Medusa - "Gazing directly upon her would turn onlookers to stone." - Wikipedia
She was a hand-me-down from an uncle of mine. He picked her up hoping to do a quick restoration, but due to time and money restrictions left her sitting under some power lines in rural Virginia. She sat there for about 5 years unnoticed and untouched. Looking to just get rid of the car he asked me if I wanted her. I live and work in New York City and had had little need of a car, but what I did need was a project. This is all rather fortuitous considering my father used to be a service manager at an AMC dealer in Richmond, Virginia.
After changing the oil, fueling her up, replacing the battery, and tinkering with the carb I was pleasantly surprised to see how quickly she woke up. It wasn't too long after that she started showing the signs of her neglect. The transmission started slipping, the exhaust manifold was leaking, and then the head gasket went. This is going to be a project indeed.
I present Medusa.
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/PC271934.jpg)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/PC271931.jpg)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/PC271933.jpg)
Cool! Look forward to watching this. Eggs for taking this on!
Looks like a fun project! Good luck with it!
Hows the under body on her will? From what I can see it looks to be a solid car. Eggs for giving it a new lease on life! I look foward to seeing your progress.
When I was down in Virginia over the holidays my father and I broke the engine down. The rod and main bearing are pristine and the cylinder walls, minus a little carbon at the quench, were in great shape. This is a good thing considering I wanted to avoid boring her. The jury is still out on that though. Ultimately I will have to wait and see what the machinist has to say. I should find out this weekend. Fingers crossed.
As for the head-that is getting sent out this weekend to this place ----> http://larryspower.com/ (http://larryspower.com/)
They are doing the following:
- Three angle valve job
- decking the head 0.030 inch
- porting
I will post pictures of the breakdown when I get home from work.
Best,
Will
Sounds like a good project. This would be a good time to put a 4.0 head and cam on it. Have fun with it.
I second the 4.0 head suggestion, unless you plan on keeping it bone stock (which I would do if it is all original). The junkyard parts for the conversion could probably be had for nearly the same price of machining the head.
Looks pretty sweet, the SX/4 is my favorite (I'm a little biased since I own one also) and I like the b&w pictures. Sure hope you still have all that trim that is missing from the picture :o What kind of package did she come with?
To answer your questions -
Yes I have all the trim. In the photos thus far you can see that it is removed. This was done to inspect for rust spots. Thus far there are none that are visible!
To my dismay she is an automatic. And an expensive one at that. That was the first thing I had to have rebuilt. When I had my transmission guy take her down he told me that whoever had done it in the past had really screwed things up.
Regarding the head - I would like to keep her as stock as possible. Minus a larger cam and a new carburetor. I'm not looking to take her rock climbing or racing. I just want a nice little "peppy," yet reliable weekend car. From what my father tells me, "You can't kill these cars!" When we took the engine apart I was amazed at how there was little to no wear on the rod and main bearings.
Here are some pics of my father and I taking the block apart.
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/PC271911.jpg)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/PC271927.jpg)
As the project starts developing a little more of a colorful momentum I will start including more color imagery.
The black and white is cool format , I like it. As for NYC , argggh, I took a ride there a couple weeks ago to pick up a friends dog due to a flight cancel.He said when you go over the bridge get off on Boat basin ramp.I had come down the Taconic to Sawkill etc etc , and when I paid some $4 toll I saw a big bridge off to the right and headed for it in 5 p.m. traffic - LOL< much to my dismay it took me to NJ !! and cost me $12 to get back across !!
I have some interior stuff and odd parts from an SX/4 parts rig I got awhile ago.
The carter carb isn't too difficult to rebuild if you do it yourself. But I feel that if you change to the Motorcraft carb, you might as well do the head swap with as much engine work as you have into it already. The only thing that looks noticeably different is the valve cover, and you don't have to switch to fuel injection if you don't want to. Just my opinion, I feel that if one thing is changed, the rest doesn't matter.
I got most of my interior squared away first thing. When my uncle let her sit under those power lines and colony of mice made it there home. Poop aside, they ate that carpet up. What I would like to do is find someone to rebuild a stock AM/FM radio with an iPod port. Anyone got any suggestions?
As for the head. I'm nostalgic. I would like to pull as much out of that 4.2 head as possible. Anyone ever put roller rockers on there head? Just started my homework on it.
I haven't looked into the how, but I was contemplating gutting the original radio and installing a newer headunit behind the original face plate. So appearance wise it would look stock, but I could have my CD/iPod hook ups behind it all. Ideally, the original radio face would fold up and down to reveal the new unit behind it.
Maybe you can find someone on here with an AM/FM/Cassette radio, and just use a cassette adapter to the iPod. Otherwise, I believe they do make iPod ports you can wire into the back. They run upwards of $40 and actually play through a designated radio station. However, you could get an FM tuner for your iPod that's cheaper and plays surprisingly clear through the stock radio. My iTrip works very well, and I was contemplating this before too.
I've never done it with roller rockers, but I have yet to do any major engine work on the Eagle. I doubt it would give any kind of noticeable difference in power, and it could create more stress problems in the long run. Although, it might be safe or necessary if you do upgrade to a more aggressive cam. You just might have to worry about things like valve float and bending pushrods. I think stronger springs would be a sufficient upgrade with the new cam.
The only thing I can think of that will add more power to the stock engine is to build a stroker. There are a bunch of members on here that can help you with that. Nothing else will give significant increase in hp without changing the look or getting rid of stock components. Ways to increase hp would be: ignition upgrade, 4.0 head swap, fuel injection, high flow exhaust, stroke the engine, manual trans conversion, change the differential gears- Not all of the ways, just the most common.
Quote from: Baskinator on January 25, 2012, 11:40:57 AM
I've never done it with roller rockers, but I have yet to do any major engine work on the Eagle. I doubt it would give any kind of noticeable difference in power, and it could create more stress problems in the long run.
I can't see that. How do you figure that would be the case?
I'm just saying that yes, it would decrease the amount of friction, but it would add unnecessary complexity to the engine and leave more room for failure in the future. The bearings can wear down, especially if you skimp on the rocker quality to save money.
Quote from: Baskinator on January 25, 2012, 12:11:15 PM
I'm just saying that yes, it would decrease the amount of friction, but it would add unnecessary complexity to the engine and leave more room for failure in the future. The bearings can wear down, especially if you skimp on the rocker quality to save money.
I've ran roller's in almost all of my hi-po built motors. I never had a problem, and those motors all took a huge beating, pretty much everytime I got in the seat. As long as they are set up properly, I don't see them being less reliable than stock. If anything it's less stress on the motor, faster revving and a bit more power on a hi-po motor.
Fair enough. Like I said, I've never done it and have yet to do major engine work on there. I just can't imagine spending the money to buy all new roller rockers when they might only add a couple hp. Unless the entire engine is being overhauled, I'd just as well clean it up thoroughly and put it back together. It's a different story if you plan on doing everything to make a high performance engine, as opposed to just tweaking a single component.
Sorry for the heated debate Will, I hope some of the info helped. There are certainly plenty of people here that know more than I do about these cars, I just have my own way of going about things. We can definitely learn a lot from what they have to say.
Man, I'd love to come down to VA and help if I had the time and money. Sure beats the cold weather!
Quote from: Prafeston on January 25, 2012, 11:21:27 AM
I haven't looked into the how, but I was contemplating gutting the original radio and installing a newer headunit behind the original face plate. So appearance wise it would look stock, but I could have my CD/iPod hook ups behind it all. Ideally, the original radio face would fold up and down to reveal the new unit behind it.
The answer on the AMC Forum.
http://theamcforum.com/forum/mp3-player-with-old-radio-one-solution_topic16338.html
Rohn, that is quite a task it seems. I'm no electrician! I guess if I wanted to go that route I could probably follow the directions though.
Quote from: Prafeston on January 25, 2012, 11:14:49 PM
Rohn, that is quite a task it seems. I'm no electrician! I guess if I wanted to go that route I could probably follow the directions though.
If you continue reading that thread, there is a link to a place that will do an ipod conversion. They specialize in Mopar radios but perhaps they would also tackle an AMC
http://www.wardsclassiccarradiorepair.com/id17.html
Quote from: Baskinator on January 25, 2012, 07:41:19 PM
Fair enough. Like I said, I've never done it and have yet to do major engine work on there. I just can't imagine spending the money to buy all new roller rockers when they might only add a couple hp.
You are right in that sense. Putting them on a stock motor is a waste of money in my opinion. My point was just, that they aren't really 'unreliable'. On a 110HP motor, you'd be lucky to see a few HP increase. Maybe 1-2?.
Quote from: Sunny on January 26, 2012, 03:47:07 AM
On a 110HP motor, you'd be lucky to see a few HP increase. Maybe 1-2?.
That's what I was thinking, and with power lost through the drivetrain (especially the auto trans) it would be very unlikely that anyone would notice a difference.
Thanks for all the responses guys. This week has been crazy so I haven't had much time to respond. I will take a look at everything this weekend and give a proper response. The only thing on the blotter this weekend is building a shipping crate for the head. Pictures will follow.
Best,
Will
QuoteIf you continue reading that thread, there is a link to a place that will do an ipod conversion. They specialize in Mopar radios but perhaps they would also tackle an AMC
Sent them an email inquiring on the 1983 AMC Eagle stock radio. Looking forward to a response.
QuoteSorry for the heated debate Will, I hope some of the info helped. There are certainly plenty of people here that know more than I do about these cars, I just have my own way of going about things. We can definitely learn a lot from what they have to say.
No worries all. Debating is the only way one learns. I have a tendency to get a little ahead of myself. After having done some reading I think rollers rockers, considering my build, would be overkill.
Quote from: Prafeston on January 25, 2012, 11:14:49 PM
Rohn, that is quite a task it seems. I'm no electrician! I guess if I wanted to go that route I could probably follow the directions though.
I have a collection of stock radios so I might have to pull one of them apart and see what I can do with it. If I ever find the time. :(
oh my!~ any of them working? preferably one I could slap in my 83?
I have a spare '83 with a radio...my radio in my DD '83 is busted and I haven't tested the spare radio yet. Funny thing is the spare, even though it's the exact same year and model, came with a different radio than my DD.
Here is what my current radio sounds like...good thing is the radio works...the cassette player is just busted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMTnseDGqUw
Quote from: Prafeston on January 27, 2012, 01:33:57 PM
I have a spare '83 with a radio...my radio in my DD '83 is busted and I haven't tested the spare radio yet. Funny thing is the spare, even though it's the exact same year and model, came with a different radio than my DD.
Here is what my current radio sounds like...good thing is the radio works...the cassette player is just busted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMTnseDGqUw
you sell'n? if so, just shoot me a pm.
Anyone buying plasma molly piston rings for their Eagles? If so, where?
If the radio works better than the one I have in my current Eagle I'm keeping. If they both suck I'll gut one and try my idea of just having a folding down/detachable original faceplate with an new headunit installed behind it.
I stupidly switched my battery in TQ to Freeagle to see if I could get it to turn over and I didn't even think to check the tape deck while I had it in there. Car is located at my dads so I can't just go out and swap them real quick.
I live in NY and can sell you a bridge " : )
Quote from: Prafeston on January 27, 2012, 01:33:57 PM
I have a spare '83 with a radio...my radio in my DD '83 is busted and I haven't tested the spare radio yet. Funny thing is the spare, even though it's the exact same year and model, came with a different radio than my DD.
Here is what my current radio sounds like...good thing is the radio works...the cassette player is just busted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMTnseDGqUw
That's so Nive ;) hahaha.
Quote from: Baskinator on January 28, 2012, 12:21:40 AM
That's so Nive ;) hahaha.
Hahaha, I see you found some of my other videos! :)
That was pretty epic, not gonna lie.
Quote from: Baskinator on January 28, 2012, 03:01:08 PM
That was pretty epic, not gonna lie.
Unfortunately I didn't win the contest, maybe had my Nivemobile at the time been my current Eagle I would have won! :)
Hey man , you play " Reach " still ??
Quote from: 68AMXGOPAC on January 28, 2012, 04:59:01 PM
Hey man , you play " Reach " still ??
Every day I can! :)
My new gamertag is UNQ UncagedRage
ADEM WEST - is mine : ) - I play with an over 50 group on Tuesday nights at nine - 2old2play.com
Otherwise I play allmost everynight , that or GOW3 now.
Finished the head crate this weekend. Should be sending her to the shop this week.
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/P1291965.jpg)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/P1291968.jpg)
Wow, that's a pro looking box you made man!
Need your help deciding on an intake. Given my build - aka daily driver with a little pep, should I go with the clifford intake or just stay stock. Just to refresh all, this is what has been done so far.
Head -
- Three angle valve job
- decking the head 0.030 inch
- porting
Other -
- Motorcraft 2150 conversinon via GRONK
- COMP Cam Kit (Specs Here http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-CL68-115-4/)
- Clifford Header
All afore mentioned parts have been bought and are sitting in the garage. There is no turning back now! The big question here is, "Is the clifford worth the money?"
I haven't had experience with the Clifford, but I feel like there are plenty of other things you could use the money for instead. Whatever intake you use, it should also be ported since you're doing it to the head. I plan on using the stock intake on mine and cleaning it up real nice, but that's partly because I don't have a lot of extra money :P
I used the stock eagle intake for my stroker. shaggimoused a 4v intake on his 4.0 kee. he liked it
Just pm me i want this cable
Stock manifold it is.
The stock intake is great in its native form but with a little cutting and grinding, it can be made even better. An afternoon's worth of work and beer doesn't cost anything more than the beer you consume.
tell me more of this cutting and grinding you speak of!
Yes, yes, I'm curious too... Are you referring to needing to move the manifold up to match the raised intake ports?
I would think just porting the intake would be necessary. It'd be pointless to port the head and not the intake/exhaust, because there would still be raised edges to decrease flow. I think all you really need is a rotary tool with grinding attachment(s) and a steady hand.
yup. I spray painted a gasket, installed the intake, then removed the intake and cut/grinded/finished out everything that had paint on it. simple.
Nothing new as of yet all. Just took the engine block to the machine shop. As suspected the block is in perfect working order. This is a relief because I really wanted to avoid boring. The head is still at the machine shop. I will post some pictures when it comes time to reassemble. My question is this.
The car is a Jamaican Beige and the trim is Copper Brown Polly. Can anyone recommend a good distributor to match the color?
Where is everyone buying their headers? Clifford?
Quote from: Will on March 13, 2012, 08:43:03 AM
Where is everyone buying their headers? Clifford?
Yes, as far as I know they're the only ones who've ever provided headers for the Eagle. I'm not sure, but they may have stopped producing them but I think in the past they did do up a batch when a group of Eagle owners approached them for a bulk buy.
Last I knew they still had some and were happy to sell them, and get read of them.
I have one purchased from them but have never installed it yet.
emailed clifford. thanks all.
Ugh. Just got work from my machinist that the engine has to be bored. I was hoping to avoid this, but alas boring is required. My question(s) is this? Can I bore 0.010 of an inch or do I have to go 0.020? Anyone know if I can buy pistons that are 0.010 inch over standard?
Moving on. How are my fellow eagle members lifting their Eagles? I was looking to add about 3" to Medusa.
Never seen .010 over in the auto world, either way you need pistons & rings, so why not go to .020, you have plenty of material???
You can add a 1" spacer to the front springs and get 2.5-3 inches of lift. I also here the ESPO springs...which are really for a javelin gives a bit of a lift...so you could do some new javelin springs and like .5 or .75 inch spacer on the spring.
Springs - http://www.springsnthings.com/AMC-suspension-parts You'll have to call in to make an order.
Spacers - uhg I can never find the site where I've found the cheap spacers for the coils, but there is usually a couple on the bay.
The backs you can get an add-a-leaf or get an extra leaf from a couple different vehicles. I think the S-10s fit and the Cherokees.
You can buy some Air Shocks for the rear too and that might lift it up a bit. There is also usually a set or two of some rear shackles that I know a couple members have used on their Eagles. Those can be used for like a 1"-4" lift, depending on which hole you use.
Found the site with the spacers on them!
http://www.andysautosport.com/amc/1980_1987_eagle/suspension/lift_kits/leveling_lift_kits/spc/
thanks! the front spacer should do just fine. how many leaf springs should I add to get the the same amount of lift in the rear?
http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=158.0
Jump to page 4 if you want.
Looks like it's as easy as just adding one add-a-leaf for an XJ Jeep. Some people are replacing all the leafs while they're at it.
From what I have read so far it looks as if I buy the 1" spacer for the front I will get 3" of lift in the front, but if I get the add a leaf kit I will get 2" of lift in the rear. This make sense? If so then how do get the other 1" in the back? Very confused. If someone could point me in the right direction aka - buy this part(s) from here and install there.
On a side note. I got a slew of 258 engine parts ready for installation including:
Mallory Ignition http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-4760101/ (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-4760101/)
High Flow Water Pump http://www.hesco.us/shop.asp?action=details&inventoryID=42922&catId=7967 (http://www.hesco.us/shop.asp?action=details&inventoryID=42922&catId=7967)
Engine Paint http://www.eastwood.com/ew-ceramic-engine-paint-quart-amc-blue.html (http://www.eastwood.com/ew-ceramic-engine-paint-quart-amc-blue.html)
Headers http://www.cliffordperformance.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CP&Product_Code=57-2300&Category_Code=J258 (http://www.cliffordperformance.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CP&Product_Code=57-2300&Category_Code=J258)
Pistions http://www.jeep4x4center.com/020-over-pistons-w-pins-8134441-02.html (http://www.jeep4x4center.com/020-over-pistons-w-pins-8134441-02.html)
Pictures will follow in May when I head down to VA to begin the rebuild.
That link I showed you had several spacer sizes...you could go with a smaller spacer up front to get a 2 inch lift...or I think you just add another leaf in the back. There is also some shackles kits available on eBay that can give you 1-4 inches of lift...you could skip getting new leafs all together if you got one of those.
I searched for leafs yesterday and found they run about $100 each at most places. They can also be custom bent to give you the 2" lift your lookoing for. Probably the cheapest and easiest route to go since you just replace the old with the new.
I strongly suggest not raising the front more than 1.5" to 2". The CV joints in the front will be operating at a constant extreme angle with a 2" lift. Any more than that and you risk them popping and grinding going aroung corners. You also risk clearance issues.
http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=171.0
Gil-SX/4 made the write-up above with pics to explain.
The front differential is tucked up under there, but if you're up to it you can drop it down a few inches to compensate for your lift. You just have to watch the exhaust routing.
The high-flow pumps are nice, I have a Flo-Kooler in both the Eagle and Pacer. It's a different design but a similar idea.
Ever since owning the Pontiac I've understood the difference a good pump makes; their V8s are really sensitive to flow. The stamped steel like we have always make them overheat, and you really need a cast impeller, it looks like that Hesco impeller, that hasn't had the fins machined away at the edges.
On the stock AMC pumps, look at the gap between the impeller and the body on the pump. If the gap is more then .060 it's just wasting power. I've seen cheap aftermarket pumps have over 1/8" (.125) of gap. It's not something that you notice on the highway, but stopped in traffic on a hot day that gap can make your car overheat. It can also make your pump rub against the sleeve on cylinder 1.
Did some work on the Medusa last weekend. Here are some pics.
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/P5312205.jpg)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/P5312212.jpg)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/P6012219.jpg)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/P6022225.jpg)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/P6022222.jpg)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/P6022227.jpg)
It's looking sexy! :)
8) Love the alamosa aqua, it takes on many different shades light pending.
Quote from: Prafeston on March 29, 2012, 09:16:11 PM
Found the site with the spacers on them!
http://www.andysautosport.com/amc/1980_1987_eagle/suspension/lift_kits/leveling_lift_kits/spc/
glad i read this thread! thanks Prafeston, ive been searching where to find them for my wagon. your the man!
I also found them on amazon...purchased them a like 2 weeks ago though and they haven't even shipped yet. Not sure what the deal it. They were much cheaper to ship through Amazon. Free actually so total they were like 44 bucks. Though I'm gonna have to call and see what the deal is on them not shipping yet.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SBXROM/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
just clicked on the one listed on amazon, it says "ships within 1-2 months haha, YIKES, better get on this quick!
Yeah I missed that when I ordered May 25th...still hasn't even shipped. I emailed them after my post earlier and it sounds like they are gonna try to get it too me as quick as possible. They upgraded me to 2-day shipping once they get it from the supplier.
Getting ready for new paint!
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/IMG-20120621-00061.jpg)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/IMG-20120621-00060.jpg)
Oooo what color? Or must we wait?
I hate to be anticlimactic, but I'm keeping her stock.
Tan and Brown huh...with all the color you are putting on the engine I figured you'd go with some a bit more radical! :)
Hard to beat originality.Just my two cents anyway. She is looking fine! Keep up the nice work and you will be well rewarded for all your efforts.
Regardless, I think it will look beautiful! The engine looks great, but oh man that distributor cost more than my entire 4.0 with wiring harness, new gaskets and parts. Hope it performs well!
thanks all. i like the idea of her being business on the outside and party under the hood if you catch my drift. I spared no expense when it came to machining the head and block or the engine accessories'. It should be interesting to she how she performs once I get that new engine in, because the old engine is running like a tired john deer tractor. Minus the new headers and 2150 carb the engine is almost done. pics will follow.
I am curious as to what the budget is. Of course it would be unobtainable unless you can do most of the work yourself. This car is just another example of what makes our group so special. Members here do it for passion and not just to get their money out of a car. Some of the rust repairs alone on the nest are worthy of $100,000 cars yet they are only worth a few grand when completed. Few vehicles aside from Amc/Jeep can compare on owner passion. Our level of dedication rivals Hemi owners but then they have financial reward as part of their motivation, Not that we all don't love muscle cars just for being muscle cars, but how much of those projects would happen without the financial reward.
And besides that if you took out the big motors,removed all the go faster stripes and badging you would just have another plain ole car.Wonder how many of those owners would be willing to spend countless hours on. Not to mention the dollars. Can't imagine spending over a hundred grand for a hemi cuda with a six cylinder motor and no shaker hood. Just my two cents anyway!
I never really started with a budget. To be honest when I got the car the only thing I planned on doing with it was painting it at the most. One thing always leads to another and I hate seeing things half done. Granted, Medusa is no muscle car, but for what she is - she is perfect for me. I wanted a car that was both versatile and unique. That is what I got. Even before I had her on blocks people would always ask me with a certain level of amazement, " What kind of car is that?" If you love things Americana like I do then there is nothing better then saying, "Its an Eagle."
anyone know where i could buy some interior dye / paint in the color of nutmeg?
I have a shift console that needs coloring.
http://www.duplicolor.com/products/vinylFabricCoating/
it will be HVP108 - Desert Sand or HVP113 - Medium Beige
http://www.duplicolor.com/products/vinylFabricCoating/
it will be HVP108 - Desert Sand or HVP113 - Medium Beige
hmmm. none of those seem to match. guess i should just buy a console gauge in nutmeg.
I suggest you take a sample (a piece of trim you want to match) to an auto parts store that has a large automotive paint department. That's how I got on to SEM Color Coat, and it has worked very well for me in 2 colors. One of our O'Reilly's had a very good paint man.
what color is your console now
its some god awful maroon color.
ok what if you paint it black. would that be better
anyone ever put a grant steering wheel in their bird? not sure what installation kit I should buy. any suggestions?
It would be the same kit as an 80's GM intermediate ;) (montecarlo, malibu, grand prix, regal, cutlass, etc).
thanks shag!
No prob. Keep in ming there is two different types of horn contact, one with a sport wheel (push button type) and one with a "corporate" type wheel (has a lead wire). Same goes for the gm version, so just pick the one you need.
Did you ever find a solution to your iPod/radio dilemma? I would imagine a stock radio could be internally modded to inject a line-level signal right at the volume control. I have a stock radio here... I should do some tracing and give it a shot. Might be a mod I could repeat easily, with minimal parts cost.
if you can figure that out then it would be a big help. i have yet to find a solution to that one. may just end up going with a retro sound radio.
think I'm going to have to call grant direct. every possible selection i made for a GM installation kit came up with nada. looks like grant needs to so some research themselves!
Grant makes a kit for early 80s GM cars and trucks. That's the one you need. And if you have the extra coin, they make a billett adapter in polished and black anodized if you want a cleaner look. And a solution for your iPod/stereo interface is go through one of the aftermarket vendors that makes an FM modulator/usb setup. I've seen a good one but can't remember the name off hand... They have a logo in their name that looks like a modern electronic device's power button, that's all I remember. You get a USB charging port, a headphone type audio connection and the modulator in the kit for like $90. It's a very sanitary installation... I hope that helps...
Thanks Idaho. Is this the audio kit your referring to?
http://www.amazon.com/Peripheral-PAC-IS77-Universal-Radios/dp/B002IY598O/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1348320695&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Peripheral-PAC-IS77-Universal-Radios/dp/B002IY598O/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1348320695&sr=1-1)
Or you could go this route: http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=38784.0;all (http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=38784.0;all)
I would love to do this when I have the money. You don't have to chop anything, it retains some stock look, and it is just a plain awesome radio.
Thanks Baskinator! Probably gonna go this route!
That's just about exactly the setup I was thinking! It is a great option with the cleanest way to mount things...
I have a Grant wheel on my AMX , just bolted right on , horn button is a bit rattly on bumps, metal to metal, and it loosend/shorted up once and started blowing while I was away at work - LOL.Got a red one to match the interior, and because it was smaller diameter, the old 68 wheel is nice, don't get me wrong, but I like the fatter smaller diameter of the Grant.
HELP! In desperate need of these clips!
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/clips.jpg)
If that isn't it perhaps another option is to find one of those rapid prototyping places that can scan one into a computer and "print" the 3 dimensional model in a tub full of powdered plastic. Probably be pretty pricey but if you gotta have 'em you gotta have 'em.
Used to be available at the nest store, but not since its shutdown, try your local Body Shop supply jobber (not advance or auto zone, etc).
I need help finding the following:
1) Interior trim. Both drivers and passenger side.
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/IMG_0586.jpg)
2) Thought that there was some kind of plastic that went on these things.
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/IMG_0584.jpg)
3) Got one. Need the other!
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/IMG_0583.jpg)
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/IMG_0582.jpg)
Got most of the trim back on her last weekend. Will get the engine and the dual exhaust knocked out over thanksgiving.
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/IMG_0616.jpg)
Now thats sweet! Really like it. If you find the round hood bumpers will you let me know where you found them? I need a couple myself. I did see the trim pieces you are looking for on the big auction site. May not be the color your looking for but you can easily fix that. Again love your car!
:oOH man that eagle really looks amazing. love your car
Great looking Eagle.
#2 at one time had a plastic bushing on the post. The Help aisle has replacement posts that don't require bushings - the post is as large as the old bushing. I replaced several but don't have the parts number. Some of the members here will probably have it. That's how I found them.
On the strikers, people have used copper pipe to replace the plastic since it's soft. It behaves reasonably like the old nylon would. Alternatively, several layers of heat-shrink tubing have been tried as well.
Man that looks sharp :occasion14: .
For the hood bumper
(whole kit or just bumper)
http://www.americanpartsdepot.com/HoodsParts.htm
71-88
All
Hood Bumper Kit - 2 or 3 required (bumper & bolt )
120 0107B
$11.50
61-88
All
Front Hood Bumper
120 0105
$4.50
http://www.kennedyamerican.com/buildCatalog.asp
Hood
front hood rubber bumper-on adjuster
DT256
$5.00
I can only find the whole strikers (all steel and stainless), neither have any rubber bits it looks like.
Found a great solution for the door striker nylon sleeve. A few months ago I purchased a cheep siphon kit for around ten bucks that worked for a short time before giving up. Guess it didn't like the brand gas I was using. Anyway when I pitched it I kept all the nylon tubing in case I might find a use for it. Well I did! I cut a piece big enough to fit on the striker in the recessed part then slit it and then put it on the striker. It fit perfectly and I shut the door. Now the door sounds great when it closes and it only took a few minutes to do. Sounds so good when the door closes that I am going to do the rest of the doors also. Should last for quite a while being nylon and besides I have a life long supply of this stuff.
On those side trims pieces - do need an exact match or can you paint them to match ok ?
Pm me , more likely to see the reply, I stripped out an SX4 couple years ago, but I think it's a shade lighter in trim color.....not sure
Quote from: Will on October 27, 2012, 10:16:52 AM
Got most of the trim back on her last weekend. Will get the engine and the dual exhaust knocked out over thanksgiving.
(http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab244/Bellrogg/IMG_0616.jpg)
That thing looks great! Nice color combinations.
Now that sir is one beautiful SX4....I think your gonna have to change her name to Aphrodite...Beautifully executed restoration. Quick too!
Inspirational ! Very nicely done restoration.
I remember following this build. This car turned out great! Let's have an update Will!
Hey all. It's been an interesting year since the restoration. I'm having a hard time locating a thread on Distributor upgrades. Any recommendations? I'll try and get some pictures up for you over the holidays.
Best,
Will
HEI upgrade, gets rid of the old stock ignition system which was garbage, and performs really nicely. I got mine from Skip White on eBay...it's really helps the performance and MPG as well.
http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=6511-R
this looks great! will i have to change out the gearing on the distributor?
Those come with the right gear already. Just lube the new one before installing