The SX/4 money pit

[Smitty]

OK, OK this weekend I hope to finally get around to completing the reassembly of the money pit.  The new J10 project sidetracked me but now that it is inspected and running as a daily driver (alternate weeks with the Eagle wagon) I can get back to the money pit. 

Does anyone know if the front halfshafts interchange?  I bought one off evilbay with the thought of swapping out one that has a tear in the boot.  It looks the same and the ad stated it was for either side but I do not know for sure.  This is a reman unit still in the box so I hope it is the right one.

I have a ton of small stuff to hook up yet and I had been toying with the idea of doing the 4.0 head swap and EFI from an XJ but decided that this car has consumed enough $$$ for now so it goes back together as is.  The major stumbling block right now is the hanger for the front diff.  I have the engine and tranny in and on their respective mounts but the front diff is off by an inch or two. Can't seem to line everything up.  Maybe I just need a bigger hammer   Once I get the diff hung and the halfshaft changed I can hang the T case and finish up the odds and ends.  The front balljoints are due to get changed too along with the strut rod bushings.  Still a lot to do but I am the only one here to work on it so I guess I had better get busy.

BTW we have about 4 inches of new snow here tonight and still coming.  Supposed to get more tomorrow and 3-6 inches on turkey day.  What a drag to have to turn the heat on in the garage

[IowaEagle]

Both sides interchange.   Thank you AMC.   Getting closer and closer you are.  Our snow melted, supposed to be flurries tonight.

[Smitty]

Managed to get into the money pit for a bit this past weekend but did not make much headway.  I did get the driver side halfshaft out and decided to do the pass side one too so ordered that from Rockauto.  I spent more time getting the garage heaters cleaned and working than actual car maintenance.  They should be all set for the winter now, all I need to do is buy more pellets for the stove. 

We did have a bit of snow that required my attention:



Since I ate way too much I was not highly motivated to crawl all over the car so I stood back and took an assessment of what needs to get done next.  Looks like my list is still growing:

Remove and replace pass side halfshaft
replace all balljoints while halfshafts are out
hang front diff from engine mounts
bolt up tranny crossmember
install transfer case
install driveshafts
install radiator/hoses/belts
install bunches of small parts removed to get at engine bolts
install battery box and battery
fire up the new engine and see if it runs (it better!!!!!)
remove carpeting and install new
install shifter (maybe a B&M Starshifter)
install AC ducts and guages
install all new exhaust and cat
bleed brakes
replace fender damaged in shipping

drive and enjoy for many years to come.  haha

Think I have a few more nights work to do huh?

[IowaEagle]

What snow?  At least you have a written plan.  Maybe I need to do that.  Thanks Smitty.

[Gil-SX4]

Dont worry looks like you are starting to get ahead of the worke could just be a couple of more months.

[blackbird]

At least you have a garage to work in...ours if filled with motorcycles; so when I want to work on the Blackbird, I have to do it outside in the elements...no matter what the weather. Wish me luck...cold here now, and I still need to fix the hole in the floor pan before the weather gets any worse. And now the transmission is slipping...if it ain't one darn thing, it's another...

[Smitty]

Took today off to work on the car and it is it -17 outside.  Brrrrrrrrrrrrr.  Turned the heat on in the garage but it will be noon before it thaws out!  Those tools are going to be cold to handle.  Guess i will have to have another cup of hot chocolate before I head out there

[IowaEagle]

What's in that Hot Chocolate?  Its 31 degrees here but heavy wet snow with it.  Its coming your way.

[Smitty]

That's what I figure too.  They say that Friday should be mid 30's with 12 to 18 inches of "wintry mix".  Translated as slop!  Will run in later today to fill the gas cans for the snow blower and the generator.

Did not want to hijack your thread anymore.  Slop is right.  Came out of the snow blower chute more like a liquid stream rather than nice fluffy snow.  IE

[Smitty]

Don't ever worry about hijacking this topic, it has digressed in the past and come back on topic so no worries there.  Just came in for a snack but have made some progress today.  You know, we all have illusions of a $1000 23 year old car being a daily driver and this one will be someday.  I figure I have another $2500 in it to date not counting time, shipping charges and gas for those many trips for parts. 

I finally got the front diff hung and bolted into place and will go back out and put the new halfshafts in.  The T case is in too.  I don't know how I ever used to do that without a tranny jack .  Guess I used to be stronger in my younger days (more stupid too ).  I hope to get the driveshafts in today and the car sitting on all four wheels again without the help of jackstands.  I have some pics in the camera but will add those tomorrow as the dial up from home would take forever.  Still have to hang all the new exhaust pipes and cat but Skeezix will be home by then so play time will be over.  The garage is finally up to toasty temps but the concrete floor is still mighty cold!  Will update later.  The saga continues......

[IowaEagle]

You made progress.  Let's see $1000 to buy car; approx $2500 more and you have what probably amounts to a fairly new car.  So what does a new 4WD kinda of like (I know there really isn't anything comparable)  Eagle cost new these days?  And then the new stuff lacks the AMC Eagle's character, good manners, ease of repair and of course all the little endearing AMC quirks.

[Smitty]

We will see how much the new Eagle costs when Jeep releases the Compass next year.  Won't be cheap for sure.  Called it quits for today.  It is now -7 and headed for -20 tonight so it is time to stay inside.  I forgot that I wanted to put in new upper ball joints so I did not get the halfshafts in.  All in all, I feel pretty good about what I did get done today.  The heavy lifting type stuff is done and the rest is just plain ole wrenching..  I believe I have all the parts I need except enough tranny fluid to refill the T case and to fill the rebuilt tranny and new torque convertor.  I did fill the convertor before I put the engine and tranny together so I am not real sure how much more I will need.  Probably just get a case and have enough when I put the 69 Ambo back together.  Need to get the SX/4 out first but the Ambo needs to be finished for the Hot Rod Power Tour in June.

I figure I have a full day left on the mechanicals and another day redoing the interior carpet and pass door handle.  Then we will see how well the new engine runs.

[Gil-SX4]

You sure are making progress on it but then the problems of having fixing cars as a hobby there is allways some ells to fix, do or add on. The never ending project.

[Smitty]

I realized a little bit ago that an honest mistake of the keyboard results in the car being an SX/$.  Not that is a real money pit.  The car is now officially an SX/$.

[IowaEagle]

Never noticed that before.  Hope you did not jinx all of us.  I bet the reincarnation discussed elsewhere today will be that.