like you could probably get it roadworthy fairly simply.
Neat car. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
Those parts master filters were sold at a lot of independently owned parts stores. They're actually made by WIX and share the same part numbers as WIX filters. They also sold parts master oil that was made by valvoline.
Gotta admire Luke, kills spiders with an aerosol can fire, sucks on a disgustingly dirty vacuum line, tapes spark plugs together,sits in a heppa virus home, and actually bought a Gremlin. Great video can’t wait for part two. Thanks Luke
WOW, that old straight six fired up and ran like a champ. A friend of mine in highschool had one with the six and a three speed, during the summer before our senior year, with the help of our dads ,we swapped in a 340 and a 4 speed. What a difference, was so much fun to drive.😎👍🤘🇺🇸🔥🔥🔥🔥
I worked for AMC in the early and always happy to see a old Rambler back on the road. Whether a Gremlin or jeep those engines are tough. Once your mice problem is addressed, these simple cars are a fun drive. Granted i only drove Hornets, Javelins and other large AMCs. The only Gremlin i drove was a factory V8. FUN.
First car was a 72' sportabout with the 258 straight six (three on the floor). Great engine. Car body and frame was shit after six years of Wisconsin winters and 168k miles. Had the one barrel - the choke in winter was an issue - lots of pencils to hold it open, then kick it down because the engine was racing. Burned out the clutch three times (damn teenagers). Other than the rust just destroying the fenders and underbody, she was a great runner. Rings were going by 168k, but still ran and did not smoke to bad.
They usually run a Chrysler 904 auto in the six cylinder AMC's. Worked on a bunch of these over the years to know that the transmission lines always rot out. Good luck with the project.
My first car was a '76 Gremlin. In '84 my friends dad told me if I could get it running, and get it out of his garage, It was mine. 20 minutes later while it was warming up, I was using a hand pump to fill the flat. He put a sign in the back window that said "car in tow", and I followed my buddy real close, all the way home. It was my "Jeff Spicolli" ride.
Gremlins were great, my family owned a couple of 'em, and the only new car I ever bought was a '73 Gremlin (sport package; dual buckets, floor shifter, black with white stripe.) Glad you saved this one from the crusher.
I love the fact that you are keeping your garage as a time capsule. I love seeing those old calendars!
Perfect example of why to keep it from the crusher. There's a lot of people that dig those and will be glad to hear it as well.
Farm-boy fuel injection! I really appreciate the way you take your time and care in bringing these old machines back to life.
I'm sad to say I haven't watched a ton of your videos, Luke. I'm really really impressed with your methodical approach to diagnosis and repair. The care you show in how you go through all the systems before ever really turning the key really shows a very sublime pride & competence in your work. I watch your contemporaries' videos (Junkyard Digs & Pole Barn Garage) and while those guys are both also extremely knowledgeable mechanics they both have varying degrees of skipping along without attending to all the things that make engines run & run well. Long time sub, newish viewer; I'm gonna check out more of your videos in the near future. Thanks for the uploads.
Remember, I taught junkyard digs if you look back in time 🙂
He's a good kid, he took what I said, listened, and ran with it
The vids with you and digs back in the day are hilarious….
@@ThunderHead289 I love JYD videos too, don't get me wrong. I guess I haven't gone that far back, I have seen some of your earlier collaborations which are always a treat.
Just started watching this one Luke, My guess is it's a 73 or 74. My Mom's first car she ever bought was a 72 Gremilin, same color, sharper looking bumper and grill w/o the goofy saftey bumpers. Much peppier little car than the 74 she got after the 72 got wrecked. 72 was actually fun to drive! I always thought they looked like someone took a giant hatchet to the back of a Hornet.
1974 was the high water mark for Gremlin sales, so I'll bet that this one is from that model year.
Greatest winter beaters.. ever. These things DOMINATED small car class demo derby. Mine was a 258 I6 with a 3spd. Run it till it rusts apart.. 😂
ironically a v8 gremlin has always been one of my dream cars, my late great uncle had a pacer with a 401 stuffed in it and that car was a blast to drive.......
I'm not sure about the gremlins but one odd neat thing about the pacer is the passenger door is a little longer than the driver door for people getting in and out of the back seat
I love Gremmies. They're like America's first hot hatch. I've always wanted to build a crazy 360 powered sleeper Gremlin.
That’s what I did with my 74. It’s got a fire breathing 360 in it.
Just wishing you well with the restoration. Great video straight forward content no fake rubbish. Been watching for years always great content.
Those cars are pretty cool, I don't think they're ugly at all. They were serious oddballs when they first came out based on what cars mostly looked like at the time, but now they don't really look that different from most hatchbacks. The running gear is basically the same as a Jeep of the same vintage, should be easy to get parts for it. I like it!
My grandfather had one of these in the mid 70's with a manual. He used to love zipping around in it and scaring my grandmother. I have a soft spot for these, and wouldn't mind a manual V8 version.
I owned a yellow 1970 Gremlin. At the time, most interstate speeds were 55 mph and it would take me about 2 miles to get up to 55mph. Lol but I drove it from Apalachin NY to Casa Grande AZ, with no AC or radio, where I went to college. I sold it while at school and bought a 1963 Chevy Apache pickup to drive back east. I have good memories of my yellow submarine.
Very under appreciated car
Short for good maneuverability, and to be honest how often do you need a trunk, a hatchback will do, also has a very reliable drive train
I've just started seeing these back on the road and always give the driver a thumbs up. You have to get it road-worthy and give it a wash.
That fired up so fast i jumped 🤣 did not expect it
Time to put a carb cheater on it👍
I'm a Mopar fan, but have owned GM and Ford vehicles, however I am glad you rescued this Gremlin. Never had an AMC but I have a soft spot for AMC cars. I always liked the Gremlin so I hope you can resurrect this car.
AMC Gremlins are cool. You could go totally crazy and drop in a AMC 401 engine.
A 318 Poly from a mid 60s Dodge, new leaf springs to raise the rear end
A 340 with 3 dueces would be best.
I put a 440 in my 73 gremlin X Levi Denim 304 4spd back in 1980 still got it 440 automatic
Awesome man. I love how almost all parts were interchangeable within all the models of amc’s!! Good stuff!! Love the content
Megatron was a decpticon, Luke!!!!
All the parts master parts I ever bought in Iowa came from Arnold Motor Supply.
learn something from you every time. really dig that way of filling a tire. first I've seen one
Gremlin is a solid mileage cruiser. And they are some real fun when v8 swapped. Yours is really solid and would be prime for some updates , carb cheater, and run it on powertour with other tubers
in 1977 I had a 1971 Gremlin and loved it, drove it all over the country putting bout 40,000 miles on it in 2 and a half years. Mine had a 232ci motor in it and I changed it from points to electronic ignition. always wished I'd kept that car. Anyway, love yer channel and even thou I'm 66 years old, I still refer to you as Uncle Luke.
The Interstate MegaTron was the best battery you could buy back in the day...whoever owned that Gremlin cared enough to buy the best.
My father had a Gremlin of that vintage but it had the V8 in it (304 maybe?) . Thing was so nose-heavy that he'd do 360 spins coming to a stop in the winter. After the third time he got rid of the car
I’d love to see you put one of your carb optimizer things on it like the Mav has, to see how well you can make it run
Good ... now you have to make a carb cheater for a 2bbl weber 32/36 !!! 🎉
Thank you for saving that car! May the AMC gods smile upon you,
I live where those cars were built. The plant is now torn down. It's good to see this car saved.
I Love Gremlins. Luke I'm not sure how you don't like the Gremlin but you like the Maverick.
AMC didn't have money to retool like the big 3. Foreign hatchbacks were coming over and they took basically a hornet front end and built a hatch on it, to compete with foreign cars of the time.
AMC had lots of Cool Names. I love the Rebel and the name. The inline 6 258 which later became the Chrysler 4.0. Is one of the best engines ever. The 5 millionth 4.0 sits in our history center building.
The 4.0 was never a Chrysler. It was designed by AMC before Chrysler bought AMC/Jeep. It was always a Jeep engine and never branded or sold as a Chrysler.
Looks like a jewel to me. Curious how many shekles it took to close the deal.
The only car that is more cool then this is the Pacer X
I had a 72 Gremlin X with a 304 V8 in it. Drove it for 18 and a half years before it got totaled. Wish I had it back. Very fun car to drive and fast!
Are you kidding me, sleeper of the century. Clean it up, keep the patina and LS swap it with an L33/4L60 and an 8.8 rear. Don't want to, sell it to me, I've been looking for one for years. A Pacer would work too.
Hell yeah, I'd love to see it with a high compression 5.3 or 6.0 LS with a T6060, an 8.8 rear (like you said), and a centrifugal blower.
Boooooo
Needs an AMC v8
Those Gremlins have a special place in my heart. It was amazing that it fired up like that. Just last week I revived a Toyota 22r motor that had been sitting for 13 years. It ran great. I was interested in the Toyota Pick up as well.
I bought a 1973 Gremlin X when I came home from Vietnam, just to be different than all my buddies. We called it the Tieajuana taxi, we took it every where cause we knew no one would steal it. I had it a year and traded it for a Pontiac which I still have it . When I think back it was a cool car.
I live in Northwest Louisiana...
Parts Master filters are sold here as a private label brand at our local Bumper to Bumper auto parts stores. They're numbered like Wix / NAPA filters.... I believe Wix makes them for Bumper to Bumper / Parts Master.
We had a Gremlin 232 6 cyl. And in 5 years never had any problems . A great little car that went anywhere. I wish I had another one.
I just sold me 76 Gremlin yesterday and it is going to the new owner in Germany. What's not to like. You will get used to the shape. Very maneuverable and fun to drive.
The 258 was a torque monster.
In my Jeep.
Lol, that tractor is the definition of "nothing more permanent than a temporary solution that works"
I'm building a gremlin on my channel currently. I love the car. I'm glad to see another Gremlin kicking around. Hello from Wisconsin.
Parts Master oil filters were sold by Auto Value auto parts stores I believe, that's a nice little Gremlin, the automatic transmission should be a AMC specific Torqueflight,they went to those starting model year 1972.
That's the same engine I had on my '78 Jeep CJ5. Nowadays you'd call it a 4.2 liter. Those straight 6 258's were pretty bulletproof. Put that old Jeep in granny gear up against a tree, step out of it and you could watch it idling, dig itself into the ground pushing on the tree, lol. Considering how capable it was I never saw the point of putting a V8 into one. Parts Master came from an auto parts store called Auto Value or General Auto Supply as they used both names interchangeably. My brother worked at one for about ten years. Their in-store brands like Parts Master were every bit as good as any Motorcraft or AC/Delco parts you could buy. The hand tools my little brother's store carried were Blackhawk and had the same lifetime warranty as Craftsman back then, and since the closest Sears was an 80 mile round trip and General Auto was a mile away it was a no-brainer just to buy the Blackhawk stuff. I still have a lot of it.
Awesome my mom had a purple one back in the late 70s, us kids thought it was a race car 😂 glad to see it saved
Amazing that there is anything left of the body and frame, that alone makes it a very rare AMC. Definitely brings back lots of memories. Grew up during the '70s in the Kenosha area, so many friends and family members worked at the plant there. Most everyone owned one at one point it seemed like. Those straight six lumps will run a long time, but you'll never get that valve cover to stop leaking for more than 5 minutes that's for sure! Great revival and a car worth keeping on the road for someone to take to their local car shows a few times a year.
Great to see you at it again! Love that gremlin video
Ok, the sparkplug thing is beyond crazy. would NEVER think of trying that one.
Lucky man a gremlin is one of my dream cars so glad you saved it from getting crushed
I found your channel while searching for Gremlin rescue videos. I would love to find one that isn't ridiculously priced or completely rusted out. Or both. I hope you keep it, Wash it, and continue to fix it up. They are so ugly they are cool. And that orange is a cool color on the Gremlin.
Hay buddy. Been awhile. Can't believe you got an AMC. Let alone a gremlin.
I got a new place with a massive shop on it. I tore my 68 completely apart. All new engine, Trans. All new disk brakes. Ect. Now it is in the body shop for some work and paint. It will finally be finished
😊
I always liked gremlins, I just discovered you a week ago, and really like the style and way you teach and present info, thank you for that and thank you for saving the gremlin
Definitely was well worth saving 🙂
Definitely impressed at how clean and complete it is!
I've been looking forever for a reasonably priced Gremlin with zero luck and you just stumble across one. I need some of your luck. Treat the old gal nice.
Thanks for posting bro. I needed a good classy car video.
Brings back memories. My first car was a used 72 Hornet {had the trunk}. Paid $1200 for it. Never failed to start. Put 100k on it and then sold it to my brother who put another 100k on it going back and forth to auto school.
Thanks for sharing some automotive archeology with us!
I really admire your ingenuity! Get it running!
Amazing how that car just fired right up. I look forward to the next episode!
Brilliant start to resurrecting the AMC. Thanks Luke.
On so many of the vids of cars with points, only the points get dressed with sandpaper. It always helps get a happy spark if one also sands the rotor contact and also scrapes the contacts inside the caps.
I know they're weird but I can't help but entirely and unironically love the gremlin. If I had the money to buy one that wasn't an absolute pile of rust on the ground I absolutely would
glad to see someone saving an AMC. my other and I have had gremlins an Pacers. I presently drive a 59 Rambler with aAMC 327 with 490k miles. also salvaged a no runner 72 Javelin 360 4 speed. auto manufactures from about 72on retarded timing and reduced the advance and added air pumps, made them run rich so the exaust would burn emissions.
this killed fuel economy and power. then came the 70s oil crisis. I've had good luck with AMC's and a few Fords.
Very much enjoy all your videos, the tractor is priceless. You are one of my favourite you tubers.
That method of filling a tire - amazing. Old school - nice. Thanks Luke!
My dad had one of those used to drive it back-and-forth to work….
I had a 6 cylinder spirit. One of the most reliable cars I have ever owned and I’m a Toyota Subaru owner/fan. It literally never failed to start or strand me. Which happened in the 70s and 80s.
Same wheels I had on my gremlin, the straight 6 I had was the 4.2 and was indestructible. Ours had a 3 speed manual on the floor. The 4.2 was also in many Jeeps in those days.
I had a Jeep J20 with the AMC 360 2bbl and 4spd 4wd Dana drive train. That engine was great. Sold that truck to a friend he operated oil wells with it for several years a lot of the sheet metal was galvanized so it did not rust.
On behalf of the cars you revive.... Thank you for caring enough to not just blast them with brake cleaner and rev the hell out of them as soon as they fire... like your buddy Kevin does ! Great video !
I had a LIME GREEN one! good times. Arguably the Smart Car of it's era. that inline 6 torque is legendary. I also had a Rebel, not the machine though, the inline 6.
Thunderhead... I am a fan! Just wanted to re-post my remark about the Ported vs Manifold vacuum discussion. In case you want some more honest data.
1964 Dodge Dart, 170 CID, bone stock. 60,000 miles, 120 lbs compression. 20" vacuum at idle . Runs buttery smooth. So, I run 16 BTDC, base timing. Vacuum advance pulls 18-20 degrees, Mechanical advance must be adding another 24 above 3,000 RPM's. So, somewhere between 55 and 60! LORD. Anyhow, Cold start... ON the fastest idle cam, the Ported vacuum must be kicking in, plus some mechanical... putting me at 30 BTDC, dead cold... but, runs like a top. Fast idle drops to lowest fast idle... then timing moves back to approx 20 ish. Off the cold start, fast idle.. Back to 16, and idles like a kitten. PURRRRRRR. So, I ran a Temporary Vacuum gauge on the dash, and tried it both ways. It might be my imagination... but, the throttle response seems better from 1000 to 2000 RPM's, on ported vacuum. Steady state vacuum ... (As seen on my Temporary, vacuum gauge) seems like its the same.
*My Theory* The accelerator pump on my rig.. might be a little bit weak. So, the ported vacuum is actually compensating slightly... by adding timing... at just the right time. The motor seems to want more timing... due to a slightly lean mix on quick throttle opening. The throttle response seems excellent on Ported vacuum. It is hard to tell... but, after swapping to Manifold... the motor seemed more sluggish.
16 BTDC is the highest vacuum reading at idle. If I use manifold vacuum... It pulls way too much advance at idle, so... I would need to move the base timing to probably 5 BTDC, and before i pull the distributor, to move it a tooth, ... I guess... I'll throw in the towel and not mess with it.
I grew up in AMCs including 2 Gremlins. Mom loved them.
Sweet ride, be a great daily driver. Definitely stands out.
Thats the one I learned to drive on in 1975 drivers ed. Very goofy back then but retro cool now and quite suitable for a retro wife.
I was born in the nineties, am Australian and my only memory of these things is from the Simpsons.
So naturally i love them.
Woo hoo, another good Ole Thunderhead289 video! I gotta tell ya Luke your a lucky fella that your wife likes going on barn finds!
Thanks for the Gremmi vid. Ibought a new 73 Gremlin X with the 258 and auto transmission. Was a fantastic car for a teenager who was tough on cars. I sure miss it and would love to have it back. Enjoy your vids!
i had a 72 gremlin. was my mom's old car. in the early 2000's they gave it to me and i used my graduation money to fix it and got it back on the road after being parked for 11 years. drove it till i wrecked it. miss that car.
also yes, that is a carter yf carburetor, and they do have an accelerator pump.
the transmission is a chrysler tranny. i think it's a torque flight 929, amc alled it a torque command 727 or something like that. the belt housing is the only difference. amce changed it to fit their engine blocks. one thing to watch out for is the rear engine seal. it's a rope style two piece. they can go bad if they sit too long with out getting oiled.