Pepe V1.0 was when he first left the factory, and got sold to someone here in Denver from Jerry Morse AMC Jeep Eagle on Broadway. I'd like to think that first owner truly enjoyed the little Kammback, but it ended up being parked from 1992 until I found it in 2008. V1.5 was when I got Pepe back up and running, licensed, and back on the road. V1.6 was the rebuilt transmission, V1.7 was the rebuilt transfer case, and V1.8 was when I transplanted a used 258 engine into Pepe after we discovered the block was cracked.
V2.0 was when Pepe got repainted. There have been a few intermmediate versions since then, like V2.0.1 when I had the new headliner installed along with the overhead console. V2.0.2 was the new tach installation.
I'm here to announce (not quite as big as a Steve Jobs Apple type announcement) that V2.1 is now under development. There were a few spots on Pepe that needed repainting like the fender flares and also a couple spots where the clear coat is flaking off. So while I was finding somebody to do the painting, I thought I might as well do the 4.0 head upgrade. The engine runs pretty good, but I'll always take a little peppier Pepe. Plus the engine sprays oil all over the engine compartment (bad valve cover gasket? Poor PVC seal?) and so I want to take care of that too. I'm also having a new camshaft installed.
Here is a picture of the 4.0l head that Eaglefreek gave me (he is one heck of a nice guy) along with the exhaust manifold and valve cover I picked up from the junkyard.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/285cd115-2a59-4835-bb9d-644978d86fb7_zps8c396f27.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/285cd115-2a59-4835-bb9d-644978d86fb7_zps8c396f27.jpg.html)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/8e1a3807-e966-4d78-85ce-551b1ab8c8be_zps83bab1ea.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/8e1a3807-e966-4d78-85ce-551b1ab8c8be_zps83bab1ea.jpg.html)
When I replaced the engine, I left some of the emissions equipment in there but unattached. Since it won't even attach to the new exhaust manifold, I decided to take out the smog pump and related equipment to make it easier for the shop to get to the engine. Before and after pictures - what a difference!
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/07b2b24d-45ce-4a19-bb3c-92a2caa11566_zps39058108.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/07b2b24d-45ce-4a19-bb3c-92a2caa11566_zps39058108.jpg.html)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000062_zps2572024b.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000062_zps2572024b.jpg.html)
While its in the body shop, I'm having a rear window air deflector installed. I had it powder coated black to match the other black pieces of the car.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/350d2b36-ad1b-47dc-a376-e1701856e500_zpsec400d1f.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/350d2b36-ad1b-47dc-a376-e1701856e500_zpsec400d1f.jpg.html)
I'll keep you posted on the progress!!
Heck yeah!
Way to go! That should light its candle!
I can't wait to see the "peppier" Pepe!
Talked to the guy at the head shop today - that's all he does is work on heads. He is going to freshen up the 4.0L head in preparation for the transplant! I guess its really going to happen now!
Quote from: vangremlin on May 07, 2013, 11:20:04 PM
Talked to the guy at the head shop today - that's all he does is work on heads.
Does that make him the "head guy"?
Quote from: rollguy on May 07, 2013, 11:53:58 PM
Quote from: vangremlin on May 07, 2013, 11:20:04 PM
Talked to the guy at the head shop today - that's all he does is work on heads.
Does that make him the "head guy"?
This is going to become a heady discussion...
@vangremlin, does the head guy also seal off the unused coolant passages in the 4.0 head? :eagle:
Quote from: rollguy on May 07, 2013, 11:53:58 PM
Does that make him the "head guy"?
I believe he is the head guy! His real name is Drew, seems like a really nice guy.
Quote from: eaglebeek on May 08, 2013, 12:03:19 AM
This is going to become a heady discussion...
@vangremlin, does the head guy also seal off the unused coolant passages in the 4.0 head? :eagle:
Eaglebeek, the head that Eaglefreek gave me already had the passages sealed. I believe he said he took it off a 4.0 L engine and was surprised to find the passages already sealed.
The head guy finished rebuilding the head, and the mechanic is up to his elbows in the head transplant. Thought I'd share a few pictures. I'm still trying to figure out how to seal off the hole where the tube went from the intake to the exhaust manifold, controlled by the EGR. If anyone has done the 4.0 head swap before, please let me know how you handled it. It seems like there are fittings (or a combination of fittings) to seal the hole off, but nothing available locally.
Rebuilt head and new cam:
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000082_zpsd43f4d4e.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000082_zpsd43f4d4e.jpg.html)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000087_zps0e13c9b5.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000087_zps0e13c9b5.jpg.html)
The headless 258
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000074_zpsca22299e.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000074_zpsca22299e.jpg.html)
Closeup of pistons and cylinders
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000081_zps7a33c756.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000081_zps7a33c756.jpg.html)
Which cam did you go with? It's been so long, I don't remember which pushrods I went with. But I've heard checking lifter preload on these engines is important. I never did it. I think I just got lucky.
Looks pretty good in there!
over the few years that I have seen this car, I have always liked how it looks. you did a great job with it! :occasion14:
Quote from: eaglefreek on May 16, 2013, 08:19:16 AM
Which cam did you go with? It's been so long, I don't remember which pushrods I went with. But I've heard checking lifter preload on these engines is important. I never did it. I think I just got lucky.
I went with the Comp Cam CL68-115-4, one of the ones you suggested. Sounds like its just right for my needs.
Quote from: Amc1320 on May 16, 2013, 07:22:53 PM
Looks pretty good in there!
Quote from: 1985amceagle on May 16, 2013, 08:34:27 PM
over the few years that I have seen this car, I have always liked how it looks. you did a great job with it! :occasion14:
Thanks and thanks. I'm eager to get it back. I talked with the mechanic today and he is having some trouble getting the intake and exhaust manifolds to both fit on the head. I'm going to take over some of the info available on the net which shows some of the tips to make them fit, like grinding off some of the tabs on the intake manifold so it sits on top of the pegs, and doing a little banging on the exhaust manifold.
Keep up the good work, I'm a big fan of little Pepe (now Peppy Pepe?).
Quote from: Jurjen on May 18, 2013, 06:43:26 AM
Keep up the good work, I'm a big fan of little Pepe (now Peppy Pepe?).
Thanks Jurjen!
Stopped by the mechanic's today, he's making great progress. New cam is installed and the front end is buttoned up. Head and valve cover are installed. Exhaust header installed. There are often issues with interference between the 4.0 header and the engine mount and bracket for the front drive train. He said they heated up the header and bent it to make it fit. I think it came out really nice, it looks like the exhaust will be more accessable than with the original Eagle exhaust manifold!
He needs to modify the intake manifold slightly (trim the tabs for the pin mounting holes so the intake sits on top of the pins rather than them going through the hole) and adapt the power steering bracket a little so it bolts up to the intake, which is now higher. Hopefully its clear sailing from here.
Some pictures of the progress:
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000091_zps7fc16128.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000091_zps7fc16128.jpg.html)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/c14348df-41b0-4020-8ea8-34858e605a35_zps89f42fa2.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/c14348df-41b0-4020-8ea8-34858e605a35_zps89f42fa2.jpg.html)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/1606b3e6-e805-475e-98d0-b65fc10477f6_zpsac2a6748.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/1606b3e6-e805-475e-98d0-b65fc10477f6_zpsac2a6748.jpg.html)
You can see in the last picture how the header now easily clears the brackets, etc.
I picked up Pepe from the mechanic on Thursday. While I haven't driven it too much, its obvious there is more zip to Pepe now than before. It also seems like the engine doesn't have to work nearly as hard as before and it runs smoother. That being said, I don't think this Eagle will ever be a race car without a complete overhaul of the engine and drivetrain. I probably can do some tweaking to eke out a little more HP (different plugs? timing advance? Gronk's cold air intake?) but I'm happy with the results of the head transplant.
Body man said he'd be ready for the touch ups needed on Pepe in a couple weeks!
Here are some pictures of the completed head swap!
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/3f5b0e07-3f88-454f-b680-e786da881e31_zpsfe845beb.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/3f5b0e07-3f88-454f-b680-e786da881e31_zpsfe845beb.jpg.html)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000133_zps246ac7cb.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/Pepe%20V2_1/IMG_00000133_zps246ac7cb.jpg.html)
Good to hear you got it back. So, have you had a chance to mash on it? ;D Is it a little difference or big difference in power to you?
I think we need a video of Pepe launching.......
Varooom,varooom, I wanna ride,Just kiddin. Glad you got it back and hope your happy with it.
If you don't mind me asking about how much did it cost for your guy to install the head for you? Not counting price of parts.
Quote from: Daledevil on June 17, 2013, 06:46:25 PM
If you don't mind me asking about how much did it cost for your guy to install the head for you? Not counting price of parts.
It was about $900 for the camshaft and lifter swap, head install, exhaust header modification, intake manifold mod, etc. I think it was reasonable for the amount of work that was done.
love to work you are doing on your kammback ....... makes me want to get over to my shop and get some work done to mine but right now it is not accessible due to me being a nice guy and offering up my shop as a storage place for a good friend of mine till she can get back on her feet
can't wait for more updates
Resurrecting a dead thread, but I have to know how the upgrade went :D
After reading your thread, I was wondering if something like this kit would work. Is that a good deal, or too pricey if I do it part by part?
http://www.jegs.com/i/COMP+Cams/249/SK68-115-4/10002/-1
That looks like a pretty good price for the that kit.
The upgrade went really well. The car has a lot more zip than it did before, and a lot more than the coupe I recently got with all stock components. I'm pleased with the upgrade!