So, I have a 1980 AMC eagle 2 Door Sport. Apparently there are a few oddities on this year since its the first year for the eagle and its always 4WD. It keeps eating wheel bearings on the front passenger side, it does take a few months before this happens however. Now the half shaft (which had been replaced at some point) is also going out. My thought is that I might have the non serviceable hubs and got lucky for a little while with the replacement bearings.
So first the front half shafts. When I look them up @ O'Reilly auto parts I find two options: AM8001 (18 1/8 inches long) and 60-3027 (18 1/4 inches long). I recognize the half shaft that is in there as being the 60-3027, but that doesn't mean its the correct part and might even be the reason for the bearings getting chewed up if its wrong. Since there was no selective drive in this and it used the NP119 transfer case are the shafts different? I've found different axel diagrams that say 80-81 and 82 and up so I'm guessing yes? According to the website they are both compatible with my car, but parts stores don't seem to always have the correct info on these cars, especially for this particular year. I'm just going to replace both front shafts. I know they are the same for driver/passenger, but should probably make sure I get the right one. Any input would be appreciated.
Next up, the @#%*ing bearings! I'm so tired of these things lol. I've been using Timken Set 26 putting the seals in, inner and outer, I'm pretty sure I have the correct O-ring and I'm fairly sure that I have the correct axel shaft to bearing spacer (but not 100% sure on that one). Think I'll just get a whole new hub assembly because I'm pretty sure the last shop that pressed the bearings in cracked the bearing carrier. From what I understand all year eagle hubs should be interchangeable. Is this correct for my car and if so will changing the hub change what half shafts I need to get (assuming there's a difference in shafts)?
Last, the valve cover. Its the one that came made out of metal from the factory. The replacement gaskets just aren't really taking. It appears as though the cover is warped particularly around that stupid lip that hangs over the side. I know that the plastic ones don't work as a replacement for this year (and wouldn't want one anyway). I have found ones that are metal for post 82 for a reasonable price, but have only found one for the 80 that cost something like $270. Is this right or should I just practically glue the original one on there with gasket seal?
I've had this car for quite a long time and over the years I have added the Gronk carb swap (2150), HEI upgrade, since it didn't have a feedback Carter no need to for nutterbypass, and it has newer exhaust since the old one went out 2 to 3 years ago. The good news is its starting and running pretty good. The bad news is that's where the good news ends. The dash mounts are stripped out so the dash sags, mice got in there so my nice interior is going to have to be redone, the wiring is hit or miss, the windshield is leaking and the doors rattle something fierce. That stuff is mostly cosmetic though. First thing is first I want it to operate safely, so keeping the front tire on the vehicle while I'm driving it seems like a good place to start. Oh yeah and patching the sub frame on the driver side lol.
This poor car has never been quite right, but its never stopped running. It has got me through some terrible winters. When all my other vehicles had broken down the old bird fired up every time and got me by till I could get my other rides fixed. She's earned a restore in my opinion. I've done most the work myself (except pressing the bearings in) and have read the E-pedia up and down looking for answers to my problems myself, but most of the information I find applies to 82 and up. I have even taken it to the mechanic a few times. Most of them look at me like I brought in a unicorn and when I ask them questions about what they think is wrong they stare at me like I just asked them the square root of something. Nothing but young guys in the shops and parts stores these days. At one point a younger mechanic pointed at the carb and said "what's that?" and no he wasn't joking. Most of the time I have to go back and fix things that I paid to have fixed. So I've given up on paying someone to do this crap. I get that it's old tech but heck I'm 31 and I know how to work on it, and I don't even do this for a living or always have the proper tools.
I'm running out of money and skin on my knuckles! Well if nothing else I'm stubborn so I'll keep at it. I still love the car even though it might just be some form of Stockholm syndrome at this point. I appreciate any wisdom, parts leads and letting me vent lol.
Topic: Apparently an odd year for an odd car (Read 3719 times)