'83 AMC Eagle SX4

[89 MJ]

Makes sense to me. An XJ D44 is what I wanted for my car too. I ended up with an 8.25 for the same reason. 

[Eagle_SX4]

I dropped the block and head off at the machine shop. It should be done in the next few weeks. I got the crank polished and already have that back. I picked up a cam shaft from Newcomer Racing along with lifters and timing chain. I will get pistons ordered when I get the block back from the shop.

[eaglescout526]

Ooooo some exciting stuff!!

[89 MJ]

Looking forward to the next update!

[Eagle_SX4]

Talked to the machine shop today and hopefully by next Friday the engine will be done and I can start putting it together. 

 

Also I picked up a TJ Dana 44 to put in. The previous owner said the pinion bearing went out shortly after a rebuild and was done messing with it so he bought new G2 axles instead. Which is good news for me as I paid only $200 for it. Lots of brackets to cut off to fit the Eagle, but for the price I couldn't pass it up. It has 4.10 gears and a Yukon Zip air locker in it. It will get a full rebuild with 3.55 gears.

[derf]

You'll probably need a new carrier unless he used thick cut 4.10s.

 

But you'll have a locker to sell and you likely can get better than $200 for it.

[Eagle_SX4]

2 minutes ago, derf said:

You'll probably need a new carrier unless he used thick cut 4.10s.

 

But you'll have a locker to sell and you likely can get better than $200 for it.

This is exactly what I am thinking. I will pull it apart this weekend and find out what I am working with.

[Eagle_SX4]

I got the axle torn down. The front pinion bearing was trashed due to the wrong shims used to set the preload which blocked the oil.

 

I bought up new bearings, gears and a Detroit TrueTrac limited slip diff. They will be going in tomorrow after I finish shaving the axle tubes.

[Eagle_SX4]

I got the axle shaved and started to set up the gears. I've got some adjustment to do but it is getting close. 

[Eagle_SX4]

Picked up the block and head from the machine shop. They look great. Now I need to order pistons, bearings and gaskets then I can put it together. 

[Eagle_SX4]

I got the rear axle gears set up with the new TrueTrac.

 

I have decided to ditch the T5/NP229 combo and swap to an AX15/NP242. I need to rebuild the transmission and pick up a NP242 to swap into it.

 

I will swap every at once so I don't have to get my driveshafts modded twice. The AX15/242 is longer than the T5/229 and the 44 is longer than the 35.

[Eagle_SX4]

Picked up a NP242 out of a '95 ZJ today. It bolts right up to the AX15. It needs to be pressure washed then should be good to go. It shifts through all the gears and turns smoothly. I will run it as is for now and rebuild it only if needed. I also pulled a driveshaft out of a different '96 ZJ so I can have it shortened once everything else is swapped in.