G's 73 Challenger Project

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    Author Topic: G's 73 Challenger Project  (Read 2343 times)

    Offline G machine

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    G's 73 Challenger Project
    « on: January 18, 2014 - 05:29:10 PM »
    History

    In 1976, I was stationed in Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque N.M. and didn’t know the city or have a way around.  I asked a buddy of mine to take me around to the “used” car lots and came upon this 1973 Dodge Challenger.  I had always liked the Challenger profile as a young teenager.  The car had a white vinyl top, a white interior, a black dash, and black carpets.  This was my first car.
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    My first love was a Mopar!  Still is!


    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #1 on: January 18, 2014 - 05:30:49 PM »
    The Challenger was my main car till the early 80s.  By then I had moved back to eastern Pennsylvania.  I gave the car a new look as bare metal was showing in certain spots from the previous owner and I worried about rust.  By the late 80s into the 90s, I hardly drove it anymore and it stayed mainly in my garage due to my career, marriage, and 2.3 kids.  I kept it covered when outside and the body was (and still is) virtually rust free.  In the last 10 years, the car would no longer run so there was this ritual each year to push it back into the garage with family and relatives for winter.  I supplied the cold ones.
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    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #2 on: January 18, 2014 - 05:32:20 PM »
    Fall 2012

    Restoration starts.  The Challenger leaves home after almost 25 years.
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    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #3 on: January 18, 2014 - 05:33:31 PM »
    Restoration done by Bill’s Service – Automotive Restoration Shop, Nazareth PA     http://www.billshotrodshop.com/

    From the restoration shop:  “The engine runs but has unevenness at idle (miss).  Some intake and exhaust valves are leaking and some cylinders have bad rings allowing air past into the crankcase.  Engine needs complete refresh.”  To be truthful, I wasn’t even surprised.
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    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #4 on: January 18, 2014 - 05:34:45 PM »
    First problem … engine is not the original.  Well, that’s depressing!  It looks like the person before me replaced the engine with a 72 Challenger block.  Since the engine is not original, I’m now open to some changes going forward.

    Next issue … one cylinder is damaged due to a missing wrist pin lock clip … looks like we are going to bore an engine.  The question is how much to get rid of that?  Hint: 30 mils
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    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #5 on: January 18, 2014 - 05:36:31 PM »
    2013

    Most of 2013 was waiting on the engine to be balanced.  The shop sub contracted that out and the guy who did it had a heart attack.  We had to wait until he recovered to finish the job and then we got back on track.  I was in no rush.  It gave me some time to decide the outside color, figure out how to pay for this whole thing and not get divorced, and read up on other issues at the cuda-challenger.com forum I’m wasn’t familiar with like moving the bumpers in a bit on these 1973 models.  Thanks everyone for your insight on that and other topics.

    I had wanted a green metallic car color and had several different spray outs of various shades but I wasn’t 100% happy.  I did try one on the engine compartment and that turned out really bad.  Thinking I was heading down the green path, I decided Chrysler engine blue just wasn’t right for the engine color.  Sorry folks, I never was a big fan of that color.  I went with black.
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    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #6 on: January 18, 2014 - 05:38:02 PM »
    Another issue … the original intake manifold was cracked so a new aluminum Weiand dual plenum intake manifold was ordered.  My son is working with me on the project.  We decided to keep the manifold as is and not paint it.  The valve covers are only sitting on there.  New valve covers are on order.  I also got a complete rebuild of the original carter thermoquad carburetor.
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    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #7 on: January 18, 2014 - 05:38:54 PM »
    I was originally attracted to Bill’s Service due to their baking soda blasting.  Here is the engine bay after soda blasting.
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    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #8 on: January 18, 2014 - 05:39:39 PM »
    The suspension was painted satin black and not a major focus at the moment.  Depending on funds, the suspension will get a major overhaul later.
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    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #9 on: January 18, 2014 - 05:40:32 PM »
    I really wanted a light green metallic color for the outside but ultimately I abandoned it.  My son’s color choice was purple so we settled on “plum crazy” (2013).  It’s not a 73 color but it is a Mopar color.  A black engine and interior will still look good with this color. 

    I want to keep the black vinyl roof but the restoration shop is concerned about some potential rust issues near the edges. I had the same concern so we’re going to pull it and check the roof.  A new black vinyl roof will be installed.  The old one is over 20 years old and has seen better days.
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    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #10 on: January 18, 2014 - 05:41:34 PM »
    2014

    I never had any issues with the transmission except sometimes “park” would not lock into place until the car was rocked a slight bit.  The TorqueFlite transmission was soda blasted and painted.   A transmission filter kit, front and rear seal, and rear transmission mount were installed.
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    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #11 on: January 18, 2014 - 05:52:56 PM »
    Engine went in this week.  I added ceramic coated hooker headers.  No problems with installation.
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    Offline blown motor

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #12 on: January 18, 2014 - 07:16:32 PM »
    Great story. Keep the pictures coming. Will you have it on the road in time for Carlisle.?
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    Offline G machine

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    Re: G's 73 Challenger Project
    « Reply #13 on: January 18, 2014 - 09:11:49 PM »
     :faint:
    Quote from: blown motor on January 18, 2014 - 07:16:32 PM
    Great story. Keep the pictures coming. Will you have it on the road in time for Carlisle.?

    I will be there but I'm not so sure about my car.   There is still a lot of work to do.   
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