73 Challenger, part time project, full time lifestyle!

[Tonker1]

Due to the three speed manual gearbox in my Challenger not having a reverse gate in the shifter, some sort of mechanical block, and the reverse position being where first gear normally is.  I've been trying to work out some system to prevent me from accidentally slapping it into reverse and destroying the car behind me as a try and drive off on a green light. This is what I've come up with... and yes I searched on-line for a shifter that i could simply buy, but no luck there, so its time for some fabrication!

1. Gear stick centred: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=Centered_zps2c137130.png
2. Gear stick blocked: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=Angled_zps1eb67309.png
3. Bar lifted and in reverse: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=Lift_Ingear_zpseccbbdc8.png

Basically my plan is add a lever, a bar and  a blocking to my pistol grip and transmission tunnel. When the handle is moved towards reverse the small bar will hit the red plate, pull on the lever, bar will clear the plate and the car will change into reverse. Due to the simplicity of the plan there will be no issue with changing into 2nd. The handle linkage will look something like http://www.northernautoparts.com/ProductDetail.cfm?ProductId=2408 except with the wooden handle and no 'red button of destruction' on top! All of the mechanical parts will be covered by the shifter boot and my designs are to no scale at all, it's all drawn from memory.

Any suggestions would be awesome?
This was just today's epiphany, does this look like tomorrow's nightmare or an actual good idea?

[Tonker1]

Back from the shop, seatbelts and all round Wilwood discs installed. Another big step towards rego! Next step is wheels and tires.

1. Front brakes before/after http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=14FrontBeforeAfter_zpsc3cd29ee.jpg

...more photos tomorrow

[Tonker1]

Just got back from a trip to LA to visit relatives and snowboard in Mammoth. It was one heck of a shock to the system up there! It was 110 when I left Australia, bush fires blazing and -16 when I arrived in Mammoth!.
Anyway I just got home to find my new wheels had arrived, 15" Center Line Billet GN, with custom backspaces. Front 6"wide with 3 3/4" backspace and the back 8"wide with 4 3/4" backspace. Now I'm just waiting for my tyres to arrive and a oen day road rego and I'll be able to take my Challenger out for the first time. I should probably also workout why the crush can sparks to the column when the steering wheels turns more than 10 degrees, but that is just a minor issue... I hope.

Centerline Billet GN: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=CenterlineBilletGMCustom_zps8f8ae5f4.jpg

[don340-4]

  Really enjoying your progress report, love that purple Challenger, is that a 340 car?

   

                      

[Tonker1]

Thanks, Don!
Yes, so my '73 Challenger started came off the line as a 340 and at some stage a previous owner swapped the engine out for another 340 from '72 (reason and date unknown). It still has the original 3spd tranny. Back to the engine, as far as I'm aware the engine is fully stock except for the eddy torker intake manifold and holley 670 carb.


In other news I'm having a hard time with the electricals, the fuse block ticks, when the steering wheel is turned more than 5 degrees in any direction. Here is a link to the thread, please help!
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=90428.0

Thanks in advance

[Tonker1]

This week a I got a whole load of work done, things just seemed to go right. My wiring harness got to a stage where enough was complete so the loose ends started coming together. So this week;
   the headlights are now wired in
   all of the rear lights
   installed and wired in MSD tach convertor and fixed most of the gauges
   installed and wired in the wind shield sprayer bottle
   modified the wind shield sprayer nipples so they fit through the grill in the back of the hood
   got the new tires put on the new wheels and balanced
   sand blasted and painted clutch z-bar, installed yearone clutch z-bar service kit, had the ball joints from the service kit lathed down from 9/16 to 1/2 so the fit into the bell housing, re-installed z-bar
   pulled out wind shield wiper motor, established it was junk
   put steering column back toghether
   discovered that the diff/leaf spring u bolts where past their used by date


Some new U-bolts are in the mail and assuming all goes to plan I'll be able to take the Challenger out for a drive for the first time on Saturday the 2nd! I actually can't describe how much I'm looking forward to that!

Tomorrow I'll post some photos of the car with the new wheels, by the time the clutch was ready it had already gone dark so there was no point taking photos.

[Tonker1]

As promised the photos of the wheel on the car.
I got a new printer last week and it came with a free copy of photoshop elements, so I've been playing with accenting colours and other effects.

1. Front Accent: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=17FrontAccent_zpsfbe392bc.jpg
2. Wheels: http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=18SideAccent_zps383794cc.jpg
3. T/A Stripe Accent http://s1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/Tonker1/?action=view&current=19TAstripeAccent_zpsff458632.jpg

[Chlngrcrzy]

Those are awesome pictures! 

[Tonker1]

All the necessary preparations have been made, I've got a temporary registration permit, loaded the boot up with tools (in case I need them) and and tomorrow morning 8h from now, I'm taking the Challenger out for a drive for the first time!!!
Tomorrow will be a good day!

[brads70]

All the necessary preparations have been made, I've got a temporary registration permit, loaded the boot up with tools (in case I need them) and and tomorrow morning 8h from now, I'm taking the Challenger out for a drive for the first time!!!
Tomorrow will be a good day!

   nice, don't forget some pictures   

[Tonker1]

On Friday when for the took the Challenger out for a spin for the first time!
Well, to start, totally awesome in every way.
I honestly wasn't sure what to expect, having spent at least a year and half un-driven. Everything just worked, the only thing that needed fixing was the carb was running real rich causing chain gun levels of backfiring. Two minuets on the side of road with a screw driver and it was all green lights for the next couple of hours driving.

There was initial stage of getting used to left hand drive on RHD roads, but that was all fine after a couple minuets. Now to the interesting part, it hauled ass compared any other car I've driven. There's a dull patch around 3000, but that'll be fixed with some more carb tuning. Serious fun, V8 power is addictive and I can definitely see a new cam and stroker crank in my future!

Something about a 3 speed manual is strangely pleasing, I know it's not the strongest trans but it's sure fun.

One of the most satisfying parts of going for the first drive was seeing all the late nights and scars on my hands turning into rumbling engine sounds when giving it some gas. Also yesterday, I found a note that arrived taped to windscreen of my car direct from the shipping company, there wasn't much to it 'NO BRAKES'. I'm feeling this project getting momentum required for the Challenger to be registered and ready to drive to Sydney for 'Mopars at The Strip' in November.

To summarize, I've got the V8 bug and I don't think I'll ever be able to buy anything with less than 8 cylinders!

I was so in the zone I forgot about photos, I'd like to thank my Uncle/ co-driver for remembering!

1. About to set off: http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/Tonker1/media/23Abouttosetoff_zpsbbcaa122.jpg.html?sort=6&o=1
2. Co-driver's view: http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/Tonker1/media/22Co-driversview_zps5f516376.jpg.html?sort=6&o=2
3. Shipping note: http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/Tonker1/media/24Shippingnote_R_zps3080c508.jpg.html?sort=6&o=0

[brads70]

Good for you! Glad you got her out and driving good! Funny I guess living over on this side of the "pond" I've never owned a car that didn't have a V-8 . My Chevy work van has a 4.3 V-6 though? Not all north american V-8's were good though. The late 70's and 80's sucked for engines power wise. 
For example a Corvette in 1981 had like 150HP...   what a dog!

Hey you better order up some more rear tires!    your going to need them by the sounds of it! ENJOY!!

[jimynick]

Congrats on getting the old gal to drive! Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself as well. 340 cars were always fun when you put your foot in them. As an aside, when you get a moment, your rt otr h/lamp is installed about 90' out. The triple plug should be level across the 2 lower terminals with the single terminal on the top for the high/low beams. 

[Tonker1]

I've been having a heck of a lot of fun driving!
Unfortunately I've been having some overheating problems due to a blockage in the old copper radiator. So I've pulled that out and replaced it with a new aluminium unit. The one down side is I've discovered I have quite a bit of stray voltage in the radiator fluid, 0.5V, when it should be an absolute maximum of 0.05V. I made a whole post out of, if anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=91646.msg906539#msg906539

As an aside, when you get a moment, your rt otr h/lamp is installed about 90' out. The triple plug should be level across the 2 lower terminals with the single terminal on the top for the high/low beams. 

Absolute Hawk Eye their Jimynick. At the time those photos where taken only two of the headlights still functioned due to blown bulbs. They've now been all been replaced this Hella Globes and Philips +100% Extreme Vision. I would definitely recommend the change over the old style incandesenet bulbs!

[Tonker1]

Had a pretty wet day working on car, last night a heater hose ruptured and filled the passenger side with anti freeze. Unfortunately it wasn't until this morning that I discovered the spillage. Everything is soaked and some of the bare metal on the floor isn't looking too happy. Although it does give me a good excuse to wire wheel and treat the floor!