AMC Eagle Update: IT'S ALIVE!!!

"AncientOfDays" (ancientofdays) 03/25/2014 at 11:29 • Filed to: 1985 AMC Eagle

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As James May would say: GOOD NEWS!

It's not the Dacia Sandero, but it is the Eagle. And it's on its own feet again.

I put the rear drive shaft back in and tested it, and it worked perfectly. The exhaust is all the way in and clamped together, and (temporarily) hung with 16-gauge mechanic's wire. I serviced the rear differential and wired the transfer case selector (also temporarily) in 2WD. Stock-sized wheels and tires are on. It's been another busy weekend, and the Eagle now rests on the ground instead of jack stands.

This is right after I put on the new wheels and tires:

Sunday night we had some dinner guests over, and right after they left, I nervously climbed into the driver's seat and fired up the engine, still not knowing exactly what would happen when I put it in gear. Then... well, there's a video which I don't seem to be able to embed here, but it's viewable at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! where all this stuff is cross-posted. My kid's reaction is what you might call priceless. He seems even more excited than I was.

Reinstall starter and brace

Put in the transfer case

New transmission fluid cooler line to replace the one I had to break

Fix speedometer

New u-joints for the driveshafts

A new driver's side CV axle in the front

Install new exha u st components

Change oil and brake fluid

Some new seat belts ($$)

New (stock) rims and tires ($$)

New shift indicator cable (which keeps the gearshift from moving accidentally)

Service the front and rear differentials

New gas springs for rear hatch

Insurance, restricted-use permit , emissions, title, registration

Flush coolant and repair heater core with some stop-leak and a prayer

Fix whatever makes the A/C compressor scream when it's on

De-grease the engine bay

New under-hood insulation

Interior detailing

New paint job. Desperately needed. ($$$$)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > AncientOfDays 03/25/2014 at 12:31

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everything sounds great but be careful with that stop leak! can cause more problems then help sometimes!

Also, your kid's awesome, can't wait for mine to be old enough to enjoy when the Montego pulls out of the garage.

AncientOfDays > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 03/25/2014 at 12:40

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Yeah, it seems like there's no risk-free option with fixing the heater core. Either I replace it, which is a gigantic PITA, or I go without heat, or I try some stop-leak. But yes, I'll exercise caution with that. I've tried it in a couple other cars with good results, so hopefully my luck will hold.

My son was really stoked, as you can tell. About 2 months ago, he says to me, "can I be there when you take the station wagon down off the stands?" so he's been looking forward to this for a while.

Takuro Spirit > AncientOfDays 03/25/2014 at 12:42

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Hooray!

I personally would have put some aggressive nasty looking mud tires on it, but hooray nonetheless.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > AncientOfDays 03/25/2014 at 12:44

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That's awesome. My son is just a bit of 1 years old, but his head has been whipping around when he hears an engine since he was about 6 months old. He toddler runs (you know, not quite running lol) over to the back door when the Montego starts up and stares out the window so he can see whats going on.

Good luck

AncientOfDays > Takuro Spirit 03/25/2014 at 12:56

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lol... you're not the first to recommend that. I figure that this car can have two basic incarnations: either the bad-ass off-roader, or the wagon for a city-dweller who needs to haul stuff occasionally and mostly commute to work. At this stage of life, it's that second one that applies, and so the tires reflect that.

Takuro Spirit > AncientOfDays 03/25/2014 at 13:19

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Also hauled things and used mainly to commute to work. Sometimes I "got lost" on the weekends though.