Greetings from Salt Lake City!

[Kaboc]

Hi!  My name is Paul (Username Kaboc), and I'll admit I've been a frequent guest to the Nest.  Anyway I figured its about time to join in and share.  Though I have no idea of hat to share, so I'll share what comes to mind.

I bought an 1982 Eagle Wagon Limited in May of last year.  Early last year I caught the AMC bug BAAAAAAAAADDD!  I was so excited by AMCs that my Mopar (Plymouth) grandpa lent me the money I needed to buy the Eagle.  Now it is a joint project for us.

Currently my baby isn't in running condition, but I hope to have it on the streets terrorizing Subaru Outbacks soon-ish (1-3 years).  When I bought my Eagle the previous owner had stated that he couldn't get the transmission to engage gears, and that he finally put it up for sale because one day he couldn't even get the engine to start, and didn't want to take the time to try and fix it.  My grandfather and I have been able to get the engine to start, but it still won't engage gear (LONG STORY).

Anyway, I figure that with the help of people here on the Nest I'll be able to get my proud and noble bird flying down the road again!  And I've run out of steam, if there is anything that I've forgotten or that you all would like to know, please reply.  I look forward to getting to know you all!

[rohnk]

Hi Paul,
Nice save to bring back another Eagle. I picked up an SX/4 myself just this last December. It too will be given a though cleaning and lots of worked planned on it. I want to make a driver/show car out of it. I've always liked the Eagles since my first car was an SX/4. It's not true that you can't go back! I'm reliving part of my childhood by having this Eagle!

Have fun and post pictures! I'd love to see your new project!

Rohn

[jim]

Welcome.   If you haven't done so, check for false neutral.  There are many posts here about it.  You should be able to do a search for it.

[Whuntmore]

Welcome to the Nest, Paul. 

Eggs to you for saving one.  That's one more that won't see the crusher.  There are tons of write-ups and how-to's to fix, and mod your eagle.   

[thereverendbill]

Welcome to the nest.  what section of Salt Lake City you live in (I lived in and around west jordan, Utah for nearly 12 years).  As far as the not going into gears goes do you have an automatic or a manual bird? (after checking for false neutral of course)

[Kaboc]

I currently live in West Jordan, and have for ten plus years (most of my childhood), of course I did go to Logan Utah for college.  I'm twenty-three, and started catching the AMC bug when I saw at my school, Utah State University, an Eagle wagon parked.

As to my Eagle's (Auto) transmission problems I should probably start the story at the time of purchase.  When I bought the Eagle I also got a bonus transmission out of it.  The previous owner was a guy 'round about my age who had a pair of Hornet liftbacks and the Eagle.  He had apparently had trouble with the original transmission in the Eagle so he had switched out the transmission and transfer case with the transmission from one of his Hornets.  When I bought the Eagle I loaded the Eagle's original transmission and transfer case into the back of my grandpa's truck and the Hornet transmission was and is still bolted in.

I'm considering swapping out the auto transmission with a manual when I have the money, and the time, as I'd like to have better fuel economy.  Either way, regardless of what it is that is wrong with the transmission in my Eagle, I'm not too concerned about the one in it.

Sorry, I probably should have included that in my previous post.

[mudkicker715]

Check the eaglepedia dor the trans swap. I went from auto to manual no problems.

And I love it over that slush box. I will do it to others when I find replacements

[thereverendbill]

if you are interested in a set of pedals for the swap send me a personal message and i can throw them in the back of the rental car when i take the family back to visit the in laws.  i will be staying in ogden but I have to head to cottonwood and magna to visit some close friends.  If you live in west jordan you probaly seen me at least a few dozen times at smiths because I used to work graveyards there till i moved back home 

[IowaEagle]

Welcome to the Nest.  So, you have a two wheel drive transmission in the car now?  If so I hope all the other parts like the drive shafts are still in your possession.   I guess the first thing I would do is get that 2WD transmission out of the car and then see what you need to return it to a 4WD version.  I am guessing a lot of things did not happen when he stuck that transmission in.

[SleepsUnderCars]

just a thought......could it be a difference of a lockup/ non-lockup converter? I'm not really familar with Hornets.

[Kaboc]

Welcome to the Nest.  So, you have a two wheel drive transmission in the car now?  If so I hope all the other parts like the drive shafts are still in your possession.   I guess the first thing I would do is get that 2WD transmission out of the car and then see what you need to return it to a 4WD version.  I am guessing a lot of things did not happen when he stuck that transmission in.

I'm guessing lots of things didn't happen too.  I'm fairly sure that he was/is as well meaning and clueless as I am about diagnosing/fixing problems.

Anyway, I did make sure to get the front drive shaft, transfer case, and original transmission for the Eagle when I bought the car.  The rear drive shaft was installed at the time of purchase.

[thereverendbill]

are you not running a front driveshaft?

[IowaEagle]

I can't see how he could if indeed there is a 2WD transmission in it, which it sure sounds like it has.

[Kaboc]

Thats right, I have a RWD trannsmission in my Eagle.  The previous owner installed it after the original failed.  With the RWD transmission installed (like I have now) there is no space for the transfer case.

[thereverendbill]

wow! an eagle without a transfercase is just a concord