AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => Project Cars => Topic started by: tougeagle on July 04, 2009, 03:07:09 AM

Title: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 04, 2009, 03:07:09 AM
I got sucked into the Eagle vortex as it were, from the day I first checked out the car, and have since developed a  strong desire to restore the car, and I thought it would take a lot longer than it is... but four months after purchase, I've realized that I'm almost halfway done, which is an awesome feeling, because I live on a tight hourly income and expected to have to spend years saving to do what I've been doing in just a few months.

Ever since owning my 96 Cherokee sport, 5spd 4.0 (perfect condition at 114k when bought) and its sudden demise just before Christmas 06, I had fallen in love with Jeeps. I owned a 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R for a while as something to highly enjoy driving through the tight curves on 30mph mountain highways, but got a bit too cocky with it. Well, I found this car, hopped in, and almost forgot was an 80's american car because it came with a smooth shifting manual and four wheel drive, a decently efficient inline 6 engine for the time (car makers today boast about 30 mpg, ours gets that stock on the highway, in good condition) and a fairly decent interior for the era. It reminded me of my cherokee, which handled very similarly in many ways, and very closely shares driver ergonomics, so I became familiar with it after driving it around the block once, before realizing it's a station wagon that has jeep capability, and plenty of power/handling potential = perfect project.

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/IMG_2633.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/IMG_2629.jpg)

In an eggshell, It was bone stock when purchased, no modifications at all that I knew of at the time, and wouldn't stay running, overheated, wouldn't always start,  leaked oil like a sieve amongst a host of other issues... I decided after a month and a half of replacing every part of the ignition system, cleaning the carb out (and later discovering it was newly rebuilt) repeatedly, checking and double checking valve timing, vacuum lines, it failed emissions. So I decided it could only be the carb, since replacing the oilpan gasket  amongst other things, showed me the brand new bottom end. I ran every line the way it was supposed to be done, set the ignition timing as close as possible, and it still failed. I decided then to convert to the 4.0L head, and efi system, upon finding a 92 4.0 engine with head, mani's, dizzy, valve cover, cam and all for 20 dollars....
,
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2582.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/IMG_2589.jpg)
Pleasant surprise. So was the triple roller timing set discovered later :D



I figured an Eagle would make a great mix of decent fuel economy, power and all-around usefulness for me and mine to use for a whlie, and maybe fix up. Well, here's the parts list to date (close to in order). Some things were almost brand new, others were not...

Thermostat
vacuum tubes
Oilpan gasket
Rear main seal
Clutch (thanks to my lack of research, costly mistake at a shop, a place Caroline shouldn't be)
Fuel filter
PCV valves
brake master cylinder
driveline fluids
Front u joint and u bolt slipyoke conversion
Manifold gaskets
Starter
All before failing emissions the first time

Motorcraft 2100 carb
HEI dizzy, cap, wires


(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2672.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00111.jpg)


Failed second time

Now:

Discovered bad cat, clogged muffler
removed old wiring harness
sold head/ignition/manifolds from 4.2L

The general parts (most of)

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2691.jpg)
4.2 head, dirty combustion chambers but new components

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2692.jpg)
Pistons and cylinders are cool but a valve cover and manifolds is a better one, yet to be had. .030 pistons

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00120.jpg)
4.0 head after dipping, before machining, first time around (I managed to dig the welds out, going to go JB and packing peanuts this time)

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00115.jpg)
4.0 manifold with junkyard parts, 5.2l injectors, 98 fuel rail, 94 tb, autozone rice aisle intake tubing

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00141.jpg)
Head/manifold mockup (couldn't resist placing valvecover, I got bored, painted it and wanted to see if it would match)

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00156.jpg)
What it's supposed to look like (leaking water jackets not seen in pic :P)

Since I got a little impatient, and didn't leak test the head, I had to drill the welds out (per roomate's suggestion) and I have to have the head dipped and machined again, which might also mean valve stem seals, again, and does mean thermostat gasket, again. I screwed up one head gasket before bolting the head down, before replacing it and trying again. Filled it with coolant two days later, and heard the drip start... three more weeks behind, though I see it as an opportunity to get the head ported this time around as well, instead of kicking myself later.

latest

4.0 cam installed
Head going to machine shop next week, again
Intake manifold complete
Extra 4.0 throttlebody hand-ported
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2702.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2712.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2716.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2717.jpg)
Not the greatest in the world, but the finish is deceivingly smooth. it was done more out of boredom and curiosity than anything.
Exhaust pipe fab/fitting
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00143.jpg).
Transmission removed, sold (pending pickup)
Rear driveshaft removed (rear u joints)

Hearing that motor crank over again is my inspiration for finishing my eagle. I'm getting my license back soon, and the driver's seat's been cold far too long...

















Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: IowaEagle on July 04, 2009, 10:03:50 AM
Excellent photos.  You are doing some fine work there.  I bet the new bottom end and triple roller timing set were a really pleasant surprise.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 05, 2009, 12:06:32 AM
Excellent photos.  You are doing some fine work there.  I bet the new bottom end and triple roller timing set were a really pleasant surprise.


Thanks! And Yes indeed. Back when we first bought the car and it started looking like it was going to be quite a bite to chew, I got discouraged until I dropped the oilpan :D
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 07, 2009, 12:06:24 AM
Head dropped off at the shop today :D Awaiting payment/pickup for trans, and arrangements for ax15 in NM. Just need an external slave bell housing now, and 4.0 flywheel.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 83Eagle! on July 07, 2009, 12:30:59 AM
Nice write-up.  Thanks for the pictures.  Can't wait to see what else you do with your Eagle.  Glad to hear it is going to serve you well.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 07, 2009, 01:16:24 AM
Nice write-up.  Thanks for the pictures.  Can't wait to see what else you do with your Eagle.  Glad to hear it is going to serve you well.

I also have plans for a high performance AGR power steering pump, and adjustable ratio gearbox, early next year :D Along with new rear leaf pack and new shocks on all four corners.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 83Eagle! on July 07, 2009, 01:20:17 AM
Sounds good to me.  Can't wait to see it.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 07, 2009, 01:33:59 AM
I'll post pics and updates on this thread as they come along :)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 83Eagle! on July 07, 2009, 01:38:13 AM
Oh yeah I forgot to mention that I like the quote you have in the signature on your posts.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 08, 2009, 02:19:16 AM
Got the hood off of the eagle in my junkyard jewel post, 40 bucks :D. My other and I got all kinds of stares while attempting to stuff  it into the back of a 2008 subaru impreza wagon, which we did eventually accomplish  after twenty minutes,  very, very carefully. I was too excited to start working on it to take pics until most of the paint was gone. So here it is, almost done stripping it.

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Body%20exterior/IMG_2720.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Body%20exterior/IMG_2719.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Body%20exterior/IMG_2718.jpg)

I'm still trying to figure out what to do as far as color-matching, since I can't drive the car to a body shop and have them get some paint matched for me, since it still doesn't run yet :P

Oh, I am doing this rattlecan style, but I'm gonna do it properly, primer, many layers of paint, and some layers of good clearcoat and sealer..
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 08, 2009, 02:21:38 AM
Oh yeah I forgot to mention that I like the quote you have in the signature on your posts.

lol thanks. Came up with it when i was trying to figure out why the car wouldn't pass emissions.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 09, 2009, 02:31:46 PM
do you have more pics of your exaust work?


That's the exhaust that's on the car currently. I welded a new cat on pipe, but that's about it.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 30, 2009, 04:49:08 AM
update:
Hood has a layer of primer, and I received my ax15 a few weeks ago, along with an NP249J transfer case out of a ZJ. I had to order a clutch arm last week (10 dollar ebay) which should be here later this week. I've stripped down the 4.0 harness and have it mostly wired in with the eagle's, at least the ignition circuit, along with about half the connectors. I also managed to grab an Eagle sport swaybar and tow hitch from the junkyard and have since installed them. I dropped my gas tank down to install the tow hitch, and discovered a hole in it, which has since been patched. I'll have lots of pics to come later on, but it's been raining on and off for a couple of days, making it hard to take pics.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 02, 2009, 05:49:46 AM
Another update: my awesome camera was stolen out of my garage a while back, so pictures won't be as often... parents gave me their old 2.1 megapixel, which still takes good pics. Just ordered the ax15 clutch kit, muffler, o2 bung, header reducer  and mandrel bends. This will allow me to install the transfer case and transmission, fab/modify trans mount, fab a front diff bracket, and fab my 2.5" exhaust, which is going to be almost entirely hand made (other than of course the bending). I will also be able to go to the junkyard and pick up a few sensors and pigtails, and hopefully get the wiring completed, as I will be ordering the fuel pump and pressure regulator later on today. Hopefully I can also get my starter sold and find a 4.0 starter while at the junkyard. This will be the last step to actually having a running car!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: bigdog56e on October 02, 2009, 06:17:00 AM
  Yeah, uh huh, good work, keep it up.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: JayRamb on October 02, 2009, 10:14:25 AM
That's a great breakdown with pictures.  That is really awesome that you are taking care of teh survivor.  You will reap the rewards after you are completed.   :eaglebig:
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 03, 2009, 03:27:43 AM
where did you find an 02 bung.they are a standardized size basically across the board, but its an oddball metric size that fastenal doesn't carry. i forget what the thread count was. might have been 18mm. the thread count was the problem. i just took a old 02 sensor possibly from a 90's aerostar to plug the hole

www.summitracing.com :D They have everything you'd need for an exhaust system, and it's 18mmx1.5. Some are super expensive and backorder, but I got a cheap one (5.95) that is getting sent out with the rest of my stuff. You have to weld it on, but if you want, you could send a section of pipe to me with the hole and bung and I could weld it very nicely for you with my mig.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 08, 2009, 02:43:06 AM
Time for updates! :D

First off: How to pull a pilot bearing in fifteen minutes - 5/8x 2.5 or 3 in bolt, corresponding washer and nut, and corresponding tools. Thread the nut to the top of the bolt, then add the washer.  Attempt to thread the bolt into the pilot bearing, and don't worry if it goes in perfectly straight, for as long as it's close. After it bites in, torque it about two revolutions with a socket wrench. Since our pilot bearings are made of brass or copper (that I've seen) the bolt will gouge into the metal and grip well. After it's in the bearing, start torquing down on the nut, which will push against the washer, and pull the bearing with it. When you're done, it should look like this:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/DSC00244.jpg)

Second, my new 2.5in/out muffler came yesterday, along with my header reducer (the first two inches of tube that bolts to the end of the collector), and 02 bung

The rusty lookin pipe in the box is what's left of the jeep midpipe I got from the junkyard, with a new 2.5" cat welded at the end.
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00240.jpg)

I also found a 4.0 starter at the junkyard (well, I found several, but this one had all wiring intact), and wired it up according to the diagrams
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00236.jpg)
It's hard to tell from that pic, so I'll have more coming later. I used the stock 4.0 battery cable in place of what I'd had, and bolted the pcm side (from a 97, the contact had one hole instead of two) to the starter solenoid, on the positive side, and used the other red cable taken from a 95 to bolt to the pcm. The thicker of the two cables coming off the stock 4.0 battery cable set goes directly to the starter. The smaller green wire is run to the negative side of the starter solenoid, from the starter.

I also happened to find a 97 clutch slave cylinder and master cylinder. At first, I thought I could just remove my stock one, perhaps drill the necessary holes if needed, since the 4.0's studs were much further apart, and install the whole thing. However, the firewall connector is DIRECTLY above the stock clutch master, so that won't happen, since the master cylinder rod has to have level travel. Instead, I need to find some compression fittings to work with the plastic line on the slave. I did discover the slave has a threaded hole on top that just happens to be the right size for the stock clutch line on my car. However, I still have to do something about the plastic line to plug it off. Any suggestions on that?
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/DSC00241.jpg)

The transmission and transfer case, now having sat for over two months all lonely.....
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/DSC00243.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/IMG_2219.jpg) (this one taken with good camera)
AX15 and NP249J. I installed the shifter to make sure the trans would shift and spin through the gears properly, especially since I had to remove the tail housing to clean out some grit that made it in there.

"new" diff cover.... wondering if I should paint it?
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/IMG_2222.jpg)

I finally installed my stereo yesterday too, took a LOT less time than I thought. Then again, the speaker wires were previously labeled from the aftermarket tape deck that had been installed, so I just had to look up the pinout from my receiver and go from there :D. I did discover that the best way to get constant power to the unit is to install a spade tip connector on the end of some primary wire, going from the battery + wire of the head unit, and hook it into one of the BAT slots on the left side of the interior fuse panel. ALso means if your car will sit for a long period of time you can pull that wire out and save your battery (since it still powers the clock in the head unit when connected). My ashtray has since been replaced, I just had to take it out to get the pod out. I can't find the black trim ring I used to have that covers up the exposed edge of the tray the head unit sits in. Go figure, I walked right past one at the junkyard a few days ago thinking "I might need that...nah..." Though I am grateful I found a rear diff cover in good shape (it was just layin out), since mine is warped and leaking.
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00238.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00237.jpg)

I also installed the Sport wagon instrument cluster, though that was about a month ago:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00162.jpg)

Earlier tonight I picked up some more of the good red radiator fluid, and a temp switch for the head, since I misplaced mine when I installed the head, along with some exhaust hardware. Last time I filled the radiator, the head leaked. This time, the thermostat housing leaks >_< I'll have to see if I can sand it flat with my orbital...

I found this as well, and couldn't resist, since they didn't charge much for it. Just in case mine still leaks, since I had to weld a crack in it when I got the 4.0. The gasket was only slightly discolored, so this is basically brand new....
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2221.jpg)


As the engine bay looks currently:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00235.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00234.jpg)

I also received my flywheel about two weeks ago.
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2218.jpg)
 My clutch should be coming later today :D

cold air intake with temperature sensor (pcm two-contact) mounted inside. Apparently, it allows the pcm to better tune the fuel curve from receiving a cooler reading. I'm not ricing my car out, I just happened to have it from when I had my jeep, and it made a difference.
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2224.jpg)

Also, ANY input/suggestions as to where to put the darn PCM without making any mods/purchases would be REALLY helpful. The engine bay is getting tighter and tighter, and I can't find a feasible spot for it...

Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: txjeeptx on October 08, 2009, 11:50:03 AM
You need something from an adapter company to allow you to use the factory Eagle master cylinder and the Jeep slave cylinder. I wouldn't rely on a compression fitting to mate the plastic line from the Jeep slave to a steel line. I'm sure someone has done it, and it probably works great for them, but it would just fail under Murphy's law if I did it to anything of mine. Look here - http://advanceadapters.com/category/55/Hydraulic-Hoses-%26-Fittings.html (http://advanceadapters.com/category/55/Hydraulic-Hoses-%26-Fittings.html) for the fitting to adapt the plastic pressed-in line to a flare fitting, allowing you to use regular steel hydraulic line or even their fancy braided stainless flex hose line. I cant recall which one I bought from them, and I have yet to use it . . since my car is still in pieces, but a call to these guys will get you the right fitting. I wonder where I put that little bugger, I havent seen it in a long time. Lost in the heap of junk I call my shop.

Oh, and nice project, thanks for all the excellent pictures!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 09, 2009, 12:34:28 AM
if you fill the pilot bearing with graqse you can than use a correct sizecentering tool and punch it out in seconds

Filled it with grease, but I didn't have anything that fit the bearing exactly. Plus the bolt nut and washer came to less than 3 dollars at Lowe's :)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 09, 2009, 12:37:34 AM
You need something from an adapter company to allow you to use the factory Eagle master cylinder and the Jeep slave cylinder. I wouldn't rely on a compression fitting to mate the plastic line from the Jeep slave to a steel line. I'm sure someone has done it, and it probably works great for them, but it would just fail under Murphy's law if I did it to anything of mine. Look here - http://advanceadapters.com/category/55/Hydraulic-Hoses-%26-Fittings.html (http://advanceadapters.com/category/55/Hydraulic-Hoses-%26-Fittings.html) for the fitting to adapt the plastic pressed-in line to a flare fitting, allowing you to use regular steel hydraulic line or even their fancy braided stainless flex hose line. I cant recall which one I bought from them, and I have yet to use it . . since my car is still in pieces, but a call to these guys will get you the right fitting. I wonder where I put that little bugger, I havent seen it in a long time. Lost in the heap of junk I call my shop.

Oh, and nice project, thanks for all the excellent pictures!

Thanks for the info, though that fitting's a bit pricey. hardware stores have a pretty large array of brass fittings like those pictured, so I'll check that out first and if I can't find anything suitable I'll go with that. I'd like to simply plug the plastic line, and hook the metal line directly into the fitting at the top of the slave cylinder.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 09, 2009, 01:04:47 AM
Got more stuff in today! It was like Christmas all over again opening up those boxes. I received my 2.25" mandrel bend, which I'll be cutting up and welding from the collector reducer to the cherokee midpipe, routing around the front diff, along with my fuel pump, filter, diode, and clutch kit.
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/IMG_2225.jpg)

I chose the mpi trail pak kit, because the fuel pump in that kit works for single line systems such as mine, and provides up to 100 psi, though I'll be needing less than half of that. I'm hoping my fuel pressure regulator will come soon. It's a universal one in, one out. ALso you may have noticed the cps sensor. It looks like it's one made specifically for the damper kit, which I did not purchase/use so if anyone's interested, it's theirs for ten bucks + shipping (which should be cheap cus I can stuff it in a bubble envelope).

I went with 2.25" pipe from collector to midpipe because the collector outlet itself is exactly the same diameter and I didn't see a reason to put anything larger in that section. It will make the fab work and installation much cleaner as well. From midpipe back I went with 2.5".
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/IMG_2228.jpg)

The reducer fits perfectly in the stock retainer
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/IMG_2226.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/IMG_2227.jpg)

It took me a minute or two to figure out exactly how the throwout bearing clips into the clutch fork, cus I'm a bit slow in the head. For anyone else who can relate:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/IMG_2231.jpg)

When I first got the clutch kit, I compared the old pilot bushing to the new one and almost #&$% a brick because the newer one had a slightly smaller outer diameter. However, after a quick Google, I found the part number in Jeepforums.com : 14674 (should be correct). Basically, the pilot bushing behind any V8 CJ between 73 and 76. According to the post, it will fit any amc crank. This by the way is for the later model AX15 (97 and up I believe, external slave) with .75" input shaft diameter. So now it's on backorder at the Zone and will be there Saturday :D If anyone wants my 4.0 pilot bushing (the new one) it's yours for price of shipping and bubble envelope. I keep offering extras up cus I don't need them and I'm sure someone else can benefit from them.

Difference:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/IMG_2230.jpg)

Also decided to stock up on some essential tools: A US/Euro bolt/nut/washer kit and some RTV, both a must when working on Eagles, as I've discovered..
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/IMG_2233.jpg)

And lastly, my alternator diode. I'm not exactly sure how to connect it (though I know where), but I have the hesco MPI kit installation instructions, which have proved quite helpful even though this is almost entirely junkyard parts.
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/IMG_2234.jpg)

I might wire up my fuel pump tomorrow if it's not raining/snowing like it was today.. If so, I'll post lots of pics, including splices.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 11, 2009, 06:06:49 AM
Got the correct pilot bushing earlier, and as soon as I got home, even though it was/is 30 degrees , I went out and installed the bushing, flywheel, and clutch assembly. This time of course, that installation involved the use of the included alignment tool. The pilot bearing was a tight fit, I had to pound on the male end of a 1/2" drive extension for a good half hour (not hard), which I'm sure is just what the neighbors wanted to hear at 3 AM lol. However, it's all in there and together now. I am quite pleased and amazed that jeep kept the same flywheel bolt pattern, spacing and one way only fit that AMC had. That makes me very happy, in fact. But then again, it's one of the reasons I chose an Eagle as one of my ultimate classic dream cars :)

Also removed the battery and set it to charge overnight, so now it's good to go and I can eliminate it as a perp in the numerous bugs I'm sure I'll be encountering with the wiring, including the #$%$ fuel pump >_<

I'll post pics tomorrow, I had the camera outside for a while tonight and the batteries got cold enough to completely lose charge :(
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: IowaEagle on October 11, 2009, 09:30:18 AM
Congratulations on your late night, well early morning achievement.   Yes, Chrysler never did let on how much they did not change when they took over AMC.  Lee may have strongly disliked AMC but I guess those under him knew good things when they saw them.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: eaglefreek on October 11, 2009, 10:26:57 PM
It was a lot colder than 30 degrees at 3 am. More like 18. Glad to see you're making some progress. Hopefully you'll be up and running in time for some big snow.

You say you got the fuel pump for a single line. You mean without a return line aka returnless? If so what regulator are you using? You need one specifically for a returnless system like in this kit http://hesco.us/shop.asp?action=details&inventoryID=43029&catId=7973 . Also the Trail Pak includes the CPS.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 12, 2009, 02:22:56 AM
It was a lot colder than 30 degrees at 3 am. More like 18. Glad to see you're making some progress. Hopefully you'll be up and running in time for some big snow.

You say you got the fuel pump for a single line. You mean without a return line aka returnless? If so what regulator are you using? You need one specifically for a returnless system like in this kit http://hesco.us/shop.asp?action=details&inventoryID=43029&catId=7973 . Also the Trail Pak includes the CPS.

I got a universal standalone fpr from ebay, and the cps in the kit is specifically for the crank damper, which I didn't get. I'm gonna use the stock cps configuration. Wow, it was 18 degrees last night? I was pretty focused then XD no wonder the pilot bearing was a pain, it was probably much warmer than the crank and therefore a little larger.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 12, 2009, 02:26:34 AM
Congratulations on your late night, well early morning achievement.   Yes, Chrysler never did let on how much they did not change when they took over AMC.  Lee may have strongly disliked AMC but I guess those under him knew good things when they saw them.

Thanks! And yeah, the more I work on the car the more it's becoming apparent. Heck, the ignition coil bracket bolts right up to the old fuel pump holes in the block, any transfer case bolts up with our trannies (if 23 spline anyway, like the T5), and of course the crank interchangeability, which I'll eventually put to use in that 4.0 block in my back yard....
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 13, 2009, 03:12:47 AM
After five hours of head scratching, three jacks, two 2x4's, 3 cigarettes and an unusual amount of patience (at least, for me), the transmission and transfer case is finally in! I don't have pics yet cus the camera is dead and it was dark outside (I never seem to be able to have time to work on my car during the day >_<) but I will say it's quite satisfying having it all tucked up under Caroline instead of sitting in my garage.

 Then again, I spent all day (literally, from 11-5) at the junkyard, because lately they've had a REALLY good run of parts I've been wanting/needing, or know someone else can use. There's an Eagle there, 81, with auto, and exact same color as mine inside and out, but it came with a four speaker system from factory, so I ganked all of the cargo area interior panels, and finally found the mysterious missing air duct that goes behind the driver's side vent grate. I grabbed the chrome grille as well (slightly peeling in places, but much cleaner than the black sport grille), along with the headlight buckets and trim. I also snagged the rear hatch seal, so I can FINALLY have some weatherstripping back there again. I had to get a ride home because I had too many parts to take on the bus XD. W,hen I got home, I stuffed it all in the back of my car, and it completely fills the cargo area lol. Three of my rear interior panels are cracked or broken, so it's a sight for sore eyes to have some panels in good shape :) I also found an axle bracket, though I'm probably not going to use it, since I have metal laying around that I can use to fab a custom diff bracket so I don't have to cut up my 4.0 header.

And finally, HUGE thanks to Eyeball, because I can wire up my fuel pump now as well, since he helped me get it all figured out. I was overanalyzing it, of course XD. Tomorrow, junkyard for CPS and maybe dizzy, followed by trip to Lowes for some metal (if I have the cash), because I'm going to make an entirely custom transmission mount that should raise it up a little bit. After seeing that AX15 finally under the car, I've come to realize it's a bit bulkier than the T5 was...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 14, 2009, 04:40:43 AM
Did a little modification to the cross member to support the AX15. Pics coming later. I cut out two slots in the rear facing side of the crossmember, and  used three pieces of square tube steel, welded them in, and drilled holes through for the bolts. Other than that, didn't get nearly as much done today as I wanted to, because fabbing the reinforcements for the cross member took a few hours, along with discovering the four holes in the bottom of the trans are stripped, completely. So, it looks like I'll have to get a tap and die kit, eventually. For now though, I'm out of money to spend n the car for the month. However, I still have plenty to do with what I have, like replace the cargo area interior panels, fab the exhaust, wire the fuel pump and a few other small details.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project - PICS
Post by: tougeagle on October 19, 2009, 02:59:48 AM
clicky-picky-tyme!

First, the crossmember:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00250.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00251.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00252.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00253.jpg)

Thank GOD someone finally came and bought the BMW interior I've had in my garage for months on end... That gave me a little bit of cash to spend (the majority goes to pay rent)...
Three of the four bolts needed are in. I had to helicoil the holes in the trans because for some reason the threads would accept 3/8" bolts, until torqued to about 15lbs, then they'd pop and fall out. I bought a set of poly sway bar end link bushings, and put two on each bolt, one between trans and mount,and one between bolt head and mount. It stole a good amount of ground clearance, but I have neither the money, time, nor desire to custom fab a cross member, as metal is a bit more expensive than I remembered it being. Also, this car's going to be a snow monster, not a rock crawler ;)

And now, the exhaust,from 4.0 header to midpipe, lots of welding detail....
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00255.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00256.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00257.jpg)

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00258.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00259.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00260.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00261.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00262.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00263.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00264.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00265.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00266.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00267.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00268.jpg)
It took about four hours to do that, by hand or sawzall. I think one of the most useful tools in my garage is my welder :D
I managed to use up that mandrel bend almost completely, except for a straight section about a foot long. The cherokee midpipe is ready to be welded on, but I don't want to have to unbolt the pipe for the eighth time until I've got everything tacked in place, and Midas was closed today. I'll be going by tomorrow to pick up a five foot section of 2.5" OD pipe so I can tack my muffler on too. I'll worry about putting a tail pipe on after the car starts and runs. I also permanently locked my front axle earlier tonight. It was actually the last thing I did because i ran out of motivation to do any more work on the car today. Ten hours straight..... And it's not like I don't have a ton left to do XD. I need to replace the rear diff cover with the good straight one I found at the junkyard. I need to replace my rear interior panels, and put the front ones back in place. I need to install weather stripping, wire my fuel pump and plumb the fuel line, grab a slave cylinder from a mid eighties cherokee, 93-95 dizzy, and corresponding coil and CPS, find U-joint u-bolts for front drive shaft, and figure out how to fab a diff bracket with the metal I have.

I've been waiting months for my center console to finally contain a shift lever... :D
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00270.jpg)




Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: eaglefreek on October 19, 2009, 11:20:33 AM
Making some progress. You're almost there.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 20, 2009, 09:07:57 PM
Sweet. Keep the pics coming. Maybe seeing your progress will light a fire under my arse.
Did the bolts pop out of the trans, because they were 10mm and not 3/8"?

I was using standard hardware store 3/8" bolts.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 21, 2009, 12:50:16 AM
Went to the junkyard yesterday, and got very very lucky. The 94 Cherokee I'd seen there a few days ago was still there and remained largely untouched. They also had dropped a 96 with a manual trans less than an hour before I got there, so it too was untouched. I grabbed the dizzy from the 94, along with the coil connector and pigtail. I managed to snag both pcv valves from the 96 without damaging them, amazingly enough, along with the clutch system (slave and master) and CPS. I was very tempted to grab the harness but I don't want to buy another 02 sensor and bung (since they started OBDII in 96) and have to go through thinning out the harness again. Was bad enough to do it on  mine.

Anyway, I got the trans bolted completely to the mount last night, along with getting my exhaust almost complete. I even managed to almost get rolled over, since the transfer case had not fully engaged in 4 HI and detented to neutral, and I didn't have the parking brake on. My exhaust (specifically catalytic converter) managed to stop it a foot later and wreck my carefully tacked welds in the process. At that point, I gave up on the exhaust for the night.
The transmission mount bolts definitely ate ground clearance, but again, this car's going to shine in the snow, not offroad, I'll be using a cherokee for that, eventually.

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/DSC00271.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/DSC00272.jpg)

I didn't get the chance to get to my exhaust today. It started getting too cold and wet. As of last night though, what it looked like when "complete":

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/DSC00273.jpg)

However, now this section is separate. I have to line it up JUUUUST right to keep the muffler from hitting the floor pan and driveshaft, but not suck up more ground clearance at the same time >_<:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/DSC00274.jpg)

I did manage to get the CPS installed. It's a real PITA that requires very good feeling in your fingertips, and a long reach...

Since it's supposed to get cold and nasty for a while, I'm done working on the car for a few days. I'm also completely out of money :(

On the bright side, I got to test the 4.0 starter, since I have something to actuate the clutch now XD. It works :D It's nice to hear it crank over again.


Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 21, 2009, 12:53:15 AM
No, no, no. I meant the threads were 10mm or possibly even the oddball 7/16". That's why the 3/8" bolts would pop out. It doesn't matter now, you've already got them helicoiled.

 I like your exhaust loop. Mine does the same thing. Are you going to run a Cat?

Ahh, I wondered if that's what you meant, and thanks!
Yes, I am definitely running a cat, and I personally dislike people who don't believe they need one. Seeing mountain ranges at 10,000 feet in elevation on highway 285 disappear in a gray-blue haze is extremely depressing.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 21, 2009, 03:04:40 AM
No, no, no. I meant the threads were 10mm or possibly even the oddball 7/16". That's why the 3/8" bolts would pop out. It doesn't matter now, you've already got them helicoiled.

 I like your exhaust loop. Mine does the same thing. Are you going to run a Cat?

By the way, I just figured out how to give eggs, so I'm givin ya one for the fuel pump wiring advice :D
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 22, 2009, 02:28:14 AM
So close... I need to wire the coil connector in, replace the dizzy with the 94 I grabbed, and wire/plumb the fuel pump and pressure regulator. I may even have enough fuel line to do that, since the person who sold me the 95 pcm gave me the metal fuel line along with it.... Sunday I hope to get to the junkyard and get those axles off that Eagle before it's crushed. I won't be able to purchase them, but if I can make it there before they send it to the grave, they'll let me set the axles out back until I can pay for them....
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 23, 2009, 03:10:26 AM
Replaced the 92 dizzy with the 94, you can see the difference in the layout, 92 on the left, 94 on the right. I figure it's probably fairly important to make sure they match generations because of the cam position sensor inside of them.
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00278.jpg)

I know how to reclock/install a dizzy, and in doing so, decided to take a pic of my damper when my #1 cyl is TDC... The white mark next to the notch on the damper is lined up with the white mark on the timing cover. I don't know if that's zero or not, but it doesn't look like it. However, when I slide a long 3/8" drive socket extension through the spark plug hole and watch its movement, it tops out at that mark. The motor was rebuilt, perhaps the person who did it used that as 0 degrees instead......?
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00279.jpg)

Also managed to wire the coil in. Since taking on this project, one of the most valuable tools for this project, especially the wiring, is my little yellow multimeter. Saves me SO much headache :D and lets me know if I did it right or not when I have no other way of telling. The wiring looks hack, but I'll tape it over and shroud it up later...
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00280.jpg)

Installed the fuel pressure regulator as well, and hooked it to the steel line running to the back of the car
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00281.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00282.jpg)

It looks like I might be taking my dash a different direction now. I was mistaken in thinking the small sensor located ahead of the speedometer gear port on my transfer case was the speed sensor. Since Hesco doesn't make the adapter I need, I may swap my gauge cluster out again, for one from a cherokee, so I can have the electric speedometer mated with the VSS. I don't think it would look too bad in an Eagle though :) It was something I'd considered doing a while back, but decided against, and am now strongly reconsidering.... If you have experience wiring one into the Eagle dash, lemme know :)

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/My%20Jeep/jeepguages.jpg)
From my cherokee. R.I.P......
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: eaglefreek on October 23, 2009, 11:59:27 AM
I'm still concerned about your FPR. An EFI regulator is usually mounted after the fuel rail except in returnless systems which are quite complicated. The FPR maintains the pressure in the fuel rail by bleeding off fuel back to the tank to maintain the set pressure. So the way you have it mounted, your adjusted pressure will be between the inlet of the regulator and the outlet of the fuel pump but a varying pressure between the regulator and the rail. Without a return line and with nowhere to go that pressurized fuel will find a way out somewhere. They don't work like a carb regulator or an air pressure regulator on an air compressor. I know the people you bought it from said it would work and if I had a nickel for everytime a salesperson told me something about their product that was untrue I'd have a couple pockets full of nickels. Just be careful when you first fire it up. I hope I'm wrong and it works for you.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 24, 2009, 01:47:10 AM
I'm still concerned about your FPR. An EFI regulator is usually mounted after the fuel rail except in returnless systems which are quite complicated. The FPR maintains the pressure in the fuel rail by bleeding off fuel back to the tank to maintain the set pressure. So the way you have it mounted, your adjusted pressure will be between the inlet of the regulator and the outlet of the fuel pump but a varying pressure between the regulator and the rail. Without a return line and with nowhere to go that pressurized fuel will find a way out somewhere. They don't work like a carb regulator or an air pressure regulator on an air compressor. I know the people you bought it from said it would work and if I had a nickel for everytime a salesperson told me something about their product that was untrue I'd have a couple pockets full of nickels. Just be careful when you first fire it up. I hope I'm wrong and it works for you.

I think I see what you're saying. I'll contact the people who sold me the pressure regulator and get some instructions for my kind of system..
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 24, 2009, 02:58:49 AM
I did some looking on Hesco out of curiosity, and found this. My fuel pressure regulator is similar to that, in that it has one in, one out. I have that same fuel pump, so if I plumb the fuel pressure regulator the same as it is in the picture, it should be okay, since it's the same basic design (standalone pump and regulator, returnless). I'm wary of installing the fuel pump in the engine bay, but for as long as it's on the spark side of the block, it should stay cool. The setup makes sense,  in terms of what direction the pressure changes occur....

http://hesco.us/img.asp?tn=showandtell_formsRecordsPhotos&fn=LargePhoto&idn=ID&id=63417
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 24, 2009, 03:26:41 AM
I emailed Hesco a minute ago and finally just asked if my regulator would work with their pump, as it is single inlet single outlet (though I think the gauge can be removed to allow for another outlet.... or inlet. I'm not exactly sure yet. I'll admit it. I jumped the gun on this one part >_< I should have done research into the fuel system first...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 26, 2009, 03:35:34 AM
On a slightly different subject, I solved the VSS mystery, finally. Since the 249 J has the large speedometer hole like our stock transfer cases do, there is no adapter from hesco for it it. However, I came up with an idea, and if it works, I'm going to post it in the Eaglepedia. I'm going to grab a speed sensor from a 93-95 (if I remember correctly) speed sensor from a cherokee or dakota pickup truck. The cherokee has to have an auto trans with factory cruise. These are the units that use both the speedometer cable and the integrated vehicle speed sensor.

I might have to hit up the local hardware store to make it adapt to my speedo cable and instrument cluster.  It would completely solve the vss issue. I would have a working vss but only a cable going to the transfer case.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 27, 2009, 09:40:37 PM
I think I was overthinking the FPR issue. I can probably remove the fuel pressure gauge from the other side of the regulator, then have one line coming out of that port to the fuel rail, the other line going in to the other side of the regulator, and the return line to the tank coming out of the bottom. Since the system is OBI, I need to run 3 bar, 39 psi to achieve stock injector flow rates. I've got the fuel pump almost completely plumbed in, though the cold and snow is hitting hard and fast, and keeping me from doing too much right now >_<
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 02, 2009, 03:27:55 AM
I threw in the towel on the 70 dollar waste of money today (the FPR)... I went to the junkyard in search of a front driveshaft for the cardan joint, along with a speed sensor with mechanical speedometer. While there, I decided to grab the fuel rail off the 94 'kee I've been poking, prodding and picking from for a while...

Out of the three things I spent hours in the deep mud and water looking for, and removing, I only got to install one of them today >_<. On top of that, the city will very soon start fining me for having the car outside without plates, so my brother came over earlier today to (attempt) to help me get the car in the garage. Only then does a driveway angle become extremely apparent..... Needless to say, the car's parked in front of the house now, after three tries. At least now, I'll be working on pavement, for the first time in six months, which anymore is a luxury to me. The car cover he bought, that I picked, was too small, and was the last line of defense against the biggest HOA in fricking Denver... Ugh.

The cherokee driveshaft just happens to be way too long, by several inches, as my ignorance showed me today...
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00304.jpg)

It doesn't look like it, but it is with the cardan joint, which I needed because the 231 and up (maybe lower, dunno) t-cases use U-bolt yokes.  I was expecting the cardan joint to be a separate entity from the driveshaft, but apparently not. So that's unusable jeep driveshaft number 4 cluttering my garage floor now.

And, (not so) new fuel rail:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00305.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00313.jpg)

I forgot how much of a PITA it can be to install a fuel rail and injectors when the rubber grommets don't want to slide in. A little saliva around each rubber ring fixes that, as it dries quickly. Of the pair of fuel lines that came with the wiring harness I bought on craigslist months ago, only one of them works for my rail, as the other is clogged with orange gunk. At least I remembered to keep the plastic snaps for the quick connects on the lines. I have to run to the yard again on Weds for, hopefully, the LAST of the stuff I need for the car. I can't use my pretty white 92 valve cover, thanks to the twist and lock pcv valves being completely out of production and off store shelves (hesco included). I have to get the valve cover from that 94 when I go, if it's still there, along with some more engine bay fuel line. Normally, the elbows of every single jeep pcv valve in the yard are broken off, but I was lucky enough to be out on a warm day for that 96 clutch master, and snagged a set of good ones while I was at it. I wish I had the time to justify painting the upcoming valvecover...

And finally, the one significant accomplishment today that might actually help others out significantly as well. I discovered how to adapt a vehicle speed sensor with cable driven speedometer , without attaching it to the transfer case, since our eagles use a rather unique transfer case cable input. First, the sensor, grabbed from an early 90's Dakota pickup (that also had an AX15 on it....)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00306.jpg)

Second, the piece needed: (sorry for bad pics, I've been too busy to charge the batteries for my decent camera)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00308.jpg)

If I recall correctly, 1/2" to 3/8" steel pipe bushing. Some electrical tape has to be used around the threads, so the large end of the bushing will catch the threads in the speed sensor. The cable side (on stock setup) of the speed sensor is exactly the same size as the speedo cable input on the back of the instrument cluster, and the 3/8" bushing is a near-perfect fit for both. Again though, you'll need Teflon or electrical tape around the speedo and bushing threads..

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00310.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00311.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00312.jpg)

It is a rather unorthodox way to do it, but it is just a simple sensor that derives electrical energy from kinetic energy, and I doubt the sensor has a designated direction built into it, so it should work out.

And of course, the not so fun part:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00314.jpg)

Broken tip. Took me two minutes flat to pull the instrument cluster out, I've become well versed in it as this was my fourth or fifth time at it >_<. This time though, I'm going to hook up the tach while the cluster is out... The problem is, where does the yellow wire go? I know where the green goes....
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 04, 2009, 04:32:01 AM
I ended up JB Weld-ing the vss to the pipe fitting on the back of the speedometer. I hope I didn't make the wrong decision in doing so, as I've come to realize getting the instrument cluster back in is far from easy, and as of yet, a fruitless labor. However, from what I read on Lonestarjeepclub.com, the renix jeeps with cruise used a section of speedo cable and shroud about a foot long, between the transfer case cable, a vss, and the speedo cluster. I might have to go that route, or drop my entire dash down a few inches until the cluster is secured. It DOES fit in there, the problem is getting it back in there. I took the cluster off of the dash bezel, and was able to get it back there so I could test fit the speedo cable to the sensor. I at least found out it's a nice snug fit. I finally figured out the wiring too, since stock Jeep VSS's are three wire, but the one I need to use is a two wire. The third wire that is eliminated is the orange 8v supply wire, according to this thread at CJOffroad.com http://cjoffroad.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=18850&SearchTerms=vss,wiring

Also, the locations of the other two wires are switched around.

Tomorrow (or today, I guess) junkyard run for valve cover....
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 05, 2009, 01:14:00 AM
I had a front Cherokee driveshaft shortened four inches for $50 for my 4.0/231 set-up. I didn't have to disassemble the cardan.

I'm curious to see if your speed sensor works. Typically, three wire sensors are a HEP style that produce a fixed amplitude square wave on/off signal. Two wire sensors are usually a magnetic pick-up type that produce a varying amplitude sine wave. Usually these two inputs can not be interchanged. But there is always the exception.

I'm curious too... Though I've done hours upon hours of research on this little sensor, and everything I've found has said to use this particular one. And by the way, that's some freakin awesome knowledge :)

As for the driveshaft, the eagle one works, I just wanted to avoid having to pay 16 bucks on E*** for a set of stinkin U-bolts, but it's better than fifty. Fifty, at this point, would be just the perfect amount needed to have everythng squared away on my car, all the way down to gas XD


I managed to get the dash back together today. I had to loosen the dash completely, from each side next to the door frames, and on top, so that it could come out and down a few inches. I had to remove a bit of insulation as well, so the sensor end could get past the 90 degree angle sheet metal behind the cluster. After it was all back in, hooking up the speedo was fairly easy, though I had to pull the speedo cable about an inch out to guide the tip into the sensor, before I could screw the housing on to the back. I also hooked up my tach, yellow to switched 12V, and green to the tach wire from the 4.0 harness (gray/blue stripe). I spent ten bucks and two hours fiddling with a turnstyle (I think that's what it's called) and carriage bolt to try and bring the clutch pedal out a bit, but discovered that half an inch on the pedal post means three inches to the pedal, so I'll just stick with mashing the clutch to the floor to shift, for now. I'll revisit it later, when I get a smaller diameter turnstyle (shorter) and the patience to do the grinding and cutting again.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: eaglefreek on November 07, 2009, 01:33:40 PM
You can get those u bolts at Pep Boys in the Help section.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 08, 2009, 09:03:48 PM
Thanks guys, I ended up getting them off of ebay a few days ago, before I even saw your replies x-x. They actually arrived today :D Gonna wait to put the driveshaft in though, in case the city tows my car. They're not gonna care if it's in gear or if the driveshafts are in or out, so just in case....
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: eaglefreek on November 08, 2009, 10:10:45 PM
So you don't have anywhere to put the car to keep the city from taking it? I just saw your previous post about getting it in the garage. Do you need help getting it in the garage? Are you going to be around tomorrow? Paul AKA Strike Eagle is coming by tomorrow morning. Maybe I can wrangle him in to helping me help you get it in the garage. I think you have my number but I'll pm it to you.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 09, 2009, 04:04:11 AM
So you don't have anywhere to put the car to keep the city from taking it? I just saw your previous post about getting it in the garage. Do you need help getting it in the garage? Are you going to be around tomorrow? Paul AKA Strike Eagle is coming by tomorrow morning. Maybe I can wrangle him in to helping me help you get it in the garage. I think you have my number but I'll pm it to you.

Thanks for the pm dude. The garage is the only place I can put it.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 09, 2009, 10:20:54 PM
Two eggs to you EF! Thanks for coming over tonight! Now I know my baby's safe from the bad guys with the flatbed truck and a total disregard for AWD running gear. This is the first time since I've lived at this house that my car has seen the inside of my garage....Perhaps now I'll be a lot less dirty when I work on her :D
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 11, 2009, 03:22:57 AM
I found a way to fab a diff bracket that allows me to continue using my 4.0 header and downpipe, using some 3/4" square tube steel and some steel strip, about 1/4" thick. It's halfway done and my battery's out on my sawzall, but I'll take/post some pics tomorrow once everything is pieced together. This project would have been done already if I had a work bench with a vice. INstead I have to settle for inserting the steel into the transmission mount and bendng it up or down from there.

On another note, I finally put my interior back together, at least, the passenger/driver compartment. I also secured the center console to the floor by cutting strips of 18 gauge steel and bolting them to the floor under the carpet, then to the console. My waggy's not a sport model, so it didn't come with those mounting points.  I still have to reinstall a few panels n the cargo area, but I'll probably wait on that until I can find a decent set of jeep speakers at the junkyard. My cherokee's speakers sounded surprisingly good with my aftermarket head unit, very clear with decent, but not obnoxious bump, so I'll just go that route again. It looks like, for much of what's left, I'll end up having to wait until I have the cash for a new battery and some more fuel line, along with a valve cover. I can't secure the fuel pump until I bolt the gas tank back up, which I can't do until I get some more line and hose clamps, and even then, I won't be able to wire the pump and test the circuit until I get another battery, which also (obviously) keeps me from test-starting the car, which I also can't do until I get that line.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 11, 2009, 09:09:54 PM
FINALLY after six hours x-x of cutting, grinding, drilling and frustration, I have a front diff bracket again, that completely avoids my 4.0 exhaust pipe, and is built fairly strong. I had to also go and purchase some bolts from the specialty fastener section at Lowes (the one with the drawers), since 7/16X14 bolts apparently aren't very widely used, and happen to be the ones I need for the mounting bosses. I also now realize that it was a mistake to helicoil the transmission, as those were 7/16's as well, come to think of it.

Here, have some crappy pics
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00320.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00321.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00322.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00323.jpg)

Also, though it's been installed for quite some time now, what I ended up having to do to the vSS
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00315.jpg)
JB Weld

I can't get over how totally :censored: awesome it is to be able to work on the pavement again....
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00319.jpg)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 17, 2009, 02:18:19 AM
My (almost) inlaws want us to come see them for Christmas so badly they bought everything else that was needed for my car; the fuel line, valve cover, battery and some spare cash for a tank of gas. This is a huge blessing.....This means Caroline's on the final stage, and we get to see family for Christmas :)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: IowaEagle on November 17, 2009, 06:31:19 AM
That was great of them to do.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 17, 2009, 08:57:11 PM
That was great of them to do.

Indeed. It would be another few months without their help..
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: guitar eagle on November 18, 2009, 08:30:48 PM
those upgrades are awsome, i wish i had the means of doing all that to my sx/4. oh ya i do have the means. i have mick and evolution 4x4 in my home town. lol
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 19, 2009, 05:15:18 AM
those upgrades are awsome, i wish i had the means of doing all that to my sx/4. oh ya i do have the means. i have mick and evolution 4x4 in my home town. lol

lol. You'll have a heck of an easier time doing it than I did then XD
,
Said bye bye to the pretty white cover and replaced it with the right one, jeep black of course. I really, really, REALLY -hate- the pcv elbow and grommets used on the 4.0. I really....hate... them. It's close to impossible to remove one without breaking off the edge of it unless it's a hundred degrees outside, and the rubber seal inside the grommet plasticizes, which is what makes it so difficult. I don't know why they did it the way they did. Oh well, it's in now, and I just need to get some fuel line and emissions tubing hooked up, then a battery, a means to secure the fuel pump, and some gasoline :)

As for having the means, I DID for a while, but have had very very little to spend for quite some time now. I did do this nearly entirely junkyard, which made the overall cost less than four figures (not counting my mistakes), and got an AX15 and NP249 out of it as well (included in that figure).
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: jim on November 19, 2009, 01:24:06 PM
Aw, come on, tell us how you really feel about those elbows and grommets.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 20, 2009, 04:41:55 AM
Aw, come on, tell us how you really feel about those elbows and grommets.

lol.

Ran into a snag tonight. Was hoping to have the car at least running if nothing else, but after having hooked everything up and tried to pressurize the system, ran the into the first hangup. Five of the 6 fuel injectors have bad o rings, for some reason, and were leaking gas so badly the fuel rail couldn't build pressure. I put new rings in the injectors when I installed them on the rail and manifold. That was somewhere around eight months ago though...

At least this issue isn't an expensive fix...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 21, 2009, 02:14:59 AM
Ordered GB Remanufacturing #8008 fuel injectors for a 5.2L, they're the same size as the oem injector seals for a few years on the 4.0, and should work. I knew those Fel Pro ones included in an upper gasket kit I purchased would be a bit too thin, but I went against my better judgement :P. So for future reference for you efi guys, use those instead of the Fel Pro injector o rings.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 22, 2009, 05:19:05 AM
Fuel injector o-rings sealed up, somehow. I put a little more gas in the tank, after running out (had maybe half a gallon), and I guess the added pressure sealed them. However, the car won't start, still. I'm going to rent a compression gauge and fuel pressure gauge when I can (extremely broke for a while), and use my multimeter to rule out the last few bugs.

I can resistance test the injectors with the multimeter, to see if they function, test the fuel rail to rule out the stock rail mounted fpr I swapped to. I can compression test to rule out the engine timing (I know my rings are good, everything was recently rebuilt, shortly before I purchased the car) which would be a nearly free fix, and much easier to do this time around. I'm not sure if I would be able to test the cps, and that's one that worries me, because new ones are expensive.

I know everything else works, the fuel pump, coil/dizzy, ignition circuits, alternator wiring, all sensors (except cps), etc, along with the ecu, starter (obviously).
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 22, 2009, 07:19:12 PM
i 99% certain those cps are tested in resistance. not sure what it is supposed to be however

If by CPS you mean CMP Camshaft Position Sensor or CKP Crankshaft Position Sensor, then no. They are both three wire hall effect style. They switch the reference voltage(which is oddly 8v on this vehicle) on and off.  You typically test them with a labscope. But you should be able to back probe and test with a voltmeter during cranking.

Do you have spark? Don't light the inconsiderate person up checking with all your fuel leaks though!

I do have spark, I checked voltage to coil. The coil came off a running vehicle I so I know I can rule it out. After having stewed on it all day, I think it's the fuel pressure regulator, more than anything. When I've depressed the valve on the rail to bleed air out, gas came out under pressure, but definitely not close to the 39.5 psi it's supposed to be at. After keying the ignition and running the pump, I hear gas flow through the return to the tank, and checked the rail after that. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if that's it because it came from a junkyard jeep that didn't have a scratch on it, meaning something caused it to stop running...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 22, 2009, 08:44:37 PM
must have thought of the old renix system for test procedures, sorry

No worries. I'm positive it's the fuel pressure regulator, I hear fuel bleed back to the return line immediately during and after priming, while it should only be doing it momentarily during.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on November 30, 2009, 09:01:28 PM
IT RUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It starts and runs!!!!!!!!!

I cannot believe the difference, without even having driven the car yet, I can already tell that old 258 is WIDE awake now. The throttle response is ungodly, and it gives off a nice, slightly lopey, deep low rumble at idle. :D
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on December 01, 2009, 02:38:11 AM
Thanks! Though, now I'm out of a starter XD

Starter detent wore out and it stayed engaged until it fried. At least it's a manual so just a lil push out of the garage and the driveway will do the rest :D
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: IowaEagle on December 01, 2009, 06:31:42 AM
Its alive!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on December 08, 2009, 10:23:01 PM
Its alive!

That it is! Though, it's got a few bugs :( Starter solenoid acted up, kept the starter engaged and fried my alternator. It's pulling very low vacuum, around 13inHg, and after having eliminated all other possibilities, realized the engine timing is probably off a tooth. It's also running very lean, so I need to get an adjustable fuel pressure regulator. Unfortunately I'm drowning in bills so I can't work on the car at all for a few months. When I do though, I'm gonna make sure everything's cleaned up and in order. I'll probably upgrade to a 120 amp alternator, and get a reman Eagle clutch master so my pedals can move back up to where they're supposed to be.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on December 09, 2009, 01:52:46 AM
at least it runs


Yeah. It's still a long way away from being legally driveable though. sometimes I feel like she's mocking me when I stand in the garage smoking a cigarette thinking about how much work I have left to do still....:P
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on December 09, 2009, 03:25:48 AM
haha yeah my race motor for my truck is doing the same thing right now

Pretty soon she'll have a toothless grin when I take off the bumper and radiator to get to the crank damper. Last time she looked like that it was like she was begging "drive me, driiiive meee"
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on December 11, 2009, 03:55:03 AM
Finally found the last of my rechargeable batteries, so I was able to use my decent camera again, and I snapped some pics tonigiht.... lots, actually. Some of these pics were from a while back (camera's been dead until tonight) while others are newer. I also included pictures of my PDC, starter solenoid and alternator wiring, for those of you that are trying to help me get my starter hooked to the PDC.

These first few are pretty old, but important progress...

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2237.jpg)
The pilot bearing size difference. The one I'm using is on the left in the picture.

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2239.jpg)
Flywheel before pilot bearing installed. The bearing is definitely a tight squeeze, but it fits.  I used a little 400 grit sandpaper on the flywheel surface to take off some of the gloss.


These were taken tonight:

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2240.jpg)
I miss the white valve cover, but I'd rather have a valve cover I can actually find pcv valves and grommets for.

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2242.jpg)

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2244.jpg)

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2245.jpg)
I mistakenly believed the coil connector wire (black wire) was supposed to be hooked to ground, but it's supposed to be hooked to the gray wire instead, which (if I recall correctly) is a 5V signal, while the other coil wire is hooked to the 12v red/black wire in the harness. More pics of that later.

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2246.jpg)
Alternator

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2247.jpg)
The PDC, with only the essential relays/fuses needed to run. I pulled the relays and fuses needed for the starter to avoid exposing voltage to wires with cut ends, though I'll install them again when I can figure out how I need to wire the starter...

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2248.jpg)
All wires shown on my fingers are coming from the bottom of the starter relay slot in the PDC

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2249.jpg)
Current starter solenoid wiring (4.0 starter). Black/green wire on - post of solenoid goes to starter. The main power wire goes directly from + battery cable. I really really want to get rid of this thing, it caused me to fry my alternator thanks to sticking.

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2250.jpg)
The black/red stripe wires and heavy gauge solid red wires are connected to circuits running through the fuse slots needed for the starter and relay, red wire with fuse installed is hot at all times.

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2252.jpg)
Gray/blue stripe tach wire hooked to tach wire (green behind dash, yellow in pic).

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2253.jpg)
Fuel pump and filter. Redneck customs zip tied fuel filter... It works though!

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2254.jpg)
Exhaust outlet, only for now

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/IMG_2255.jpg)
Piping to bellhousing, muffler just out of frame on the left.

Hopefully the pictures of the starter solenoid and PDC wiring will help out, I'm almost certain some of my colors are different from those listed in some diagrams.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on December 20, 2009, 10:48:10 PM
Finally decided to hook up my aftermarket fuel pressure regulator again, this time properly, on the return side of the rail, and cranked the pressure to around 47 psi. Engine still pulls low vacuum, though it doesn't putt anymore and it idles smoothly. The valves rattle above about 2500 rpm, and there's no top end, so it's obvious at this point that the engine timing is still off. On the bright side, I no longer need injectors, my alternator works (had the charge wire hooked to the wrong post on the starter solenoid), and I've narrowed it down to just one thing. Now to get the time off to do it.....
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on January 10, 2010, 06:40:08 PM
I deleted the instructions in this thread on replacing the clutch master cylinder with a cherokee one, because I realized what I did was pretty botched work. I'm going to do it the right way and get a remote reservoir kit (summitracing.com) and adapter fitting for compression to metal lines (advanceadapters) - which txjeeptx told me to do in the first place - so I can bring the brake and clutch masters back against the firewall correctly. I learn something new every time I work on the car, and get a chance to reconsider what work I've done to it previously.

I also picked up a new steering wheel for it, though I'm not going to show it until my car's registered :D

Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on February 11, 2010, 04:38:23 AM
I haven't updated for a while, I've been trying to work out how to get my car mobile again after trashing my diff. Pay attention to those leaks.....

The last minute step in getting my car driving:
Wilwood remote master cylinder kit: 55$
Advance adapters TJ replacement hose with adapters: 80$
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/DSC00356.jpg)
Comes with the proper adapters, a nice long hose and just about all hardware needed. I got the 4 oz reservoir, they have a 10oz available for the same price.
I'll have pictures of it and the mounting/routing configuration in the engine bay after I replace my injectors.

A price breakdown of my project, starting when I had everything rigged with a 2100 to current, much cheaper than you might expect. All includes shipping, does not include maintenance items (gaskets, etc), only upgrades.

MC2100 carb + air filter adapter and all hoses/hardware, etc: 350$
HEI distributor 80$
10.5mm plug wires, still in use: 55$
   
The HO EFI conversion
1992 Jeep 4.0 H.O. motor, longblock 20$
Leak free 4.0 exhaust manifold 40$
7120 head cleanup and machining: 210$
1995 4.0 manual trans wiring harness and computer 65$
AX15 external slave trans/bellhousing + shifter 315$
External slave cylinder 10$
Stock clutch master remote reservoir kit (a requirement) 55$
Advanced adapters stainless braided clutch line with included adapter 80$
Clutch, proper pilot bearing, etc 120$
NP249 transfer case 100$
1993 Dakota speed sensor + "adapters" 25$
1995 4.0 02 sensor 40$
Trans mount fab hardware 30$
Axle bracket hardware FREE (leftover parts)
Crank position sensor 5$
Bored TB 30$ (new rotary tool :P)
2.5" midpipe-back exhaust +- 170$
Fuel injectors 100$ (orig were approx 35, proper approx 65)
4.0 starter 10$ (later purchased new one, discovered faulty wiring)
New starter solenoid FREE
4 new forged U-joints 50$
Grand cherokee slipyoke 25$
Front axle U-bolt yoke conversion + yoke tool (a godsend) 90$
4.0 cam - included with 20$ longblock
45k volt 4.0 ign coil 45$
Fuel pump 165$
Fuel line 30$
4.0 Flywheel manual trans 45$
high flow thermostat 20$

+-1900 dollars. I didn't ever realize it was that much until just now, wow...
BUT, that's still a grand less than what most performance stores sell their EFI kits for, and...
I got an AWD, 2.72 low range, center locking differential (in low) transfer case, an AX15 with 80k miles on it, a brand new clutch and pressure plate, a 4.0 head swap, with fully machined, clean head, 4.0 cam, bored tb, improved injectors, a brand new, higher flow, custom welded exhaust system, and GREATLY increased power and gas mileage. And some shops will charge that much to replace a timing belt, lol.

The cost of my mistakes so far has risen to over 1000 dollars, hopefully it won't go higher >_<
I DID offset some of the cost of this project by selling off my older parts, which helped me out by about 500 dollars, more or less, so far. If I had not been able to sell my parts, this project would not have been possible, and I would have abandoned it.

Once I get my injectors in and axles replaced, I'm going to give Caroline a good thorough cleaning followed by many extensive photoshoots. She's not showroom quality, but she is beautiful and unique.




Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: DGeagle on February 11, 2010, 10:49:57 AM
A very very cool project, one that is reasonable for many people to do too! Good work and can't wait for the pics and some more info on how she drives and how much power its making.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: yent0088 on February 11, 2010, 12:05:53 PM
Awesome project!  I'm jealous!!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: rkline65 on February 11, 2010, 12:18:01 PM
I just read thru this post while on lunch break and have to say, one of the best project/tech post with pictures and all that I have ever sen...nice work and lookiing forward to reading more.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on February 11, 2010, 03:32:54 PM
Thanks guys! I am planning on positing some more pictures when my injectors get here, and I'll be trimming a little fat from some of my posts and compiling everything into informative, instructional writeups with tips etc.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on February 11, 2010, 04:40:43 PM
Awesome project!  I'm jealous!!

Don't be jealous, it's my only car and most of the work was done in my dirt sideyard, including the big heavy stuff like the trans/transfer case, and I'm still stuck riding the bus, lol.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: Gil-SX4 on February 11, 2010, 11:36:29 PM
I like your improvements on the clutch cylinders. I suggested to do something like what you did with your clutch cylinders in another post from a members that has being having problems in locating a good master clutch master cylinder.
 can you do a write up on the work and parts along with part numbers for future references?
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on February 13, 2010, 12:37:36 AM
I like your improvements on the clutch cylinders. I suggested to do something like what you did with your clutch cylinders in another post from a members that has being having problems in locating a good master clutch master cylinder.
 can you do a write up on the work and parts along with part numbers for future references?
I will definitely do a writeup on it. I may be out working on the car tomorrow night, and if I am, I'll take some component pictures then make the writeup.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on February 17, 2010, 04:45:55 PM
Well, my injectors came the same day I lost my job.... tuesdays are weird that way...

Bosch/Ford design III 24lb/hr @39.5 psi, flow matched and fully rebulit, 75$ shipped from the 'Bay.

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00391.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00393.jpg)

Old fuel injectors
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00394.jpg)


(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/DSC00392.jpg)
if you look at the firewall just to the right of the valve cover, you'll see the remote reservoir. In my honest opinion, I think it is the ONLY place you can put that reservoir unless you move some major stuff around..

Replacing fuel injectors, at least on a jeep six, is a very simple job. I'll explain the steps when I complete the full writeup of my project.

Well, I know now that it IS the pushrods. The engine has a much better, clearer exhaust tone, and idles MUCH cooler, though still vibrates above 2500 rpm and seems to lose some power. I remember having checked the pushrods and finding a LOT of lash (play in the lifters), which means I need to get the next longest stock pushrods made for the jeep six, 9.74", 89-90 Jeep wrangler. However, I'm putting the car on hold for now, I've been focusing most of my time into applying and looking for jobs.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: IowaEagle on February 17, 2010, 08:29:51 PM
Yes, job first!  Though sounds like you are making good progress.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on February 17, 2010, 10:01:04 PM
I may be called in for a tech position interview at a Subaru dealership close to my house... fingers crossed...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: jim on February 17, 2010, 10:06:06 PM
Good luck!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 21, 2010, 10:20:45 PM
Finally got the rear end replaced, along with the head gasket. I decided to pick up a new distributor as well, since mine had lots of shaft play. It made a little bit of a difference, but not as much as a tank of E85 seems to be...

I found an easy way to change it all out myself without additional help (engine lift required ;) ). Though, if I had just taken off the dang hood, I'd have saved another two hours and made life even easier...

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/DSC00491.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/DSC00492.jpg)
I folded up some paper towels, and punched a hole through them, while keeping their shape. When the head was unbolted, I pushed down on the intake manifold just enough to lift the head up. I slid an old head bolt in the #11 and #14 holes, then slid the paper towels over the bolts, then the L-brackets on the load leveler on the engine lift. No bolting of any kind needed, the weight of the head on the L-brackets keeps the head bolts in place. This saved me an enormous amount of time, as I did not need to change any manifold gaskets.

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/DSC00488.jpg)
The replacement axle, with a Grand Cherokee diff cover, I'll have to post more about that in Axle and Differential, the grand cherokee cover is MUCH thicker, and does not have dimples on the inside lip. It was a perfect fit, and perfect seal
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/DSC00490.jpg)

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/DSC00531.jpg)
Got to the exhaust too. It dumps just before the driver side bump stop above the rear axle. I'm debating whether I want to leave it like that or finish it out.
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/DSC00532.jpg)

Also, I said a while back that I got a new wheel, but wanted to wait to show it. Since I'm getting the old girl tested tomorrow, I might as well :D
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/DSC00521.jpg)
It's a good inch and a half smaller than the stock wheel, which put a TON of feeling and response back in the steering wheel.

Complete engine bay, as it should stay for years to come (hopefully).
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/DSC00527.jpg)

I finished washing and waxing a few hours ago. I also used vinyl floor polish on all the side and fender mouldings, it made them look brand new :D

I think I've mostly fixed my misfire issue. I removed the aftermarket pressure regulator a few days ago, and with the addition of E85, she's running great :)

So, here's the "somewhat not so distant future" list of to-dos:
replace instrument cluster
Replace half shafts
replace/convert steering system (autozone has a rack and pinion system that apparently fits our cars, for 260 dollars)
replace shocks
replace carpet
replace/repair driver's seat
swap rear cargo area panels out (I have some spares I picked up a while back with speaker cutouts in them, in great shape)
install 4, maybe 6 speaker system

Perhaps next year, some 17" wheels and performance tires for summer. The rear swaybar I added last year made a HUGE difference with handling. Now I just need to get rid of the sidewall roll.

Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: eaglefreek on March 21, 2010, 10:28:02 PM
GOod to see you making some progress finally instead of chasing gremlins.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 21, 2010, 10:35:18 PM
thanks dude :) Gotta keep fingers crossed, she's gettin hooked to the big orange pipe and rollers tomorrow....
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: Pat on March 21, 2010, 11:07:15 PM
Like that steering wheel! Can I ask how much & where? I've got a Jeep one on mine right now. Think yours looks a LOT better.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: eaglefreek on March 22, 2010, 05:08:18 PM
thanks dude :) Gotta keep fingers crossed, she's gettin hooked to the big orange pipe and rollers tomorrow....
Any news about the emissions test?
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: Mechanic on March 26, 2010, 04:14:31 PM
Yes, I'm curious to. I've been folowing your thread since it started and it looks like it is finally coming to a point!!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 26, 2010, 07:29:22 PM
I failed the e-test, but not by much, due to excess NOx emissions. I knew it was running lean, especially after experiencing a very brief show of the car's true power, thanks to a bad alternator surging the fuel pump. I'm running pure E85 right now and I don't think my pump can keep up, it's only 35-40 gph at 12v, and adjusting fuel pressure doesn't help much at all. It accelerates somewhat smoothly, but not NEARLY as fast as it did during that one surge. I literally got thrown back in the seat as the car rocketed from 20 to 60 in second gear in no time. I felt the blood rush back to my face as I shifted to third XD I'm convinced that motor is putting out no less than 250 hp and 300 tq, with the right tune. It looks like I'm gonna be getting a bosch 044 external pump, when I can afford it, which could be weeks from now, and my temp tag expires on the 29th :P Until then I have to hope the roomate will let me borrow her car, which has busted window cables so the windows are stuck halfway down.

I might have to invest in a new regulator too, since mine's billet aluminum, and AL and ethanol don't get along very well.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on April 22, 2010, 06:45:36 PM
I've made some progress. I was reading in Jeepforums on E85 builds, and many had mentioned adjustable or advanced crank sensors. So I removed mine and cut out the holes on the sensor into slots so I can slide the sensor over. That seems to have made a pretty good difference. I also moved my regulator to the rear of the car, in a true returnless style setup, since I decided to put my '97 fuel rail on. Money is very very tight right now, I haven't been able to purchase any more parts and I don't know when I will be able to. In the mean time I've been doing research and making a parts list..

To get my car running as it should, I will at the very least need
larger injectors (I'm looking at 36lb'rs
bosch 044 fuel pump (80gph)
fuel rail pressure gauge
and most likely a piggyback ECU controller, either megasquirt or a safc. This would allow me to tune back and forth between gas and E85

I have a few other things that need replaced as well...
CV shafts
Guage cluster (confirmed it's the cluster not the sending unit)
Rear axle pinion seal replacement (i'll probably order a u-bolt yoke, they're 50 bucks and come with new seals)
power steering lines (for now, though autozone has a rack and pinion that is supposed to fit, I'd love to convert to that)


HOWEVER....

I have some great news. My parents are going to sell me my brother's car for a dollar, he just got something else a little newer. I'll be picking it up tomorrow. It's a 200(1?) VW Jetta, base 2.0 with 5 speed and a kicking sound system. They really want me to go back to school, so they're helping me out. I just hpoe I"ll be able to afford the gas to drive it...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: Mavericke on April 22, 2010, 09:18:51 PM
NICE! Good job!

LOVE that steering wheel.... does the horn work!!?
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on April 26, 2010, 06:37:42 AM
NICE! Good job!

LOVE that steering wheel.... does the horn work!!?

Thanks! The horn does work, it was a direct hookup, I didn't even need to use the wires that came with it... Don't steal my wheel <_< ....... >_>
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on May 12, 2010, 07:03:26 AM
Some progress to update y'all on, finally. I'll have pics coming later, my phone was stolen out of the junkyard yesterday, and the process of removing the pictures from other half's device and getting them to my computer is a bit more daunting....

I found an 84 Limited wagon with every option. It has EVERYTHING I've been needing to do some minor mechanical touch up with, all the way down to brand new belts. Unfortunately, it suffered a moderate front end collision, passenger side, which bent the radiator into the fan clutch, so for now I'm going to have to leave those belts behind unless I can figure out a way to wedge the rad past the fan clutch. It did have brand new radiator hoses though :D plus a replaced power steering pump and lines, so I can finally put a stop to the gooey bulidup of power steering fluid around my front end components. That should be the last of the needed OE components, save for half shafts. Sweet!

One of the best parts of that car: Awesome leather seats. The driver side has two holes about the size of quarters in it, and the leather is a bit dried out, but the rears are nearly perfect, AND... the carpet was nearly spotless, without a single rip. I'm confident I can get those fronts nice again with some good leather restorer and conditioner. I've already snagged the back seat and carpet, which are now in my car, though only temporarily because I need to run wire for my eventual rear speakers, and for the power motors in front seats. The front seats are sitting in the junkyard building off to the side, I put a deposit down and hopefully will have enough cash to pick them up on Saturday.

I hope like heck the car is still there then, because I want to snag the rear bumper, it has the original factory 2k lb tow hitch, and the bumper itself is in awesome condition with all trim strips. Mostly, I want that tow hitch...bad. That's the first one I've ever seen, and I browse ebay and here constantly.

I am aware that the power seats have completely different tracks from manual seats, but I have two ways to go about it, and am most likely going for option A: The floorpan has dimples where the holes for the power seats would be, and two holes line up as it is, so I just need to drill through, and patch up the holes from the other seats. The carpet is a huge help, it will be useful as a stencil for finding/drilling the proper holes. I want to avoid welding if at all possible, so I'll try to find some rubber plugs to seal up the unused holes.

B: I can swap the rails over from the manual, rendering my leather seats manual, and fab cross rails to fix the manual rails to on the power seats. But then I have a big ole chrome button box that does absolutely nothing, and I want to avoid that. As it is, I won't be using power mirrors any time soon (unless someone has cinnamon door panels with manual windows but power mirrors....fat chance :P) since I'd have to figure out a way to delete the hole for the cable mirrors, in the top of the door panel.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on May 24, 2010, 09:57:39 PM
I've got my interior back together save for the center console and two A-pillar trim pieces. I took some pics today, and it's a HUGE change from what it once was. The carpet makes the inside of the car look worlds better... I'll be posting a how-to convert from manual to power seats in the Eaglepedia...

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/SANY0053.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/SANY0050.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/SANY0049.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/SANY0052.jpg)

The carpet looks amazing, the pictures don't do it justice. I probably should not have overdrawn my account to get those seats, but I just couldn't pass them up!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on June 27, 2010, 02:35:51 AM
Finally installed the clutch cover for the ax15, and fixed the leaking clutch master. I still need to replace the transfer case output seal and the rear diff pinion seal. I'll do the pinion seal when I pick up a u-bolt yoke conversion kit, which comes with the seal. Still need to purchase some 32lb injectors as well. It's running very lean here, and odds are it might not run at all at sealevel. These are all the immediates that need done before the trip...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 03, 2010, 03:14:18 AM
Just replaced the transfer case output seal and rear diff pinion seal/bearings (not cones). It was so easy I didn't even stop to take pictures of how it was done, though it's very self-explanatory. They both seem to be holding over well, though my rear diff continues to heat up quite a bit, despite being topped off with both tires at even pressure. Also finally got around to getting another power steering belt and replacing the blown fuse for my blinkers.

It's all coming together, just need to work on my exhaust now, and get those injectors and gauge. Then, I'll be set :D
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 10, 2010, 11:55:06 PM
Finally, I have pictures to add!
I rerouted my exhaust last week thanks to a decent but short-lived odd job, running it stock location, and added a second catalytic converter, and exchanged the muffler for a cherrybomb :D. Pics of that toward the bottom.
I had been sitting around on my 300 dollar supersprings that came off my cherokee, trying to figure out a way to make them fit. I started making a bracket since I'd misplaced one of them, and it was an essential piece of hardware. Laid my foot open to the bone in the process when it spun around and clipped me just above the top of my shoe, so now I have seven stitches in my foot :P I did manage to make them work, without using anything but the leaves themselves. I dropped the rear axle, cut off the alignment dowels for the leaves, then drilled a hole in each of the leafs. I then positioned the SS's under the Eagle leaf pack, and put a bolt through, after rounding off the head enough to fit through the spring perch, then stuck a nut on top to tighten it down, and reinstalled my axle. I would recommend getting the best set of metal drill bits you can find, it was NOT easy to get through the leaf, I broke or dulled nearly all of my bits, and had to use a Dremel bit to further widen the hole. Here's what they look like, and what they did :D
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/071000_202002.jpg)
The picture is not the greatest quality, but you get the idea. I couldn't mount them up above the leafs because of the swaybar end links and lack of that bracket. I would have had to purchase longer axle U-bolts to make it work by lifting the end links. And I didn't use ANY hardware, even the metal piece that led to my emergency room visit. Sometimes less is more :D
It lifted the back of the car a good two inches:
Before:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/IMG_2633.jpg)

After:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/071000_201800.jpg)

And, the exhaust... I made it emissions friendly, since I'm going with the cheaper crush bent elbows and couldn't route it correctly for their tube. I ran it along the stock location, added a second cat and replaced the muffler with a cherry bomb. I also divided the piping into two sections by welding three hole flanges from the street hookup kit that came with my outlet flare, and using a gasket between them. Unfortunately the two flanges warped from the heat of welding and I had to add a little exhaust clay. The piping is held up by the inlet to header at the front, and mechanics wire wrapped several times through the old exhaust hanger at the back, around the bottom of the cherrybomb. The piping is very stiff because of all of the welded sections so it hangs and swings like a factory system.

outlet:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/071000_201900.jpg)
Rear section (cat and cherrybomb)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/071000_202001-1.jpg)
front section (first cat, to header)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Engine/071000_201901.jpg)
It's not exactly quiet, but it's not deafening either. It;s just loud enough to set off cheap car alarms in Wal Mart parking lots (as I found out earlier :D) and remind you that it's a bigass torquey American straight six with a few modifications :D It actually gets really quiet at highway cruising speeds, in low part throttle.

The power steering belt took a trip again, so I realigned my pump and made sure it matched up, but decided to just disconnect the power steering lines and drive it wouthout power steering for a while. The smaller wheel makes it pretty difficult, but it seems to be getting easier every day, probably the box breathing a bit. I may drain it and put gear oil in it, but I"m not sure yet. The box is in bad shape, there's about two inches of free play in the wheel, and my alignment is bad on top of that. WIth power steering, it was too vague, I couldn't tell when there was dead play or steering, from just the steering wheel alone, now however, I can feel where the play stops, making it much easier to drive smoothly on the highway.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: IowaEagle on July 11, 2010, 09:24:25 AM
EGG for the great update and new pictures.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 26, 2010, 02:28:20 AM
EGG for the great update and new pictures.
Thanks!
It finally passed emissions earlier this week, I also obtained tags for it. So, the long haul is over and the easy stuff begins. I recently wired it for a trailer, I'll have pics posted of that as well. I also intend to create a full writeup on the conversion. I still have so many plans for Caroline, but most of those are going to be put on hold for the next few years, as I am going back to school, for automechanics. I intend to obtain at the very least, an associate degree in applied sciences of automotive technology, but would like to go for a bachelor's.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 68AMXGOPAC on July 26, 2010, 09:51:33 AM
An egg for all of the relentless hard work and toiling hours you have put into this.Myself, I can be accused of ,and rightly so , of looking at something so daunting and moving it over to the side of the driveway and getting another car.
Great decision on going back to school,sounds like you have a plan , and your deternmination is more than evident !!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 26, 2010, 10:35:23 PM
An egg for all of the relentless hard work and toiling hours you have put into this.Myself, I can be accused of ,and rightly so , of looking at something so daunting and moving it over to the side of the driveway and getting another car.
Great decision on going back to school,sounds like you have a plan , and your deternmination is more than evident !!
Thank you! I am extremely determined, this is pretty much my last chance at making something of myself and getting out of wage slavery and job insecurity. I can't wait to get started, and learn more about one of my life's passions.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 68AMXGOPAC on July 27, 2010, 09:24:57 AM
Your welcome , It's allways that break that comes your way or the chance to go after it,that pays off.When I was younger,like 25,I was pumping gas, washing windows and checking oil, turning an occasional wrench.A steady customer , who I guess noticed my work ethic and determination to do it right even with the most menial jobs , scribbled an adress on an envelope and told me I should go down and put my name on the list at the hall,and asked if I knew anything about sheetmetal.I did not, but he said go anyways. Two months later I was starting my union apprenticeship,only to learn he was on the comittee,and had got me up near the top of the list.I still am thankfull 27 years later for that break. ( sorry all, I know this is a weee bit off topic)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: Whuntmore on July 27, 2010, 11:40:43 AM
I love that steering wheel.  where did ya get that??
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 27, 2010, 01:20:45 PM
Your welcome , It's allways that break that comes your way or the chance to go after it,that pays off.When I was younger,like 25,I was pumping gas, washing windows and checking oil, turning an occasional wrench.A steady customer , who I guess noticed my work ethic and determination to do it right even with the most menial jobs , scribbled an adress on an envelope and told me I should go down and put my name on the list at the hall,and asked if I knew anything about sheetmetal.I did not, but he said go anyways. Two months later I was starting my union apprenticeship,only to learn he was on the comittee,and had got me up near the top of the list.I still am thankfull 27 years later for that break. ( sorry all, I know this is a weee bit off topic)
That's one heck of a job hookup :D
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on August 14, 2010, 12:22:05 AM
Now that the conversion writup has been completed and posted and the new trans is in place, it's time to figure out where to go with her.

Rotated tires today and inspected the rear drums/shoes for the first time since the (second) axle swap. Drums are in good condition and the shoes have pad left, but they're cracked. The fronts have TONS of miles left on them, so I may just pick up some ceramics for the rears for now.

I've got a few little bugs to figure out in the mean time..
I think I've ridded the driveline of most of the vibration, I haven't had it to the speed it's worst at, yet, since rotating the tires, so we'll see on this one. If it's still present, it's the warped steel wheels, and it would be noticible in the steering now since the wheels are on the front...

The engine vibration is pretty intense, but I think much of that is due to the PU bushings on my fabbed trans mount. Though she's still running pretty lean on E85, and just inside the safe zone on gas, so I've got my eye on the Bosch 044 fuel pump, twice the flow rate :D.

The rear end hops and binds a bit, I'm not sure why. The diff and transfer case are in excellent shape. It's full time awd, but that would normally cause hopping up front, and it doesn't hop up front. It's probably the double slip drive shaft deal I've got going on, I need to find a Comanche driveshaft or an SYE kit, though I don't feel like cutting the shaft for the only kit on the market for it.

Alignment needs to happen soon as well, before I wear my tires out prematurely. They've got very good deep tread on them but they're sensitive to things being out of spec, the siping is gone on two of them in the middle, though they both were inflated properly.

Cv shafts will need done eventually as well. The parts car shaft on the driver's side has held up well, but now of course the passenger side is starting to make noise at full lock >_<. I may switch the front axles out at that point, the non-disconnect axle behind the driver's seat would seem to be stronger because the passenger side axle shaft is whole, and not held in line by coarse gears and a collar, which allows for some axle play.

The one mostly free thing I can do in the mean time is patch up the exhaust. When it was separated, my friend and I didn't feel like regasketting it or even scraping the surfaces, since it was behind the primary cat, and there are holes that have been present since initial fabrication. This noticibly dropped the available low end torque I had, and the engine seems to run a bit leaner as well. I have two jars of exhaust clay, and just need to get two gaskets and a metal plate (street hookup flanges) to go between the two.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 21, 2010, 01:23:51 AM
Got a few things taken care of since the last post, finally....
For some reason, the driveline isn't binding up at full lock anymore, not exactly sure why, but hey, as long as it works :D
Installed the two front speakers from my dad's 95 Bronco ( I had replaced them with aftermarkets before he sold it), so now I have decent quality sound again :D Pics coming soon.

Finally figured out how to modify the ax15 shifter so I wouldn't have to overextend to shift to fifth. You can see the new (old) speaker in the background
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/b7d220c5b20944ffa42f56da82c5ed1b.jpg)

replaced the steering damper after she developed a very bad deathwobble, it was the original damper with over 136,000 miles on it. The guys at the shop said it was doing nothign more than holding everything in place.

I also picked up some new wheels :D
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/99ba27db0fb84b6c894fdd8be357f1d8.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/d259e151f1aa40008a987496d2ab2298.jpg)

Though, I will never go to Peerless tire ever, ever again. The poor balancing job is just the tip of the iceberg of things they screwed up...

Next week, I'm FINALLY getting my 044 fuel pump, and may get a new crank damper as well, it's in dire need of one. Still haven't hooked the power steering back up, but for the time being, I like it the way it is anyway. Too twitchy on the highway with power steering, the ratio is pretty close for a car that sits that tall stock.

I can't wait to get that fuel pump on. She hauls pretty good as it is, but that pump will ensure that I am constantly resisting the temptation that leads to tickets :P

Plans in the near future aside from those mentioned include:
Replace primary cat, and secondary if needed, after replacing fuel pump. Running lean took its toll, and magnaflow cats are not exactly quality craftsmanship, she no longer passes the emissions trace test (sniffer)
Take her to meineke and have someone weld up the leaks (since I pawned my welder off)
Replace CV joints as soon as possible
Rebalance and road force tires (discount tire only plz, k?)
Replace rear brake shoes, if parking brake does not function properly, tighten cable
Replace seatbelts with properly tensioning ones, or find child car seat belt bracket
Replace cracked fuel tank vent hose
Investigate/repair fuel gauge sending unit
Electric fan conversion
Repair front end damage

Somewhat distant future:
Have pb hood professionally painted, install
replace front coils
replace all front end bushings (fsb aside, already has pu) including strut rods with poly bushings, replace tie rod ends, replace all shocks. This will require me to have a few days off while the shop does this, since I don't have a press or a garage.
Poly RSB bushings
Machine flywheel if engine vibration continues
190 amp alternator conversion

Distant future (late next year):
Replace head gasket with multilayer metal
replace first gen HO intake manny with second gen EL manny
Replace dizzy with cam sensor and COPI
Replace 4.0 cam with 280 deg comp cam, roller lifters and roller rockers, will be done at same time as head/intake removal
chainless timing set

Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 21, 2010, 01:45:54 AM
I love that steering wheel.  where did ya get that??
ebay
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 68AMXGOPAC on October 21, 2010, 07:37:05 AM
Good deal man.It looks real sweet and shines up well.Glad you have been so persistant in keeping this beast going along.I am guilty of pushing mine aside and driving something else I have,but with 3 of 4 cars down now, I may be forced to dig into the wagon or the SX/4 and get them going again.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on October 22, 2010, 01:19:59 AM
Good deal man.It looks real sweet and shines up well.Glad you have been so persistant in keeping this beast going along.I am guilty of pushing mine aside and driving something else I have,but with 3 of 4 cars down now, I may be forced to dig into the wagon or the SX/4 and get them going again.

It's my only vehicle, so I don't really have a choice as to whether or not I can be persistent ;) I am definitely one of those people that believes in replacing things as they break, when I can afford to, instead of waiting until it starts breaking other things.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on January 25, 2011, 01:56:31 AM
Been a while since I've updated... I installed a tach a while back, along with my bosch pump. The pump is extremely noisy, and I'm not quite sure why. It only does it once the fuel system is fully pressurized, and quiets down as the revs increase. I will most likely find another one, or a quieter pump. The crank damper has been retapped to accept slightly larger bolts, and it did nothing to ease the engine vibration, so I'm pretty convinced it's the clutch/pressureplate. There were no balancing pins installed in the pressureplate, and I've heard stories of engine vibration popping up after installing a cheap clutch, which mine is. As such, I'll be replacing it with a Luk clutch. I also just recently came across a working sending unit for 25 bucks from a local yard, so I now have a working gas gauge for the first time since owning the car :D. I also installed new strut rod bushings on both sides, and definitely need to get an alignment. I restored power steering, though I don't quite know how long that will last before the belt rolls over and flies off again...I am going to replace the cherrybomb with a universal muffler, I decided I want a quieter ride, and though it will increase backpressure, it will also increase low end power so I can't complain. Also been working on fitting a fullsize spare in the back cleanly with removal of the cargo tray, pics of the finished product will be in that thread and here.

Still need to work out the driveshaft vibration, most likely just going to drill through my slipyoke and install a bolt to keep it from moving around. Once that and the muffler issue is taken care of, along with a good alignment, she'll be a much nicer ride :)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/100_0021.jpg)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: j2sax on January 25, 2011, 11:02:35 PM
So how's your gas mieage with this setup, now that you have had some time to shake it out? 

Have a great weekend,

Jesse
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on January 25, 2011, 11:12:34 PM
So how's your gas mieage with this setup, now that you have had some time to shake it out? 

Have a great weekend,

Jesse
If I'm rough on it, 16-18 (which has been most of the time, but I'm trying to be nice to her) otherwise, 20-24. Seems to vary with every tank.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on February 17, 2011, 12:11:48 AM
Working on two major projects at the shop this week, should land me enough money to take care of a very nice chunk of the to-do list, including:
Flywheel/clutch - please please let this be the answer to the engine vibration!
Finish rear cargo tray delete
Driver side CV shaft
New cat
alignment
slip yoke correction (drilling slipyoke and putting a bolt through it into output shaft to eliminate walking)
possibly new fuel pump (to replace the expensive noisy one) or new front springs and bushings. Either will cost the same.

For the time being though, I haven't really made any major mods other than adding my original fuel pump in behind my large one, which did provide a decent gain in performance, especially with E85, which I'm running exclusively now thanks to crappy winter gas.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on February 21, 2011, 01:05:10 AM
Hey justin did yours come with those rally guages?
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on February 21, 2011, 01:55:21 AM
Hey justin did yours come with those rally guages?

Nope, I found that center console on a fully loaded Sport wagon in the junkyard a year and a half ago... I'm going to take those gauges out, cut the panel to fit the cubby above the radio, and pick up a set of gauges - oil temp, oil pressure and battery voltage/charge. Never saw the point of having the gauges in a place where you have to look down below the main cluster to see them, taking eyes off the road. I'll then make a large box out of some OSB cut to fit where the gauges would have been, in the center console, as a new storage area...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on February 21, 2011, 09:21:05 PM
They got some pretty cool gauges now with all the indiglo and LED stuff...that'll look sweet having them up top!! By the way...Im probably gonna go down to that junkyard in pueblo in the next couple of weeks. Let me know If theres any parts your lookin for...I can check around down threre what ever you might need and pick it up for ya.

take care
shane
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on February 22, 2011, 12:40:00 AM
They got some pretty cool gauges now with all the indiglo and LED stuff...that'll look sweet having them up top!! By the way...Im probably gonna go down to that junkyard in pueblo in the next couple of weeks. Let me know If theres any parts your lookin for...I can check around down threre what ever you might need and pick it up for ya.

take care
shane

I would love a passenger side chrome headlight trim piece, and the clutch master off that limited wagon (check for leaks inside the car first, it should be dry, if not, don't pull it)... :)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on February 22, 2011, 07:09:25 PM
I called that junk yard...they said they only have a couple of eagles left....but thats a couple more than most junk yards. They said they should have the headlight trim but not sure on the clutch master...I hope to go down this saturday or the next...Ill grab those for ya if they have em.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on February 22, 2011, 08:20:08 PM
I called that junk yard...they said they only have a couple of eagles left....but thats a couple more than most junk yards. They said they should have the headlight trim but not sure on the clutch master...I hope to go down this saturday or the next...Ill grab those for ya if they have em.

sweet, thanks man :D
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on February 24, 2011, 11:15:31 PM
Your very welcome!...its in suprisingly real good shape...not much pitting at all...I think im gonna hit that salvage joint down in Pueblo tomorrow...I look for that clutch master.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on February 26, 2011, 11:47:30 PM
Hey, if ya want just PM me your mailing address and i'll mail it out to ya. Its light so Im not worried about shipping fees....let me know....By the way heres a better picture of it. It does have a small crack on the rounded edge..not all the way through and it is glued. And one of the screw holes is busted but it still attaches fine..It should do the trick until ya find a better one ;D(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc377/shanebo79/008-2.jpg)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on February 26, 2011, 11:50:18 PM
By the way no good clutch masters to be found in pueblo...I'll keep my eye out though.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 01, 2011, 03:08:09 AM
Thanks a lot! address pmed
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 12, 2011, 02:23:44 AM
Ordered a pitman arm, outer tie rod and idler arm a few days ago from rock auto, should be here next week. thankfully, this will be extremely easy, thanks to having access to a lift and all the right tools for the job :D After that, I will replace the driver side cv shaft, and the exhaust manifold. Then, it's on to new coil springs, upper control arm bushings, and shocks all around. The exhaust will be reworked, for the third time, but I'm still trying to decide which way to go, because I'd like to enjoy listening to chill music but that's hard to do with a loud car, plus, if I simply put a universal muffler on it, I will gain a bit of low end torque, and gas mileage. On the other hand, I am greatly enjoying the top end power from lower backpressure, and it sounds kinda cool. Either way, the magnaflow cat has to go, immediately. I've put the rear cargo area on hold for now, I don't have the patience to mess with it when I have so many other thigns to take care of on Caroline...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 16, 2011, 08:11:44 PM
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Maintenance%20and%20repairs/DSC00046.jpg)
Just got the front end stuff in yesterday, I'll be able to install it Sunday.

I'm trying to decide what to go for next, I don't make much and I don't have much to work with, but every issue in need of addressing is just as important as the last.

I think I'm going to get a new fuel pump and harmonic balancer and single groove crank pulley on this next check, the engine vibration has been driving me nuts and I want to eliminate all possibilities before committing to a new flywheel and clutch kit. replacing the pump will be nice, that much less noise to deal with, and if the harmonic balancer fixes the vibrations, even better :)

After that, new exhaust manifold, for sure. I have decided that since the exhaust manifold (basically an exact copy of a Borla but cheaper) will give me a bit of a performance boost, that should make up for the stock style muffler I'll be installing. Of course, it will still be 2.5" od. I've been dealing with so much noise for so long that I'm ready for a smooth, quiet ride.

Somewhere in between here and there I will try to pick up the seats I've had my eye on in a yard in fort collins. They're nutmeg, so they'll actually match my interior, and they have absolutely no rips or tears.

After that, it's either new muffler and cat, or front suspension rework (springs, control arm bushings, new shocks on all corners).... just can't quite decide >_<
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 68AMXGOPAC on March 16, 2011, 08:16:09 PM
I hear ya on the noise. I have been running a set of Cherry Bombs on my Caddy for a couple years now. I am sure they are toast,but at $125 for the whole set up, it was cheaper than $500 for the set of stock Caddy ones.... and it sounds sweeeeeeeeet out of the Norstar.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on March 16, 2011, 11:38:21 PM
Never a shortage of things to do on these cars....It makes it tough for guys like us on a limited budget.

By the way I was also going to ask you...Eli mentioned he had replaced something on the front end of Ginger...and I thought he said something about the cv shafts...they look pretty new..but I cant for the life of me remember what it was.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 17, 2011, 01:39:11 AM
Never a shortage of things to do on these cars....It makes it tough for guys like us on a limited budget.

By the way I was also going to ask you...Eli mentioned he had replaced something on the front end of Ginger...and I thought he said something about the cv shafts...they look pretty new..but I cant for the life of me remember what it was.

yeah, the cv shafts are new. Speaking of which, i am also getting one this weekend, lots cracking and popping...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 17, 2011, 07:29:31 PM
So I finally had my codes pulled today...
Intake air temp sensor voltage high
coolant temp sensor voltage high (two wire)
#1 fuel injector improper fire
fan relay circuit fault
alternator field circuit fault

The last two codes are a result of the swap. The fan relay code will be gone once I convert to an electric fan and wire it into that relay. The alternator fault is because the alternator used on the 4.0 is computer controlled, it kicks on when the computer tells it to, and the only way to fix that is to swap to a 4.0 alternator, which I will not be doing.

The other three codes, however, must be addressed, as the coolant temp sensor and air intake sensor play a huge part in the computer's ability to properly tune fuel trim. The fuel injector fault also obviously needs to be addressed, as it could mean a lean condition in that cylinder. I will make sure to edit the EFI swap writeup to include the two codes mentioned in the above paragraph.

The first three are probably the most major and primary cause of my engine vibration, and the awesome part is electrical can be a little tricky to diagnose, but parts are FAR cheaper to replace than major engine components, and the problem can be pinpointed, proven, and fixed (this is why I LOVE efi, and why carburetors are obsolete). I have two spare unused injectors, as I bought a set of eight when I initially upgraded them. So, I just need to break out the multimeter and see what I can find....

First though, I'm going to replace the parts on my front end tonight, it's supposed to snow and I'd rather not have snow and slush dripping on me with the car in the air...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on March 17, 2011, 09:41:56 PM
After seeing how Caroline performs Im dead set on upgrading Ginger to EFI someday. It really is a much more reliable and powerful setup.

Hope the front end repairs go smoothly!!

take care
shane
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 18, 2011, 08:41:53 PM
After seeing how Caroline performs Im dead set on upgrading Ginger to EFI someday. It really is a much more reliable and powerful setup.

Hope the front end repairs go smoothly!!

take care
shane

well... I ended up not needing the parts XD. I inspected them when I took them off and they are all tight as a drum, and the part numbers are moog as well, so I'm going to either sell the parts in the boxes or return them. If I don't have any replies by tonight I will return them

Also, I can help you out with EFI stuff, I know the harness very well...Just make sure you include the head and cam ;)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: ammachine390 on March 18, 2011, 10:58:37 PM
Do you have your stock "check engine" light wired up to the 4.0 ECM? Also, do you have it set up where cycling the ignition on-off-on-off-on flashes the codes?
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on March 18, 2011, 11:30:38 PM
I sure appreciate it man!! Ive been keeping a watchful eye out for a good donor jeep. I know a guy thats keeps trying to sell me a rolled over 87 cherokee...would be great if it wasnt a 2.8!! Im at a good starting point to do the conversion for sure...The only thing Im not sure about is if the existing tranny would jive with it, or id have to upgrade to a jeep trans.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 19, 2011, 11:11:13 PM
I sure appreciate it man!! Ive been keeping a watchful eye out for a good donor jeep. I know a guy thats keeps trying to sell me a rolled over 87 cherokee...would be great if it wasnt a 2.8!! Im at a good starting point to do the conversion for sure...The only thing Im not sure about is if the existing tranny would jive with it, or id have to upgrade to a jeep trans.

Don't touch a pre-91 4.0, it's the renix model and it is really not worth it. The best years are 91-95. Also, that cam I mentioned in your thread... use a 1992, it had the best grind. Make sure to use same lifters and pushrods as cam, the lifters are different.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 19, 2011, 11:12:23 PM
Do you have your stock "check engine" light wired up to the 4.0 ECM? Also, do you have it set up where cycling the ignition on-off-on-off-on flashes the codes?

My check engine light isn't wired in at all at the moment. I just knew there are codes because the engine runs very strong, but the vibration is telling me something I'm still trying to decipher.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 24, 2011, 07:39:30 PM
Do you have your stock "check engine" light wired up to the 4.0 ECM? Also, do you have it set up where cycling the ignition on-off-on-off-on flashes the codes?

My check engine light isn't wired in at all at the moment. I just knew there are codes because the engine runs very strong, but the vibration is telling me something I'm still trying to decipher.

I had a state inspector hook his scan tool up (the snap on scan tool, no otc scantool will display the needed information) and monitor everything with the engine running after checking codes. the coolant temp, intake air temp, and #1 fuel injector codes have vanished, so I properly diagnosed and fixed the problem... Note: I did not just replace the sensors because the computer said they were bad, I ohmed them out and checked voltage to and from each one, and did the same for the injector.

he stated that my ignition timing, injector cycles, O2 readings and fuel trim are all right where they need to be, though I am running 1.6% lean, probably from the huge crack in the manifold. The computer runs closed loop once off high idle as it should, and is in fuel control. So now I know the vibration has nothing to do with the engine itself, which is a huge relief. I need to check my motor mounts, and replace the poly trans bushings with rubber ones.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on March 24, 2011, 08:57:18 PM
Glad to hear everything checked out ok....Im very curious as to what that vibration is...Ill probably have to deal with it too someday ;D...best of luck!!

Oh, and thanks again for all your help with Ginger...Your know how has saved me from alot of costly boo boo's!!! ;)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 25, 2011, 04:22:40 AM
Glad to hear everything checked out ok....Im very curious as to what that vibration is...Ill probably have to deal with it too someday ;D...best of luck!!

Oh, and thanks again for all your help with Ginger...Your know how has saved me from alot of costly boo boo's!!! ;)

More than anything it'sprobably the polyurethane swaybar bushings I used as trans mount bushings. I may also have a bad motor mount. If you keep to rubber instead of poly, you probably won't have that problem, especially if you're having the motor rebuilt. If you are going to have it machined, spend a bit extra and have them balance it.

I'm glad I could be of help :)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 30, 2011, 02:58:55 AM
Well, went down to Denver this past weekend and ended up with a few new parts :D I found one of the improved design 4.0 manifolds on a Grand cherokee (has two flexpipes integrated into it, and much more reinforcement), still shiny, for 40 bucks. For a while now, I've been trying to figure out what the heck to do about my ugly freakin shifter too... Well, I found the solution to that... came from a 2000 Dodge dakota, apparently they were still using AX15's. it has a MUCH shorter throw, comes out at the perfect angle and location, and makes for a much crisper shift.
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/DSC00065.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/DSC00066.jpg)

I'll take some decent photos with my good camera when it's light out...
I'm getting to the point, especially with being a mechanic/apprentice with someone who has over 15 years experience, that I have grown out of jerry-rigging stuff on my car. Slowly but surely I'm cleaning up all the things I cheaped out on, and redoing them correctly. I know you can make anything work in a pinch, but I'm coming to understand that there's a difference between sticking to a budget, and hacking something together just to make it work, no matter how sloppy.

Also, I never did take pics of Caroline after I put her fender on (thanks to Vangremlin for hookin me up)...
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/DSC00063-1.jpg)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 68AMXGOPAC on March 30, 2011, 10:53:53 AM
Nice job Touge !! I love that steering wheel. I know what you mean about cheaping out.I have had a 401 I have been slowly putting together for my AMX for a few years now.I set my goal not to reuse some parts on it , and be sure it was put together in spec and with double checking everything,I am glad I am doing it that way,and sure I will be rewarded for doing so.
Man it wasn't too long ago you were down and out and things not looking too good. I am glad you got the break you needed and deserved !!Your write ups are excellent !
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on March 30, 2011, 11:58:00 PM
Whats up man!? ;D Havent seen ya on here for a few days....Glad to hear your finally getting some time to work on Caroline. That shifter looks sweet!! It fits the interior perfectly. I see that you got a new manifold too. What year Grand Cherokee was that off of? Luckily I havent bought a manifold yet...Id really like to find one like the one you just got!!

Im with you on the doing it right thing....Im really trying to do everything 100% with Ginger...where possible...Im excited to get her on the road, but im a fairly novice mechanic so Ive got to take my time...checking and rechecking my work every step of the way...dont want to do this twice...not on Ginger atleast ;)

Take care
shane
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 31, 2011, 03:34:59 AM
thanks a lot guys! It has been a long road with her, and the last hard hill is yet to come (front end rebuild save for the steering components), but it will be a few months out. I told myself the day she started up for the first time in a year and a half and ran that I had at that time reached the point of no return, and would from then on out refuse to even entertain the thought (other than to ponder how much someone would pay for an Eagle that does 0-60 in 8 secs at 5k feet) of selling. Every corner I cut always came back to bite me in the butt......

I have to get rid of the driveline vibration and get my car to pass emissions.. The Magnaflow cat I had on there fried within a few thousand miles, so I'll be getting a Caleefornya cat to replace it, at which point I'll move my other one up to right behind it. I thought up an excellent way to (re) modify my trans crossmember to accept a stock Jeep transmission mount. I'll be using some 1/4" thick plate steel welded to teh bottom of it, and holes drilled accordingly. I'll of course provide pictures and update the EFI swap writeup according... I go through so much effort in making good writeups because above all else this site should be a history archive and (SEMI) reference guide. I like to help keep y'all informed and show what I've done as I go along. I am one of those people that would MUCH rather spend a year building a (fast, for instance) car than spend a year saving up to buy one.  I'm about ready for that hack mount and poly bushings to go. They belong on the suspension, not on drivetrain parts.

I'm just hoping the PPO (previous previous owner.... my car exchanged quite a few hands before landing in mine) didn't take any shortcuts in rebuilding the motor past the oil pan and rear main....

That wheel honestly looks nicer than it is. The metal is metal and the wood is plastic, thinly done over the black firm foam. The good part about it is it somehow still looks good, and because it's not real, solid wood, it doesn't cause my hands to get frozen to it during the winter. It IS a 14" wheel, quite a downsizing from stock, so that shifter would be a little uncomfortably close to a stock wheel. I first pondered about what to do with that shifter situation a few months ago, but never really took an active interest in it until I drove a manual Dakota pickup at the emissions station, and realized that shifter would come out at the perfect angle,just like the T5 shifter did.

Shane, that manifold will pretty much fit any 4.0 head made 1991 or later, though it specifically came from the 7120 (91-95) generation. You can find a Borla look-alike on rock auto for about 170 bucks... I was originally going to buy that, but I couldn't pass up 40 bucks and two hours worth of work to get it done that very day.

Just take it easy with Ginger, don't get in too much of a rush, and don't wholly obsess about making her perfect. She'll be close, but she'd have to be garage queen status to ever be truly perfect, and I don't think that's what your intentions for her are (hopefullY). Just get her running and driving nice, but not so nicely that you're choosy about parking spaces ;) I am very happy that you are going through so much effort to truly restore the heart of her. I honestly would have just put some cleaner in the oilpan, rebuilt the trans at the shop, figured out the vacuum and electrical and driven her daily for a few year or two, so it's nice to see that someone else has the time to really make 'er special :)
 

Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 68AMXGOPAC on March 31, 2011, 01:25:46 PM
I keep thinking about your vibration issues Touge.I am not familiar with the I6 engine, but I know some saythe AMCV8's had to be balanced with the flywheel on or there could be issues.Balanced internally and externally if I remember right........and between switching and useing other parts I am wondering if some componnent is just unbalanced ?
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shaggimo on March 31, 2011, 02:33:25 PM
I was doing a little research on the flywheel compatablity of the I6's, from what I have found, they (I6's) are all internally balanced neutral, so a 4.0 fly shouldn't throw a 258 off and vise versa (I have been thinking of doing an ax15 swap too, lol).
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on March 31, 2011, 09:00:52 PM
Replacing the exhaust manifold helped out. I think the rest is just my hack transmission mount. Two of the bolts are right up against the metal on the crossmember, and the trans is supported on poly swaybar endlink bushings... Not the best of ideas. This weekend, I am going to get rid of that, and modify my crossmember properly to accept a STOCK jeep transmission mount bushing, that will take care of the rest of the vibration by far. I'm sure by now my interior has developed some permanent rattles thanks to the shortcutting, but I'll know after I get that in there this weekend. I'll post lots of pics and a writeup.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on March 31, 2011, 10:31:22 PM
Cant wait to see the new upgrades!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on April 03, 2011, 05:45:43 AM
Well, I'm returning the transmission mount tomorrow. It doesn't even begin to match up correctly, and I'm not sure why.... Kind of a frustrating yet fun night... I decided to start fabbing my own mount using a series of pieces of tire tread and metal plates. The idea was to make a mount in which the bolts holding the mount to crossmember did not contact the transmission or the trans to bushing mounts. I didn't finish it, and in the process of putting my car back together, I lost one of the poly bushings, so I left the bolt out. I get in to drive it home, and it drives nearly smooth as glass, 90% of the engine and driveline vibration is gone! Apparently, when I drilled the holes for my current crossmember, I didn't line them up well, and I just happened to leave out the bolt that was rubbing the tube steel welded into the crossmember, transmitting everything directly from the engine and trans into the body of the car. GO FIGURE! So, I'm returning the mount tomorrow and getting my 31 dollars back, and I will ream out the holes so there is no contact with the bolts, and it should get even smoother after that :D It's incredible how much quieter Caroline is now, she's finally pleasant to drive :) Now I just need to figure out the reciprocating vibration in the front end at highway speeds. I'll be tackling that on MOnday as well.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on April 03, 2011, 11:41:07 PM
Right on man!! I'm glad that you found the problem. Vibrations are always scary to me....some vibrations are harmless while others are a a sign of serious problems....and they're so hard to diagnose sometimes. Worn bushings seem to be the culprit alot of the time.

Take care
shane
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on April 04, 2011, 12:27:52 AM
Right on man!! I'm glad that you found the problem. Vibrations are always scary to me....some vibrations are harmless while others are a a sign of serious problems....and they're so hard to diagnose sometimes. Worn bushings seem to be the culprit alot of the time.

Take care
shane


yeah, I know what you mean, it was really getting me worried... Now I know what a solid mount would feel like >_< I still have a moderate reciprocating vibration that was unchanged, at highway speeds. I'm starting to think it's the front diff, cus when I check it after a long drive, it's HOT to the touch. Luckily I have another one sitting behind the shop, I'm going to swap that in and see if it fixes anything tomorrow, after dealing with my driveshaft. I'm hoping the driveshaft fix will do it, even with the use of a lift and being under my car, it's still a royal pita  to swao that diff out.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on April 04, 2011, 11:24:29 PM
Now that you mention the diff...Im gonna check mine out very thoroughly while the engines out. The only lift I got access to is a floor jack and a couple of jack stands ;D that job would be a nightmare!!

Im really curious as to what is causing that vibration!! Is caroline eating up tires any worse since this vibration started?

I sure hope you get that vibration resoled...Those things sure get the blood preassure up!!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on April 06, 2011, 03:43:19 AM
Now that you mention the diff...Im gonna check mine out very thoroughly while the engines out. The only lift I got access to is a floor jack and a couple of jack stands ;D that job would be a nightmare!!

Im really curious as to what is causing that vibration!! Is caroline eating up tires any worse since this vibration started?

I sure hope you get that vibration resoled...Those things sure get the blood preassure up!!

I think the vibration is from the double slip joint in my rear driveshaft, which causes a wobble at certain frequencies. I haven't decided what to do about it yet, though I'm thinking of using a rubber pipe coupling and a few well placed hose clamps on the eagle part of the drive shaft and leave the slipyoke to do as it should, grand cherokee style. that should eliminate it. I've decided I also am getting rid of the poly trans bushings altogether and putting rubber under there, as there is still more vibration from the engine than I'd like, though it's not because of the engine.

I can't quite tell, she wears them perfectly evenly all around, and I mean perfectly. I've put 18k miles on her and rotated the tires once, and they all have almost exactly the same tread depth, except for the snow tire which is newer. And, she still needs an alignment and front end rebuild, bad.

If the recip vibration is still there, I'll know it's the front diff and I'll set aside a few hours at the shop to swap it out.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shaggimo on April 06, 2011, 08:30:25 AM
 :o I didn't realize you were running a double slip, that could very well be your issue. If the driveshaft were to walk back and forth while driving constantly changing your geometry that would cause quite the vibe......What case are you running? If a 231, you can just do a slip yoke eliminator set up. Cheap way, drill a hole through your yoke and out put shaft, tap it and run a bolt through. Though u-joint changes would be made kinda difficult with that route, it works.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on April 08, 2011, 01:22:24 AM
:o I didn't realize you were running a double slip, that could very well be your issue. If the driveshaft were to walk back and forth while driving constantly changing your geometry that would cause quite the vibe......What case are you running? If a 231, you can just do a slip yoke eliminator set up. Cheap way, drill a hole through your yoke and out put shaft, tap it and run a bolt through. Though u-joint changes would be made kinda difficult with that route, it works.

I have a 249. The bolt idea was my original idea but pulling the driveshaft out would be a pain, I would need a very low profile wrench. I think I'm going to have my boss weld the drive shaft at the stock slip in a fixed location, and let the slipyoke do the work. That way, my driveshaft will still be easily removed if needed, and it will eliminate the slight bit of rotational play between the end of the eagle shaft and the main shaft section.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shaggimo on April 08, 2011, 08:53:13 AM
Welding the shaft slip will do to, you may want to look into having a new shaft made at some point down the road, it doesn't cost too much usually, maybe 90-150? I've made my own driveshaft at one point (shortened the tube, welded yoke back on), but I consider that one **luck**  :rotfl:.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on April 09, 2011, 03:29:39 PM
Welding the shaft slip will do to, you may want to look into having a new shaft made at some point down the road, it doesn't cost too much usually, maybe 90-150? I've made my own driveshaft at one point (shortened the tube, welded yoke back on), but I consider that one **luck**  :rotfl:.

I have decded I am going to get a comanche drive shaft, have the slip joint eliminated and the shaft shortened to the right length, then attach the slipyoke to it, and rock it Grand cherokee style.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on April 09, 2011, 11:27:52 PM
Does caroline have a stock rear end or is she running an XJ rear?
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on April 12, 2011, 01:37:01 AM
Stock rear end. I like my 2.73s and you'll never find those under an XJ, or any 5 bolt jeep after the CJs if I remember correctly. I will probably go to 2.35s after the turbo.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: doneagle on April 15, 2011, 09:25:18 PM
            HI   Toug would you do some thing for me.  Tell me why you don't like me.....Don
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: doneagle on May 02, 2011, 02:01:47 PM


           HI    Did I hear right that you lost your job .. If yes Aim sorry to hear that .I wish there was some way
                   to help you . I gave up my job 1-1-07 and I miss it but I cant go back......I hope you find some thing
                   soon.....GOOD LUCK ......................Don
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: doneagle on June 13, 2011, 12:37:33 PM


            HI Toug      good luck with Blue Bird.....Don
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on June 13, 2011, 08:48:34 PM
            HI   Toug would you do some thing for me.  Tell me why you don't like me.....Don

I'm not sure why you would think I dislike you, I don't dislike anyone on this forum... I found a job working as a construction laborer... this temp agency I'm going through is paying pretty decent (for single/no kids income) but has me working my butt off, in addition to my mowing and landscaping business over teh weekends. I work 7 days a week basically, though this may be the last week on this site, at which point I'll take a week off, with a family vacation coming up next week...

I'm very much looking forward to bluebird, though my budget got a lot tighter as of last friday thanks to a hefty ticket (167 bucks for speeding X_x) and am not looking forward to spending too much cash on her. Fromwhat it looks like though, she should be good to go with a decent tuneup and some basic gaskets.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: doneagle on June 13, 2011, 09:21:24 PM


    HI Toug  glad to hear your working ..to Meany days a week but you have to do what you have to do to get along
         Sorry to hear about the speeding ticket that is bad...Enjoy your week off ....From what SHane said it won't
         take alot to get Blue Bird going....     Don
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on June 13, 2011, 11:20:39 PM
Well Toug, things look alot better as of tonight for bluebird!!...Cleaned up the plugs and and she fired right up....the three front plugs were basically a solid lump of carbon. She runs really well!! it does have a minor vaccum issue..I can hear it hissing. The temp gauge does not work but I can chauk that up to a loose wire or bad sending unit. It also does not want to kick back down from high idle once warm...If i push in the little vaccum motor thing on the carb it idles down and idles real nice. It shifts good too. When you put it in gear and take off it hesitates a little but once it hits a little higher RPM it revs out just fine....Im sure she needs a good tune up. when you take off you can smell she runs a bit rich....that would explain the hesitation when accelerating...a little tweeking of the carb should help alot....We just need to check the trans. fluid and rear diff and she should be clear for take off!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: carguy87 on June 14, 2011, 12:15:58 AM
The little vacuum thing is used to boost up idle when you have your headlights on or your a/c.  It can be adjusted per the service manual, but I would recommend checking to make sure both of those are off first or that someone didn't just hook up any one vacuum line they had laying around the engine bay to it. ::)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on June 14, 2011, 12:59:21 AM
I was wondering how that thing worked....these old carbs sure had alot of complicated stuff that could go wrong with them.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: JayRamb on June 14, 2011, 01:06:34 AM
I was wondering how that thing worked....these old carbs sure had alot of complicated stuff that could go wrong with them.

Thats why a lot of the hood releases broke, unfortunately.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on June 16, 2011, 09:00:46 PM
I'm not too worried about the running rich part, it will probably run great at 4900 ft ;) I'm actually glad it's a bit rich, that means it should run well on the trip home...
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on June 17, 2011, 01:09:27 AM
I actually drove it into town today and it shifts good....and it would be great if I had a temp gauge to see how much it heats up...The heater works good...I think with just a little TLC and some rattle cans it sould be a good car.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on June 25, 2011, 06:23:35 PM
I'd be willing to bet it's the gauge temp sending unit... which if so, is more evidence to back the possibility of the car having overheated at some point, which would have led to the headgasket failure, or was a result thereof
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on June 25, 2011, 11:51:09 PM
Either way we'll get her back on the road....Hows that rear end workin out by the way?
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on June 26, 2011, 01:52:38 AM
Heres a few pics from the axle swap Toug. (http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc377/shanebo79/2627-1.jpg) (http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc377/shanebo79/2629.jpg) (http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc377/shanebo79/2624.jpg)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 02, 2011, 02:52:11 PM
Rer e
Either way we'll get her back on the road....Hows that rear end workin out by the way?
Rear end is working out okay. Something sounds a little funky on the pass side drum, but ill worry about it later. If it comes to needing a new drum i know where to get plenty...other than that its working well. Definitely still binding but thats because of the transfer case. Should have swapped those out instead. Thanks for the pics btw :) any chance you could email the rest to me?
I cant wait to get bluebird home...still trying to decide if i wanna do the head gasket here or up there.... If i can get use of the shophere for a day i can have andy check it out and confirm or deny my diagnosis
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on July 03, 2011, 01:50:10 AM
Hey Toug,

I think I got a sollution to you t-case problem...I sent ya a pm about it.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 04, 2011, 05:22:37 AM
Excellent, read and replied :)
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: tougeagle on July 07, 2011, 02:37:38 PM
This is not a fun post to have to type......

I am forced to sell Caroline, here is why:

I noticed over the past two months that the engine bay keeps getting a mysterious coat of oil, and it's been getting increasingly heavier after highway drives, to the point that I got pulled over on the way from Greeley to Westminster last night because Caroline was smoking so bad. I popped the hood and everything was dripping in oil. I figured perhaps one of the sending units in my aftermarket gauge cluster was leaking, and so I sat in a parking lotwith it, revving it, when I noticed the dipstick tube moved. I pulled the tube and noticed fumes every time I revved the engine.... gas fumes. A compression test in an O'Reillys parking lot proved my fears....... cylinder 6 is at 75 psi, the rest are within 5 psi of 125. I am out of time, money, tools and space. I cannot continue this any longer.... I am selling caroline, and will include Bluebird for free, please see my ad for details. You all have been great, and supportive, and I just hope you can help me out this one last time. I will not be leaving the forum, but I will be going dormant, as I do not plan to own another eagle for at least a few years. I can still answer questions and give advice, but those will have to be in the form of pms, I will need some space, finding this out today tore a hole in my heart. I need a stable job, disposable income, a garage, and tools to give an Eagle the love and attention it deserves.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: brentsydlik on July 07, 2011, 05:27:40 PM
sorry to hear this toug... i know what you mean though... its tough right now.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: maddog on July 07, 2011, 08:15:09 PM
i hated having to read that dude, i wish you the best of luck with your sale because if i had the money you know i would buy them.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: Draekon on July 07, 2011, 11:56:28 PM
Sorry to hear that!  Your project has been inspiring seeing what you've accomplished on a small budget.

I wish you the best and hopefully you find your way back to Eagles before too long.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: vangremlin on July 08, 2011, 12:26:06 AM
Sounds like this isn't the right time in your life for an Eagle.  Your time will come!
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: captspillane on February 16, 2012, 01:29:26 AM
I've made reference to this speed sensor solution several times. I also intend to post on this thread occasionally to keep it near the first page of project threads. I'll post by quoting information and pictures that we'll want to find easily. I also suspect that stagnant threads get deleted eventually while the recent ones do not. This thread is well worth saving. Thanks Tougeagle!

And finally, the one significant accomplishment today that might actually help others out significantly as well. I discovered how to adapt a vehicle speed sensor with cable driven speedometer , without attaching it to the transfer case, since our eagles use a rather unique transfer case cable input. First, the sensor, grabbed from an early 90's Dakota pickup (that also had an AX15 on it....)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00306.jpg)

Second, the piece needed: (sorry for bad pics, I've been too busy to charge the batteries for my decent camera)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00308.jpg)

If I recall correctly, 1/2" to 3/8" steel pipe bushing. Some electrical tape has to be used around the threads, so the large end of the bushing will catch the threads in the speed sensor. The cable side (on stock setup) of the speed sensor is exactly the same size as the speedo cable input on the back of the instrument cluster, and the 3/8" bushing is a near-perfect fit for both. Again though, you'll need Teflon or electrical tape around the speedo and bushing threads..

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00310.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00311.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/DSC00312.jpg)

It is a rather unorthodox way to do it, but it is just a simple sensor that derives electrical energy from kinetic energy, and I doubt the sensor has a designated direction built into it, so it should work out.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 68AMXGOPAC on February 16, 2012, 02:09:31 AM
So what exactly does this speed sensor do ? Since I am sure it is still behind the speedometer on the car......
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: captspillane on February 17, 2012, 05:59:11 AM
The Vehicle Speed Sensor is necessary for the car to run right. When Tougeagle's speedo cable broke, which means that the VSS wasn't hooked up, he reported the car stalling every time he put the car in neutral. The MPI is able to make the car idle fine, but it relies on the VSS to let it know when the engine is under load. It can't react to changes in load condition without it and it will be prone to stalling. You need a VSS for both TBI and MPI, even if you have a mechanical speedometer.

There is a much more in depth discussion of the various VSS options in my project thread, "Perkiomen Project Pics". I reference this solution in that post.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 68AMXGOPAC on February 17, 2012, 09:18:00 AM
Thanks - just another piece of the puzzle if I ever get to working on Caroline his old rig in the post.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: captspillane on September 17, 2012, 06:45:00 AM

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/DSC00065.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/DSC00066.jpg)

I like to bump this thread every so often to keep it from being deleted. This time I picked a picture of the shifter to prove the AX15 comes out of the floorboard in a nice spot in an Eagle.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: captspillane on September 17, 2012, 06:53:44 AM
Anyway, I got the trans bolted completely to the mount last night, along with getting my exhaust almost complete. I even managed to almost get rolled over, since the transfer case had not fully engaged in 4 HI and detented to neutral, and I didn't have the parking brake on. My exhaust (specifically catalytic converter) managed to stop it a foot later and wreck my carefully tacked welds in the process. At that point, I gave up on the exhaust for the night.
The transmission mount bolts definitely ate ground clearance, but again, this car's going to shine in the snow, not offroad, I'll be using a cherokee for that, eventually.

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/DSC00271.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/DSC00272.jpg)

I didn't get the chance to get to my exhaust today. It started getting too cold and wet. As of last night though, what it looked like when "complete":

(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/DSC00273.jpg)

However, now this section is separate. I have to line it up JUUUUST right to keep the muffler from hitting the floor pan and driveshaft, but not suck up more ground clearance at the same time >_<:
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Driveline/DSC00274.jpg)

I did manage to get the CPS installed. It's a real PITA that requires very good feeling in your fingertips, and a long reach...

Since it's supposed to get cold and nasty for a while, I'm done working on the car for a few days. I'm also completely out of money :(

On the bright side, I got to test the 4.0 starter, since I have something to actuate the clutch now XD. It works :D It's nice to hear it crank over again.



Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: 68AMXGOPAC on September 17, 2012, 09:37:09 AM
Hey Capt. thanks for keeping the dream alive ! I haven't been on in a month allmost and this is the first thing that popped up.As the owner of the old Caroline I can say it sure does clear !! I have as of yet had any time to put into this project , cleaned it out of parts etc etc. But it does start right up everytime even sitting for a month or so.The lack of power steering is a B%*&# though !!I don't think Touge ever got a chance to get that part figured out or didn't have the parts. When I bought it he thought it had dropped a cylinder, and I haven't even had time to check that out.
He put alot of hard work into this car, hopefully I can continue that soon. I really would like to drop this whole set up in the MoneyPitt II , an 82 SX/4.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: maddog on September 17, 2012, 09:50:53 PM
having actually road in this car i too can confirm the clearance and also the awesomeness of this car.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: shanebo on September 24, 2012, 12:12:49 AM
X3 its an impressive eagle....it performed like no other eagle I ever drove and or rode in.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: captspillane on December 19, 2014, 05:47:04 PM
Here's another bump so that people can find this thread easily. It's a good one to read if you are thinking of putting an AX15 stickshift transmission into an Eagle.


(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/DSC00065.jpg)
(http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/Wolf_n/Eagle/Mods/Interior/DSC00066.jpg)

I like to bump this thread every so often to keep it from being deleted. This time I picked a picture of the shifter to prove the AX15 comes out of the floorboard in a nice spot in an Eagle.
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: eaglebeek on May 31, 2016, 06:23:23 PM
Bump
Title: Re: The 1300 dollar fixer upper surprise project
Post by: ChickenFarmer3 on March 20, 2017, 01:00:16 AM
nice thread!