Brown Betty

[carnuck]

I think I figured out my '83 Eagle wagon's name. For those not quite up on the saga so far, I passed Spirit of the Eagle on to Max98059 and I've been trying to concentrate on my wagon. So far I have a 727 and NP229 installed. I'm working on all the bugs (I changed the driver's side door hinge, but need to take the inner fender out to adjust the door correctly) Brakes are high on my priority list because they pull to one side in front and the left rear grabs when cold.

Next, I'm gearing up (pun intended) to swap the M15 with 2.72 in my '83 wagon for a Chrysler 8.25 with 3.08 and drop the vacuum front axle out (both will be for sale $200 obo the pair) for a non-vacuum with 3.08 so I can shift on the fly. I'll be towing so the stronger axles will be a must. Front will be lifted a bit too. (I have brand new coils to put in from a V8 Concord wagon with AC) and I have an XJ main leaf with the eyes cut off to put in my spring pack in #2 position.
   I'll link my pics later but they are around this site in other threeads.

[carnuck]

I put the NAPA coils I bought a couple years ago in yesterday. What a struggle! I used my compressor on the first one and it didn't feel right. It took a lot of prying and cussing to get it in there (Which I REALLY don't like doing with a loaded spring compressor in the way!)
   I rented the tool from OReilly's and it took the old one out easy, but it popped off as I was lowering the spring due to the design not being for that wide of a spring. When I put the new spring in on the passenger's side I used both the rental and my compressor, but the head of the tool was in the way of the spring pad on the bottom. It took Max98059 and I several tries to get it in (just after the sun went down) but it's done. I gained about 2" lift over the old ones (some will go away when it settles I'm sure) but the new springs have 6 coils whereas the old ones were only 5. It feels stiffer as they are for V8 '77 Concord wagon with V8 and AC with tow package.
   I had to inflate the rear air shocks a bit higher to match. I also pulled the front axles and stuck dummy slugs in the hubs (old axle ends with the bearings and shaft removed)
   Next I'll fix the 727 trans dipstick tube (wish I had one from an '80 Dodge van or a Lokar one) I stuck in one for a '00 Wrangler 999 auto but it didn't line up right and the end was too small of diameter so it leaked. The tcase output cone and speedo gear will be right after that. First a low range lever will be sourced today (I hope)

[carnuck]

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/carnuck/AMC%20Eagle/

[85AmCfreak]

thats a very fitting name, those spring compressors can be a bit of a BlTCH.

[carnuck]

I got wrapped up with roof repair and yard work today so nothing got done on the Eagle, but I will get on it tomorrow!

[eaglefreek]

I hate working with a compressed coil spring. I used the ones that GaryJav or something like was selling. They are a little more time consuming, but seem to be much safer than using the other style of compressors. It's even more fun when you are installing the longer springs and trying to hold spacers in there also at the same time. How about some pics of it's current stance.

[carnuck]

I pulled the AIR stuff (now on the for sale pile along with both the 2.72 axles and 3.31 non-vacuum front and 3.31 rear gears) http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/carnuck/AMC%20Eagle/

[carnuck]

While the nest was down I got some work done on my Eagle. I went after the NASTY valve cover leak.
before:
Afterish:

more on photobucket
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/carnuck/AMC%20Eagle/

[carnuck]

I also took apart the driver's side power window motor, cleaned out the rust and reassembled with lube. (I'll take pics when I do the pass side next) I'm surprised it moved at all with the amount of rust and crud inside the motor and the cable!

I took the wiper motor off for the valvecover job (which still isn't right because it has a slight leak on the intake side still but when I swap the manifold to non-AIR I'll seal it again from the outside with )

It was full of pine needles! (no pine tree here either!)


I think that's all that was keeping my wiper arm on. When I pulled it off, the arm fell off and wouldn't stay on! I rednecked it for the test run (since it was raining)

[carnuck]

Haven't done much this week. I replaced the vacuum hoses on my parsed down systems (most were cracking) I still have a occasional stall when between cold and warmed up, especially on takeoff. Even with a brand new 190 thermostat (I flushed the heater core too) it takes forever to warm the motor up and get heat so I may have to retard my timing slightly.
   I used my leaf blower to push out all the pine needles in the vent and before I go to the cabin (I hope) I'll be swapping the wiper arm and pulling out the wire. My wiper stopped working on low speed after it jammed the other day and I freed it so I may have to change the motor as well. When I get the check from the insurance company I'll be replacing the windshield as well as the door.

[milliard431]

I pulled the AIR stuff (now on the for sale pile along with both the 2.72 axles and 3.31 non-vacuum front and 3.31 rear gears) http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/carnuck/AMC%20Eagle/

Can you post a pick on here of what you have for sale? I could not quite figure out what picture you were refering to.

[milliard431]

I put the NAPA coils I bought a couple years ago in yesterday. What a struggle! I used my compressor on the first one and it didn't feel right. It took a lot of prying and cussing to get it in there (Which I REALLY don't like doing with a loaded spring compressor in the way!)
   I rented the tool from OReilly's and it took the old one out easy, but it popped off as I was lowering the spring due to the design not being for that wide of a spring. When I put the new spring in on the passenger's side I used both the rental and my compressor, but the head of the tool was in the way of the spring pad on the bottom. It took Max98059 and I several tries to get it in (just after the sun went down) but it's done. I gained about 2" lift over the old ones (some will go away when it settles I'm sure) but the new springs have 6 coils whereas the old ones were only 5. It feels stiffer as they are for V8 '77 Concord wagon with V8 and AC with tow package.
   I had to inflate the rear air shocks a bit higher to match. I also pulled the front axles and stuck dummy slugs in the hubs (old axle ends with the bearings and shaft removed)
   Next I'll fix the 727 trans dipstick tube (wish I had one from an '80 Dodge van or a Lokar one) I stuck in one for a '00 Wrangler 999 auto but it didn't line up right and the end was too small of diameter so it leaked. The tcase output cone and speedo gear will be right after that. First a low range lever will be sourced today (I hope)

Has anyone ried having the leafs rebent instead of using the air shocks. I know it seems silly but I want to keep it as original as possible. Someone had replaced the master brake cylinder before I got it but you can get yours done and sent back. Napa will do the steering pump.

[carnuck]

I pulled the AIR stuff (now on the for sale pile along with both the 2.72 axles and 3.31 non-vacuum front and 3.31 rear gears) http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/carnuck/AMC%20Eagle/

Can you post a pick on here of what you have for sale? I could not quite figure out what picture you were refering to.

[carnuck]

Has anyone ried having the leafs rebent instead of using the air shocks. I know it seems silly but I want to keep it as original as possible. Someone had replaced the master brake cylinder before I got it but you can get yours done and sent back. Napa will do the steering pump.

Re-bending the leaves is a waste of time and $$$. They sag again within a year. My air shocks are factory installed load levelers. When I replace a master cyl, etc it doesn't matter what it's from as these aren't numbers matching cars. I agree on getting your own pump redone, but I've done my own in the past. I just don't have all the tools anymore.

[carnuck]

My Eagle has been working hard since I don't have a running truck or van anymore. (I need to finish the conversion of my lifted '87 Comanche shortbox this week and put it up for sale)