73 Challenger Painted 12-31-11

[dutch]

won`t be long now.... 

[71340RT]

I bought a few items at Monster Mopar weekend and have them ready to install along with new hood hinges, hp 68-70 exhaust manifolds and a 489 case 323 sure grip 3rd member. I had to have new bearings put in the 3rd member and had the suregrip unit checked out. I painted the 3rd member and some of the small items so here are some pictures.

[71340RT]

Got some more work done on the Challenger this week. I put the 3rd member 3.23 suregrip rear end put in and put the engine together and even got it painted. With any luck I'll get the engine and transmission put in in the next week. Here is a picture of the painted engine just about ready to put in.

[74ralley]

   Looks Great!

[jrwoodjoe]

That's a great idea for painting the rear diff unit. I've got to paint mine very soon so I may steal that idea. 

Keep the pics coming. It's looking fantastic. 

[Mentally Challenged]

Coming along nicely Jeff 

[71340RT]

I got the engine and transmission installed today as it got up to 75 degrees so I thought I better get the two put in. I installed them as a assembly together and the only problem was one of the new motor mounts was not threaded and I had to take it off and fix it. My cherry picker was having problems raising up and I thought it was low on oil as it has happened before but this time it did not fix it. I borrowed one and got the engine in anyway. Here is a picture of the engine compartment with the engine in.

[Bullitt-]

Man I need a dose of whatever your taking....Great Work 

[71340RT]

I got the exhaust system out I got last week from Dale's Cuda shop. I got everything from them except the exhaust tips which I had already bought stainless steel exhaust tips. Here is a picture taken in my basement as I get everything ready to put on the challenger.

[hezzel]

Sweet work 

[Chlngrcrzy]

Did you go in through the top with your engine or installed with your k-member and lower the car down on top of it?

[71340RT]

Did you go in through the top with your engine or installed with your k-member and lower the car down on top of it?

I lowered it in from the top with a cherry picker. I hook the engine and transmission together and tilt the engine with the body jacked up in the front and on the ground at the back wheels. Works well and I have done it 4 times now with no problems. Saves having to get under the car and hook the transmission up as I'm getting to old for that. I had the mounts bolted up in less than 45 minutes.

[Chlngrcrzy]

I have heard that a lot of guys will remove their k-member and bolt everything on there first.  Do you bolt on your exhaust manifolds before lowering it into the bay?

[burdar]

There is really no right or wrong way to do it.  If you want to do it like the factory, all of the accessories should be bolted on.

The LCA's were installed along with the front swaybar(if equipped)  The spindles with the rotors/drums were also installed.  The engine was completely assembled including manifolds, carb, distributor, and all pulleys/pumps/belts.  Cars may have had the upper/lower rad hoses installed as well. 

The drivetrain was installed very close to the end of production.  Components in the engine bay would already be inplace.(wiring, hoses, master cylinder, wiper motor exc...)

Like I said, there is no right or wrong way of doing it.  This car is coming together nicely.

[B5barracuda]

Looking great Jeff,keep up the good work,see you soon.