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  • March 29, 2024, 08:27:05 AM

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Author Topic: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project  (Read 44700 times)

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Offline eaglefreek

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #75 on: March 28, 2016, 09:29:27 PM »
Glad it's coming together. When I saw it in person when the previous owner had it, I seen how much work it needed and thought it might not get into the right hands.  :occasion14:
1986 AMC Eagle Wagon 4.2L/4.0L head, AW4,NP242, Chrysler 8.25" rear.
1981 AMC Eagle Wagon As Seen On TV  Lost In Transmission


 

"I know he'd be a poorer man, if he never saw an eagle fly,
Rocky mountain high"  John Denver
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Offline kevindpm61

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #76 on: March 30, 2016, 10:18:46 AM »
This SX/4 has needed quite a bit of work to get it road worthy. Fortunately, the frame and flooring had minimal rust. My son bought the car through Craigslist and had it transported from Alabama without inspecting it. I told him that was a risky venture but what do I know! I'm sure the amount of work is much more than what he imagined but it is about what I expected.
I enjoy working on cars whenever I have some free time on my hands. I am restoring a 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 which I've owned since I was 16.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=225784&highlight=finally+1970+duster+340

Unfortunately, I was taken for a ride by a body man which has caused me to pursue legal action against him. My car is on hold so the Eagle has helped to fill the void.
Follow my son's 1983 AMC SX/4 project

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Offline eaglefreek

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #77 on: March 30, 2016, 01:02:01 PM »
I had a 73 Cuda with a 360 and pistol grip 4 speed when I was 16. I sold it in when I was 17 in '86 for $1,800  :banghead:.  Honestly, when I seen the amount of work and detail going into the SX4, I thought you were a little crazy. But, seeing the thread about your A Body makes me understand where you're coming from. Amazing attention to detail. I don't have that kind of patience. 
1986 AMC Eagle Wagon 4.2L/4.0L head, AW4,NP242, Chrysler 8.25" rear.
1981 AMC Eagle Wagon As Seen On TV  Lost In Transmission


 

"I know he'd be a poorer man, if he never saw an eagle fly,
Rocky mountain high"  John Denver
Click for Fayetteville,TN Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150

Offline kevindpm61

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #78 on: March 30, 2016, 07:22:15 PM »
I guess I consider myself a little ( very)  anal about my car restoration. I have to admit that I've had a hard time reigning it in on the SX/4. Restoring these vehicles is my relaxation. I guess I'm just a perfectionist by nature.
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Offline kevindpm61

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #79 on: April 11, 2016, 07:56:40 AM »
Took care of a lot off odds and ends on the Eagle yesterday. Replaced the fuel filter and thermostat. Filled the radiator with new anti-freeze. Put on the new stabilizer end link on the driver's side. Managed to get the steel  lines to the disc brake caliper removed on both sides. Just have to buy some new lines and bend them to fit.
I'm still struggling to get the front bolt off of the head pipe without breaking the stud. It has proven to be a worthy adversary. I might try using my multipurpose tool with the blade bent to cut a portion of the nut off. It just depends if I can squeeze it up where it needs to be.
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Offline kevindpm61

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #80 on: April 12, 2016, 04:18:20 PM »
I brought the front brake calipers home with me to see about cleaning them up for reassembly. One caliper had a slight tear in the rubber boot and the piston didn't move readily. I check at the local Autozone and they had remanufactured units for $19.99 + core deposit! At that price, I'm not even going to mess with the old units. It's so much nice to put new, clean parts back on.
Follow my son's 1983 AMC SX/4 project

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Offline kevindpm61

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #81 on: April 18, 2016, 09:31:53 AM »
Got both brake calipers and pads installed Saturday. Bent and installed new hard lines from the flex hose to the proportioning valve on the passenger side and to the connector on the driver side.
Still haven't been able to get that :censored: front nut off of the exhaust manifold. I brought a good friend of mine over to take a look at the situation. He recommended an offset socket adapter.

 http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?products_id=6013

I ordered the part today. I will report back as to whether it was effective or not.
Follow my son's 1983 AMC SX/4 project

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Offline kevindpm61

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #82 on: April 30, 2016, 05:57:28 PM »
I finally won the battle between me and the front exhaust to header pipe battle!! It was a worthy adversary but it proved no match for the offset box wrench and the oxy-acetylene  torch.  Time to fix the annoying exhaust pipe leak. I also managed to cut out the rusted portion of the drivers floor pan. Just have to clean up the areas that will need welding and cut out new sheet metal before I weld up the new floor.. I'm starting to feel like were making some progress towards PA inspection.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2016, 05:59:05 PM by kevindpm61 »
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Offline amcfool1

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #83 on: May 01, 2016, 10:38:45 AM »
you the man! good job. when you reinstall the header pipe, use the LONG exhaust nuts, (and antiseize) these are available anywhere, and stick out past the flange, so a wrench can access  them easier. looks good, gz

Offline kevindpm61

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #84 on: May 01, 2016, 10:56:19 AM »
Thanks for the tip amcfool. I planned on using antiseize but didn't think about long exhaust nuts. I'm hoping that I never have to work on this exhaust pipe again!
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Offline kevindpm61

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #85 on: May 05, 2016, 05:57:09 PM »
My project for this weekend is to replace the driver's floor pan. I new that there was rust under the carpet, but I was unpleasantly surprised when we fully stripped the carpet. I cut out all the rusted metal last Saturday. This weekend, I plan on making a template and welding in the new floor. This project will give me a lot of practice with my new MIG welder.
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Offline vangremlin

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #86 on: May 06, 2016, 07:12:51 PM »
Hey, it looks like that car was set up with the optional Fred Flintsone brakes.  Yabba dabba doo!!

You're right, your new welder is going to get a good workout!!
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1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Offline kevindpm61

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #87 on: May 08, 2016, 08:03:45 AM »
The floor of the SX/4 is coming along. I got most of the rotted metal out and started to get some new metal down. The worst part is trying to find a comfortable position to lay some welds down. I have some gaps that i need to fill along the out edge of the repair. Kept blowing holes through the metal and decided it was time to quit for the day.
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Offline amc78concord

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #88 on: May 11, 2016, 10:10:23 AM »
Very Good Job!
-Rob
Nekoosa, WI
-82 Eagle Limited Wagon (4.0 Head Swap, Holley 4bbl Carb, Headers, MSD Ignition with Team Rush Upgrade)
-82 Eagle SX/4
-83 Eagle Limited Wagon "Woody"
-84 Eagle Wagon
-85 Eagle Wagon
-Many Others... :amc:



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Offline kevindpm61

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Re: Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project
« Reply #89 on: May 12, 2016, 08:57:24 AM »
Thanks 78concord. I will be spending time with the Eagle on Sunday. If all goes well, I hope to get all of the floor installed. I want to paint the inside and outside with chassis paint after I seal the seams. The exterior will be sprayed with undercoating.
Follow my son's 1983 AMC SX/4 project

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