My 70 Challenger makes progress

[GranCuda1970]

Boy, she is coming along nicely... Motivates!!  I need to trim my carpet and get the seat belts belts bolted back in.

[peterro]

It's been nearly a month since I've been able to make significant headway. I've been able to do a few things here and there but this last month has been crazy.

Anyway, here's some pictures of what I've been doing. I'm about ready to have the glass installed. Got the trim all polished and the clips installed. Had to drill all the holes for the duchman panel since it was replaced during body/paint.

Started on the transmissions. Original car box was for a small block but a big block is going in. I have the BB trans but it was from an RV and had the short tail shaft. I'm doing a full tear down (first time) and combining parts to have a BB trans with the long tail shaft. Now that they're fully apart, I need the case/pan/tail cleaned for re-assembly.

[peterro]

Well, the trans is back together and the front suspension is all torqued up and cotter pinned. Tightened all the brake lines and started on bleeding them. Came inside cause it was getting late and I was very frustrated trying to chase down all the leaks in the lines. This is a whole new system with stainless lines. I think I'm close to getting all of them dry but I gave up for the evening.

The front proportioning (bypass/cut off? ) valve is leaking from the bottom where the rubber grommet/seal thing is. Not sure what to do and I didn't have my glasses to be able to see it well. Rubber thing is on left in the picture.

Thoughts?

Once the brakes are done, I can focus on getting the engine/trans together and set into place.

[peterro]

A significant milestone accomplished today with somewhat of a setback. I found that the block hugger headers I bought won't fit on the engine when the engine is in the car.... Oh well. In any case, here are some pictures of the current status.

 

[peterro]

And a few more...

The budget won't handle the fancy wheels I want (yet) so I glass beaded my rally wheels and got a first coat of paint on them. "That'll do pig"

[GranCuda1970]

OH Yeah , I was pretty exited when we got my engine in. Looks pretty good.    You'll be mark'n miles soon on odometer. I just got my pump to carb fuel lines from year one yesterday, gonna order a mopar restoration battery this week, getting close but working a lot of Overtime and building a big roofed back deck for the Honey, gonna squeeze her in there somewhere's.

 

[brads70]

Looking great! Bummer about the headers though.

[peterro]

Noise will be coming soon!

For those who look closely, yes, the valve covers are not on the correct sides. I apparently wasn't thinking.

[peterro]

Was ready to fire it up on Sunday but no joy. 2 issues. Hadn't noticed that the driver's side exhaust manifold was interfering with the steering column. To be replaced. Well, I don't need to steer to see that it runs...

Add water to the new radiator and watch it pour out a pin-hole and crack in the upper tank. Grrr. Also to be replaced.

I did get all the wiring worked out for the electric fans. The dome light, wipers, rear defogger, headlights, tail and brake lights all work. Need to adjust the brake switch and debug the dash lights. I feel pretty good about it. Also got some tires on the rally wheels.

Still need to get the cable kickdown installed/adjusted, vacuum for the heater switch, power steering belt and some other misc items. Then exhaust when the engine fires and is tuned. Here are a few pictures of the current status...

My budget is running down to the end.

[GranCuda1970]

Your still ahead of me and Boy!!! does she look good!!! 

[peterro]

Thanks. With the various setbacks, I've mentally slowed down. I've found over the years that when I continually push hard and have hurdles thrown up in the way I need to take a breather and focus on the right things and let the timing happen instead of forcing it.

I was really shooting for taking it to Long Beach for the End of the World run but don't think there's enough time. And that's OK. It's going to happen, maybe we should set up a pool and take bets on the day that it becomes a driver. 

[ShelbyDogg]

I was really shooting for taking it to Long Beach for the End of the World run but don't think there's enough time. And that's OK. It's going to happen,

Peterro,      I do some of my best work under a deadline or due date.  I notice that the mose stuff gets finished. when I need it for a certain car cruise or show.   

You can do it!    Gets some pictures when you drive it on the End of the World Run.

[GranCuda1970]

Peterro,      I do some of my best work under a deadline or due date.  I notice that the mose stuff gets finished. when I need it for a certain car cruise or show.   

You can do it!    Gets some pictures when you drive it on the End of the World Run.

 That run is one of my goals also it happens every year and i plan on attending every year after she is running broke in and reliable.

[peterro]

Due to other things in my schedule, I'm almost positive the Long Beach cruise is out for this year. I'm all for working hard, staying up late, etc. when things are within my control and it's only a matter of me getting things done. At this point, I need to be patient. Throwing more buckets of dollars at the problems would solve them but A, my budget is at the end, and B, well mostly refer to A.

I really enjoy the process of working on the car and slowing down mentally allows me to enjoy it more and not want to take short cuts. Fortunately my "deadlines" are arbitrarily set and I don't need the car for "work in the morning". I'm going to have many fun years with it. One missed show isn't a problem.

I really appreciate all the support I get from this site. It's made a world of difference in the whole project.

Thanks.

[peterro]

Well, the engine is basically ready to fire. I'm waiting on my replacement radiator that hopefully doesn't leak. It's due to arrive the day I'm leaving for the weekend so fire won't happen until next week.

The replacement exhaust manifold is now on and not hindering the steering column. A few little details need to be taken care of related to the throttle return spring, clean up the wire routing and tie things in place. Breather hose and vacuum line for the heater control switch. Install the inner fender splash guards (plastic), bleed the brakes again and make sure all the fittings are snug/dry. Have to order a new dipstick. The billet stainless one I have won't work (easily) with a factory manifold. I may use it later with a customized bracket.

I'll have to tear into the dash control panel to test some of the switches as my dash lights aren't working and I have another oddity with the rear window defogger fan. I think I'll hold off on that until it's running and the engine is buttoned up. Once running, I need exhaust installed as well as the hood, grille, bumper, and lower valance.

The list is getting shorter but the show season is nearly over. I think the first one will be the Portland roadster show at the beginning of the year.

Here are a few pictures of the engine. I feel really good about how it's turning out. I love the orange/black theme.