I must be f#@!*^& crazy... (Now known as The Camelot '87 sedan)

[83Eagle!]

Sounds like you have made some progress.  That is good.  The gas gauge could be the gauge or the sending unit.  Mine does not work.  When the gas tank gets near empty the needle starts jumping.  Then I know it is time to get gas.  My sender unit seems fine, so I know it is a connection to the gauge or the gauge itself.  I have a replacement one, but after having the dash apart to install the radio a few years ago I swore not open the dash unless I absolutely have to to keep the car running. 

Good luck with the stalling issue.  I fought a stalling issue a few months ago.

[tougeagle]

I was quite amazed when I bought my 83 to find all lights working and the heater strong, with original core and blower motor, with a current 142k miles on it.

Your sending unit is probably the culprit (temp gauge), and that's extremely easy to replace, and they're cheap, around 15 bucks... Just remember to let your engine cool down first

[IowaEagle]

Congrats on a fairly successful maiden voyage.

[djvanyel]

Your sending unit is probably the culprit (temp gauge), and that's extremely easy to replace, and they're cheap, around 15 bucks... Just remember to let your engine cool down first

Well that's simple enough.  Much better than having to try to rip the dash apart.  One question that maybe someone can clarify for me though:

I looked up the replacement temperature sending unit on a few different websites and keep coming across listings that specify that it's for the station wagon and lists no other matches.  For example, I've included a few links below.  I would assume this is the right part regardless of which body style the car is but am I correct?

Auto Zone TU134: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Duralast-Temperature-Switch/1987-AMC-Eagle/_/N-iib6xZ9gsmf?counter=0&itemIdentifier=45267_77401_0_4610

Advance WT398: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Coolant-Temperature-Sensor-BWD_3999645-P_425_R|GRPSESWAMS_547238774___#

JC Whitney 30475G: http://www.jcwhitney.com/engine-coolant-temperature-senders/p2018931.jcwx?filterid=c1651d17210y1987j1&_requestid=5235710

[IowaEagle]

Not to worry.  We all use the same I-6 engine (at least from the factory) -- except for those with I-4's.  The sender will fit all 258's regardless of which body style its in.

[djvanyel]

That's what I thought.  Thanks again IE!  Guess there's some more part numbers for the list.

[djvanyel]

Well, I've finally got the idle problem fixed!  After having the carter professionally rebuilt (and you'd be surprised how few carburetor mechanics there are left these days), we're working out the final little putts in the idle before this car will finally, at long last, be roadworthy.

I did, however make a rather puzzling discovery that I'm putting out to the general population since I'm somewhat at a loss:

This 87 has what appears to be the mid to high range stereo system being that it's fully digital and has AM/FM/Cassette.  I also happened to discover that I have four 4" round speakers as part of my boxes o' parts that came bundled with the vehicle which I fully intend to install since the rear deck speakers are clearly worn from age.  However, when I took a look at the front passenger door, I made the startling discovery that there were no speaker holes or grilles in the panel!  After going to the original driver's door and checking it, I found it too had no speaker mounting.  I then spent some time searching the front of the interior but being unable to find a front pair of speakers.  The new driver's door is bare and has no clear mounting hardware anywhere.  I also noted that the glove box speaker mount had the original blank plate still in place, confirming that there was never a dash mounted speaker either.

So my questions are:
1. Would this car have been equipped with AM/FM/Cassette and only the two rear speakers?

2. Are the front speakers hiding somewhere that I wouldn't expect?

 

[IowaEagle]

It appears you may have a radio delete car that over the years someone stuck a system into, but did not want to mess with the door speakers.

[djvanyel]

Thanks again IE for imparting more of your encyclopedic knowledge of Eagles.  I wouldn't have thought that an '87 would have still been available with a radio delete. 

I read through this post: http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=12804.0 and my supposition is: given there's original-looking (read: old and weathered) rear deck speakers and fender mounted antenna and the head unit is a seemingly correct AMC digital AM/FM/cassette, could the car have been re-fitted with a stereo by the dealer?

I did some more inspecting of the car and found that the previous restorers had begun to run new wiring around the car but never finished it.  It seems they originally intended to cut the door panels and install speakers, but I'm less inclined to cut intact interior pieces.  (Despite this car's ragged appearance, I still want to try my best to keep it somewhat original).

The concept executed here: http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=22001.0 is very cool and I may just copy it since it provides a non-invasive alternative.

[Whuntmore]

I read thru and I couldn't find if your starting (after car turned off) problem was solved.

I had the same thing with my eagle, and it was the fuel pump (if not a leak).  I described the issue, and everybody here posted back "Fuel Pump".  I was having the same issue you are/were.

[IowaEagle]

I fact checked my memory with the AMC literature of the day and any radio configuration remained an option, even in '87.  The entry level radio, then, was the AM/FM monural unit.

[djvanyel]

I read thru and I couldn't find if your starting (after car turned off) problem was solved.

I had the same thing with my eagle, and it was the fuel pump (if not a leak).  I described the issue, and everybody here posted back "Fuel Pump".  I was having the same issue you are/were.

Actually, we originally thought all our problems were due to the fuel pump being bad, but after much diagnosis we found that there were actually two problems causing it to not want to start/run: a clogged PCV valve and the carburetor dumping fuel.  The solution to the carb problem was a full professional rebuild.  It now starts and runs fine and I don't think we ended up replacing the fuel pump after all (so I have a spare fuel pump just in case haha).  I should be writing the driving report in a few days.  We should have all the idle settings fine tuned by then.

[Hawk258]

Congrats on getting the engine stable. **Sends out the Ring Girl with her card that says "ROUND 12"** Looks like you are getting the better of the issues. Good luck.

[djvanyel]

Congrats on getting the engine stable.

Well the term "stable" is somewhat ill-defined since I can tell it's still got a few bugs in the system but thus is our lot with our old-fashioned carburated cars. 

Sadly, the front rotors are the part now keeping it from full operation since they've been deemed too far gone to turn and need replacement before a full alignment can be performed.  We did find out that the AM/FM/Cassette is fully functional and seems to sound just great.

On a more wonderous note...

The gas gauge has been ressurected!  Yes, believe it or not, a simple removal and cleaning brought the gas tank sending unit back to life and it's now (mostly) reading the fuel level properly.  (This was born of necessity since we got tired of having to stop by the gas station on every test drive.)  So, with any luck, a new temperature sender will bring the dash gauges back to full functionality and make life all the much easier (now if it only had a vacuum gauge...)

ROUND 13!...

[djvanyel]

Well I'm a proud papa for sure.  On Thursday I finally got this bird in service and flying again and I've been loving it.  It's been a fun but interesting time learning this car's eccentricities and getting used to driving it.  I will say that I've gotten quite the reaction to it already on the road.  I did discover that the car has a minor roof leak near the front windshield that's causing a drip between the front seats near the shifter.  It's not a major leak, but I'm hoping it's not going to be too hard to trace and seal it.  The alternator belt also seems to not like working so well in wet weather, but I'm hoping a change of belt will silence it. 

The one problem that does bug me is a nasty pinging I get under load once the engine is warmed up.  Connecticut uses a 10% ethanol blend of gasoline that I'm sure is more than partly to blame so I'm currently trying out mixes of 87 and 89 octane to hopefully compensate for our non-recommended gasoline.  Anyone have any tips?