After Market Valve Covers

[Aquila]

Ok guys I need some help. I'm 18 so I don't have a whole lot of knowledge about the compatibility of eagle/jeep parts, but my valve cover is still original and it NEEDS to be replaced. I checked the links of Iowa's first post and the covers I saw are for jeep 258's, are they the same engine as the AMC 258?

[IowaEagle]

AMC owned Jeep from 1970 thru to the bitter end.  So, Jeep engines are AMC engines -- and many remained so well into the Chrysler era.

[Aquila]

Ok thanks a lot, so the "jeep" cover will go right on my eagle. Cool. NOw to order.

[LaGuardia]

Little OT: "Aquila" is the italian word for "Eagle"... Obviously it's intentional, but I'm curious

[Aquila]

Yup thats what I was going for.

[LaGuardia]

That's a really cool screen name to use on this Forum ! I just wonder why I didn't think about using it here, being one of the very few Italian Eagle owners...
Nice idea ! Egg to you from Rome.

Sorry for going on with the OT...

[IowaEagle]

Ok thanks a lot, so the "jeep" cover will go right on my eagle. Cool. NOw to order.

  Yup.

[Viscount02]

So, how hard is it to drill and tap? I'm new to all of this and it seems a bit out of my skill level. Is it really that difficult? and how far is too far? I really DON'T want to find a coolant passage in my engine.

[Mavericke]

You can always print up the instructions here and exact dimensions and take it into a shop to have done. If your a novice, thats your best bet. I'm a novice and I'm pretty confident in my skills.... but when in doubt... you know the saying, lol... I'll probably be taking mine if for the valve cover.

[HawkenEagle]

I've read most this long thread - great topic and ideas though but the Collins one is the way to go correct?? My car hs the plastic cover. Ill insoect this weekend when I PU the Eagle.. But can't wait to get things in order.

[Mavericke]

What year is yours?

Either way, the good news is that if you follow the instructions we have here on the nest - even a novice can install the new cover AND it's a great stepping stone into learning more about your Eagle and mechanics in general. If you're lucky (and lazy like me) you can get the old cover off and the new one on without being forced to tear off a boat load of other stuff. It will be a PITA if you have all the emissions stuff over the top though.

The drilling and tapping though... easy. I installed mine in a couple hours with help from my brother... mine still leaks, but it's only because my bolts are not torqued down... and that's only because I don't have one fo those cool torqu wrenches that show you how many lbs of pressure you're putting on it. Make sure you don't over torque, otherwise your easy project will be swapping out for a new head, lol!

[spfldbom]

Well, not sure of this, but the collins brothers site appears to have the valve cover on sale, for less than $80.  Is this the right one for the '83 SX/4 258?   The part number they're showing is 83501398K-AL42.

[jim]

If you happen to run across ads for valve covers for 1981 - 1988 AMC Eagles, make sure you know what you are getting.

[Pack Rat]

83501398K-AL42 That's be the one you want.

[HawkenEagle]

Mine is a 1983 Wagon.. Does that require the tapping?
I do have taps and drills so that's no problem. ALso hving a history with eaky Corvairs and stopping leaks I prefer Permitex #2. This is tough is you ever have to remove anything but really works its way into groves and warps. Stays plyable but the only downside unike some other gasket sealers this one doesnt like gasoline.