72 Challenger Restoration

[Ogre]

Hello everyone! I'm Nate, and I figured I'd finally get around to introducing myself and posting some pics of my project. I bought her off craigslist about a year ago from a body shop which got the title from a guy who never paid. I pretty much just paid for the paint job (which is awesome by the way).

Anyway, it's a bit of a basket case: No motor, tranny, interior... anything really. My greatest obstacle at the moment has been figuring out which parts are missing that I need to order (since I don't have any old parts and nothing to compare it to). I sure hope some of the helpful people here would be willing to lend me some of their knowledge as I'm a bit of a noob.

[flagcraig]

Welcome aboard.  I finished my 72 Rallye last May.  It was a complete rotisserie.

It took two years.  Just post the questions and you will get help from this site.  It was great for me during restoration.  And still is today. 

I would get some hard copy catalogs and continually check web sites.

Catalogs that helped me identify parts were Year One and Classic Industries.  Both are very informative.  I didn't buy everything from them but it was good info.  Also get a Summit and Jegs catalog.  All these catalogs are free and can be ordered off their web sites.

Many other Mopar web sites are out there for parts and info.  As you start you will find them.

Enjoy the process. 

[Ogre]

I started off building a Small Block LA for it. I got a 408ci Short block, Brodix B1BA assembled heads, a lunati Roller cam and hydraulic roller lifters, and Edelbrock Air Gap Intake. I painted everything, including the aluminum intake and heads, Hemi Orange (because it looks cool and I don't like the turquoise color). Right now I'm just waiting on the oil-slinger (which is one of the many parts I overlooked at first) to arrive before I can put the front cover on.

I also put together the Magnum force suspension this week and have some pics of that. It took about six months for them to get it to me but It looks pretty awesome and should help make the car handle much better.

[lulurocks]

  she's pretty ....welcome to board  , this is gonna be a fun build to watch 

[YellowThumper]

Welcome aboard...
Look forward to following and helping.
One suggestion to keep info in sort order. Start here showing and stating your direction for next piece of the puzzle along with the questions. If you need more help then ask again in the item specific forum. Helps to keep all your info from being scattered around.

Mike

Mike

[Ogre]

Thanks Guys!

I guess my next issue stems from my heads. WARNING!!! If you get a set of Brodix heads they seem to require all sorts of special parts... which are proving hard to find.

I've sorted through the gaskets and fasteners so far. The headers are going to require some cutting to make them work (Brodix exhaust ports and spark plug locations are different, now my header flange totally covers two of my plug holes so I have to cut some holes)

The problem I have yet to solve are the rocker arms. I had a nice set of PRW shaft mount roller-rockers which I am now going to return because they don't fit (Brodix uses a 3/8 stud, kits use 5/16 stud, plus I think the valves sit in differently because nothing was quite lining up).

Now I'm on a search for something that will work... Anyone have any experience with this? Looks like stock rockers won't work without special stands that Brodix does not sell.

[Challenger in NC]

Hello everyone! I'm Nate, and I figured I'd finally get around to introducing myself and posting some pics of my project. I bought her off craigslist about a year ago from a body shop which got the title from a guy who never paid. I pretty much just paid for the paint job (which is awesome by the way).

Anyway, it's a bit of a basket case: No motor, tranny, interior... anything really. My greatest obstacle at the moment has been figuring out which parts are missing that I need to order (since I don't have any old parts and nothing to compare it to). I sure hope some of the helpful people here would be willing to lend me some of their knowledge as I'm a bit of a noob.

Welcome, you've come to the right place, stay tuned for lots of info!

[dfrazz]

Welcome from CO!  You are going to love that 408 stroker!  I had one in my '71 Challenger.

[blown motor]

Welcome from Cool that you picked up a project with the paint and body done.  The rest is just assembly.  A few bolts here, a few screws there and that's it. Easy peasy. 

[Swedee]

Welcome from (a fellow '72 Challenger-owner in) Sweden!


Check out my blog at www.my72challenger.com

[dakota]

My greatest obstacle at the moment has been figuring out which parts are missing that I need to order (since I don't have any old parts and nothing to compare it to).

Nate - welcome to the site.  If you don't have one already, you can download a free copy of a service manual here for your car here:

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=31

[dave73chally]

Nice! Black on the 72-73 challengers completely changes the look of it

[EbodyMod]

  welcome, awesome looking car, I wish my body work was done already!!

[anlauto]

Nice! Black on the 72-73 challengers completely changes the look of it

In some light it looks like a really dark purple....maybe it's just me

[Ogre]

Nate - welcome to the site.  If you don't have one already, you can download a free copy of a service manual here for your car here:

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=31

Thanks! This looks really helpful!