Hatchling from Texax with a question (of course...)

[trucker79005]

Hi everyone, so glad this place exists! I've owned my '78 Concord Hatchback since 1987 but just acquired a 1983 Eagle Wagon limited with 63000 very rough miles on it. I bit off way more than I can chew so I know I will be spending hours reading old posts   In the meantime it has vacuum lines that aren't attached in the 4wd system and it is in 4wd. Can anyone tell me if I will cause damage driving it that way while I'm figuring out how to fix it?? Thanks and look forward to getting to know some of you. I followed one of the stickies and signed up for a photobucket account but when I try to go to these my Norton freaks out.  Anyone know what's up with that?

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii560/trucker79050/Resized952017041595133557_zpsn4vtosen.jpg
http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii560/trucker79050/Resized_20170415_122515_zpsjpo90pgi.jpg



Laura

[vangremlin]

Hi Laura,

Welcome to the Den!  That is a nice looking Eagle you picked up.

When you say its is in 4WD, is it  the switch that is in 4WD or have you confirmed that the transfer case and front axle are in 4WD also?  I believe that if the proper vacuum hoses aren't in place that the car will revert to 2WD.  I don't think there will be any issues driving it that way, but sometimes if the transfer case isn't held in either 2WD or 4WD by the vacuum pressure, you may get a false neutral, which means the transfer case has basically slipped out of gear and you can't go anywhere until you move the lever manually into 4WD or 2WD. 

Best of luck with fixing it up, and don't be afraid to ask questions!

[trucker79005]

Thanks for the welcome The lever is in the 2WD position but with the rear end jacked up I could drive away. I just starting to learn about the system and really don't want to mess up the 4WD since that's why I bought it. I drove it about 300 miles before I even knew it was stuck so it does drive. I just had someone else working through the vacuum lines and I'm trying to decide whether to haul it home or drive it.

[eaglefreek]

Welcome. Eagles have full time 4wd, so you can keep it in 4wd for the rest of it's life with no issues. It may wear the viscous coupler out quicker than if it was just in 2wd, though.

[trucker79005]

That's what I was hoping but thought I better check my assumptions since the lines were not attached.

[AMC of Houston]

BTW; whereabouts in Texas??    A few Texans on here; including me!   And my "Houston" handle is a lie; I'm in Wimberley TX now.

[trucker79005]

I'm close to Follett. I looked it up. Your only 525 miles from me:) gotta love Texas...

[AMC of Houston]

Almost right around the corner!!   Yep; gotta love TX!