70 Challenger T/A Replica Update

[jrwoodjoe]

Thank you guys. I spent much of this week and last blasting some boxes of misc. parts and then began to refresh them a bit. I'll post a few as I complete things. Since you like rustbegone, here's a photo of one of the boxes of parts I blasted. I finished detailing the Leaf Spring front mounting brackets and will include and after shot. All of these items were fairly rusty. Not pitted too badly, just 40 years of rust.

Joe

[jrwoodjoe]

Well today, I was able to finish up reassembly of the Clutch/Brake Pedal unit. Jules D'Addio (Jules the Wiperman) was a tremendous help with much advice on redoing it. Brewers supplied bearings and other rebuild parts. Really happy with the way it turned out. Here's some before, during and after photos.

[usraptr]

Great job!!!    What brand/color paint did you use on the leaf spring brackets and pedals?

[jrwoodjoe]

Great job!!!    What brand/color paint did you use on the leaf spring brackets and pedals?

Thanks, I used a Duplicolor Cast Iron Engine Paint for the brackets. The Pedal assembly had a combination of paints. Black Satin, the Cast Iron Paint, Stainless Steel Paint and some gold metallic car paint I had laying around.

Joe

[jrwoodjoe]

Here are some new pics showing rust repair progress on the body taken on Friday. The shots with rust are before shots and then you'll see the repairs. Not much rust left on the car. Still have to replace the trunk floor, passenger rear lower quarter and some trunk gutter repair. Hoping to have it to the bodyguy/painter in 2-3 more weeks.

[jrwoodjoe]

New gaskets and seals arrived from Dr. Diff early this week. And I made some decent progress on making the rear axle more "spiffy". Still need to torque down the axle flange bolts and adjust end play. Also need to check my rear drums and see if they need/can be turned. If they can be turned then I'll get those painted too. I ordered new brake shoes and wheel cylinders so I'm waiting for those to show.

The axle was an open 2.94. I switched it over to a suregip.. Originally, I was going to install 3.55 gears but then I decided to go with 3.91s. Since this is supposed to be a fun car, I thought the 3.91s might be a little more fun.

Joe

[the_engineers]

Originally, I was going to install 3.55 gears but then I decided to go with 3.91s. Since this is supposed to be a fun car, I thought the 3.91s might be a little more fun.

3.91's are a lot of fun!

[jrwoodjoe]

The last 3:91 car I had was a 73 RR with 383 6 pack. I really liked driving it so I'm looking forward to getting this thing done. It was a busy week, blasted some more parts so that I can try to get them painted before it gets too cold. The bodyguy/painter called and wanted me to bring over the fenders, doors etc. to bolt back on the car. He had not seen the car all together and we both wanted to see what kinds of fitment issues he would face. Nothing major but there were a couple of spots that needed more "tweaking" than most. He also shot a few "removable" parts to make sure I was good with the mix of color. After 5 years of changing my mind on a daily basis, I chose EK2..Go Mango.  Here's a shot of the Battery Tray. Pretty neat to actually start seeing some color after years of primer. 

[jrwoodjoe]

Fixed several spots on the hood and it is getting pretty close to paint. Looked at the spray out for the organisol and it looked good. We drilled the holes for the washer squirters shortly after this photo was taken.

[jrwoodjoe]

Shot of the doors with guide coat sprayed on. Slowly but surely getting there.

[jrwoodjoe]

I removed the K-member from the old engine and the bell housing. Got them both cleaned and dropped off the K-member to get blasted. Today I had a some free time and worked on the parking lights. I had blasted the housings 2 weeks ago and finally got around to finishing them today.

Here's a before and after.

[jrwoodjoe]

Picked up the flywheel that I had resurfaced and dropped off the Leaf Springs to have them re-arched and a leaf added to T/A spec. I stopped by the painters to see how things were going. He was busy wet sanding the passenger door. I took a photo of it as some of the water was drying but you can see the light reflecting from the wall. The photo doesn't do it justice, he is really getting it straight. He's also had done a lot of work on the fenders and had them ready for another round of block sanding. Here are a couple of pics.

[challengermaniac]

Nice work.  Where did you locate the TA hood washer squiters?

[brads70]

Nice work.  Where did you locate the TA hood washer squiters?

Tom at R/T specialties has them! I seen a few different vendors at Carlisle had them too   like $150 !   I need a set too but so far can't bring myself to pay that for them!

[jrwoodjoe]

Thanks Guys!

My squirters came from an AAR that was dead in a JYard in the 80s. They are original. BUT, I think you are asking where I located (drilled the holes on the hood) them...right?

If so, Barry Washington (Alaskan TA) had sent me a great photo showing where to locate them. Unfortunately, I deleted the email after I drilled my holes. I recall that they are exactly 12" from the sides of the hood. But can't recall what they were from the back. I can measure mine when I go back to the painter if you need or you could email/pm Barry and he may be able to send it to you. Can't believe I didn't save the photo w/ location measurements.

ALSO..JUST TO NOTE: It looks like the hood is solid at the vents, however the screens are covered in the photo to keep primer from building up on them while block sanding and prepping the hood.