I bought my Challenger in mid-October of 2011. The car had been re-done by the previous owner but he develpoed cancer and the car ended up sitting for several years while he tried to fight his disease. He eventaully passed away and I got the car from his son.
The motor is a 69 440 with a 6 pack, it had been rebuilt but then spent the last 4-5 years just sitting. The carbs all leaked and ran poorly. The car desperately needed a tune up but even so the motor ran STRONG. My understanding is that it's basically a stock rebuild. .030 over with 906 heads and a mild Mopar performance cam.
I've been spending the winter replacing everything that I felt should be replaced after sitting for so long. I'm doing all new fluids, belts, hoses, and a complete tune up. I removed the crappy rusted out and cracked headers and replaced them with a set of nice HP exhaust manifolds. I'm replacing the fuel pump, the thermostat, heater hoses, fuel lines, and basically anything else I can get my hands on.
Here's the motor the day I got it home...
I pulled the carbs for a rebuild and the intake to be bead blasted and powder coated...
I started replacing parts and detailing the engine...
My "new" HP exhaust manifolds....scored off of ebay for only $200.00!! The numbers were correct but I don't think the guy knew what he had.
Here's the motor as of yesterday afternoon. Manifolds are installed, new plugs are in, and the motor is detailed. Today I'm doing a new fuel pump and all new lines, then I'll install the new alternator and the belts.
Hopefully by the end of Feb I'll have the intake on and the carbs back from being rebuilt. I still have to replace all the hoses, and finish the tune up as well as having a new exhaust system installed.
Plans are to have the car running and driving by mid-May. Finger's crossed!