73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!

Author Topic: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!  (Read 29209 times)

Offline Tonker1

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73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« on: September 27, 2012 - 07:46:58 AM »
So I thought it was about time I started a thread of my Challenger project. This is just as much for me, so I can keep track of what I've done and when I did it as for others to join the excitement! So, background, this was an eBay purchase from August 2011 and 5 months later it arrived on my Australian front door, January 18. The whole transfer process was pretty smooth I would definitely buy from the same seller again, only hiccups where transferring documents of ownership internationally and the battery going dead before it got to the ship resulting in a $50 'pushing' fee!

The actual condition of the car was better than the eBay photos implied so I was extremely stoked, also include the fact it was my first car and I'd spent ages saving money, researching and waiting for the right car! As far as I was concerned it was all my Christmas' at once. Here are the photos of the first time we met…

1. First time we met: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=1Viewfromdrive_zps8e7032c4.jpg
2. Still over the moon: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=2Stilloverthemoon_zpsd814c69f.jpg
3. Unloading: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=3Howitllbewhenengineworkiscomplete_zps82f15d26.jpg
4. Full oil change, the fun has began: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=4Thefunhasbegan_zpsb21763cf.jpg




Offline Tonker1

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2012 - 08:28:16 AM »
After 2 months of general work...
  • full fluid change
  • breaking the engine in after two stationary months on the ship and another month being siting in customs
  • checking for any rust that needed immediate attention, there was nothing that couldn't wait a while
  • new fuel filter
  • new Edelbrock mechanical fuel pump
  • SB bell housing inspection cover from passon performance
  • some other stuff that will come to me with time

....the first major project begun, full system rewire using the painless performance 12 circuit full mopar harness, $500 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRF-10127/
I should have photographed it when I pulled it out of the box, to be blunt it was intimidating. To clarify, it comes nothing like as well organised as the picture implies on Summit Racing! Still working on this project, I didn't think it would take this long back when I started in March. Two things that made a difference, firstly, Burdar's thread 'Restoration of an original owner 73 Challenger Rallye' which I wish I found 6 months ago and the second was full colour OEM wiring diagram from 'Classic Car Wiring' that matches the painless performance harness. The diagram came with the car when I bought it, so thank you to the previous owner.

Similar to Burdar, I also started with the boot for three reasons, it’s spacious, it’s not complex and there isn’t much to screw up!

I’ll post some more photos soon

Offline dutch

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2012 - 10:35:34 AM »
looking good from this side of the globe... good luck with your project  :2thumbs:
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Offline MizzouRT

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2012 - 12:53:43 PM »
You literally have to go the "extra mile" (and more) to acquire an E-body.  Good luck on the project, looks good!
Daily Driver: 2013 Challenger SRT 6 speed
Toy: 1970 Challenger

Offline Tonker1

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2012 - 10:23:59 AM »
I would take photos of the boot wiring, except the boot is filled with the rest or the car. So I'll start with the dash and upload some engine bay photos tomorrow. The following two links made opening up the dash and servicing the steering column a heck of a lot easier.
Dash: http://v8tvshow.com/content/view/717/1/
Steering Column: http://www.automotiverestorationclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/1970-Dodge-Challenger-RT-SE-Steering-Column-Rebuild-Sml1.pdf

The second one was a more detailed than necessary for what I need at the time but I'm sure it'll come in handy in a couple years.

Just got off the phone with USPS, apparently they can't explain to me why the new heater core I ordered hasn't arrived yet. Officially its been on a one and half month plane flight, its still up there apparently, having a grand old time, probably ran out of fuel a month ago but hey that doesn't matter, because I'm not in the USA! Apparently I need to request the seller to file a formal inquiry for me, which seems to be an excessive level effort to find out which part of the pacific ocean my heater core ended up in. What can you do!! As a heads up if you call USPS and you can't make the voice activated automated computer response answer your questions, just say 'main menu' then key 0 until a person comes on.


Although the behind dash wiring looks much better than it used to, its yet to produce anything on the gauges. Aside from the oil pressure dial which does pretty much whatever it wants

1. Old fuse block and such: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=5Oldfuseboxandsuch_zps538332c0.jpg
2. Getting acquainted with the dash wiring: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=5Gettingacquaintedwiththedashwiring_zps2fa8d4bc.jpg
3. Removed crush can: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=6Removedcrushcan_zpsb21cf240.jpg


Offline peterro

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2012 - 10:57:24 PM »
Hey, congratulations. The car looks great. Funny, the column rebuild PDF file was put together by one of the cuda-challenger members CODY. Gotta love those purple challengers.

Offline Tonker1

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2012 - 01:19:39 AM »
Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate it!

Its not surprising the column rebuild pdf. came from another member, it would probably be strange for someone to be that involved in Challengers and not be a member!

Today I've been having some engine issues, seems like I've blown both head gaskets, anyway here's a link to my issue in the 'tech section' http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=87622.0

Offline brads70

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2012 - 07:52:17 AM »
Looking great!  :2thumbs:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline tony 73

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #8 on: October 02, 2012 - 06:18:35 AM »
Hi Tonker1,
 Car looks great. Excellent to see another challenger, a 73 as well, make a safe boat ride across the pacific.

Offline Tonker1

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2012 - 08:28:37 AM »
It's awesome to hear about other owners of the E-body yank tanks on this side of the equator!

Okay so game plan for the coming long weekend, get the car in a fully running and good to go state for the brake and seatbelt install and engineers report. For road registration the 'Road transport Authority' has to certify a report from an engineer that proves brakes, seatbelts and a whole long list of other modifications are installed properly and safe on the road. Without that the car legally isn't registered, so if someone hits your car when its parked on the street, legally, its your fault for having a non-road bound car on the road and nor is covered by insurance.

When the engineer does the report they basically have to take apart the installed parts and re-install them and photograph it all. Meaning it costs roughly the same amount to have brakes and seatbelts professionally installed by the engineer while they do the report as it does to have them just do the report. Guess which option I picked.

    Needs to get done
    • Install battery cut off switch. For some reason there is a complete circuit when the key isn't in the ignition, until that's resolved I'm putting in a kill switch
    • Soda blast drive shaft and yokes, paint with some super tough rust preventer
    • Re-gasket axle housing
    • Fill trans and axle with oil
    • Finish hard wiring engine harness

    Oh yeah, here are some progressionary shots of the engine bay from March to now. I'm happy with the difference!
    1. March 2012:
http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=8Startmessingwithenginebaywires_zps5a5bd929.jpg
2. Looking cleaner: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=9Lookingcleaner_zps4884a00b.jpg

Offline Tonker1

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2012 - 08:22:01 AM »
To do list done and car's into the workshop for seatbelts and brakes! Now the car's in the shop I have a week or two to rest and power up for next segment of the project! Its probably about time I clean the huge oil stain off the drive way as well. About a month or so ago I undid the drain bolt on the sump, with a bucket already to go underneath, went and had lunch, came back to discover an empty bucket with a big ass crack in the side, it's bushed and unsealed cement. We all know that feeling....

Soda blasting wasn't enough for the rust so I had to sand blast as well. Remembered to get some shots. To note don't knock the pot of chassis black paint over onto your hands, I did the painting a week and a half ago and the paint is still there. It's not like I'm idle all day either with soft hands, I work a dock job in Bunnings, Australia's equivalent of Home Depot! So the shaft was pretty rusted around the yokes and the centre of the shaft. I forgot to get some shots before I started blasting so I circled them in red instead.

Before anyone notices and goes postal about the Ford wheels, about 2h before the Chall went to the shop I remembered my 14" rallyes wouldn't fit after the brakes where installed. So I raced out to the local crusher, found an old Ford that was about to get pancaked, paid $30 all up, wheels and tires. Got home, realised the hub pilots on the axles where two big, took an angle grinder to them and I was good to go.

1. Sand blasted http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=10Snadblasted_zpsfc5f5831.jpg
2. Nice thick cotes of chassis black http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=11Chassisblackpaint_zpsfaba807a.jpg
3. At the shop http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=12Beltanddiscinstall_zps810aa6d3.jpg

Offline Chlngrcrzy

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2012 - 02:45:31 PM »
HI Tonker, Great looking car you have there. Keep us up to dat on your progress. I hope to get back after my 73 this winter, after i get my engine back from te builder.   :2thumbs:

Offline Tonker1

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2012 - 05:12:06 PM »
Getting a car back from the engine shop smells like burnt rubber to me!

For know all my money is going towards registration. Than some niceities like vintage air and a sound system. Engine work can wait till I have more money!

Offline brads70

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2012 - 06:29:49 PM »
Getting a car back from the engine shop smells like burnt rubber to me!

For know all my money is going towards registration. Than some niceities like vintage air and a sound system. Engine work can wait till I have more money!

I agree, don't waste  your resources on a sound system . The engine makes all the music you'll need! :aarg:
I bought a new system and to be honest.... I rarely ever use it. and for A/C.... use the old 60/2 air
roll down 2 windows and drive 60 MPH!  :lol:
You can add that stuff later.
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Tonker1

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Re: 73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2012 - 02:04:28 AM »
Lots of news this time. So today I got a call from the guy installing my seat belts, it was one of those phone calls where something bad is going to be said.  I could only ever find two seat belt mounts for each of the front seats, the ones in the roof and the ones on the drive shaft tunnel. The third mounts were always managed to remain hidden, well they were found... At some stage in the Chally's history the floor pan rusted out and was replaced, obviously the pan was cut out, but when the new one was installed it looks like the third seatbelt mounts were used as perch for the new pan. The pan was then welded on, placing the third seatbelt mounts exterior to the car! Which would explain why the Challenger arrived without seatbelts. The floor is now being cut out and back to its original height.

The disc brakes are fully installed and has been over a brake dyno to check for functionality and even them up.

Also recieved a hole bunch of boxes as well! New Hotchkis front and rear sway bars along with the subframe connectors and a single wire Power Master alternator.

Now back to yesterday. Yesterday was the Mopar Rumble on the Sydney Drag Way, which was awesome. Open to all Chryslers, Dodges, Plymouth, Jeep, etc and people would drag whoever they arrived in line next to, like the new Chrysler 300 Vs 1978 lil red express or 2010 Jeep Vs 700hp Plymouth Barracuda! I'll post some photos on my Photobucket account.