The Restoration starts!- '80 Eagle Turbo Diesel

[tougeagle]

Very cool , I think that maybe this issue will be a blessing in disguise in the end.It is so cool to see such a rare piece it's due rewards and getting put back in operation.That procedure is the same used for taking out the tranny in my Caddy.They sell a special set up, but like you I am thinking angle iron or wood blocking will work well , the other option I am told is to unbolt the whole front carriage and lift the car up off it, and roll out the whole assembly,who's idea was it anyways to stuff a V8 sideays in a front wheel drive car ?? Yeah I know Olds did it first with the Toranado , I was like 10 when I saw my dad's friend do a burn out with one, I think I scratched my head for days on that one.
Excellent job Rollguy , !

toronado was different in the fact that they kept the engine in the "normal" configuration, caddys and all of the other front wheel drive cars mount the engine sideways for some stupid reason

It's because the fwd transmission is also transverse, the bellhousing bolts up and the transaxles come out of either side of teh transmission. Think of it almost as 1 1/2 differentials.

[rollguy]

I pulled the engine/transmission today.
Hooked up and part of the way out:

Out of the car:

Safely on the garage floor:


The next thing to do is to separate the trans from the engine, and put the engine on the engine stand.   I will remove all the brackets and accessories, and clean everything.  I have a friend that does powder coating, and I will have him do all the brackets in black.  After putting the engine on the stand, I need to find an oil pump, and rings (probably the hardest part).

[68AMXGOPAC]

So the engine and tranny are able to come out together,hmmmm.I didn't think they would.
Nice work , hope it goes smooth , and you find the parts quickly.I have had rings made at Hastings , the hardest part was measuring the bores acuretly and determining the material they were nade out of.I ended up sending them a one set of old ones.They make them ( or cut them) , slightly larger, and I filed the correct end gap to fit as supposed to.Wich you have to check the end gap on any set anyways.I do have a ring gap filer if you come to needing one,it's a bit easier than a vise and a hand file.

[IowaEagle]

Thanks for the shots.  Can you take some closer up up the engine so us curious folks can see what it look like?

[hemlokk]

Very nice. Slowly, but surely gettin' er done. 

[thereverendbill]

any updates on this restoration? been a while since the last update

[rollguy]

It has been very cold here in the DESERT of So. Cal,so I have not been able to work on it.  The next task is to make an engine stand that will be high enough to remove the oil pan, but still not be so high as to be dangerous for use in starting the engine before installing it.

[shanebo]

I just gotta ask: where did you find that!!??  :oOne is more likely to come across a baskeball size ruby than an eagle turbo diesel!!! My god I would sell a lung and a kidney to get my paws on one of those!! I cant wait to see your progress on that beauty...Very Very cool ride!!!!

[rollguy]

I just gotta ask: where did you find that!!??  :oOne is more likely to come across a baskeball size ruby than an eagle turbo diesel!!! My god I would sell a lung and a kidney to get my paws on one of those!! I cant wait to see your progress on that beauty...Very Very cool ride!!!!

The thread about how I got it is here somewhere.  I am thankful I did not have to give a kidney or a lung for it.   The way I look at it, God gives us things in life to take care of while we are here.  I have been chosen to be the steward of this Eagle, and I hope I can be a good steward.  My desire is to restore it and take it to car shows so others can enjoy it as well....Rich

[LaGuardia]

What a great car you have there, rollguy ! I heard about TD Eagles, but today I learnt (discovered this thread by pure chance) how rare they are, and which kind of engine they have. Wow, a VM powering an Eagle !

I knew about early Chrysler Voyagers using them (I used to have one myself), but I would never suspect VM made it into AMCs...

If you're still missing something, I'd be happy to help: "VM Motori" main plant is just 260 miles from my place !

[rollguy]

If you're still missing something, I'd be happy to help: "VM Motori" main plant is just 260 miles from my place !

WOW!  thanks for the offer.  And yes, I am in need of some parts.  It is difficult to find parts here in the States.   I know I will need an oil pump, head gasket set, and maybe a few other things. 

[LaGuardia]

Feel free to PM me whenever you are ready, providing all the details you have. I'll do the best that I can to help.

[rollguy]

Feel free to PM me whenever you are ready, providing all the details you have. I'll do the best that I can to help.

I will do just that!   Thanks, Rich

[IowaEagle]

Helping hand across the seas.  I will have to check with Paula (BabyEagle) but I think it was she who knows where another Eagle TD is.

[rollguy]

Helping hand across the seas.  I will have to check with Paula (BabyEagle) but I think it was she who knows where another Eagle TD is.

We (mostly Paula) are on it!  She says she thinks it is in Texas.  She is trying to find out, and she will let me know.