I ask because when I attempt to recompile zsh on the x86_64 box, I unaccountably get this error: Can't locate object method "path" via package "Request" at /usr/share/autoconf/Autom4te/C4che.pm line 69, <GEN1> line 111.
Apparently an old autom4te.cache directory was copied to the new machine along with the source files, and this was causing grief to automake. Removing the cache has cleared up the problem.