Here we go again! A 1986 Eagle

[eaglescout526]

We have AC!!! I hate the rudimentary system AMC used. Especially the micro switch. Smart but dumb. Relay would’ve been better. But I jammed a piece of wire in between the brass that lost tension and the plastic and it operates like it should. 

[eaglescout526]

 

Im not proud of this fix but here’s the wire. I tested it and had to pull it back apart and taped the wire down to prevent it from moving out of the spot and jammed the terminal under the door cable. But it works and should for a while. 

[eaglescout526]

Well….here I am. Admitting that the radiator was a problem. Using the heater in the winter fooled me pretty well until it got hot out. 

 

So the old one was clogged. @89 MJ spent about 6 hours trying to unclog the old one. We almost succeeded. Almost. He left i and decided to play with the strong acids to clean it out and suffice to say it was going pretty damn good. Till a pocket of acid stuck around and eroded the solder away at the upper tank. Damn. So I hunted down a new one and to my absolute surprise found one. Damn near close to factory spec. Even the fittings for the trans fit pretty well. 
 

 

And now we’re here. The shroud went on without a hitch and now I’m cleaning it to where it’ll be more presentable. I should have no more cooling issues after this. And if I do. Well i dont know what to do then. But everything looked healthy. I even opted to swap to an aluminum water pump just for giggles and will be putting the 7 blade fan back on cause I think it can handle it. 

[Eagle_SX4]

2 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

So I hunted down a new one and to my absolute surprise found one. Damn near close to factory spec. Even the fittings for the trans fit pretty well. 

Where did you get it I am going to replace my radiator soon and was planning on one from a CJ7.

[eaglescout526]

3 minutes ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

Where did you get it I am going to replace my radiator soon and was planning on one from a CJ7.

So I bought it off eBay originally. But the seller contacted me and asked me which one I need and then sold me the right one while refunding me the one I bought which was the cheaper and smaller core. Guess they have two styles in stock and didn’t have them appropriately listed. But seems like finding a radiator that’s factory is few and far between. 
 

Part numbers are 579 in the performance radiator catalog and the one I received today is TSM 433579 which is basically the same. Last I looked on eBay the seller has one or two but I hope that’s correct. Looks like we have a range from 74-88 though. 

[eaglescout526]

It’s all back together and no leaks! Now I need to address some smaller stuff and I should be good to drive the eagle once again! 

[89 MJ]

 

That rad deserves to be shown off 

[eaglescout526]

1 hour ago, 89 MJ said:

 

That rad deserves to be shown off 

I mean..:.it looks the same as the old one. But sure!

[eaglescout526]

Well while trying to tune it, the starter decided to act up. Being tight on money I decided to take a look. Turns out the bendix return spring popped out of place. Popped it back in, reassembled the starter and should be good to go back in and not be a

problem. 

 

i am paranoid as all hell about the cooling system. Hopefully I’ll have a simple easy drives to and from work and it’ll be solved. 
 

also yes I’ll get a pic of the radiator in place. 

[eaglescout526]

 

Just for you Carter! @89 MJ

[89 MJ]

Looks perfect

[Eagle_SX4]

That does look great. 

 

Even with the part numbers you posted I still can't find one for sale. Can you share a link?

[eaglescout526]

2 hours ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

That does look great. 

 

Even with the part numbers you posted I still can't find one for sale. Can you share a link?

https://ebay.io/m/nDrzLe

 

According to their store they still have this one. Maybe message the seller and see. 

[eaglescout526]

 

Well 3 days of driving and all is good again. I’m getting more comfortable driving it, understanding the CEC system better and learning what a car needs when it has AC loading the engine down. 
 

Also @89 MJ found me a set of wheel covers. Damn near NOS too and fits the car really well. It’s more or less complete minus a rear wiper arm. 

[89 MJ]

Looking darn good!

[eaglescout526]

The Eagle now has a rear wiper arm from an XJ!!

 

So Carter and I went back and forth on this on what feels like forever. Debating on if an XJ rear arm will work. It does. Not the correct spline count but clean up the splines and throw some lube on it and it will go. 

 

Oh hey thats wrong. Its not going to wipe or sit right.

 

So I drilled out the rivet, separated the fold

 

Hammered out the bend and bent it to the other way, reassembled, with a self tapping screw of the small size to fit the holes. Clamped the fold back over. 

 

 

Voila!! It will now wipe the correct way. Hopefully other Eagle owners see this.

[Eagle_SX4]

That is awesome! I love finding Jeep parts that can be made to work on the Eagles. I wonder if a FSJ rear wiper arm is actually a perfect match? They seem to share more parts than the XJ.

[eaglescout526]

2 hours ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

That is awesome! I love finding Jeep parts that can be made to work on the Eagles. I wonder if a FSJ rear wiper arm is actually a perfect match? They seem to share more parts than the XJ.

Does the FSJ have a rear wiper? I feel like I have never seen a rear wiper on an SJ.

[Eagle_SX4]

23 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

Does the FSJ have a rear wiper? I feel like I have never seen a rear wiper on an SJ.

I thought it was more common but after looking it seems to be only '89-'91 had it as an option. They are made new though. But for $47+ shipping it might not be worth the gamble. Also given it was only an option after AMC was finished they probably used different parts.

 

https://teamgrandwagoneer.com/rear-wiper-arm-gw-1989-1991/?srsltid=AfmBOoqviaQi2sNExI5Vs5LT7HsJwa5EdlNG8h4VRauvB28gMgdZIVMI

 

[eaglescout526]

8 hours ago, Eagle_SX4 said:

I thought it was more common but after looking it seems to be only '89-'91 had it as an option. They are made new though. But for $47+ shipping it might not be worth the gamble. Also given it was only an option after AMC was finished they probably used different parts.

 

https://teamgrandwagoneer.com/rear-wiper-arm-gw-1989-1991/?srsltid=AfmBOoqviaQi2sNExI5Vs5LT7HsJwa5EdlNG8h4VRauvB28gMgdZIVMI

 

Oh that’s quite the gamble. I’m surprised it wasn’t on the SJ sooner. Course I bet the design really didn’t ask for the need or a rear wiper. 

[eaglescout526]

 

19" blade fits pretty damn well.

[89 MJ]

9 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

Oh that’s quite the gamble. I’m surprised it wasn’t on the SJ sooner. Course I bet the design really didn’t ask for the need or a rear wiper. 

Maybe because of the roll down rear window?

[derf]

The SJ wagoneer didn't change the basic body design since the original body came out as a 1963 model.  A bunch of parts were compatible all the way through 1991.  The rear window wiper was definitely an afterthought.