AMC Eagle

[MadMan]

Originally Posted by Jon A.

So you basically turned it into a 4-speed overdrive hm? The behavior of the modified 4-speed sounds like that of our '84 Lynx. The car may be long gone but I vividly recall many small details.

What did the transmission come out of?

It was the original Vanagon transmission. If I recall, the numbers suggested that the 4 speed was just barely an overdrive as it was, but yeah, basically. Fortunately, there's a company in Cali that does nothing but make VW manual transmission parts. The guy I talked to there was super helpful and knew literally everything about the subject.

[mr_rye89]

I've always thought those Eagles were cool. kind of like a proto-crossover with real 4WD and torque, no effeminate lines, no traverse engines, no dash tablet infotainment.......

[MIPS]

The car wasn't in the parking lot when I drove past the shop on Friday afternoon so I am guessing we will know the exact prognosis within the next day or so.

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by MadMan

It was the original Vanagon transmission. If I recall, the numbers suggested that the 4 speed was just barely an overdrive as it was, but yeah, basically. Fortunately, there's a company in Cali that does nothing but make VW manual transmission parts. The guy I talked to there was super helpful and knew literally everything about the subject.

Yeah I figured, I just wonder how that transmission would bolt up to a Focus engine.

Man, you guys really struck gold with that shop. Sure beats swapping out the entire tranny, nothing was wasted, sweet.

[MadMan]

Originally Posted by Jon A.

Yeah I figured, I just wonder how that transmission would bolt up to a Focus engine.

Man, you guys really struck gold with that shop. Sure beats swapping out the entire tranny, nothing was wasted, sweet.

Heh, as I mentioned, Vanagon engines suck, and everyone knows it. I suppose so many people owned camper vans with those depressing VW motors, that somewhere along the line, someone figured there was a market to sell these guys engine swap kits. The Focus engine doesn't bolt up to a VW trans, there's an adapter plate. It's like a 1 inch thick aluminum plate, with all the appropriate bolt holes for that particular engine/trans pair.

[MIPS]

And the envelope, please...

***************************************
*                                                                   *
*         STUPIDEST CAR CHOICE OF 2018         *
*                                                                   *
*                                                                   *
*                                                                   *
*                                                                   *
*                          MIPS                                  *
*                                                                   *
*   "Bought a 1982 AMC Eagle for $2000,          *
*  However needs $3500 Transmission rebuild" *
*                                                                   *
*                                                                   *
***************************************

The Prophecy was fulfilled.
Well, I guess that writes off any personal expenses for the next six months.

The transmission was dropped and an inspection was performed. The fluid was found to be burned indeed while particles were found in the filter and the pump had failed. A used transmission is not available (that I already knew) so the only viable solution is to have this transmission torn down and completely rebuilt, which at the least comes with an 80000km warranty. Now that figure is worst-case. If they find components in the transmission are still good that cost will go down but this is still a costly mistake.

[quaddriver]

Originally Posted by MIPS

And the envelope, please...

***************************************
*                                                                   *
*         STUPIDEST CAR CHOICE OF 2018         *
*                                                                   *
*                                                                   *
*                                                                   *
*                                                                   *
*                          MIPS                                  *
*                                                                   *
*   "Bought a 1982 AMC Eagle for $2000,          *
*  However needs $3500 Transmission rebuild" *
*                                                                   *
*                                                                   *
***************************************

The Prophecy was fulfilled.
Well, I guess that writes off any personal expenses for the next six months.

The transmission was dropped and an inspection was performed. The fluid was found to be burned indeed while particles were found in the filter and the pump had failed. A used transmission is not available (that I already knew) so the only viable solution is to have this transmission torn down and completely rebuilt, which at the least comes with an 80000km warranty. Now that figure is worst-case. If they find components in the transmission are still good that cost will go down but this is still a costly mistake.

whoa, I have to catch up reading on this, but you should have a 998 or 904 in that right? and in some cases the 727 can be fit...rebuilt, $1000 oughta do it and the R&R aint that bad, about an hour each way if you are experienced