Author Topic: 73 Challenger restomod  (Read 78519 times)

Offline TelisSE440

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #105 on: January 29, 2016 - 03:09:12 PM »
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.

 :iagree: Too expensive, the money can be spend elsewhere on your Mopar




Offline dave73chally

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #106 on: January 29, 2016 - 03:48:41 PM »
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?

Plan is to weld it yea. I think I may dip all the smaller parts in a dilution of muriatic acid and then clean them up. May even try to find a big enough bin to dip my k member in? Muriatic acid is super cheap and gets diluted 8 to 1 from what I've read?  :dunno:
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline soundcontrol

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #107 on: January 29, 2016 - 06:04:53 PM »
Plan is to weld it yea. I think I may dip all the smaller parts in a dilution of muriatic acid and then clean them up. May even try to find a big enough bin to dip my k member in? Muriatic acid is super cheap and gets diluted 8 to 1 from what I've read?  :dunno:


Don't you have a bathtub at home?  :grinno:

/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline Brillo1974

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #108 on: January 29, 2016 - 06:33:08 PM »

Don't you have a bathtub at home?  :grinno:
  :roflsmiley: Once upon a time I may have done something like that.
Trump.... The Voice of the AMERICAN People!

Offline YellowThumper

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #109 on: February 01, 2016 - 12:33:17 AM »
They sell fairly large plastic bins at the local home improvement stores to mix concrete in. They are thick and cheap and big.


Mike
Removing the warning labels one at a time.
Nature will take care of the rest.

Offline 360 'CUDA

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #110 on: February 01, 2016 - 12:56:45 AM »
They sell fairly large plastic bins at the local home improvement stores to mix concrete in. They are thick and cheap and big.

They work great for oil changes too.  Never get any oil on the driveway.

Offline dave73chally

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #111 on: February 08, 2016 - 07:17:55 PM »
Been learning to weld, getting better. Cut lca stiffening plates from extra material I had:



Added support to the k frame steering box mount:


73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline brads70

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #112 on: February 08, 2016 - 07:37:46 PM »
Is that flux core wire? If so I found a gas kit gave much nicer looking welds. ( less mess/splatter to clean up afterwards)
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline dave73chally

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #113 on: February 08, 2016 - 07:50:34 PM »
Is that flux core wire? If so I found a gas kit gave much nicer looking welds. ( less mess/splatter to clean up afterwards)

Yea it's all I have right now...I know it's not ideal  :eek4:
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #114 on: February 08, 2016 - 07:55:29 PM »
Looks like you need to run the welder hotter or slow down the wire depending on the type welder you have. You should be able to get decent welds with less "bubble gum" looking welders by playing with the heat and speed (assuming your welder allows you to alter both).
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline Mpdlawdog

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #115 on: February 08, 2016 - 08:03:15 PM »
 :iagree:
when I first started my dad told me Im one hell of a grinder....welding...not so great
Its definitely an art and takes practice to make it perty...

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #116 on: February 08, 2016 - 08:08:16 PM »
It is definitely a skill; seems easy enough when you watch someone else do it or on TV, but in realty there are a lot nuances to it and over time because as much as a feel as it is the knowledge of what to do. Not rocket science but takes some practice and experience. On variable change affects everything which can be frustrating.

Heat
Speed
wire size
speed of movement
distance from the tip to the material
thickness of the material
type of material
condition of material
ambient air temp
temp of the material
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline dave73chally

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #117 on: February 08, 2016 - 09:04:53 PM »
Thanks for all the feedback.Right now all I have is a harbor freight 90 amp flux with .030 Lincoln wire. Temp settings are only 'max' and 'min', wire speed is 0-10. Welds above were at max with wire speed of 4. I'll try to slow down the wire speed but this machine is so limited, I'll see what happens.
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #118 on: February 08, 2016 - 09:13:15 PM »
No worries, try keeping your tip closer to the material. I have found this one aspect to be pretty critical overall to producing a good weld. Just for the record, not criticizing at all, you are doing well.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline dave73chally

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Re: 73 Challenger restomod
« Reply #119 on: February 08, 2016 - 09:33:56 PM »
No worries, try keeping your tip closer to the material. I have found this one aspect to be pretty critical overall to producing a good weld. Just for the record, not criticizing at all, you are doing well.

No criticism taken, like learning and appreciate the tips :thumbsup:

...shoulda seen my first welds, wasn't posting those  :roflsmiley:
73 Challenger
512 / 4spd / Hotchkis & QA1 Suspension