73 Challenger restomod

[brads70]

 
I seem to remember someone on here had an issue like this and it turned out to be the gear on the flywheel was not in the correct position for what ever reason? Something to check? ( the distance from the ring gear to the back of the block...)

[dave73chally]

I seem to remember someone on here had an issue like this and it turned out to be the gear on the flywheel was not in the correct position for what ever reason? Something to check? ( the distance from the ring gear to the back of the block...)
[/quote

Interesting, I measured the distance from the flywheel to the back of the block. Then bench tested how far the starter gear came out and they were within the same measurements.

Doing some more research, the 1998 ram starter has a gear od of 1.24" (31.5mm) and the 2004 ram starter has a gear od of 1.327" (33.7mm). Do you think the slightly smaller od is causing my issues?

[WildJones]

I seem to remember someone on here had an issue like this and it turned out to be the gear on the flywheel was not in the correct position for what ever reason? Something to check? ( the distance from the ring gear to the back of the block...)
[/quote

Interesting, I measured the distance from the flywheel to the back of the block. Then bench tested how far the starter gear came out and they were within the same measurements.

Doing some more research, the 1998 ram starter has a gear od of 1.24" (31.5mm) and the 2004 ram starter has a gear od of 1.327" (33.7mm). Do you think the slightly smaller od is causing my issues?

I doubt it. You're talking about adding 1.1mm per side of the gear. That's minuscule.

[dave73chally]

The saga continues...As expected, the 04 ram starter didn't work either. It was actually worse, didn't even clear the block to bolt up. After talking to Ross again, I'm ordering a powermaster starter. Will be drilling an inspection hole in the bell to see what's going on.

[soundcontrol]

Can't you somehow stick a USB camera up there from under, so you dont have to drill a hole. I bought one, on a stiff wire with LED light, cheap, found tons of use for it.

[dave73chally]

Found the starter problem. My wire terminal was bulky and touching the starter, causing a low voltage drop. The bendix was spinning but not extending. She started to crank but I didn't turn it over completely as I have a coolant leak I need to sort out first.

The 98 ram starter fits but needs to be have a portion of the body ground down to fit flush on the bell. The one I have isn't usable because I ground a bit too much out of it and put it a hole in it  I'm waiting on a new starter to arrive as well as smaller terminal ends.

Best case scenario for me so I'm happy. Everything I wired is correct and I don't have to pull the motor 

[lulurocks]

 

Good job , she going to me ready to move when u get her running or do you have more mech to do?

[dave73chally]

Good job , she going to me ready to move when u get her running or do you have more mech to do?

I put in the new starter last night. Had to file down some of the body but works good now. All I have left is to sort out a few coolant leaks - 1 from the water neck and other from trying to use a 5/8 heater hose on a 1/2 fitting, that didn't work well. Then bleed the brakes and put it back on the ground. Plan is to fire it up tomorrow if I can get the coolant and brakes out of the way tonight.

[dave73chally]

Sorted out the coolant leaks yesterday. Had to pull the steering column because the joint seal clamp popped free, what a pain to get that thing on. Steering column is back in. Firing it up today so we'll see what happens! 

I was fighting with myself trying to hook up the wiring to the starter while in the car due to fat hands and a very tight space. Here was my solution, works well and functional:


Started putting the front end back together, looks like a full car again:


My homemade grille installed, I'm happy with how it came out.

[WildJones]

Looks great! Looking forward to video.

[dave73chally]

Can't seem to get the wilwood flex line on my front driver caliper to seal to the hard line. Need to tear it apart and see what's going on, last piece missing to bleed the brakes.

Got my front end fully back together and wired up my halo headlights, here's what they look like at night with just the driving lights on. Very sinister 

[lulurocks]

     looks sick , it's a nice move over and get out of my way feature ....

[dakota]

Dave,

Cool headlights.   Where did you buy them?

[dave73chally]

Dave,

Cool headlights.   Where did you buy them?

Got them on eBay, I'll see if I can dig up the seller. The lenses are abs plastic fyi

[dave73chally]

SHE'S ALIVE!





Definitely have a trans linkage issue, after a little while running it lurched forward a few inches and scared the crap out of me. Seems like 1st is slightly engaged which is no bueno. 1-2 and 3-4 rods are really hard I shift, hoped they would free up with the clutch engaged but no good. Gonna take it all apart and start over