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Author Topic: Another Newbie from Minnesota  (Read 2254 times)

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Offline jwinker

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Another Newbie from Minnesota
« on: June 21, 2019, 05:34:33 PM »
Hey folks! I just picked up my first AMC vehicle, this 1984 Eagle Limited. The car sat for a few years, and still working some bugs out, but so far, so good.



I have a few other projects in the works, too. You can see one of my 1968 Ford Falcons parked behind the Eagle, there's a second in the garage, and a 1965 Econoline pickup.

For now, though, I'm going to untangle the wadded up ball of Christmas lights that is the Eagle's vacuum lines! I definitely have a leak somewhere, and I suspect it might be coming from the line plugged with a roofing nail. I also have some electrical bugs to work out & a pretty nasty exhaust leak up front. But, so far I'm enjoying the new fun.
no spare time, no free time, no downtime, all you got is lifetime - GO!

Online Taylor

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Re: Another Newbie from Minnesota
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2019, 06:30:01 PM »
Beautiful Wagon, Welcome to the forum.
2010 Toyota Rav4 pack mule
1985 AMC Eagle Limited Wagon 🖖🏼🦅
2020 Honda Africa Twin the long haul trucker

Offline jwinker

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Re: Another Newbie from Minnesota
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2019, 07:15:48 PM »
I spent about an hour on the vacuum lines and found a couple of disconnected lines. It's running better now, but still stumbles on partial throttle off idle. Yesterday, I cleaned the carb, blew out quite a bit of gunk & crud. I wonder if some of the jets are still gunked up. Maybe tomorrow.

I'm also going to fight some dash wiring headaches, but haven't even really started working on that part yet. I've read a handful of information about the tach, sounds like it's pretty much useless if it's broken. I'm not giving up on it yet, though. Everything else on the dash is questionable, so I'm hoping it is simply loose wires, bad grounds, etc.


Tried adding some additional pictures, but it failed . . . please hold.
« Last Edit: June 22, 2019, 01:53:40 PM by jwinker »
no spare time, no free time, no downtime, all you got is lifetime - GO!

Offline vangremlin

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Re: Another Newbie from Minnesota
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2019, 09:24:51 PM »
Welcome to the Den!  That's a beautiful wagon, and a nice looking Falcon - you must have a thing for bird cars  ;)

Your latest photos didn't come through, not sure what the issue might be.

I've never heard of anyone being able to bring one of the tach's back to life, and also there are very few that still work.  I've come up with a way to replace your AMC tach with a Ford F-150 tach, very similar looking and it's an easy swap (easier than dealing with all those vacuum leaks).  There is a listing in the AMC Parts section of the classified, and also the full details on how to install one in the "How To" section.

Looking forward to following your progress!!
1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Offline amarshall

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Re: Another Newbie from Minnesota
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2019, 10:23:52 PM »
Beautiful Eagle!
Wanted:  More time to work on my Eagle!

1988 Eagle Wagon - Overlander Build
http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=45852.0

Offline RallyEagle

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Re: Another Newbie from Minnesota
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2019, 06:40:15 PM »
Nice ride!

Online Taylor

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Re: Another Newbie from Minnesota
« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2019, 09:44:26 PM »
I am not sure why you photos didn’t up load, I thought it was just my iPad.
I’ll check on the size limitations. It is about 2MB I think per picture, I do t think it applies to the entire posting. I’ll try and get that done tomorrow.
2010 Toyota Rav4 pack mule
1985 AMC Eagle Limited Wagon 🖖🏼🦅
2020 Honda Africa Twin the long haul trucker

Offline jwinker

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Re: Another Newbie from Minnesota
« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2019, 11:12:43 PM »
Here's today's mid-afternoon update. It's running GREAT! But . . . it stopped stopping. I blew a brake line. It's in the garage now, back wheels off, rusty brake lines breaking. Tomorrow, I'm going to hunt down some new line & start plumbing. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my Sunday, but it's better than some Sundays I've had.

Another way to do this: Youtube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSZYLtLvUys

« Last Edit: June 22, 2019, 11:13:03 PM by jwinker »
no spare time, no free time, no downtime, all you got is lifetime - GO!

Offline jwinker

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Re: Another Newbie from Minnesota
« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2019, 12:13:28 PM »
no spare time, no free time, no downtime, all you got is lifetime - GO!

Offline vangremlin

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Re: Another Newbie from Minnesota
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2019, 12:17:05 PM »
Thanks for the video and the Instagram link, that worked.  Was the dog included in the purchase of the car, he seems to be right at home back there  ;)
1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Offline jwinker

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Re: Another Newbie from Minnesota
« Reply #10 on: June 24, 2019, 12:16:30 PM »
I promise, I did not purchase the Eagle to match my dog. That is pure coincidence!

Though I will admit, Zoey's acceptance does come into consideration when making a purchase. So far, she has approved, though we were going to the dog park, so she might have been unfairly influenced.  :D
no spare time, no free time, no downtime, all you got is lifetime - GO!

Offline mo.eagles

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Re: Another Newbie from Minnesota
« Reply #11 on: June 24, 2019, 04:58:50 PM »
Welcome ,great looking wagon. Nice one to start with. I love Calvin and Hobbs. Drain all the  fluids and add new . I didn't and  I lost a front diff.
« Last Edit: June 24, 2019, 05:02:16 PM by mo.eagles »
'85 wagon Limited   tilt wheel , cruise control
power seats ,windows and locks
rear window washer /wiper 
tach and gauge package
A/C
 '85 wagon   power windows and locks
rear window washer/wiper
factory tow package
A/C

 

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