Over the weekend I was riding around with my friend (he's younger than me, no license, and I like to stay in shape)
And I saw this sweet 51 Chevy Gasser with a 355 SBC.
and a beuatiful Nova with the smae engine, but more streetable.
My friend was next to me as we were talking, at the end of the conversation I asked my friend
"Did you enderstand anything we just said?"
"Only the part about the tires"
It was hillarious.
Even better when I completed my report on my Dream Car (Rebel Machine) in Driver's Ed, I asked
"WHo here understood anything I just said?"
1 person raised his hand.
Same when I did the presentation for my real life car (83 Eagle Wagon)
I love those reactions
Just don't know about this younger generation.
At least EK is furthering their education.
Yup! I wonder if young wrenchers are a dying breed? I hope not.
More people care about style than performance these days, so nobody really knows about what I was talking about
Quote from: IowaEagle on May 31, 2008, 08:59:37 PMYup! I wonder if young wrenchers are a dying breed? I hope not.
I think they are....I was working on the Eagle out back and a young guy (about 18) asked what I was doing (removing the water pump due to an enormous kablooey), and he asked me why bother, why not just buy a new car.
I even had an older guy (old enough to call a 30 year old a kid), the next day tell me he didn't see many "kids like you" working on cars these days.
It doesn't seem that anybody understands the joy of wrenching....
I think the biggest issue is that old-school tech is slowly fading out to 4-bangers that have the same horsepower ratings, so they think they're better... Plus they never get the chance to feel an old V8 pull their face back :P
I think with the advent of aut computers, throw away parts and minimum maintenance needs the days of shade tree mechanics was doomed.
Quote from: IowaEagle on June 01, 2008, 02:14:37 PMI think with the advent of aut computers, throw away parts and minimum maintenance needs the days of shade tree mechanics was doomed.
Almost....I have met the odd person that has actually hooked their laptop up to the computer in their car and done some "tweaking". It may not be old-school, but its still at very least DIY, getting into things and improving (hopefully) a car without taking it to a mechanic, who knows in 10 or 20 years maybe most of the backyard mechanics will be playing with laptops. Its definately better than nothing.
people can already do that with 80s GNs (my buddy with the GN does)
its pretty cool
Quote from: IowaEagle on June 01, 2008, 02:14:37 PM
I think with the advent of aut computers, throw away parts and minimum maintenance needs the days of shade tree mechanics was doomed.
I will agree with that. There are still some simple things that anyone can do, but the vehicles are getting more and more complicated. I do not think I would personally go more complicated that the 1995 Geo I have. I think I might try a few things on the Elantra, but with it still under warranty the dealer says I have to be careful.
My buddy doesn't know crap about cars, he thinks just because there is a little surface rust, it is a piece of junk
man he gets on my nerves all the time now
Quote from: Eagle Kammback on June 03, 2008, 10:45:01 AMMy buddy doesn't know crap about cars, he thinks just because there is a little surface rust, it is a piece of junk man he gets on my nerves all the time now
I know the ones you mean....I tend to encounter people who are either like that, or claim to be really into cars but they always do really shoddy work out of laziness and don't finish anything they start (ie: who on earth only changes ONE break pad?)
I hate to say it but today's mentality might mean that in 30 years from now the only classic cars will be the ones that are already considered classic (unfortunately the Eagles aren't usually included in this). Very sad. A disposable society, driving the vehicular version of a bic lighter as opposed to a zippo. :'(
THis is also the person who will never consider a vehicle that has over 100,000 miles, even if the car is restored to better than facotry condition.
There are not a lot of people who would consider sinking money into a vehicle that has over 100,000 miles on it. Me I could care less as long as it is in good running condition.
Hmmm, an occasional repair or car payments? I will do the repair and continue to drive what others don't.
OK, you guys aren't going to believe this, my friend who gets angry when I refer to my cars or cars I liike as Her or She, and who said I will never buy a car with more that 100,000 miles just bought a car:
1996 Buick Park Ave, 198,000 MILES!!!!
It won't start fo rsome reason, says the battery cables ozze oil when he touckes them, he knows a little about cars, he says he changed the starter himself, but can't do much more than a little above the basics (still more than I thought he could do)
but thats a lot of miles
he couldn't figure out how to change the radio presets, I showed him how veeery easily (push and hold, imagine how confused he'd be with a push button radio)
Couldn't find a few of the spark plugs, I found them easily
He didn't know his grill had an electric start and was battery powered, he's been losing finger and arm hair the way he and his family has been starting it (I know, not car related, but still funny)
I show him everything very easily whenever I'm at his house
Universal Remotes are tougher to figure out than you think :D
we need 5 remotes for only 1 room
We can't figure out the code for our TV
well i was a grease monkey since i was small. i got my first car at the age of 12. It was a 1967 Olds cutlass 330 V8 with a powerglide trans. That what mad me the person i am. I am 25 and i love the work on cars. I hate silly body kit and huge whale wings. Well my sisters 7 & 10 year old boy david wants and eagle and xander toyota truck.
I had alot of cars and trucks and the AMC eagles are the best.
Quote from: IowaEagle on May 31, 2008, 08:59:37 PM
Yup! I wonder if young wrenchers are a dying breed? I hope not.
Sadly, I think that is the nature of technology. Years ago, car compaies started o make car more complex trying to make it so people cannot wrench on them on their own. It has gotten increasingly complex over the years. I find that to be a bit disheartening. Granted there will alsways be people (like TrapperJack, Allend, Jurjen & others) who can seemingly figure out how to make things work, but eventually that may start to die out.
Starting with my generation, (maybe before, sorry I have not really looked) car companies started to make throw away cars. Every company is guilty of it over the last 20 years (except maybe high end performance-type stuff). That has created a mind-set that has started to make vehicles the vintage of the Eagle more scarce. I hate this fact.
Quote from: IowaEagle on June 01, 2008, 02:14:37 PM
I think with the advent of aut computers, throw away parts and minimum maintenance needs the days of shade tree mechanics was doomed.
hit the nail on the head,all they do now is plug into a pc...
Quote from: 83Eagle! on October 14, 2008, 01:44:43 AM
Quote from: IowaEagle on May 31, 2008, 08:59:37 PM
Yup! I wonder if young wrenchers are a dying breed? I hope not.
Sadly, I think that is the nature of technology. Years ago, car compaies started o make car more complex trying to make it so people cannot wrench on them on their own. It has gotten increasingly complex over the years. I find that to be a bit disheartening. Granted there will alsways be people (like TrapperJack, Allend, Jurjen & others) who can seemingly figure out how to make things work, but eventually that may start to die out.
It's actually not that complex, it's just that people get discouraged when they see all the junk under the hood of a modern car.
I will, however, say that cars nowadays are harder to work out, BUT they are more efficaint, so it's a trade off.
That was the main reason I bought my truck. Even I couldn't screw anything up in here.
Clicky pic
(http://[url=http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp168/thetrueb1/000_0358.jpg%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp168/thetrueb1/th_000_0358.jpg)[/URL]
[/img]
This is what it looked like under the hood when I bought it. Great vehicle for a beginning mechanic. Soooo simple.
Picture didn't work
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp168/thetrueb1/000_0358.jpg
is that four F250?
I didn't know you could get the F250 wihth the 300
My engine is easier to figure out than trying to post those *$&@!&*$ clicky pics...
That is the right pic, thanks EK. Have an egg on me. ;D
They did use the 300 in F250s, but not the 302. The 300 tourques like a diesel, mostly at the low end of the scale. The (same displacement pretty much) 302 got most of its power at high RPMS. I've become a big straight 6 fan. 300 coupled with the t18 manual transmission and 4.10 gears. This thing can really haul, but mind you, not very fast. Surprisingly it moves pretty well when not towing large loads.
0 to 60
in a weekend
pulling a house...
Some jeeps used this transmission too, does anyone know if it was used with the 258? We could have Eagles with a 6.32:1 granny gear. ;D Don't ask me what we would ever do with it. Rock crawling, but you don't want a manual for that do you...
Sorry, enough of that Ford stuff.
Seen an Army surplus Ford F-600 on ebay with a 300 six in it.
Eddie
Very powerful engines, with decent fuel economy. All the old UPS fleet trucks used to be powered by these monster 6s. They were used in many other commercial settings, sometimes under the title 301 I6. (I believe, don't ask me why). Not uncommon at all to see them go 300K without a rebuild when properly maintained.
I'm sorry, but I love the straight 6s.
Being a woman and coming from a very "old tradition" family, I wasn't really allowed to play with car or trucks when my dad worked on them. Mom always kinda glared at him and kept telling me "Your a girl and girls don't crawl under greasy dirty cars" Well, if you can hear me up there Mom sorry! I crawl under them into the engine bay all over fixing looking and learning about them. Mind you I am not a mechanic. I keep telling people that. My profession is nursing not auto. But I seem to just be able to fix things when others like my son or partner can't figure it out or get their hands in the right spot. Helps that I am small and short, although I still get laughs when I have to get a step stool to work on the engine in my truck. They can't see the rest of my body but they see my two legs wiggling around trying to balance myself out of my engine bay.
A little while back my partner got frustrated with trying to re charge the air conditioner in her 2004 ford focus. So I looked at the book and dang! I had to remove the front wheel and the inner fender just to get to what looked like the re charge port. Then the dang thing wouldn't "snap" on.. Went back to her said I fixed it and got the "oh how? thanks" I said "yup one thing. just open the window when your hot. who needs air?"
Bme
A good read.
Eddie
Quote from: thetrueb1 on October 15, 2008, 09:01:43 AM
Very powerful engines, with decent fuel economy. All the old UPS fleet trucks used to be powered by these monster 6s. They were used in many other commercial settings, sometimes under the title 301 I6. (I believe, don't ask me why). Not uncommon at all to see them go 300K without a rebuild when properly maintained.
I'm sorry, but I love the straight 6s.
For some reason, Straight 6's appeal to me way more than that of V8's or I4's. Just something about then that calls out to me lol. ;D
If I recall correctly, the Ford 300 is the only engine to get less mileage in fuel injected form
But I think I'll stick with the 302 in my truck, but I do love the torque of a good inline sixer
(ps, here is something for the rest of you I 6 lovers:
http://www.genuinehotrod.com/PartDetail.asp?PartId=8071
i used to own a motorhome with a 300/6 (1967 ford town and country camper) it went pretty well for a brick with wheels
My first car has been this 81 wagon. Never owned anything else. My old man always drove 80s ford trucks, rangers specifically. So when I first got into my eagle, it smelled right to me, like a car should. Now driving anything newer than my mothers 02 stratus seems foreign. My roommate got into a horrible accident and wrecked her saturn (she's fine). Her parents brokered the deal for her new car, insisting she get a new car, despite her wishes. She now drives an 08 ford fusion and pays way too much a month for a car that isn't worth it. I drove this car to pick up my motorcraft 2150 and It had no appeal to me. It was too stiff, the interior was too bulky-weird and I happen to be blahed out by new car smell. I would not want to be driving this car cross state lines (my favorite way to drive). I can't see myself buying a car from this era, specially not a 4 cyl. I'll pay the gas.
Horse, I agree with you about the gas.
There's more to life than fuel mileage.
especially with prices where they are now. At my old job I used to have to drive the delivery van to the bakery in a pinch, being the only one in the kitchen with a valid license. That ford e250 is the only v8 I've ever drove. I hated parking it, but the ease of acceleration with that big engine was worth what ever the gas is.
Quote from: Eagle Kammback on October 15, 2008, 08:35:42 PM
(ps, here is something for the rest of you I 6 lovers:
http://www.genuinehotrod.com/PartDetail.asp?PartId=8071
EK that's awesome! I'm so tempted to get one! First I need to get a REAL valve cover... mine happens to be from a Ford 300... thanks to one overpaid and underworked mechanic! Next time I'll do it myself!
wait, on the Eagle, you have a valve cover from a Ford 300?
I want to see pics of that
I'll post them tomorrow... the friggin' thing leaks crazy, and the mechanic I hired to rebuild my motor went about it in a very backyard mechanic type-way. There's even a bolt, nut and washer in the valve cover somewhere, he told me it had an extra hole in it or something, and he had to plug it. It's been awhile since I checked it out. I mistakenly got a valve cover from a hornet with a 258 in it, thinkin' it would work on my Eagle, but no go.
Actually, I've got nothing better to do, lemme go peak at that rat's nest right now....
Okay, here's some pix... they're not very good... You can see the bolt and washer trying to blend in just behind the PCV Valve...
(http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr162/KarenSue505/PICT8217.jpg)
(http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr162/KarenSue505/PICT8215.jpg)
And, looky what else I found? Just found these two happy dogs in my front yard! Took them to the dog park down the road to keep them from getting hit by a car... I went door to door looking for their owners but no luck. I didn't really want to call the pound, seeing as it's the holiday season, and getting the busted animals out of the pound costs a lot!I'm going to go check on them and take them some water... the Mastiff really has my heart! Too bad I've already got 5 to take care of!
(http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr162/KarenSue505/PICT8218.jpg)
(http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr162/KarenSue505/PICT8219.jpg)
(http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr162/KarenSue505/PICT8221.jpg)
Got them on Craigslist... hopefully their owners will see them there....
Nah, that sure looks like a dreaded AMC plastic cover. The two extra holes on top are for the models where the cover was secured to the rocker bridges. Your mechanic must have been smoking something that day or he/she is one of those people who still believe AMC engines were built by Ford.
Yeah, to be honest he was a real @$$. I never liked the guy, didn't like the way he did business, and the fact that he cracked the original valve cover, and PUT IT BACK ON MY CAR after charging me $4 big ones really didn't impress me. I had to threaten to sue him to get him to fix it, and even after he 'fixed' it, the darn thing still leaks like crazy. He told me it was a Ford 300, but to be honest I don't like Fords, and didn't know what it looked like... just went by what he said.
BTW, hope you find the pup's humans.
Thanks, Doug. After I posted I went to the park where I left them to bring them some food and water but they were gone... hopin' their owners drove by and found them... I'd really hate to think they got out or the pound got them...
Mudkicker... that's the most unique purpose for a washer I've seen yet! I love your valve cover... I think that's going to be my next 'want' after I secure these trim pieces. If I do, this will be the 3rd time I've done the Valve cover gasket myself, and probably the 5th time altogether. (I had help the first two times). ;)
Do you mind if I ask where you got it, how much it was and if it leaks?? ;D (I only ask if it leaks because of your ingenuity there)!
Getting parts for Eagles is hard, I expected everything else to be easy as pie
I went to the local junkyard (overpriced, but they know what they're talking about
I had a list of a bunch of things I needed for the F150, they didn't have a single part.
but they did have an aluminum valve cover for the 258, next time I get money (I bought my dad a couple parts we needed for the van) I'm getting that.
Quote from: Eagle Kammback on January 24, 2009, 05:31:40 PM
I had a list of a bunch of things I needed for the F150, they didn't have a single part.
but they did have an aluminum valve cover for the 258
Wait, What?!?! LOL I would have expected to find the Ford truck parts easier than an Aluminum Valve cover for the 258. Great find, score it!!
So would I, But youve got to remember, the 258 was used in Jeeps too (on Jeep sites, they probably say the 258 Was used in AMCs too)
They didn't even have a dash pad for my truck (they did last time I was there, they never have anything when I have the money)
Dude, even JEEPS are hard for me to find!! LOL (Trust me, I've perused looking for the elusive valve cover). Hehe ;)
Well, he said 81 and up, did they change it for the later years
Well, either way, it should work for me. 1983
until I get a 4.0 HO Head
PArts Stores will hire anybody
I went in there to get transmission fluid the other day for some ATF3 for a Fury that was in the shop
I ask the guy.....there is no ATF 3 back there. Is the ATF 4 the suitable sub.....he says let me check....what type of car......transmission.....I say 727.TorqueFlight....he says .....auto or manual.......its sad really.....
Speaking of parts stores, there's an Auto Barn less than a mile from my house. One night when my wife was driving our newly acquired Isuzu Trooper, she called me to say there was a ticking noise in the engine that would come and go, and she was on her way home. I figured I'd run out to get a filter and some oil and do a change when she got back.
It was 8 PM and the store closes at 9. When I got there, I was the only one in the store other than the cashier and the guy at the counter. I went back to where the filters were, but I couldn't find a book to look up the filter, so I went to the counter. The guy back there was not a kid on a summer job by any means, he was maybe in his mid-50's.
Anyway, I asked him to look up a filter for the Trooper. He asked me year, model, and asked me if I had the 3.1 or 3.2L engine. I was pretty sure it was the 3.2, so I said that. He wrote down the part number for me. I asked him if he could check to see if the 3.1 used the same filter, just to be sure. He said, "No."
Let me say that again: I asked if he could look up the other engine and he said no.
I thought he was kidding at first, but after standing there a couple of seconds I said "What?"
He said, "You're supposed to know what kind of engine you have before you come up here."
Now I'll admit I don't know the first thing about cars, but I do know a heck of a lot about customer service and common decency. I said to the man, "What's wrong-- you too :censored: busy?" He didn't answer.
I tossed the piece of paper back up there on the counter, strongly suggested to him that he should try a certain physical act on himself that is generally regarded as impossible, and walked out. I haven't been back there since.
(Sorry if I'm coming off here as a hothead or something, as I'm usually a pretty patient person, but this guy ticked me off.)
I agree, just poor customer service
well, there IS an advance near me thta is awesome
one of the guys there is a big Jeep guy, and has a bunch of AMC Engine parts
I went in there to get the rear main seal for the 83, and after I said AMC Eagle, he was sitting there next to the guy at the register (I was the only guy in there then) and he said to the guy at the register "Thats the kind of car you need in Massachusetts" and we talked about AMCs and Jeeps for about 20 minutes.
He said he had a Jeep with the 258, and he wanted an excuse to put a V8 in her (AMC V8 too, 360) so he drained the oil completely, and she still ran for 2 weeks, with zero oil. (WHy do people do that, I would sell the motor before I do that)
Talking to the guy yesterday who thinks he knows stuff about cars, he's convinced that ford made a car called the CHeetah that had a V12, that the Tuarus was supposed to have a V12 in 2002, and that there were 1500 or so Vettes made a couple years ago with V12s
Wow where does he get his info from? ::)
LOL :rotfl: ya sounds like he does. A Taurus with a V12 HAHAHAHAHAHAHA ::pause:: would be kind of interesting though. And I don't think Any Vettes came with V12s or did some I'm not too good on vettes even though I am also a die hard GM guy.
No there have never been any factory 12 cylinder 'Vettes. There was a tuner in the 90's who made a few V-12 'Vettes called SnakeSkinner because that's what it took to get a C5 to beat a Viper. They were loosely based on the small block Chevy design. They were ungodly expensive to buy, and they broke even more frquently than a regular Corvette did, which is a scary thought....
CaptCarl
Hmmm learn something new everyday. Although I would like to see one of those SnakeSkinners up close.
he got the info on the V12 Taurus and "Ford Cheetah" from a guy at the Ford dealership he says, I think the guy givinghim that info is just messing around, because he is so gullible
Oh, now that explains a lot now
Quote from: abqcarl on February 26, 2009, 06:43:20 PM
No there have never been any factory 12 cylinder 'Vettes. There was a tuner in the 90's who made a few V-12 'Vettes called SnakeSkinner because that's what it took to get a C5 to beat a Viper. They were loosely based on the small block Chevy design. They were ungodly expensive to buy, and they broke even more frquently than a regular Corvette did, which is a scary thought....
CaptCarl
Did they use one of these engines?
http://www.falconerengines.com/bio/bio_v12.php
Quote from: IowaEagle on May 31, 2008, 08:33:41 PM
Just don't know about this younger generation.
I just turned 21 and I own a Eagle, not all of the younger generation are uneducated.
Extensive research has proven that younger AMC Eagle owners are extremely educated and knowledgeable in many areas.
Quote from: IowaEagle on November 10, 2010, 02:35:49 PM
Extensive research has proven that younger AMC Eagle owners are extremely educated and knowledgeable in many areas.
Thank you, sir.
You did mean me, didn't you? ;D
The word, "younger" was in my reply Jim. You and I, and a few others will just have to keep them fooled.
Well I guess I can add a story in the "cone of confusion" now. I was out at a resteraunt , drove the SX/4 , it was misty / cloudy out so I had the parking lights on, forgot to turn them off.
I noticed a couple of waitresses going around to the tables, and overheard the word " Eagle " , Hmmmmm seems someone left thier lights on : ) . I motioned to one of them and they came over and asked if I had the "Ford Eagle" in the lot, because the lights were on. LOL , Ford ??? I laughed so they asked, well ok who makes it ? When I answered American Motors the twisted eyebrow confused look took over.......and actually I founf out a customer told the manager and he said "4WD drive Eagle" , but it got lost in translation.......
Neat story.
there is no replacement for displacemet,I'm a younger guy (21) and id rather work on a old carburetor or v8 w.e over a fuel injected 4 cyl with a muffler that sounds like a angry fat kid yelling into it.Ive stomped soooooo many civics with the Wood truck,85 Chevy 1ton 13 ft steel bed built 454 3 speed,a few times Ive had a load on too.but i do agree my generation has alot fewer ambitious car guys they would rather be 4cyl bolt on pros
Quote from: WFO386 on April 28, 2011, 08:13:02 PM
there is no replacement for displacemet,I'm a younger guy (21) and id rather work on a old carburetor or v8 w.e over a fuel injected 4 cyl with a muffler that sounds like a angry fat kid yelling into it.Ive stomped soooooo many civics with the Wood truck,85 Chevy 1ton 13 ft steel bed built 454 3 speed,a few times Ive had a load on too.but i do agree my generation has alot fewer ambitious car guys they would rather be 4cyl bolt on pros
I rarely stand up for 4 cylinders.. but I've seen some quick 4cyl car's with a lot of work into them.
I've gotten my :censored: handed to me by an STI before.. but it was FAR from stock.
99% of Civics on the road are a joke in terms of speed. People think they're a lot faster than they are.
There is a lot of guy's very dedicated to modifying import cars, but a lot of them don't know what they are doing and make idiots of themselves.
Every car group's got em though. I've seen tons of Mustang GT's with ugly bodykits and stupid horrible mufflers and giant wings and oversized rims.
sadly that sounds like half the cars here. what ever happened to a fully blown v8 muscle car.
Quote from: maddog on April 29, 2011, 03:54:34 AM
sadly that sounds like half the cars here. what ever happened to a fully blown v8 muscle car.
My husband has a 6-71 supercharger he keeps telling me there's room under the hood of my SX/4 for him to hook it up to my 258...
Quote from: maddog on April 29, 2011, 03:54:34 AM
sadly that sounds like half the cars here. what ever happened to a fully blown v8 muscle car.
They're still around. Just most are owned by older guys now who don't drive them hard because they're worth too much.
The fast and the furious taught kids that imports were way cooler. :-\
Quote from: Sunny on April 29, 2011, 01:08:01 PM
Quote from: maddog on April 29, 2011, 03:54:34 AM
sadly that sounds like half the cars here. what ever happened to a fully blown v8 muscle car.
They're still around. Just most are owned by older guys now who don't drive them hard because they're worth too much.
The fast and the furious taught kids that imports were way cooler. :-\
Hey now, lol, I'm still part of the younger crowd (I think ::)), I drive my V8 car almost daily, I make it a point to at least let breath and stretch its legs every time I'm out with it too >:D. It 's definitly not a muscle car, but it's just as fun, lol. I do know a couple old timers who enjoy their muscle cars, and use them as they were intended 8), nothing like seeing a 5000 pound land yatch just about lift the left front from a launch on blacktop :o.
To priya, I'd love to see that, lol ;D.
I drive my V8 car when it's nice out. :P It doesn't see snow, and it's a PITA to control in the rain.
and I'm still part of the younger crowd for a few years :P
I've owned pretty much nothing but V8's since I got my license.
To you sunny
I just tossed a driveshaht. Its a stroker 6 nat asp mc2100 4 spd. Msd poweted. I can kick ***. With it.
An eagle can fly with a 6cyl. Haha. More upgrades to.
Wait tillmy 304 e=le flies. So buy an eagle sunny
my first car (olds cutless with a 307) was the first v8 i owned. sadly it got stolen although i did find it a year later in a junk yard.
Quote from: mudkicker715 on April 29, 2011, 09:47:54 PM
So buy an eagle sunny
I still like them, just anything that comes up for sale here is either rotted junk, or they want way more than I think the car is worth.