Torque Converters.

[IowaEagle]

Just learned this so I thought we will get it added and then update it once more information is confirmed.

Different styles of AMC Eagle 998 Torque Converters were used.

1980 - 1983:  No confirmed data yet. 

1984 AMC # JR775 035 for US and Canada (Rebuilt)   J8132 569 for exported cars.  Both were lock up converters.

1985 and 1986  AMC #  JR775 033 for US and Canada (Rebuilt)   J8132 567 for exported cars.  Non lock up converters.

1987 and 1988  AMC #  JR775 134 for US and Canada (Rebuilt)   53004 910 for exported cars.  Non lock up conveters.

[BenM]

My 87 has a lockup converter. I'm sure the transmission is original. I will look at the rebuild sheet and see if I have any numbers.

[IowaEagle]

Was the tranny ever replaced that you know of?

[BenM]

Not that I know of. I pulled it myself for the rebuild at 130,000, and the rod was hooked up correctly. The dipstick had been sealed at the bottom with both the gasket and some RTV, and the transfer case might be rebuilt, it had RTV holding it together and to the transmission in a non-oem looking way, but the transmission was all factory, including the torque converter and flywheel (which cracked when the transmission went). The Transfer case said 1987 on it.

Just looking from grime and assembly, I'm pretty confident that it was original when I pulled it, plus the fact that it died soon after I got it, and was leaking fluid.

So, I can't be 100%, but comparing it to some of the "around it" repairs, it looks to have been part of the car for a long time. Is there a date stamping you know of on the transmission? I'll look this week.

[IowaEagle]

Not sure about a date code, will have to check the TSM.  Sometimes you never knew what you will find from the factory.  Could have even been a request to the dealer for the locking converter type.  I wonder why they quit using it?  It did help a little with MPG.

[T5258]

I agree....my Spirit has a lockup converter & rpms drop by 2-300 when the converter locks (appox 37 mph)

[philotomy]

 Ok this may sounds stupid but...what does "lock up" refer to?I've been reading about it in Chiltons but I think I'm even more confused now.Mine is an 87 with non lock up But what would make them change it?
 Mine's making a whining ,clicking sound,Is it gonna grenade on me?Maybe just a loose torque conv. bolt?cracked flexplate?

[IowaEagle]

A lock up converter, in simple terms, sidelines the fluid coupling between the engine and transmission to make it direct drive set up.

[eaglebeek]

  Mine's making a whining ,clicking sound,Is it gonna grenade on me?Maybe just a loose torque conv. bolt?cracked flexplate?

Whining noises are many times simply a matter of adding fluid. Clicking noises may indeed be coming from a loose/cracked torque converter/flex plate. Have you noticed any differences in how the car drives since the noises developed? For instance, a car that suddenly becomes noticeably sluggish getting moving from a standing start may have suffered an internal torque converter or overrunning clutch failure.

[Jurjen]

@IE:
Part numbers you mentioned can be found in the Eaglepedia parts list 1984 -1988 too. Doesn't show the years to them, but they must be correct.
Are you saying that no lockup was used after 1984?

I found a 1980 datasheet:
http://homepage.mac.com/christopher.z/hobby/80-DataBook/B15.JPG
that is telling me that only 6-cyl engines with 2WD have lockup.

In the 1982 TSM, you will find that 4-cyl cars have no lockup and 6-cyl cars have lockup
In the 1983 TSM supplement you will find that fleet cars have no lockup, others have lockup.

Don't read Chiltons (I did, pag.1-18): eg. 1985 - 1988 all models use lockup converter.

I'm completely lost 

Can you feel the lockup engage on an Eagle? If you can, mine doesn't have lockup.

 

[Jurjen]

The Eagle spotters guide:
http://www.n0kfb.org/homepage/amc/eagle/spotting/

Lockup dropped with model 1986.

[IowaEagle]

If you look closely in the Eaglepedia PN guide that it does say, down in the notes, what years used what converters.  Not sure about '80.  I will have to check further on that.  My '80 Concord does, but that does not count as it is a 2WD car.

[Jurjen]

You are right, I didn't scroll to the bottom of the page.
What was the idea of dropping the lockup, saving money??
Did I trigger this investigation somehow with the axle ratio calcualtion??

[trapperjack]

Is there a way to tell from looking at it if it's lock-up? I have the 80 sedan tranny sitting on the garage floor, and can look for numbers, marks, whatever.

[bigdog56e]

  My '82 has the lockup, I can feel it lock and unlock.
                                                                   Eddie