Author Topic: 1983 AMC Eagle (Read 16631 times)

Pfista611 · « **on:** February 14, 2011, 10:33:06 PM »

Hiya!
I love my 1983 AMC Eagle. Bought it in December 2009. super newbie.

How do I post pics?

Pfista611 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2011, 11:19:44 PM »

Pfista611 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2011, 11:34:15 PM »

EAGLEYE · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2011, 12:17:17 AM »

very nice.i like those wheels they look really good

maddog · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2011, 02:14:25 AM »

welcome to the nest and that is one nice sx/4 you have there now can we see the other side.

tougeagle · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2011, 02:58:43 AM »

Quote from: casper on February 15, 2011, 12:22:35 AM

i have one question about the front fenders just below and infront of the front side marker light. WHY IN THE WORLD do so many of our eagles have a crunch there?? i mean REALLY?? i have never seen so many of one particular vehicle with the EXACT same dent/crease what ever. both of my sx4's have the EXACT same dent. you tell me.... LOL

haha, mine was exactly the same way when I got it, exact same spot too...

IowaEagle · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2011, 06:15:12 AM »

Nice SX/4 Sport! We call that the "mystery dent". Must be a design flaw of some type that shows up with time. Neither of my SX/4's drivers side fenders have it, my Concord does.

MontanaEagle · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2011, 10:54:57 AM »

Quote from: casper on February 15, 2011, 12:22:35 AM

i have one question about the front fenders just below and infront of the front side marker light. WHY IN THE WORLD do so many of our eagles have a crunch there?? i mean REALLY?? i have never seen so many of one particular vehicle with the EXACT same dent/crease what ever. both of my sx4's have the EXACT same dent. you tell me.... LOL

My guess would be it's from someone plopping down on the corner of the hood. Must be a weak point in the metal, and when a 200lb plus person takes a rest, the metal crinkles.

craigp29690 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2011, 11:05:54 AM »

Please tell us what size rims you are running and the size of the tires. If you happen to know the manufacturer of the rims, width and offset that would help as well. Thanks.

priya · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2011, 11:37:45 AM »

I love SX/4s.

EAGLER · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2011, 05:31:24 PM »

that sx4 rules! very very nice i think that rims are 14x7" offset looks the same i have on my amx.

1st eagle · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2011, 06:06:43 PM »

that is gorgeous

doneagle · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2011, 06:27:00 PM »

HI that is one nice EAGLE. I can see why you love it. some people are still looking. have fun with it . ....Don

Pfista611 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2011, 12:52:38 PM »

Thanks for the welcome!

It does look cross eyed - and i can't figure out the headlight adjusters - ? Care to point me in the right direction?

I am so excited about this website because I am in need of some AMC Eagle sensei(s) -- i bought this car thinking I would have a bit more guidance from my gear head boyfriend but we have since split... I will not be parting with my Eagle though

...but when I said I was a super newbie in my first post - I meant it.

The Tires? P205/75 R15 (?) does that answer your question? Firestone FR380...

I will post a picture of the right side soon

Nothing is wrong with it...I just liked the background behind the left side of the car that day ha

I bought this car from a guy who had bought it for his wife, thinking she would feel super safe in Tahoe but she actually hated it...said it was way to old and way too quirky...well, quirky is my style and I scooped it up so fast!! I didn't even know what I had until I went to a Rambler show this past summer in Sacramento and this guy, nicknamed "Randy Rambler" (are you on this site?) totally welcomed me in, introduced me to some awesome AMC enthusiasts and like that, I became obsessed. This particular Eagle that I own has never left this mountain. The first owner was an older lady who drove it from work to home to the grocery store...haha it must have been garaged too because it is in great shape. The guy I bought it from only owned it for like 6 months...So I am the third owner and the baby only has 115K

I am in South Lake Tahoe, CA and we are getting sooo much snow!!! snow forecasted until Friday

...I just called into work, saying I'd be a bit late with shoveling and everything....but I am going to go fly my Eagle around the neighborhood!! Whoohoo

IowaEagle · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2011, 01:25:47 PM »

You know, I don't think we have a head light adjuster How To in the Eaglepedia. Maybe its time we get one in there.

IowaEagle · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2011, 08:23:23 PM »

Some one want to do one with pictures. My Concord needs them, but it is still buried under snow and in mud.

nvsteve · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2011, 08:32:30 PM »

Hey pfista, I live right down the mountain from you in Minden. I may have seen your car on craigslist before you bought it.

I have an 84 Eagle wagon that I bought off craigslist in Reno in November. Its been my daily driver and so far no big issues. SLT should be a good environment for your car.

Steve

IowaEagle · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2011, 08:33:29 PM »

That would be great. I can help with the narrative if you want. I have done my share of those things.

HappyPappy · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2011, 09:56:21 AM »

Here is a little hint for you, get a piece of heavy gauge wire, like a coat hanger, cut it about 6=8 inch long, bend a small hook on one end and a finger hole loop on the other end. Use it to pull the springs out to hook them back up, works better then needle nose pliers.It can be used for other things too!!

thereverendbill · « **Reply #19 on:** February 17, 2011, 12:48:40 PM »

Quote from: IowaEagle on February 16, 2011, 08:33:29 PM

That would be great. I can help with the narrative if you want. I have done my share of those things.

now there's a professional .... even has a seat for the occasion

IowaEagle · « **Reply #20 on:** February 17, 2011, 02:21:32 PM »

Sit when you can. The old knees don't like asphalt.

shanebo · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:46:42 PM »

LoL..mine has a dent there too!! passanger side though. Very cool sx4 love the front plate!!

fulsizjeep · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2011, 02:51:11 PM »

Welcome - Nice one! Thanks for the pictures!

Pfista611 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 25, 2011, 02:19:29 AM »

Quote from: nvsteve on February 16, 2011, 08:32:30 PM

Hey pfista, I live right down the mountain from you in Minden. I may have seen your car on craigslist before you bought it.

I have an 84 Eagle wagon that I bought off craigslist in Reno in November. Its been my daily driver and so far no big issues. SLT should be a good environment for your car.

Steve

Hey there! I was wondering if anybody on this site was nearby

Yeah, my car loves South Lake!

I have had some issues but nothing tooo bad - but - Do you know any good mechanics around here that won't rip a chick off? that possibly love AMCs? I am willing to travel off the hill for a honest mechanic haha I think I have gone through them all up here ha ...i need someone who respects the Eagle

Pfista611 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2011, 02:35:28 AM »

Thanks for the direction on adjusting my headlights! I am going to try to get into that this weekend

shanebo · « **Reply #25 on:** February 26, 2011, 01:15:26 AM »

Mine are cross eyed too. Unfortunatly my headlight buckets are kinda busted up..once that plastic gets old it gets rather brittle. I have a plan though. I have a bunch of fiberglass rosin and cheese cloth...I used it to patch my boat when I accidently run the tractor into it. Its really versitle stuff. My plan is to remove the buckets and lay them out then apply layers of rosin and cheese cloth to the back and inside until its well reinforced. The I will cut new holes where needed then sand and spray them black. Ill let everyone know how it turns out....I figure It cant hurt em any wors than they are seeing as how they are split clean in half in several places. Im assuming this is what yours look like too.

IowaEagle · « **Reply #26 on:** February 26, 2011, 11:03:07 AM »

Let us know how that repair goes. We all know there will be no new buckets molded anytime soon.

Pfista611 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 27, 2011, 01:38:43 PM »

The headlight adjustment is on hold - going to grab some tools from my brother's house later today...

Here's a picture of the right side for ya

Pfista611 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 27, 2011, 01:50:46 PM »

I have another issue maybe you guys could help me with -

Now that you have all seen the "good" photos haha and you all like my car

thank you.... here is the cosmetic issue I most need help with --because it is my daily driver -- my driver seat is broken and ripped.

The rip doesn't bother me but I would like to get it fixed because the other seats are in fantastic shape. The problem is that the seat lies completely down. the mechanism is broke and it won't stay "seated"/stay up

An upholsterer told me that he could fix the mechanism in the seat and also fix the vinyl. However, I have been ripped off before and I really need good advice as far as the best way to get this seat fixed. The rip is just on the black vinyl.

Any advice?

IowaEagle · « **Reply #29 on:** February 27, 2011, 02:13:10 PM »

You asked me a question in a PM regarding removing the paint from the window moulding. I kind of gave you an answer, but now see you have a Sport model. The moulding is supposed to be satin black as the factory did paint over the brightwork for the Sport models.

shanebo · « **Reply #30 on:** February 27, 2011, 11:10:56 PM »

That should be a fairly easy fix for about any uposterer...Especially since its black...If you have a color that is exclusivly amc like nutmeg, its a bit harder to get a good match. Other wise though the car looks great...I always love the blacked out sport package looks more aggresive.

rollguy · « **Reply #31 on:** February 27, 2011, 11:36:48 PM »

Repairing the upholstery is the easy part. The problem with the seat frame seems to be common, as I had the same problem with mine. The seat back adjusting mechanism is broken. I think the only fix is to replace the entire frame. I just bolted mine in a comfortable position, as there is no need to move the seat back forward (no rear seat passengers again). If you can find a seat in a wrecking yard, it does not matter what color or condition of the upholstery, get it. There also may be a 'nester that has a good seat frame for sale. Also, both sides are not interchangeable, so you need to find a good driver side seat.

shanebo · « **Reply #32 on:** February 27, 2011, 11:56:44 PM »

Didnt the Spirits have those high back seats too?

amc78concord · « **Reply #33 on:** February 28, 2011, 12:25:22 AM »

Quote from: shanebo on February 27, 2011, 11:56:44 PM

Didnt the Spirits have those high back seats too?

They did, but they weren't "high." The SX/4's seats can be compared to an Eagle wagon's backseats, but they just fold down seperately.

ammachine390 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 28, 2011, 02:20:57 AM »

Quote from: amc78concord on February 28, 2011, 12:25:22 AM

Quote from: shanebo on February 27, 2011, 11:56:44 PM
Didnt the Spirits have those high back seats too?
They did, but they weren't "high." The SX/4's seats can be compared to an Eagle wagon's backseats, but they just fold down seperately.

I think he means high back as in the seat is tall, compared to wagon seats which are shorter. Not actual back seats.

Pfista611 · « **Reply #35 on:** June 21, 2012, 01:05:21 PM »

My eagle is for sale

captspillane · « **Reply #36 on:** July 14, 2012, 10:04:35 PM »

An Eagle SX4 has the exact same seat as a Spirit. Exact same.

A Spirit will have a different inboard seat slide rail than an SX4, but it takes about 20 seconds to swap them.
Four little 1/2" drive nuts hold the slide rails to the bottom of the seat. An SX4 uses the exact same slide rails as a station wagon.

A non-power Station Wagon wide body seat will bolt directly unto the slide rails of an SX4. They are totally interchangeable. The power seat frames are different and they have a different set of holes in the floor, but those can be easily installed as well.

A 1981 SX4 and a 1981 Spirit will have a seat that does not recline. Those frames are total junk. They are extremely weak and develop cracks in several places. A 1979 Spirit has the same frame, but different welting work in the fabric.

A 1982 or 1983 Spirit or SX4 got reclining seats that are considerably stronger than the earlier version. The handle and reclining mechanism is exactly the same as a Station Wagon seat, but it doesn't have as many teeth and doesn't recline as far back. It is also quite prone to cracks. They do not crack as severely as the early non-reclining seats, but nearly every drivers side frame in existance is cracked already.

If you see your drivers side sitting a few inches further back then the passenger side, the crack is already developed to the point of needing immediate attention and repair. Every SX4 I own has this problem in various stages of development. Its not a question of if your frame will break, but when. The reclining seats are certainly worth repairing and the repairs are relatively simple. I won't waste my time repairing the early non-reclining seats.

Author Topic: 1983 AMC Eagle (Read 16631 times)

1st eagle

nvsteve