My long awaited Eagle - A project in the works

[macdude443]

Thanks for the encouragement.  It's good to know I'm not alone.

I decided I'd have a go at replacing my window sweeps.  The door panel/interior side is held on with very heavy duty staples.  I got them all off with no problems (besides sore fingers).  I've read that some use pop rivets to re-attached.  Has anyone done sweeps before?  Any opinions on rivets vs. new staples?

[macdude443]

Happy to say the Eagle is running once again  .  I installed the HEI distributor from Skip White Performance.  Wired it to the yellow wire on the old ICM harness.  Also installed the new 2100 from Gronk.  Had to run a new gas line, and the vacuum lines aren't 100% done yet.  She runs rough and needs to be timed and fine tuned, but it's another step done.  I also sprayed the rockers and frame with Eastwood's "Internal Frame Coating".

The paint shop is tied up until the end of the month, but with any luck they'll squeeze me in then.

[Prafeston]

This is gonna be one sweet ride when it's all said and done!

[thereverendbill]

the missing link fender is in the home stretch and will be making a trip out to ya on saturday ..... sadly me and the mobile paint shop will be along for the ride  

[macdude443]

Sadly?  Think of the 100 degree heat we'll get to work in!

[thereverendbill]

Sadly?  Think of the 100 degree heat we'll get to work in!

prepare for an early go at it then 

[philotomy]

Awesome job so far,i'm taking notes on what you used to combat rust.I think you'll be stoked when it's all said and done

[thereverendbill]

A man and his eagle ...... a beautiful thing

sorry about the shakiness this is the first video I have recorded from my cell phone

[macdude443]

New carb from Gronk installed and running smoothly!


Carb and HEI (notice the lack of wiring birds nest.. all gone.  Sorry Mr. Armstrong.. no power locks and graphical computer interfaces on this Eagle)


One of the fenders.  Primed, painted and waiting for rubberized undercoating:


One of the old Spirit fenders.. yowza


Shiny hinges with new pins and bushings:


Block sanding...


Bill working on one of the fenders:


Painting the underside of the new hood (thanks Catspillane!)


Some pictures after it we got it timed and running nicely.  When we fired it up, some of the neighbors came out to see what we had been working on for almost a year.

[Eagleearl]

Your project SX4 is coming along nicely. You will have a great looking car that will last you a long time, when you are finished.

[rohnk]

Looking good my friend! I hope to have mine repainted by the second week of August. Too bad I am just getting into stripping the interior! Long way to go.

[thereverendbill]

Looking good my friend! I hope to have mine repainted by the second week of August. Too bad I am just getting into stripping the interior! Long way to go.

don't set yourself a deadline or you might end up hating yourself in the end.  throughout the body work on this particular car I know of at least 3 deadlines that where set and missed.  this last weekend we worked 15 hours saturday and another 6 on sunday.  there is also some work that still needs to be finished but a majority of the fitting and sanding has been finished. 

the biggest tip I have for anyone that is doing all of the prep work to have a car painted is to NOT try and get it all in one sitting and be sure to take a break at least every 2 hours and go back over the work you just completed cause there is bound to be something that you overlooked or missed   

[macdude443]

While I wait for the paint shop to call me, which looks like late next week or maybe early the following, I have a few other things to do.  First off, the power steering gear box is dripping power steering fluid.  I picked up a complete seal kit from Everco for $20.  Also have to finish up re-painting the trim and get supporting metal welded into my seat frames.

[macdude443]

Also bought new battery/alternator leads.  Local shop had OEM equivalent replacements.

[macdude443]

She's off to paint!  We towed it about 30 minutes north to a body shop recommended to me by the local paint supply shop.  They came out to look at it before I drove it off the trailer.  One of them says "Yeah, that's an Eagle alright."  Out in the sunlight it was clear to see some imperfections here and there, which they said they'd take care of before paint.  The one guy was telling me how they restored a Dart, having it fully sandblasted and all, and the rust came back in a few spots a year or so later.  Fingers crossed on this one  ..  They said she'll be done in a week or so.  I also gave them some photos to reference as well as the NOS SX/4 decals to slap on.