When my eagle flipped in 2003 I wasn't sure what would happen to it. It is a 1988 so I really didn't want to part it. I got it fixed but there was always a click/knock noise from the transmission since then and I believe it is the flex plate. I began this project with the intention of replacing the flexplate and putting the eagle back on the road. I do have this issue with half done jobs on things I care about so eventually I came to the realization that I was just going to do the whole car how I wanted it. So here it is, the current list of what will be done to make this sleeper AMC, Project "Kenosha's Goodbye".
1. 360 engine with at least 300 hp, 400 torque
2. 727 trany with shift kit with fairly high stall
3. Beefy rear end, twin grip, 3.73 gears front/back
4. Shorty headers to duel exaust
5. Performance heads/manifold with holly 750 carb
6. Two tone paint, Dark burnt orange on top, black on bottom or something else (vauge huh)
7. Custom dash board of fiberglass with simple gauge pods
Tonight the engine comes out along with the transmission if I can. I also will take off another door and the rear seats. Last night I pulled the top half of the engine to make the rest easier to move around. I drained the transmission and found metal shavings in the mix, lot and lots of shavings. This makes me wonder if it was only the flex plate the went (or if it was the flex plate at all).
A few changes and a little bit of progress has occured. I've decided I'm going to use the 727 transmission rather than the T-5 (saving that for another project down the road). I'll use a shift kit so I will almost feel like I'm driving stick. Of course all this could change if it turns out the 727 won't fit. I did get the engine out and indeed the flex plate was demolished as seen in the picture. It just isn't attached to itself at all. Also got the rear hatch off and the passenger side back door. I might get over there tonight and do a little work on getting the rest of the dash out. Speaking of dash boards, I have my instrument cluster figured out I believe. All from old CJ jeeps. The speedo in them has gas gauge/temp/speedo all combined in one gauge. It only goes to 85 so I'll make a second speedo that fits next to it that starts where the first leaves off. On the right of all that I'll have the armed clock (not armed with guns, that'll be up to me) and on the right I'll place a tach. Check out the sketch (notice my slight obsession for art deco styling)
I'm also playing strongly with the idea of converting to a two door for weight and style reasons.
This weekend was big for me. I now own a v8 (amc 360) and picked up the 727 transmission as well. I am going to stick with the stock np 129 transfer case for now but if I find a cheap 229 I'll grab it. Other than picking up the engine I just took some more of the trim off along with the back lights. I did get the 988 transmission out too which involved cutting on of the cross member studs (picture below). Any weekend you get the engine for your car is a good one.
I measured a 2 door amc with a rope and it was about the same door length so I won't be swapping doors. I still am considering doing a 2 door conversion but am not completely sure. I'll be keeping the rear seats at this point (refinishing them of course).
