Author Topic: My 70 Challenger makes progress (Read 34258 times)

Tonefiend · « **Reply #30 on:** February 03, 2012 - 10:28:12 PM »

Thanks for the update. Keep em coming as you make progress. Hey your boy must be almost 16 by now, I bet he's dying to take it for a spin!

7071 challenger · « **Reply #31 on:** February 04, 2012 - 10:12:24 AM »

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!

Have you decide which way to go with the engine? Sounds like you are installing factory A/C. If you go the factory way, would you install the original Chrysler RV2 A/C compressor on a newer style hemi engine? Earlier, you told us that you might have an apportunity to get a 426 Hemi. If you go that direction, you might have problems to clear the air cleaner (and possibly the front carb),with the RV2 compressor. White interior with the white stripes will be awesome. Great great job, keep up the good work.
Robert

peterro · « **Reply #32 on:** February 04, 2012 - 12:27:41 PM »

Yeah, he'll be 16 late this year. He's excited that it's getting close but he hasn't quite got bitten by the car bug yet. I think it may come but I'm not pushing too hard. I'll definitely keep updating here. I'll post some status pictures but I'm also journaling some of the job on my blog. I'm trying to at least work a little each day to keep the momentum going but it's not easy with two sons and their social life plus home/job responsibilities. In any case, it's moving forward.

As far as the engine goes, it was one of the concessions for getting it on the road. The sky is the limit for an engine budget and my goal was to have a completed car to enjoy with my family while they're still at home. I wanted the car to be right so I'm doing what I want there, but the engine really only needs to act the part. Horsepower doesn't really matter when you're cruising to ice-cream or to the beach or sitting at a show. I ended up buying a 440 from a motor home. It started/ran good before I cut it out with a sawsall. My intent is to perform a compression check while it's on the floor and if there is nothing out of whack, I'll do a complete detail to make it look good and we're on the way. It's the "no-balance and blue-paint" rebuild.

Ultimately I'll either get another engine to replace this one with the power to match the looks but that will probably wait until my boys have left the nest. That is unless I hit the lottery but I suppose I'd have to play for that to happen.

peterro · « **Reply #33 on:** February 05, 2012 - 01:34:13 AM »

Working on the package tray, speakers and rear defogger. Some quick pictures of this week's work. I had to cut out the holes for the blower duct and glue on the clips to the replacement piece. Also the before and after of the blower motor. Now I'm working on building the rear bracket for the blower/speaker housing.

Jamiez · « **Reply #34 on:** February 05, 2012 - 10:06:34 AM »

Nice work on the blower motor

Did you rebuild the internals too or just clean the housing?

brads70 · « **Reply #35 on:** February 05, 2012 - 02:28:22 PM »

Sure is a great looking ride! Hold your head up high brother!

peterro · « **Reply #36 on:** February 05, 2012 - 07:34:06 PM »

Thanks for the encouragement. My new door panels should arrive this week. On the blower motor I just took it apart and media blasted it and repainted the black and bare metal look. The motor worked fine when I took it out of the car originally. I do need to build a bracket for the third mount on the speaker/blower housing.

I did find out today that the glue that was holding on the clips that are in the picture oozed through the speaker grate and got onto the surface. It's really good glue so I'm replacing the piece. I was bummed. Oh well.

Doesn't look like there's any more work happening this weekend.

peterro · « **Reply #37 on:** February 12, 2012 - 07:16:25 PM »

This week's update is finally getting the trunk and package tray in place. Made a bracket to hold the speaker/blower housing and got it installed. The new package tray arrived and I re-cut the holes and re-attached the clips though I guess they aren't required. Oh well, they're installed now. Here's a few shots from the weekend. The last one has my Christmas present from this year in it. The trunk mat has been rolled up in the cold for a while so it's going to need to lay flat for a while to get the wrinkles out.

The only thing left in the trunk is attaching the blower duct to the vent and tying up the wires so they're nice and clean.

RB2929 · « **Reply #38 on:** February 13, 2012 - 04:55:51 PM »

Peterro-
Nice work on the Chally!
She�s looking very nice. That Plum Crazy pops [/b] [/size] on my computer monitor.
Glad to see progress on your gorgeous Chally
Ron

NCtrueconservative · « **Reply #39 on:** February 13, 2012 - 10:23:43 PM »

can't get enough of that plum crazy

Topcat · « **Reply #40 on:** February 13, 2012 - 10:28:19 PM »

Looking great. Making good progress.

I just picked up a rear defroster on E bay. thanks to you.

Gus cuda · « **Reply #41 on:** February 14, 2012 - 07:33:02 AM »

Wow what a ride it's been! Funny how "life" changes a mans plans. White interior is the way to go on that car, purple and white is gorgeous together. When you finally do roll her out, you are gonna be a very proud man. Car looks great!

Challenger III · « **Reply #42 on:** February 14, 2012 - 12:20:16 PM »

Looking Great!

peterro · « **Reply #43 on:** February 14, 2012 - 11:46:29 PM »

Thanks for the kind words. I'm looking forward to this summer.

Topcat, the housing was made well. We did have to make the upper rear bracket. It's visible but not really clear in the pictures. I took some really thin sheet material and got something close before making the real thing with some thicker material. The screw holes are slightly off but not really enough to need to drill any new ones. Installing the thing is pretty challenging since it's deep in the trunk. I ended up working from the passenger compartment with my head/arms through the opening into the trunk. Big chunks of blue tape work well for holding it in place while you're getting the screws started.

peterro · « **Reply #44 on:** February 22, 2012 - 12:05:36 AM »

Latest update from this weekend. I finished all the wiring details in the trunk and finally put the lock in place. Finished installing the door and rear side panel vapor barriers. Did some more trimming/installing of the interior window trim as well as the sun visors. Installed a block off plate for the drivers side cowl duct (not needed now that I've converted to A/C. Made some brackets for the bottom of the rear interior side panels (newly received from Roseville Mopar) and installed them for what I think is the final time. I also installed all the seat belts except for the center front seat (will be done after carpet) as well as the shoulder harness.

I also cleaned out all the tools from the car and vacuumed in preparation for the final push to get the door panels installed and on to the carpet and seats. I'm waiting on a few parts that should arrive this week. It's almost a car again!

As you can see the headliner is not installed even though most of these things need to be installed after that. The key is that I'm going to have someone else install the headliner and I wanted to make sure everything was installed in the proper place with all the proper hardware for whoever is going to do that job. I thought about doing it but then decided I didn't want to potentially buy another liner.

In any case, here are some of the recent pictures.

Author Topic: My 70 Challenger makes progress (Read 34258 times)

Tonefiend

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

7071 challenger

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

peterro

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

peterro

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

Jamiez

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

brads70

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

peterro

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

peterro

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

RB2929

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

NCtrueconservative

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

Topcat

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

Gus cuda

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

Challenger III

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

peterro

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress

peterro

Re: My 70 Challenger makes progress