71 RT resurrection

gdrill · Sep 6, 2015

Today's efforts. The hood was previously sanded down. I'm not sure if it is warped or not. I carefully took it to 80 grit and primed it. It seems really flexible to me. I didn't realize they were so delicate. Once it is good and dry I will feel it up to see if it is too bad to use. It is a different year as the "DODGE" holes are welded up, but I'm OK with that if it is straight.

gdrill · Sep 6, 2015

Teasing myself! But it's worth it.

DetMatt1 · Sep 6, 2015

That hood shouldn't feel flimsy at all, should be quite rigid. Is it rusty? Is the skin secured to the frame all the way around?

gdrill · Sep 6, 2015

I'll have to check. It seemed like it vibrated while I was sanding it. It's not at all rusty.

gdrill · Sep 6, 2015

Well, I had a closer look at the hood. It seems that the glue on the framework has lost it's grip. Perhaps that is why it seemed to vibrate on me.

challenger6pak · Sep 7, 2015

Post some pics of the backside.

gdrill · Sep 8, 2015

Here we go. It all looks normal and good to me.

gdrill · Sep 8, 2015

I think it is time to take on the torsion bar cross member. But before I can change it out, I have to repair the ends of the rails. The member had rotted ahead into the rails a couple inches on each side. I have a friend who is parting a car out and I salvaged the sections from it. I will chop them down to fit and then tackle the cross member. Funny how some cars rust out in certain places and others are perfect there but rotten somewhere else!

gdrill · Sep 9, 2015

Feeling brave today.............I got the body level, welded a brace across the rails, made some measurements and then cut away the ugly!

gdrill · Sep 9, 2015

Test fit prior to making it a permanent fixture.

Prepped and ready to be permanent.

Adam · Sep 9, 2015

gdrill said:
Well, I had a closer look at the hood. It seems that the glue on the framework has lost it's grip. Perhaps that is why it seemed to vibrate on me.

Try this stuff:http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/lor...x?gclid=CLmcuO6F68cCFQtqfgodO48JyA&kpid=19988

Very tough and used for panel replacement. Make sure to apply to a clean surface.

gdrill · Sep 9, 2015

Well, it is a done deal. I welded inside and out on the frame stubs and gave the torsion bar cross member a few extra welds too. That pretty well wraps up the front end of the structure for repairs.

gdrill · Dec 12, 2015

A little update. I have not fallen off the face of the earth, but the work on the car is paused. The main rust is gone and that was the goal. I have other stuff to finish first and in the meantime collect parts for this baby. Now I know it was a long shot but I posted an ad on Kijiji looking for the original engine. This car was parted out in the 90's I think, so it was unlikely. Well I have found the trail, and a lead on the original engine. I have no idea whether it will ever end up back in the car, but I have the full story of how it came to me. It has been through three owners between myself and the original, but they never registered the car. So I will technically be the second registered owner of this car. ( Done deal, I registered it on Saturday

)I am going to continue the search and see if I can contact the original owner to see if they have any pictures of it in the '70's. Here are two pics from the second owners property where the rally cluster, dash panel, engine and already replaced 1973 727 transmission were removed. I'm surprised but not surprised. Alberta is small and the Mopar crowd is even smaller. And the fact this was a stripe delete RT really helped narrow down the trail. It just goes to show even after 20 years or so there is still a chance of reuniting original parts!

Edit: The picture also helped me know what wheels came on the car. That is the only spot on the build sheet that was ruined beyond identification.

gdrill · Jan 7, 2016

Well, yesterday was an awesome day. I traveled to Red Deer Alberta and laid eyes on my car's original 383 engine. The fellow is a well known MoPar guy and he had the engine rebuilt by a very reputable builder. He was going to put it in one of his 'Cudas as it is date correct for it, but when I came into the picture he was absolutely fine with letting it go back to the original car. It is bored 40 over, balanced and blue printed with a Comp 268 cam I believe it was. We arranged for the deal at a later date as we were both on a schedule. It will come with it's original air breather, exhaust manifolds, carburetor, and a spare carb as well. Needless to say, I am very very excited about this. I also saw the nicest collection of MoPars in one room that I will likely ever see in my life. I didn't take pics, sorry, but that was purely out of respect.

burntorange70 · Jan 7, 2016

That's very cool you found the motor! Nice build. Your doing some nice repairs.

RUNCHARGER · Jan 7, 2016

Wow! That is awesome! Congrats and nail that engine deal down ASAP.

Sheldon

gdrill · Jan 7, 2016

Thanx guys. Ya I'm really happy. I don't have to worry about it going elsewhere, he told me when I contacted him a month ago it would be mine. He has so many other engines it was no big deal to him. And he actually took the engine out of the car years ago before it continued on it's journey eventually to me. I think he is as happy as I am knowing the engine and car will be together once again.

gdrill · Jan 9, 2016

Well a buddy and myself went on another little road trip today. We met a very cool fellow who contacted me saying he had some Challenger parts he did not need. I got a pretty good haul and picked up my freshly restored air cleaner that is part of the engine deal I made earlier with another guy. The rally cluster is 72-74 but that isn't critical to me. The control panel even has rear defrost which my car has. The clock is freshly rebuilt. The bumper is 70-71 and the bumperettes are freshly re-chromed. The column is 71 and has a key. I got most of the dash plastic with heater controls and some kick panels. The visors are beautiful, might even be new. Got a bunch of chrome trim for around the doors, the hood molding, the trunk molding and a piece for the grill. Headliner bows as well and gas tank straps. All this excluding the air cleaner cost me $1000. The guy was super fair on his pricing as far as I'm concerned. None of the stuff is mint condition, but it is all very good for restoring and using in my car. It's nice to see some guys out there still just appreciate the hobby and aren't out to make a fortune on everything. He has a few more parts I'll go back for later. I forgot the slapstick shifter mechanism!