73 Challenger restomod

[Mpdlawdog]

LET THE CLEAN UP FUN BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mpdlawdog]

This project is how I found out that 72 and 73 grilles are different at the bottom where the bracket pushes through. Still need to do some prep work before primer and paint. I'm debating between spraying the grille entirely black or leaving the mesh insert silver.


LBS what is you wheel and tire set up? 

[dave73chally]

As I tackle cleaning up the engine bay, what do you guys recommend I do to cleanup the wiring? Everything was in working order with the exception of the neutral safety. There is some hack work from the previous owner I can sort out but very minor. What should I replace, keep, look for etc?

 I have a bunch of wires that were hit with paint overspray that I plan to run through flex tubing. The factory wiring sections that's really wrapped in electrical tape, I'm planning to unwrap and rewrap or run through tubing as well.

[Lbs]

A project that I am going to be taking on any day now, and will be easier for you to do now with the motor out, is to remove my amp gauge from the mix. Their are threads on here that will give you plenty of info on what to do. Essentially what you would be doing is removing the high amp wire from your alternator that goes through your fire wall and to your dash and reroute it to your starter or starter relay to prevent the likely hood of a dash fire. I'm by no means well educated on this but I'm researching it now. Their are a lot of good people on this site that would be happy to help.

[YellowThumper]

This place has a good writeup on the amp bypass. The amp gage can be converted to volts and made to look original.  They can burn up especially when higher amps alternators are added to cover moden accessory additions.

Another is look at your bulkhead blade connection. If it is corroded it is on it's way and will only worsen.
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

As for "cleaning up" there is black nylon mesh in varied diameters that looks real clean. It is split so it can go over existing wiring.  Can provide a pic if you are interested. This can save the work of rewrapping the loom. If any of your existing wires are stiff and brittle. Replace them. Even if they are "borderline". Only fire you want is at the spark plugs...

Mike

[dave73chally]

This place has a good writeup on the amp bypass. The amp gage can be converted to volts and made to look original.  They can burn up especially when higher amps alternators are added to cover moden accessory additions.

Another is look at your bulkhead blade connection. If it is corroded it is on it's way and will only worsen.
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

As for "cleaning up" there is black nylon mesh in varied diameters that looks real clean. It is split so it can go over existing wiring.  Can provide a pic if you are interested. This can save the work of rewrapping the loom. If any of your existing wires are stiff and brittle. Replace them. Even if they are "borderline". Only fire you want is at the spark plugs...

Mike

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize yearone sells harnesses for all the different sections of the car. I'll just buy new ones and play it safe, a lot is brittle and some connectors shattered when disconnecting.

[70chall440]

 

[Mpdlawdog]

Go with this guys stuff..much better than what year one sells and cheaper...I have it waiting on me to get off my butt and finish my car
http://www.evanswiring.com/

[dave73chally]

Go with this guys stuff..much better than what year one sells and cheaper...I have it waiting on me to get off my butt and finish my car
http://www.evanswiring.com/

Interesting. Does he make all the kits himself?

I thought yearone supplied M&H harnesses which everyone recommends?

[Mpdlawdog]

Interesting. Does he make all the kits himself?

I thought yearone supplied M&H harnesses which everyone recommends?

I believe he does...hes an older "oldschool" guy...he can make whatever you want....I bought the engine harness and light harness...excellent quality

[dave73chally]

Been welding up some holes in the engine bay and disassembling the front suspension. Will post some progress pictures shortly. I have the entire suspension apart and got a media blast quote for the k frame, lower control arms, spindles, center link and sway bar brackets. Guy wants $250, is that a good price? Are there any at home solutions to strip these parts? Been reading about dipping smaller parts in molasses, white vinegar etc. I'd rather save the money if I can do it myself..

[Mpdlawdog]

its not bad....I used a wire brush, sanding disks, and my angle grinder....I then took the gun off of my sand blaster and set up a "tarp" room and sandblasted the bigger stuff....the tarp caught all the sand and I put it back into the container and used it again and again...its all about how much time you want to spend and how much your time is worth

[70chall440]

Unless you really want it all blasted, you can do a very good job using a wire brush, grinder, etc (home solutions) or you could pick up a stand along HF blaster and through some media and do it yourself if you have a compressor and a place to do it. I just used the hand tools and grinder on both my Cuda and Challenger and both came out fine. Use some lacquer thinner or acetone to wipe it all down to get the grease and oil off of it; of get some simple green and scrub it down. I would never spend $250 for something like this.

[dave73chally]

Completely agree, not spending that kind of money if I can do it myself. I'll attack them with some rust and paint removal products and the wire wheel.

[7212Mopar]

I spent a few days cleaning my k frame with hand tools and it is still not quite done yet. The inside crevices with 40 plus year of dirt and grease build up is tough to get all clean up. I think hot tank will be better than sand blasting. Are you going to weld up your k frame?