New SX/4 owner (hopefully)

[jdowney3]

Hey guys,

I've been looking for an SX/4 project car for a few months now and I've finally found 2 that both seem decent so I'll be looking at one this weekend and one next and will hopefully own one of them soon after. This seems like it will be a great resource.

[Prafeston]

Awesome! Good luck picking one of them up! What are the details on the two of them? Both project cars? Sport models?

[IowaEagle]

A First Thumbs Up and welcome to the Den.  Keep us posted and we do like pictures.

[jdowney3]

I looked at the first of the two possibilities this weekend. It was an '81 SX/4 with the sport package. The current owner has fixed multiple rust spots on the body, but the driver's side front quarter panel probably just needs to be replaced (see picture below). I couldn't find any obvious rust on the frame, but the extensive history of body rust concerns me a bit. The engine sounded great though and only has 25,000 miles on a rebuild. I didn't get a chance to drive it because it's on blocks while the owner was doing the body work.



It seems like a decent car, but I have a couple questions. First, what are the odds are that there is undiscovered structural rust given that there was/is so much body rust? Also, am I likely to find a replacement quarter panel?

I'm looking at an '83 SX/4 this coming Sunday, the ad didn't mention whether it was a sport or not and it didn't have the fog lights so I'm guessing not. I talked to the owner and he said it needs a front CV joint replaced and has a spot of rust on the tail gate but it otherwise in great shape. He also mentioned that he replaced the electronically controlled carburetor with an older version that was more reliable and not electronic. I didn't know there were electronically controlled carburetors, but is that something that's commonly done, or is likely to mess anything up?

I had trouble finding any available SX/4s and I'm planning to do a decent amount of work, whether that ends up being maintenance or upgrades, so I don't mind a worn car I'm just trying to make sure I don't get one that is unsaveable. I appreciate any advice or thoughts.

[IowaEagle]

That rust is typical of what can lurk under fender flairs.  That fender looks like it can be saved.   Yes, first year Eagles came without electronically controlled carbs. It is easy to remedy the computer controlled carb issues in a variety of ways.  The stuck with the non-feedback Carter to solve his issues.

[EagleFam]

Congrats JDowney3. I believe you are making some great choices in going with the SX/4.

I'm anxious to see some pics of the one you buy.

You mentioned the electronic carburetor. For our Eagle 258 my wife and I went with a 2 bbl carb that would normally go on a 1966 Ford 289 with the automatic transmission. We like it better than the carb we took off the AMC 258.

[jdowney3]

I've decided to go with the first one I saw despite the body rust. I'll be picking it up in two weekends and I'll be sure to post pictures when I do. I've got some work ahead of me but I'm excited to get started.