New 82 Eagle Owner in Chicago Two Door Lift Back

[Beaverseagle]

Hello All,

I am the proud owner of an 1982 AMC Eagle 2 Door Lift Back 285 automatic 50k miles on it. 

The stories goes like this. 3 weeks ago I was visiting a friend's campground in northern Wisconsin.  We were driving around. He was showing me the sights.  Blam. I see this blue Eagle.  Of course I stop his blathering and ask who owns the Eagle. He bought it at an estate sale.  An old lady used it to plow her driveway after her husband died.  I'm sure it got some other uses with 50k on it.  But that's what I was told.  I bought it that day.  I still haven't heard it run.  I know you already hate me.  You won't be the first.  I was assured it ran, but it needed a battery.  This is a very good friend of mine that will return the money if it doesn't run.  I was on a road trip so I didn't have time to wait for him to get it running.  And I wan't to make sure it was mine.

I've turned into a pretty big gear head the last 5 years. I bought an old VW bus and have cut my teeth hacking on the old girl.  Just completed a 1500k mile road trip in her.

This weekend I'm heading up to the Eagle to work on her a bit.  I'll be returning to driver her home mid-September for reasons that will bore you more than I already have.

I've tried to glean some info off this awesome site for newbie info and usual issues, such as vacuum leaks, weak ignition, bad fuel hoses.  These standard issues for neglected buses.

My goal is to give it a good tune up with parts I can grab in a couple days time from local FLAPS.  I'm grabbing a new Interstate battery, new spark plugs, wires, rotor and distributor cap if they have it.   For safety, check the brakes are working correctly. I may even change the brake fluid.  I think the pads should be fine enough to get home.  200 mile drive.  I'm hoping the carb doesn't need a rebuild.  He apparently had it into a mechanic.  But we will see.   

My question is, are there any specific things I should check that I'm missing that may be a safety issue for Eagles.  Also, what size fuel line should I buy.

Sorry no pictures.  I will have some upon my return this weekend.

Thanks!

[eaglefreek]

Welcome. No one is going to hate you here for saving an Eagle. My biggest concern would be rust. They are prone to rust in the front subframe area when driven in the rust belt.

[Just4u2c]

I within the last month have bought 2 of these... (ok one was just a 2wd spirit GT)
Neither had ran in like 5 years...
The SX/4 I brought it home, charged the battery, added gas.. It wouldn't crank with the key so I jumped the solenoid with channel locks and it cranked a while and finally started.. And for some reason the key started working fine... It is great, starts and runs... Had to tighten the serp belt cause it screamed at me. but other than that golden..

The Spirit is just a parts car.. And the person I bought it from actually started it before I got there.. But it has old smelly gas in it and doesnt idle.... I haven't had a chance to try it but there is a trick to cleaning carbs that don't idle well after sitting..  if it is running at like 3000 rpm you grab a towel and smother the carb inlet... That takes all the vacuum and pulls it through the idle circuit and cleans it out...  I would only do this as a last ditch effort before rebuild though.. But it has fixed a few for me..

So congrats on the car, hope it all goes good for ya... But expect anything... check out those brakes and suspension and don't forget the lights... probably bring an oil change along.. Check the belts, watch for overheating cause thermostats like to stick over time.. 

And get us some pictures..

[vangremlin]

Congrats and welcome to the Den.  Can't wait to see the pictures!

[AMC1]

Welcome to the Den - I'm just north of you in Skokie. Sounds like you're concerned about a fuel leak. Metal fuel lines are 5/16" (ID), brakes are 3/16". Bending them to your specs. is another matter.

[Beaverseagle]

Thanks for the tips and best wishes.  So they don't have any rubber fuel lines?

I'll check for rust. I didn't have a chance to crawl under it when I saw it but the body seemed to be in pretty good condition. 

I didn't sleep much last night. Too excited about getting her back on the road. My local flaps had most everything including a thermostat and gasket.

[vangremlin]

Thanks for the tips and best wishes.  So they don't have any rubber fuel lines?

I'll check for rust. I didn't have a chance to crawl under it when I saw it but the body seemed to be in pretty good condition. 

I didn't sleep much last night. Too excited about getting her back on the road. My local flaps had most everything including a thermostat and gasket.

There are some rubber fuel hoses, back by the tank, and also near the fuel pump and into the carb.  I can't recall offhand what size they are.

[amcfool1]

the main fuel lines are 5/16" ID, and the return lines are 1/4" id, good luck, gz

[Beaverseagle]

the main fuel lines are 5/16" ID, and the return lines are 1/4" id, good luck, gz

Great thanks!

[Beaverseagle]

I went up to Wisconsin this weekend and got some work done.  We got her started and ran very strong.  Goes through the gears pretty smooth.  I didn't have a vacuum tool with me to set the curb idle correctly but she seemed to do okay.  We ran her in 4wd.  She seemed to work fine.  However the switch isn't working. I'll probably manually switch her to 2wd for the drive back to Chicago.

I think she is an SX4, but doesn't have the decal.  Also looks like there are some body piece missing from the corners and bumpers.  Not sure why they were removed. ] The only significate rust I found was the driver side rockers.  See pictures below.  I'm hoping I can get if fixed. 

Also the temp heat gage isn't working.  I'll need to figure that out next time I go up to get her.  The thermostat was working.

I also need to have the wheel bearings repacked or replaced.  The hubs were smoking hot after a couple mile drive.














This is the worst of it.  The is at the rear of the driver side rocker.

[Just4u2c]

NICE SCORE!!  That thing looks to be in great shape...

Wish mine was that nice when I picked it up..

So I am curious as the the 2dr liftback vs SX/4 also.. I thought they were all SX/4 in that body style... I will be watching this post as to see someone explain the differences..

[eaglefreek]

I think she is an SX4, but doesn't have the decal.
Yes, it's an SX4. They all are with that body style
 Also looks like there are some body piece missing from the corners and bumpers.  Not sure why they were removed.   
The early bumper corners were rumored to be made out of a different material and most of them have disintegrated
Also the temp heat gage isn't working. 
The sending unit is in the left rear corner of the cylinder head. Make sure the wire is till attached.
I also need to have the wheel bearings repacked or replaced.  The hubs were smoking hot after a couple mile drive.
Unfortunately, this isn't an easy task on an Eagle. The bearings are pressed into the hub and requires a bit of work to do properly.
Your dog looks like my first dog Betsy! Unfortunately, she's no longer with us.

[Beaverseagle]

NICE SCORE!!  That thing looks to be in great shape...

Wish mine was that nice when I picked it up..

So I am curious as the the 2dr liftback vs SX/4 also.. I thought they were all SX/4 in that body style... I will be watching this post as to see someone explain the differences..

Yeah I thought it was lift back but turns out it's an SX4.  I think the lift back doesn't have the sports package.

[Beaverseagle]

I think she is an SX4, but doesn't have the decal.
Yes, it's an SX4. They all are with that body style
 Also looks like there are some body piece missing from the corners and bumpers.  Not sure why they were removed.   
The early bumper corners were rumored to be made out of a different material and most of them have disintegrated
Also the temp heat gage isn't working. 
The sending unit is in the left rear corner of the cylinder head. Make sure the wire is till attached.
I also need to have the wheel bearings repacked or replaced.  The hubs were smoking hot after a couple mile drive.
Unfortunately, this isn't an easy task on an Eagle. The bearings are pressed into the hub and requires a bit of work to do properly.
Your dog looks like my first dog Betsy! Unfortunately, she's no longer with us.

Thanks for the info!  Yes, they do look a lot a like.  She was a cutie.  I don't know what I will do when Fletcher goes.

[MudPuppy]

All of this body style are SX/4's.... same body as the Spirit & Spirit AMX but 4x4. The SX/4's usually only had a vinyl decal on the sides to actually label them as an SX/4, but most have worn off over the years. It's an SX/4 whether it has a sports package or not. There's the base model, DL model and the Sport model in the SX/4 line.
The Sport model SX/4 is signified by a Sport badge on each side just below the Eagle emblems on the fenders, sport steering wheel, all black trim & usually have other things like spoiler, center console, etc... but these were also options for any model too.
DL model has the woodgrain on the interior dash, a passenger side mirror, etc.
Base model has no interior woodgrain, passenger side mirror, etc.
Either way, the only difference in between all the models was aesthetic only.