Re: Eagle Gremlins

["Rhett Butler" <amc.inline.six@xxxxxxxxx>]

I live in the Northwest, though, and except for "coast cars", rust is a rare find. The only rust on the '76 I had 5 years ago was surface rust on the upper b-pillars where the doors with their tired hinges had rubbed about an inch of paint off of each pillar. And even then, it was barely noticeable.

I'm more after economy, and so I don't plan on going for an engine swap, unless it's advantageous in that way, or unless the engine tires out. A 4.0 in a Gremlin or Eagle would be awesome at that point. And I don't plan to change much cosmetically. I like the way both of these cars looked coming out of the factory. I'm an original car kind of guy.

But I will look for transmission issues, carb problems, and vacuum line concerns.

Thanks!

On 2/18/06, mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Well, less than a week after our Muscle cars discussion in which I
lamented
the fact that AMCs rarely seem to come available publicly in my area,
I have found 3 different ones for sale in my area. outside.

And then there's a '77 Gremlin for sale for $400, but there aren't a
lot of
specifics, nor is there a picture.

Independent of condition, I don't know offhand what I'd rather have.
A '77 Gremlin would get somewhat better mileage than an Eagle,
assuming it's a 6-cylinder Gremlin against a 6-cylinder Eagle. Though
an AMC 2.5 Eagle would be  rare and cool and better on the gas
mileage, it's not likely to find.

Anyhow, what should I look for when going to look at these cars? I
haven't owned an AMC in a while (since 2001), and I'm really excited,
but I don't want my enthusiasm for the hobby to push me into a
foolhardy decision.

Oh, and depending on engine, what kind of mileage can I expect to get
out of a '77 Gremlin or '84 Eagle wagon? I know what the Eagle's EPA
ratings were back in the '80s, but I don't know real-world what to
expect.

What are your guys' experiences?

Thanks!

Rhett


++


What to look for in an AMC - in a word ?

Rust.

You can swap an engine in a weekend with a friend
or friends who have the equipment - drop in a 4.0
from a 2wd Cherokee > with a 5spd. stick or
the Automatic.

With Rust - you need a panel beater - someone who
knows body work and has the welder, panel cutters,
a sheet metal brake perhaps, knows leading or bondoing,
sanding, has a large compressor for powering a paint
pot and on and on.

Gremlins are the Icon of the 60s' - 70s' , some people
would argue a 'Mod Top' Plymouth Valient holds the
laurels - or - maybe a VW micro bus.

Eagles have issues - I own two - neither running at
this time - either carbs or vacume lines or burnt
out TorqueCommand 998s from lack of cooling
and the extra weight of the Eagle.

If ever there were a contender for a V8 factory
built > the Eagle was it regardless that the JEEP
runs a 258, as the car is heavy.

A built Eagle for the Winter Season would be a Gem,
but for now I run my '89 Cherokee 2dr Sport 5spd.
with the 4.0 - which is a tremendous power plant,
and a decent choice for an Eagle > easier swap.

So, it sounds as if you're swaying to the Gremlin song -
find out the Rust damage - open the doors and look
at the rocker panel seams > pull up the rug edge and look
at the backs of the rocker panels.

Some parts can still be found in salvage yards -
but they won't be there very long.

Two to three years ago - the last of the Gremlins were
around in junkyards - and have since been crushed.

Parts prices have doubled since then > a $25.00 to $50.00
fender will set you back $75.00 to $150.00.

Grilles for that year Gremlin go for $75.00 to $150.00 IF
you can find them > saw one listed for $250.00.

You can fit a '78 AMX wire mesh Grill in that slot >
they are $250.00 if you're looking.

Back when I joined the amc-list, I bought the last 2
I could locate on the Internet - in Kenosha, for $35.00
each.

Rust is the scary, but once it is repaired - you can coat the inside
panels with Corroless and an Enamel Top Coat to seal it in >
check their site:

www.corroless.com

I'm using an undercoating 'wand' - to spray the corroless
inside the rocker panels - channels - front clip areas
by using a spray nozzle on a long section of mildly stiff
plastic tube-ing.

Every panel of the Kammback is getting this treatment as
I live in New York baby, and AMC Rust is King.

I've a '78 Matador that I bought rust free with 33k on the clock.

From sitting behind the shed - it broke in half at the firewall
and is serving itself up as plant food - trunk is gone etc. -
> plan on prevention if you do latch on to a '77 Grem.
20 years from now you'll be glad you did.

They are 'Culti' - very 'Culti', which is fine by me.



             Brien.
         NEW YORK
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