hi, I love this thread, what motor can we put in an Eagle? short answer, any one you want! The real question is, why? What will a foreign, (to AMC), motor do for your Eagle? Want to go faster? do an AMC V8, has been done a few times. Or a GM LS1, last I heard this is being attempted, 3 years in now, still not done., both at great cost and unbelievable fabrication skills that most of us do not have. Want better fuel economy? No matter what motor, it still has to move about 3300 lbs of car, putting in a Honda Civic 1.8 ain't gonna cut it. How about a SAAB 4 cyl, they face backwards! That would be real cool! Want smooth, modern power, there are quite a few Lexus and Infinity V8s in salvage yards now, just drop one in! Want something freaky different, just because you can? How about an air cooled TATRA V8? Want retro? how about a Ford flathead, or Hudson 6? Want to go total 21st century? Pop in a drivetain from the Nissan Leaf. No gas to buy ever again!
Point being, the Eagle was designed for the AMC 6. the 4.2, and can be relatively easily upgraded to the 4.0, and really, nothing else, without major, major surgery. (not even talking about the 2.5 4cyl now) The TV show Eagle, Ford V8? really nice car, I mean that, it's a really nice car and i like it. But, it is now two wheel drive, so, no longer an Eagle, it's closer to a hot rod Concord now, still, a really nice car.
having said all that, any and all that want to try weird motors in an Eagle, GO FOR IT! and post pictures. good luck, gz