newbie challenger questions

Author Topic: newbie challenger questions  (Read 938 times)

Offline scf100

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 795
  • FAST LANE FOREVER!
newbie challenger questions
« on: February 21, 2006 - 08:07:07 PM »
ok, just got my 1970 Challenger 383 RT/SE.

as usual over the years weird things have happened....now has a 1971 400/auto in it that runs strong( do need to replace carb/intake as carb is trash and intake leaks)


1) non a/c car...it does not have a fan shroud, should it?

2) no washer bottle,hoses,squirters etc...but the wiper knob sez washer so did it come with one and would it have been electric?

3) looking at an Edelbrock Performer 2186 intake and a Ebock carb 750 manual choke #1407 ( what do you think?)

4) front end needs rebuilt...are any parts hard to find? any sources better for these parts?

5) at idle steering wheel vibrates badly ( rough idle cause of intake leak) is that something that needs replaced like a damper?


thanks for your help,
 :working:
1970 Challenger R/T convertible 383…. 4-speed…3.91 suregrip

Triple Black




Offline 74MOPAR

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 393
Re: newbie challenger questions
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2006 - 02:28:02 AM »
An A/C car would have had a larger radiator  26" vs 22".
 All Challengers would have come with a fan shroud regardless- it helps "aim" the air.  Get one !

 Wiper knob could have been changed.  If it was a power washer , there would be a little motor under the washer fluid reservoir in the engine compartment.  Otherwise it may have had a manual pump - which was a foot operated job,[like a foot operated air pump]  near the high beam switch on the drivers floor.  The lines would run from the reservoir, thru the firewall, thru the switch to the cowl area. My 'cuda had/has this set-up.

 Maybe try tightening the two bolts that hold the steering wheel column to the underside of the dash.
 There is a coupler in your steering column - it could be worn out [ in the engine compartment foward of the brake master cylinder] about 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, it has folded over tabs.  I believe there is also a taper pin in there, be sure it is tight.

74 'Cuda + 73 Charger Rally + $$ + assembly= Noble M400
 03 Ram Hemi 4x4
 78 Aspen Super Coupe

Offline js27

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1380
  • MOPAR OR NO CAR
Re: newbie challenger questions
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2006 - 06:40:22 PM »
would love to see some pic's !!!!!
JS27
1967 GTX
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Conv.

Offline scf100

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 795
  • FAST LANE FOREVER!
Re: newbie challenger questions
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2006 - 07:06:46 PM »



It needs detailing under the hood,front end rebuilt....

there are no parts to the windshield washer system,no hoses,squiters,washer bottle etc......but the wiper knob on the dash sez washer........anyway I can tell if it came from the factory with one? it is a real RT/SE

PS, JS27 YOU HAVE AN AWESOME CAR!
« Last Edit: February 23, 2006 - 07:11:06 PM by scf100 »
1970 Challenger R/T convertible 383…. 4-speed…3.91 suregrip

Triple Black

Offline Rev-It-Up

  • Global Moderator
  • Permanent Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 10601
  • Member Since 2/20/02
Re: newbie challenger questions
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2006 - 07:37:50 PM »
Does it not have the smaller window plug in the back? I only ask because there is no vinyl top....all rt/se's had vinyl tops.
Rev-It-Up                                                             Yes, I'm a girl!
                         


Offline FY1 RT SE

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 630
Re: newbie challenger questions
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2006 - 07:55:51 PM »
All R/T's had 3 speed wipers standard which came with electric washers.
Moog suspension parts, best $ appears to be Rock auto, except for the pitman arm, Autozone has the best $ for them that I have seen.  It is worthwhile to upgrade the tie rods to 74-77  C body type if you replace them.
« Last Edit: February 24, 2006 - 07:46:37 PM by FY1 RT SE »

Offline scf100

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 795
  • FAST LANE FOREVER!
Re: newbie challenger questions
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2006 - 08:28:40 PM »
Yep it has the small back window.....a lot of the SE stuff was removed when the car had interior and paint done 8-10 yrs ago...so no overhead console,no chrome SE trim on doors,hood front valance and vinyl roof trim (ooooch!)

I want to put a vivyl roof back on but it looks like its hard to find attaching hardware and how the heck would you find orig mounting holes for clips ( or however attached to body) since they had been filled and painted over?

Rev I live in Athens so I need your help....also who can I take the car to near me to redo the wiring in engine bay ( mickey mouse at best) and detail somewhat...it now has a 400 in it so the dist/ingintion is diff and a chevy one wire alt rigged up...I want to correct all that.
1970 Challenger R/T convertible 383…. 4-speed…3.91 suregrip

Triple Black

Offline Bondavi

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 390
Re: newbie challenger questions
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2006 - 01:09:16 AM »


Go to www.moparts.com 

Lots of parts for sale there, I m sure there's a RT/SE overhead console in there, at least you can get started putting this RT/SE back together the way it should be. I assume the rear window filler panel (plastic between the metal and glass) is gone and the window converted to standard non-SE?

Do you have a fender tag, if so, post it or better, take a pic! That will tell a lot about your car and the color/options it came from the factory.  :picture:

Not that some people care, but I learned as a newbie long ago that posting my non-Mopar cars in my sig didn't really help much. So I just deleted the others and stayed all-Mopar. Nice 428 you got there, I have a red/white survivor '65 289 stick. You will find the Mopar world to be a whole different dimension.....to the point where 'addictive' comes into play!   :grinyes:

Please post away any questions you have, as you go I'm sure you will find this crowd VERY family-like and get all the honest answers you want right away.

Have fun!
David

'70 Challenger R/T FC7 440-6 4spd N96 3.54 Dana - SOLD

Offline scf100

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 795
  • FAST LANE FOREVER!
Re: newbie challenger questions
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2006 - 04:49:11 AM »
Thanks David advise taken.

Its got the window plug/small window still intact....I posted fender tag info several weeks ago and folks here helped me to decode as an orig RT/SE

It has SE door panel emblems still there...JSNOB car
1970 Challenger R/T convertible 383…. 4-speed…3.91 suregrip

Triple Black