1982 AMC Eagle SX/4 from North America - Comments

9th Mar 2004, 22:28

"A Good Fixer-uper"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

First, I Purchased this from a guy who rebuilt the engine and transmition, but then left it sit outside for 3 years. This Is the biggest problem.

Very rough idle, and idle speed.

Bumps (hops) in reverse.

Battery light is always on, but seams to be nothing wrong with the charging system.

"Clunking" when at idle or hitting the brakes hard.

Brake lines have to be replaced, along with the fuel lines.

Vacuum lines rotting away, being replaced. Vacuum leaks everywhere.

Leaks in the rain.

Seats torn up.

Floor boards rusted out.

Drivers window (manual) is unable to open/close all the way.

General comments?

This car I recently bought for a buck from one of my fathers friends. It had the engine, and the transmition rebuilt up to specs, but then he left it outside his garage for 3 years. When I got their it was sitting under a tree with leaves all over the seats (the drivers window was open all this time) all tires flat, no battery, leaves in the carb, mouse nest in the air filter, and then no oil. It toke me a while to get it going. after fixing all those things, I went into the drivers seat and started it up. It started with a lot of stumbling, and dust and leaves going everywhere. Drivable, but having no brakes I had to get it onto a trailer and haul it home. Slowly rebuilding it myself with all the problems, I already love the car. Living in MN with the salty roads in the winter it did its damage, with floors to where you can stick your foot outside while driving if you're not careful. Being a car lover I expect to build it up to its original looks and specifications. I already started with the carb. fixed the 4-wheel drive, and had the valve cover replaced with the metal cover. I hope in the end this car will bring me joy for all the money I'm going to be putting into it.


11th Mar 2004, 21:36

Well just to ad to this, I have got a new carb, and now it runs great. nothing can stop me now!


6th Nov 2005, 03:41

I thought nothing could stop my Eagle either. Any and all Egles are

likely to end up with a crack from the unibody to the frame below the

back part of the shock tower on the drivers side and then the spring

plate will bounce against the steering shaft. If I weld this I will make

a plate for both sides and weld them into position. That way if the

other side (passenger) is weak I'll have caught it before it happened.

I wish I could figure out the faltering idle problem so I don't have to

take the whole carburetor apart once a year. I always keep a fresh

fuel filter on it, but it doesn't seem to help that much.

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