what to do??

[70burntorangeT/A]

I have been to several local car shows lately and i have been scoring anywhere from an 89 to a 91. I usually do 23-24 on paint, 21-22 on interior, 21-22 on wheels, lamps, and brightwork, but my engine and engine compartment are what is hurting me, i am getting between 18-19. Most of the stuff under the hood is new and i have it cleaned up nice, but it just isnt as fancy as some of the other cars. What would you guys suggest doing to bump that 18-19 up to around 22-23. Also i am only looking to spend 200 dollars or so.   Any suggestions?

[quapman]

That backwards pic messes with my tiny mind! 

.....but seriously, if it were me, I'd start with new battery cables and hold-down strap, paint the hinges body color as well as all the body bolts, maybe repaint the fan.

[422STROKER]

Yup, just detailing will do it for you.  Maybe new starter relay vr etc?  Can't see them in your pic.

Tom

[73Chally]

Personally I like the black crinkle valve covers, or maybe chrome.  Also you could get a different air cleaner and a 340 4-barrel pie tin.

[femtnmax]

Definitely agree with all above, including the battery cables.  Me being ex-car dealership mechanic, those clamp down cables always corrode and look like crap, plus I know the current flow is poort across those clamps.
Maybe have spark plug wire clips at regular spacing. Too me always looks more organized, and does help prevent some arcing.  Maybe use unsilenced 440 type air cleaner. Mancini racing has them.   I never did like those aftermarket ones.  JMO

[70burntorangeT/A]

I didnt realize how bad of a picture that was untill after i posted it. I have repainted the fan, and do have a battery hold down, that pic was taken a few weeks ago, i was thinking about getting the valve covers to match the air cleaner, the air cleaner is brand new, it was just a little dirty in the pics.  I was going to paint the hinges body color but my dad didnt know they were supposed to be body color and he painted them with the same flat black acrylic enamel paint that we used on the hood, (they arent spray painted) he got them done and i just said oh well, most of the car shows i go to are just beauty contests anyways, they arent judged on originality so i dont think that it hurts me much

[70burntorangeT/A]

Also what is the correct color for the brake booster and master cylinder to be, i am not really concearned about keeping it original, i just thought the original colors might look better then spray painting them both gloss black

[Alaskan_TA]

The original colors for the booster, master cylinder, lid & bail was gloss black for 1970. They were painted as an assembly.

I am not a trophy hunter myself, but you have some spark plug wire looms there that are not being used. If I was a judge that would cost you some points.

[Bullitt-]

I see a haggard looking battery cable, that could be replaced for about $50 & I see no battery tie down about $25 , missing a hood to cowl seal ...Are you being judged on originality, neatness or something else?

[HP2]

Are you being judged on originality, neatness or something else?

Good question? This determines hte critique you need.

Outside of that...

Wiper motor, brake booster, mater cylinder all look aged.  Same with the fan, but if you've painted it than that is a step in the right direction.

Wiring looks hap-hazzardly put in. Including the ignition wires and lack of looms. You need to organize and detail so it doesn't look old and just laid in there.

Is that an a/c mount sitting on top of the front of the engine? Ditch it. It looks like you forgot to put something back in.

[Moparal]

I'd also put on a fan shroud, ditch the plastic fuel filter and go with the steel filter, then ditch the rubber fuel line and go with steel or stainless.  Also maybe run your pcv line through the accelerator bracket hole it was intended for

[CUDA JAS]

I agree with a lot of the above.

Can we get a better pic...showing the whole engine bay?

Here is mine (keep it mind it is not detialed but just for compairison).

Jas

Jeezz, I forgot how dirrty mine was...I think I have soem work to do!!!

[70burntorangeT/A]

Here is a pic i just took, i have redone the fan, put some black plastic wire cover around the old nasty battery cable, I have to take the radiator out this week to have a new over flow put on because mine broke off so i will be repainting the radiator, while its out im going to take off and paint the brake booster and master cylinder, and paint the carb linkage

I'd also put on a fan shroud, ditch the plastic fuel filter and go with the steel filter, then ditch the rubber fuel line and go with steel or stainless.  Also maybe run your pcv line through the accelerator bracket hole it was intended for

I need an offset fan shroud for a 22 inch radiator if you know of anyone that has one, also do you have a picture of the pcv line that is run thru the accelerator bracket hole.

I see a haggard looking battery cable, that could be replaced for about $50 & I see no battery tie down about $25 , missing a hood to cowl seal ...Are you being judged on originality, neatness or something else?

I have the hood to cowl seal, i just havent installed it, i also have added a battery tie down, and most of the shows i go to are just beauty contestes, there are so few mopars where i live that the old ones and the new ones arent even in different classes so none of the judges know weather something is correct or not.

Wiring looks hap-hazzardly put in. Including the ignition wires and lack of looms. You need to organize and detail so it doesn't look old and just laid in there.

Is that an a/c mount sitting on top of the front of the engine? Ditch it. It looks like you forgot to put something back in.

 

 I am going to do something with the wiring, and the car is all set up for a vintage air kit, i just havent ordered it yet, also the engine was set up for an ac car and the alternator bracket wont bolt on unless the ac bracket is on there.




So is there anything else???

[quapman]

Where are your horns and voltage regulator?

The 1" hole in the throttle cable bracket is where the PCV hose goes through.

[Moparal]

Correct color heater hoses, bracket and a wiper bottle