Project Bucket (Pronounced Bouquet)

[GRONK]

The project begins...  For those of you who haven't met Bucket yet, here she is.


http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l543/ehrmannmp/83Eagle1.jpg

She is currently all original.  I have decided to NOT cut her up but rather to keep her looking "mostly" original.  This thread is starting tonight because the custom lift springs arrived tonight.  My intentions are to do a proper stock+2" lift retaining the IFS.  It should sit about 4-5" taller than she sits now.  No blocks or spacers will be added to her.  Custom rear springs are in the works now and all proper suspension/Xcase issues will be addressed.  I'm working with a well known maker of lift kits (I cannot say who yet) and everything I do will be documented and available.

Since I now have 4 Wagons  I will lift each of them a different way and have 4 different lifts covered.

This thread will be Buckets very own and all work will be here. 

[rollguy]

Since I now have 4 Wagons  I will lift each of them a different way and have 4 different lifts covered.

Just dive right in!

Sounds like you are a close second for acquiring the most Eagles in the shortest amount of time!

[JayRamb]

Hyacinth and Richard Bucket (Bouqet)?

[GRONK]

Yup

[juhap]

Keeping Up Appearances...  


Oh, by the way, nice Wagon...

[JayRamb]

THE BOUQUET RESIDENCE THE LADY OF THE HOUSE SPEAKING....No you cannot have a number 35 with noodles instead of rice. This is a white slim line telephone in the vicinity of a clergyman.

[GRONK]

All right, I was able to spend a couple hours up with Bucket yesterday and start planning out the work.  I found a little more body ruse than I was expecting, but nothing huge and all simple to properly repair.  NO rust on her belly so I'm very happy.  She just has a few  blemishes.









Other than that, she's straight and solid.

I also took some measurements of the current tip/toe ride height:





The new front springs have arrived:



and I'm waiting on the new rears to show up.  I'm going for a stock+2" lift, retaining the IFS and not messing around w/ spacers/blocks.  The plan is to do everything right the 1st time and not go cheap on anything.  In 6-8 months this WILL be my DD for work and for play.

I'm building the new Motorcraft 2150 for it this weekend.  The original carter actually does awesome!  I had a couple stalls but found a leaking PCV line and that cleared everything right up.  Took her out for 2 30 minute drives yesterday and she was purring nicely.  



I will have ALL emissions and carburetor components available soon if anyone is interested.  Bucket has spent her whole life at 6500' elevation so if anyone needs a carb jetted for high altitude let me know.  She passes emissions with zero tweaking.

What?  What was that?  Why yes that was a nice Clifford 6=8 valve cover sitting in there.


That was a nice find too.

The seats will come out on my next trip too.  They are torn and uncomfortable.  I'm 6'2" and my head brushes the headliner (not sagging) so lower profile, more comfortable seats are in order.

Please feel free to comment (good or bad), ask questions (I'm a documentation animal) and provide suggestions.

[shaggimo]

Little about your rust, have you checked under your plastic yet?

Watching the lift ideas 

[GRONK]

Plastic will come off on the next couple of trips.  I'm going to concentrate my efforts on lift/engine/tranny then body. 

[GRONK]

Now seeing as there is actual body work I need to adderss, the rear window delete may just happen.

[maddog]

if you are looking for some good seats there are some down here at the local yard but i have no idea how much.

[shanebo]

The 29th street junkyard has a very clean one in that color scheme...very solid body..that would make for an east fix

[maddog]

in other words we should have mini meet here in pueblo huh.

[GRONK]

I was planning on some non-AMC seats but I'm always interested!!!  I'd love to head to a yard sometime ansd dig around. 

I work full time for the military, owna nd operate the carb business and own a gym w/ my wife.  I don't get a lot of play time.......  That's one reason I'm so excited for the Eagles I purchased.  I consider that my "me" time

On the same note, since you all are close, if I have any resources that are needed (blast cabinet/heated garage/storage space out east/etc) let me know.

Here are the seats I'm thinking about (front and rear):

[maddog]

oh and the car shanbo is talking about is one with manual windows and locks if i remember right. as for the seats pictured what are they from?