AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Mighty 258 => The Engine => Topic started by: marty on August 14, 2018, 06:06:45 PM

Title: Eagle loses all power when put in gear
Post by: marty on August 14, 2018, 06:06:45 PM
83 Eagle, 258, emissions bypass, Skip White HEI dist.  Everything else is stock.
Drove to work and everything was fine.  Came out to go home, started just fine but as soon as I put it in to gear it stalled out.  I was able to get it going and it slowly climbed up to speed, could feel gears shifting and limped it home.  Thought it was the cat so I removed it...there was literally nothing inside!  Removed the muffler and it had rattling and some chunks fell out (muffler is under 2 years old), so I figured the cat got clogged and blew into the muffler...problem solved...NOT!  No exhaust system on the car and still have the same problem.  Car will rev up in neutral but die when put into gear.  Figured the torque converter or tranny were shot so I had it towed to the tranny shop I have used for years and they said it is not a trans problem.  OK, I'm stumped and open to suggestions.  HEI dist, plugs and wires are also under 2 years old. OEM carb was also rebuilt under 2 years ago (drilled out the idle ports when I rebuilt it).  Fuel filter under 2 years old...fuel pump age is unknown.  Brakes are not locked up.  Have not tried to see if it was the diff or front wheel drive.  Thanks for all help.
Marty
Title: Re: Eagle loses all power when put in gear
Post by: Eagleearl on August 14, 2018, 11:40:08 PM
Try checking engine with vacuum gauge.
Title: Re: Eagle loses all power when put in gear
Post by: AMC of Houston on August 15, 2018, 12:24:08 AM
Did a loose worn out timing chain jump a cog?   Had that happen on a Chevy and Pontiac in years past, with those symptoms.    I really need to change the chain on my waggie, as I can hear it banging on the cover!
Title: Re: Eagle loses all power when put in gear
Post by: DAVE on August 15, 2018, 09:47:22 AM
does it rev up fine in neutral or ?
sounds like it could be fuel delivery issues
Title: Re: Eagle loses all power when put in gear
Post by: mudkicker715 on August 15, 2018, 08:16:09 PM
Been thinking on this. It does sound like a clogged cat. Just cause nothing is in your cat could it be in a bend on the tal pipe. I know you said you took the muffler off, but i do not know if you put a straight pipe in its place. Otherwise check that your not sucking air instead of fuel from a gas line leak. You might not see a gas leak from the suction side of the fuel pump.