Carter’s 1986 AMC Eagle (plus Eagle axle swap and other tech info)

[89 MJ]

Going back together. I’m almost as far as I can go before needing to pull the engine out of the Eagle. The Eagle already has a brand new water pump that I need to use and I’ll need the Eagle specific oil pan. 

[neohic]

Anything special or just freshened up?

[89 MJ]

4 hours ago, neohic said:

Anything special or just freshened up?

Just an aluminum valve cover and new gaskets. The rod bearings looked brand new in it. I suspect it’s around 80,000 miles. Eventually I’d like to stick a cam in it and get a 4.0 head. 

[Eagle_SX4]

You might want to consider putting in a new oil pump while it is on the stand. Also a new rear main. Just for peace of mind. I know first hand how difficult it is to pull the oil pan off that engine while it is in the car.

[89 MJ]

10 hours ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

You might want to consider putting in a new oil pump while it is on the stand. Also a new rear main. Just for peace of mind. I know first hand how difficult it is to pull the oil pan off that engine while it is in the car.

Already planned. Along with a new timing chain because the 258s had a plastic cam gear. 

[89 MJ]

[89 MJ]

Engine is painted 

[neohic]

Looks great!

[acfortier]

Nice color. That's what I painted my AMC 360 when I got a reman for my J10.

[89 MJ]

10 hours ago, neohic said:

Looks great!

Thank you!

4 hours ago, acfortier said:

Nice color. That's what I painted my AMC 360 when I got a reman for my J10.

It is a great color. Looked even better when I sanded the top of the valve cover and got it sitting in the car. Funnily enough, it’s not AMC blue. It’s a Mitsubishi color that’s almost the same, it’s just got a ton of metallic. 
 

[fiatslug87]

What’s the Mitsubishi color called?

[89 MJ]

14 hours ago, fiatslug87 said:

What’s the Mitsubishi color called?

I don’t remember. I’ll have to get a picture of the can at home. It also might be in my Comanche build thread sometime in the later half of 2020. 

[89 MJ]

On 8/4/2024 at 10:44 PM, fiatslug87 said:

What’s the Mitsubishi color called?

Took me long enough to get a pic, but here’s the info. A pint will do 1 engine. It’s an acrylic enamel single stage. Color is Kawa Semi Blue, #928250. 

 

I’ve put some miles on the new engine. It’s way smoother and more powerful. 

[89 MJ]

Today I also swapped to some 84-93 S10 CV shafts. They are a bolt in swap that’s 3/8 of an inch longer. With a lift, the stock CVs bind. These longer ones do not. 

[89 MJ]

Because it was asked on FB, I grabbed some pictures of my trimmed fenders and new CV axles. Figured I’d drop them here too for reference. 

[89 MJ]

Anyone interested in some videos of me wheeling the Eagle? There is also a J10 one on there.

 

https://youtube.com/@vintage4x4s_and_streetrods?si=w9dEOyL7k2HdGc91 

 

[89 MJ]

I don't think that I mentioned it anywhere yet in this thread, but ever since I got the car back, the aluminum power steering pump bracket was broken. Some fellow Wisconsin AMC collectors sent me another one, which was perfect timing because it came as I was doing the engine. It was actually from the guy who got me in touch with the person I got the driver seat and some other interior pieces from. They've got a YouTube channel in case you don't get enough AMC content here on CC.

https://youtube.com/@americanmadeclassics?si=0EGLg9GocDnzUOBk

[89 MJ]

Here's something neat for the other Eagle owners on here to check out. A list of options with prices for each model year. Mine cost $13924 new. 

 

Google Sheets link for it:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_P_Nyd2ndpqctnW-18LTyCz4Lm12SDOVKo7pJRrzpos/edit?usp=sharing

 

Images:

 

PDF For Downloading:

AMC Eagle Price Guide - Google Sheets.pdf

[89 MJ]

I should have added that I don't think all of that information is completely accurate, as my car had 2.35 gears in the front diff and its an 86. Also, the pictures are blurry, that's why I have the other two methods of viewing it.

[89 MJ]

I never posted finished pics of the engine swap. That’s disappointing. 

[89 MJ]

More parts on the way. This time it’s a partial set of sill

 

And here is why I needed them. Super corroded to the point of having holes. Actually, only needed the one for the drivers door, but spares don’t hurt. 

[Ωhm]

I have some of these (license plate). Let me know if you want one. PM your address.

 

[89 MJ]

1 minute ago, Ωhm said:

I have some of these (license plate). Let me know if you want one. PM your address.

 

PM coming your way!

[Ωhm]

No charge. Delivered by Christmas.

[89 MJ]

2 minutes ago, Ωhm said:

No charge. Delivered by Christmas.

Thank you so much!