My 71 Challenger RT Project

[Bluemonster71RT]

I'm hopefully a week away from finally getting to order my wheels and tires. I got it re-registered and new plates last week. I decided that I will go with the Year One magnum 17x9 and 17x8 wheels and 245 45 17 up front and 275 40 17 out back. According to Y1 it should fit without problems.  I wanted to just put my 14's on with the old bias ply but doing some quick figuring those tires are about 22 years old. Still hold air like a champ and tread looks good but... not gonna happen.

[Bluemonster71RT]

Tomorrow I will get my wheels and tires mounted and installed. I hope that everything fits ok. I also changed out my rear diff fluid because I found out that I wasn't supposed to use Valvoline in it. Other than that, I'll go over all my suspension hardware and make sure it's good and tight and lubed. One question I have is....Is there some sort of basic alignment set up I can do so I can at least test drive it?

[Bluemonster71RT]

Wheels are on



Hopefully this weekend will be 

[Topcat]

Looks great.

Love the wheels

[dfrazz]

That looks sweet! 

[daaboots]

Car looks great!

Here is your video so people can see it without going to youtube.

! No longer available

[BFM_Cuda]

One question I have is....Is there some sort of basic alignment set up I can do so I can at least test drive it?

For the caster, I made a simple "[" shaped tool out of half inch square tube (both horizontal legs the same length) that touches the upper control arm and lower control arm bearing grease zerks, then put my degree level on the vertical leg of the tool and set it to 3-5 degrees negative caster.

For the camber, I put a degree level on the wheel, if you can find a surface parallel with the brake disc (or drum) axis. Shoot for 0 to half a degree negative camber. You can use the brake disc itself for your level surface if you can reach it.

Then I would measure the toe in with a tape measure between the front and rear of the front tires. Just a little inboard toe should get you close.

Just remember you need to set everything at ride height. This setup worked so well on my coronet that I haven't even taken it in to the alignment shop in the 8 years since I set it up....   

Good luck, car looks good!

[Bluemonster71RT]

Thanks daaboots! I tired to embed the video a few times before I gave up.

BFM_Cuda Thank you for the info! I'll have to mess with my height. I think its a bit high. I'll see if I can construct something like you suggested and see what happens. I suppose worst case is if I can get the toe done, the place I was going to get it aligned at is only 3 miles down the road.   

[dutch]

looks great 

[Chryco Psycho]

I just max the caster by turning the front adjusters all the way outward & the rear all the way inward , us a level to tip the wheel onward slightly at the top & set the toe in @ 1/16" , this usua;;y works better than the alighnment shops can do

[Bluemonster71RT]

The car devil is for sure working against me. My oil pump leaks. I reseal it twice and it still leaks. I get a new one. It's the wrong one. Then I notice that my steering gear is leaking now. Which means pulling the header and  , Anyway I get the new-new oil pump and install it. I get it primed up and starter just goes click. Only showing 10V on the meter. When does this crap stop and the enjoyment begin.

[YellowThumper]

Is that a retorcal question?
If not, then do you want the feel good answer or the reality based one?

Kidding aside, when you get thru them and hit the road all will be forgotten.

Mike

[Bluemonster71RT]

Is that a retorcal question?
If not, then do you want the feel good answer or the reality based one?

Kidding aside, when you get thru them and hit the road all will be forgotten.

Mike

Lol, its rhetorical.  I did manage to take it for the 15 mile rear end break-in drive. Seeing that the steering gear mostly leaks when just sitting. This drive though felt good I was so nervous that it wasn't. The main issue is that all 4 of my new 12 year old shocks are all bad. Driving in CT = OMG I broke something. My alignment is not as close as I thought but not bad I must say. (Thanks guys). Though I didn't get on it more than half throttle it felt like it was a bit surgy if that makes any sense.  Also how loud do Harland Sharpe rockers get. Their web page said they get loud and will quiet down later but damn. I will re check them just to make sure they are ok. 

[YellowThumper]

I thought the spelling looked incorrect but auto correct showed that spelling.
Hmmmm

[Bluemonster71RT]

I thought the spelling looked incorrect but auto correct showed that spelling.
Hmmmm

I really meant that the question is rhetorical