1970 A-66 Challenger Convertible

[budascuda]

I don't know about at that. I bet more have been wrecked by men and gone to the crusher, than those in storage eaten by rodenta.

Oh, I meant the "men" who restore classic cars not the entire mankind !
But that was good hyperbole tho

 

[budascuda]

Very nice, looks like good sheet metal everywhere, specially for a convertible!

 

[340challconvert]

Continuing to prep and respray the engine compartment and transmission hump. Should be able to install the engine this week

 

[budascuda]

 

[budascuda]

I like the way you left everything in place and just masked it, that's good mechanic's way Mr. principal !

 

[Cuda_mark]

I can't believe how clean the floors are on your car! Must have been taken care of very well over the past 50 or so years.

 

[BriceRoad]

Just found this thread. Wow! Your car is coming along great! I wish mine looked half as good! I will keep Rogers in mind. There aren't many good machine shops left anymore.

 

[340challconvert]

Rebuilt 340 finally back where it belongs!

 

[budascuda]

Hubba, hubba...
Are you getting any sleep ?

 

[340challconvert]

Had a set of NOS Mopar rocker arms I bought years ago. They color coded left/rt units for clarity of installation;

 

[340challconvert]

Success; priming engine with oil going to both heads and rockers!

 

[budascuda]

the motor is at the perfect stage to check the oil pressure !
Veeeeery nice !

 

[340challconvert]

Hubba, hubba...
Are you getting any sleep ?

Not much, but a very happy tired

 

[340challconvert]

Test fitting the original valve covers vs the Edelbrocks, laying out the restored correct AVS carb, and scoping out the throttle cable and hookups!

 

[budascuda]

Points and condenser?

 

[340challconvert]

Points and condenser?

I dropped in the original distributor to set the rotor at #1 cylinder at TDC. hopefully for an easy start!
Want to start the car and get it running first with the original harness and points distributor; I have the Mopar conversion kit I bought years ago and will install later. I also have an extra reproduction electronic ignition harness designed to be used with the electronic components. Did not want to alter the original harness and then run into start up problems!

Good eyes on noticing the distributor!

 

[budascuda]

Man!, That's very smart!
You certainly know where the problems are but wisely and methodically you avoid them before hand, it's like giving the devil the finger at every turn
I hope people can learn from your method of approach, I certainly have learned a lot.
Thanks...

 

[340challconvert]

Man!, That's very smart!
You certainly know where the problems are but wisely and methodically you avoid them before hand, it's like giving the devil the finger at every turn
I hope people can learn from your method of approach, I certainly have learned a lot.
Thanks...

Buda, thank you for your thoughts
Phil

 

[BriceRoad]

I agree. Looks like you are doing everything right. The only thing I would do different is I prime the engine right before or as close to start up as possible. I use a telescoping magnet to remove and replace the oil pump drive gear so I don't have to pull the intake manifold off and on again. Best of luck with it and keep us posted.

 

[340challconvert]

BriceRoad
Thanks for your thoughts.
I did prime the engine and will do so again before initial start up
The bushing and oil pump drive gears are new (had an original NOS Mopar unit I bought in the 1980's that I used.
Cleaning up the throttle cable backets and installing an NOS 340 throttle cable I had in storage with the oil pump drive gear.
I am still waiting for my original HD torqueflite to come back from the rebuilder. Getting close after all these years to a running Challenger!