Driving the 1970 AMC Rebel MACHINE

[kolbpilot]

I still haven't seen a Machine to this day. When all said and done, the solid color ones are a fine looking car indeed when compared to the red, white and blue ones. Thanks for the drive through Anywhere, USA.

[303y03]

@kolbpilot Just dusted it off yesterday. Very reliable and fast ride. Hven't wrenched on it in years-

Not many people know what it is. Being dark blue, it doesn't draw attention until you get on it.

Had a patrol car follow me last night. No safe place to wring it out around here :)

[9Kennyken]

When is it my turn to drive?!!!!

[303y03]

@9Kennyken Now :)

Ebay # 200562582313

[canmachanic]

@303y03 its to bad the factory tach. didn't work. It would have looked cool in the video.

[303y03]

@canmachanic

Search "303y03 tach"

New one is on-

[firehawk28]

Regarding your stock exhaust and needing headers, do not lose your stock exhaust manifolds, if it's still equipped with them. They are completely unique to The Machine and very, very rare. The exhaust manifolds are why The Machine's 390cu.in. engine produced 340hp instead of 330hp that were in the AMX and even the SC/Rambler. The Machine's engine was the highest horsepower engine AMC ever produced due to their unique exhaust manifolds.

[303y03]

@firehawk28 Just re-read your post.

Stock AMX 390 was 325hp in 1970 with 4 port intake/2" exhaust.

Machine 390 was rated 340hp with dual oval port intake/ 2.25" exhaust.

I put this together in stock configuration and will probably keep it that way.

The best cast iron manifolds I've run are the 71/72 freeflows; noticeable difference in response.

I've had 2 sets of the stock Machine manifolds; they are rare but nothing to write home about performance wise.

[quacksacker]

Can you still get parts for AMC's?

[303y03]

@quacksacker Yes. Many parts were also used by Big Three vehicles. Just need to know what car to ask for at the parts counter:)

[akubovic]

Thanks for the ride through the gears, makes me picture what it will be like cruising the 72 Matador 2dr im working on. Great car you have !

[303y03]

@akubovic You'll be surprised how smooth they ride.

Mine has a poly bushing kit from PST.

4 link rear uses the same kit as a 70 Chevelle.

[glisnake]

Makes me wish my Machine was a 4 speed! Stock cam in that thing?

[303y03]

@glisnake This has a 90's era Crane Fireball hydraulic cam.

Not sure of the specs, but definitely not radical.

[wileycoyote64]

Thanks for the ride!

[rebelyell1969]

FLOOR THAT MOTHER F*****R

[303y03]

New tach is in. Quality varies on the reproduction ones.

This one doesn't quite center on the opening, but works well and looks A-1.

AMC sourced a Buick GSX tach and substituted a flag for the BUICK emblem.

I made a convincing flag for mine.

I've seen several call this a "Dixco" tach, but from what I've seen, it was an AC part. There was an identical NOS tach labeled "AC" online a while ago.

Need headers/exhaust to really get on it. Stock exhaust chokes the upper RPM's.

[rebel390]

Very Cool!! I have owned a RWB Machine since 1978. Motor is out of it now for some upgrades, so this is a nice way for me to go for a ride!! No close calls with A-holes in red minivans, no close calls with the Po-Po, and best of all, no gas money spent!! Thanks for posting this!!

[303y03]

Ha-Ha!

I make sure the coast is clear before I throttle up.

Did not want this to become fodder for "AND THEY WALKED AWAY".

I have had several close calls in and around town. People pulling out and checking for traffic later.

Having my virtual ride on this rainy afternoon. Less wear/tear on the car.

Get that MACHINE up & running!

[ChevelleSSLS6]

hood tach doesn't work... I don' think any muscle era hood tach was known for reliability though. SWEEEEET car though.

[303y03]

A little red magic marker on your computer screen ought to fix it :)

Lost 2 tachs to moisture in 5 years.

New one going on soon-

[ChevelleSSLS6]

2 in five years!!! Gosh those things are unreliable!

They sure look cool though. Heck, even Buick made a few GSXx with them.

[harley1450000]

tachs is busted

[firehawk28]

Is this my old Machine? Looks like the same non-functional tach that quit on me in North Dakota on a trip from Washington state to the east coast. Sold the car in Alaska in 1976 or 1977. Car had a light blue interior.

[303y03]

I got this one out of Carthage, NY in 1998.

OEM Black interior. Non-working tach is actually a reproduction that did not pass the "car wash" test.

I take it out about once a month when the weather cooperates. Never gets old :)

[303y03]

This is a Commodore Blue Machine-

[firehawk28]

Mine was Commodore Blue too with a light blue interior, but if this is an OEM black interior car, then it's not mine. By the way.... my OEM tach didn't pass the ND rain storm test either. I watched it die and it never die come back from the dead even after drying out.

[glisnake]

Is this the Black Machine for sale on eBay?