Eagle with seized drivetrain

[79eagle]

my 79 Eagle has 67,000 miles (40,000 since I bought it) Starter was dying and I started it to  drive to my mechanic.  Started fine.  After about 45 seconds at high idle, I shifted into reverse.  It immediately died with a slight clunk and starter was dead.  Mechanic came and installed starter but engine will not turn over. Bent a wrench trying to turn flywheel. Engine did not run hot and has a new carb and ran fine.  Recently had new front and rear differentials installed by former MC service manager.  I have an 8 spare parts car.  I wonder if anyone  can offer any suggestions as to what went wrong..  Car is in beautiful shape; I' hate to have to junk it.
AlexWade.

[macdude443]

I've heard of the torque converters failing.  Maybe that could be it.  I'm sure others will have better advice.  Don't junk it!

[Eagleearl]

Please do not junk beautiful low milage Eagle. Sounds like something in transmission might have let go and locked up everything? Is this an automatic transmission? How was starter dying? Did you try to turn engine over with starter out?

[rollguy]

By the way, there is no '79 AMC Eagle. Your car may be a 1980 model made in 1979.

[79eagle]

That's  my little joke.; It was built in late 79;  hence the handle.  Bent wrench trying to turn flywheel with starter out.  Beautiful car, but I just waited 14 months to get it back with the new differentials.  I have an 86 parts car; don't know how much fits.  It had  rebuilt  engine when I got it as a freebee.  Almost no rust and everything new;  brakes, alternator shoxks, half shafts, exhaust, tires roof shocks, power steering carb., etc.
Alex

[macdude443]

If you could get it to turn at all, you could remove the bell housing inspection cover and remove the bolts to separate the flexplate from the torque converter and then see if the motor turns freely.  Mark it first, as they only line up one way.  If it does need major work, please try to sell it to someone capable instead of scrapping the car.  That would be a waste.

[JayRamb]

DOn't rule out the torque converter, I believe mine is going out. I put it in gear, and give it some gas and the car dies. IF you torque converter is out, it's locked up.

[mercman64]

Torque converter being out is a good suggestion........but what do you do if thats what has you locked up?   Pull the engine and tranny out ar one unit?

[carnuck]

Undo the bellhousing and pull the motor with the converter still attached. If it's GM  4 cyl, it could be a dropped timing chain.

[DownwardFlame]

Undo the bellhousing and pull the motor with the converter still attached. If it's GM  4 cyl, it could be a dropped timing chain.

Not to be a jerk, but timing on the iron Duke is gear driven, not chain driven.

[carnuck]

There are 2 GM 4 cyls. One of the GM 4 cyls is gear to gear like inline 6 Chevy.  (I know the AMC 2.5L is known at dropping chains) The other is chain driven as used in Postal Jeeps and I changed a LOT of them!

[JayRamb]

Torque converter being out is a good suggestion........but what do you do if thats what has you locked up?   Pull the engine and tranny out ar one unit?

Just pull tranny. I have a shop that is going to do mine this spring. I have a non-lock up on my Eagle.

[carnuck]

Was the starter dropped to see if it was seized? Mine did that

[79eagle]

New starter, checked before installing.  Will check again.  Thans

[carnuck]

Wait. Did it seize right after the starter was replaced? I saw that a LOT with starters that had Ford drives instead of AMC/Jeep ones! The teeth are too short and the fork goes overcenter and locks up everything.