I need help!

[eaglescout7]

So I'm basically a noob and a lurker.  I've lurked this forum for a few years and always said id buy an eagle one day.  I have minimal mechanical knowledge or knowledge on compatibility with modifications etc.  Basically I ended up with 2 eagles, and I really want to start building my 86 to be a daily driver.  I have an 85 in good condition with some rust on the unibody part of the driver side leaf spring.  What I am looking for... someone on here in the northeast with a good amount of experience with eagles and some time on their hands who would want to help me price a plan out and make a part list and guide me through a rebuild. What I will offer...parts to pick from the 85 and good company.  Im not going to type a novel so ill keep it short, thats really the gist of it.  Im downsizing after divorce and getting out of the army and just really want to build this beaut to move into the next chapter of my life.  My name is jason by the way.  Any way.. thanks for reading!

[vangremlin]

Good luck in getting your Eagle back on the road.  I hope you can find somebody local to help guide you, I know I benefited a great deal from a friend of mine who turned into my mentor on all things automotive.  Where exactly are you in the northeast?  That may help find a Den member to give you a hand.

[eaglescout7]

southern new hampshire, about an hour north of boston and 5 minutes from the maine border on 95

[eaglescout7]

COME ON GUYS, SOMEONE FROM NH/MAINE?!?!

[amchornet]

I am sure you have seen this link...have you tried it?
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zyNrFs2eSZX4.kXdwco89CkaM

[eaglescout7]

sent a few emails, but no luck yet! keep your fingers crossed for me!

[Nightpath]

The awesome thing about the Eagle is that they are very simple to work on, and are extremely similar to a Jeep. The best thing to do is stop being lazy, grab a few tool kits (socket set, wrenches, screwdrivers, big hammer, rubber mallet and a jack) and use this place as a resource. Where I live there is nobody familiar enough with them, I found a few guys familiar with Jeeps and used them as a resource.

Engine is the same as old Jeeps.
Front and rear axles are from a Jeep (well, front is a independent front suspension Dana 30)
Electrical is near identical to early Cherokees.

Start off with checking for leaks and rot.. Around the windshield is the most common, as well as the well nuts in the roof. Open the back hatch, look under the car where the leaf springs mount, then go back into the hatch where they connect and dig into the area with a screw driver. Do not be gentle as this is one of the worst rot areas in the car and gets covered by the 1/4" of paint crap they put in from the factory. Other bad place is near the front drivers side, the frame area.

If it's driving fine then you can leave the drivetrain alone, unless you're deciding to change the fluids. If it's stalling a lot clean the carb bowl and tighten the nuts in the intake manifold.

If you're looking at rebuilding it, take it 1 section at a time. I'd honestly start with an HEI ignition upgrade for fuel efficiency and a bit more power, then shocks and a steering stabilizer. Upper and lower balljoints, stabilizer links, and the leaf spring bushings next.

[JayRamb]

The awesome thing about the Eagle is that they are very simple to work on, and are extremely similar to a Jeep. The best thing to do is stop being lazy, grab a few tool kits (socket set, wrenches, screwdrivers, big hammer, rubber mallet and a jack) and use this place as a resource. Where I live there is nobody familiar enough with them, I found a few guys familiar with Jeeps and used them as a resource.

Engine is the same as old Jeeps.
Front and rear axles are from a Jeep (well, front is a independent front suspension Dana 30)
Electrical is near identical to early Cherokees.

Start off with checking for leaks and rot.. Around the windshield is the most common, as well as the well nuts in the roof. Open the back hatch, look under the car where the leaf springs mount, then go back into the hatch where they connect and dig into the area with a screw driver. Do not be gentle as this is one of the worst rot areas in the car and gets covered by the 1/4" of paint crap they put in from the factory. Other bad place is near the front drivers side, the frame area.

If it's driving fine then you can leave the drivetrain alone, unless you're deciding to change the fluids. If it's stalling a lot clean the carb bowl and tighten the nuts in the intake manifold.

If you're looking at rebuilding it, take it 1 section at a time. I'd honestly start with an HEI ignition upgrade for fuel efficiency and a bit more power, then shocks and a steering stabilizer. Upper and lower balljoints, stabilizer links, and the leaf spring bushings next.

Also, don't make the mistake as I did a few years ago on my black eagle, I have no more, look at the out side rockers under the flares. If they are rotted out, I'd pass! That is unibody integrity/structure strength.

[Nightpath]

Yes, there is that as well. Might be better served by lifting the carpets and ensuring that any rocker panel rot isn't also going right into the car. Rockers are easily replaced.

[amcfool1]

hi, you say you need help, and a parts list of stuff. Well, we're here to help. but you did not tell us anything about your car besides that it's an 86. Sedan or wagon? does it run? does it stop? Has it been sitting for a few years? miles on it?
Ok, let me get you started. Change the oil and filter,Change the fuel filter, return line at 12 o'clock. Check the alt, fan and power steering belts, replace if cracked/worn. Try to move the fan, (with belt loose), if it moves, your water pump needs replacing. All the above are parts available at any auto parts place. get a notebook, and keep track of what you bought/spent/did. All the above is very basic stuff. It will get you under the hood and rapidly increase your skill level and confidence. Hit a couple of used book stores and look for an old TSM, does not have to be 86, can be 82 or 81, or even an old Haynes, for the basics. if you get stuck, we're here! good luck, gz

[eaglescout7]

So far, it's moving along. Been quite the lonely learning experience! Changed hoses and belts, flushed radiator which was full of a bunch of , but after a few cycles managed to get it looking good. Local store wanted 400 for a new radiator and I thought about following the instructions on redrilling the holes on one for a cj but cheaped out and kept flushing. Did the passenger inner and outer tie rod and had to change the valve cover gasket, turned out to be a plastic valve cover (reputably bad?) so I went over to the 85 which runs but has some pretty heavy unibody/frame rust on the driver side leafspring shackle like thing. because of that i just pulled the metal valve cover off the 85 to swap them.  While taking the plastic one off the 86 one of the bolts broke off flush to the valve cover, so I covered it up and extracted and had to rethread a little bit.  anyone who wants to come up to the northeast and drink a beer send me a line, just when I think I'm getting there, I find myself deeper in the woods.  thanks again guys

[AMCLOVER258]

Im sure its posted some wheres but where are you in the north east?

[eaglescout7]

southern nh, on the maine border about 10 minutes from dover

[AMCLOVER258]

Ahhhh bummer! i would have taken you up on the  however i am about 2 minutes south of CIncinnati, OH. I guess that'd be a long ride home hahaha.

[eaglescout7]

maybe i should organize an Eagle Ice Fishing meet up! haha