'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.

[Eagle_SX4]

After my crankshaft was polished I needed to get .001 bearings for the block. But unfortunately the only .001 bearings available are for the rods. I will need to get the main journals on my crank ground down .010 to be able to get the correct oil clearance. I will take it back to the machine shop on Friday.

 

Good news is I got my axle sealed up and it is ready to have perches and shock mounts welded on. Also I got my AX15 torn down for the rebuild. Waiting on parts to put that back together.

[Eagle_SX4]

I finished the rebuild on the AX15 today. I will be running a Dodge Dakota shifter which has a shorter throw than the XJ version. Now I just need to get some bolts I forgot about (bellhousing to transmission, starter bolts and slave cylinder bolts) then swap the transmission, transfer case and rear axle into the car.

[Eagle_SX4]

I decided to run a slip yoke eliminator on the NP242 and got that installed today. Hopefully the bolts I ordered will show up sometime over the next week so I can put the transmission, transfer case and rear axle in the car. I also made a shifter handle out of a billard ball I found in the junkyard.

[Eagle_SX4]

The swap has begun. AX15 next to the T5 I pulled out.

 

The shifter is in the same spot on both which is nice and makes the swap easier.

[eaglescout526]

Like the swap was meant to be. 

[89 MJ]

I’m glad the shifter is in the same spot, that was one of my concerns when I go to 5 speed swap my car. 

[Eagle_SX4]

The transmission and transfer case are in and the rear axle is in place. Driveshafts have been measured and both will need to be about 2 inches longer. I started on a custom transmission mount that will use the factory cross member.

 

 

I need to make some feet that will bolt to the cross member.

[Eagle_SX4]

The Dakota shifter lands behind the steering wheelin 1st gear. Tomorrow I am going to shorten it about 4.5 inches and see how it works. 

 

[watchamakalit]

Sounds like a good excuse for a short throw shifter.......

 

Hurst I mean. 

[Eagle_SX4]

4 hours ago, watchamakalit said:

Sounds like a good excuse for a short throw shifter.......

 

Hurst I mean. 

The AX15 Hurst shifter was discontinued long ago. I am going to make the shifter I have work for now, especially because I need new driveshafts more than a perfect shifter.

[Eagle_SX4]

After cutting the shifter lever down 4.5" it is now as tall as the original shifter. It will work great at this height. The throw between 1st and 2nd is 4.5" which works great.