1973/74 Plymouth Road Runner preservation with Q&A Feedback

[ZeroFiggz]

Reply to ZeroFiggz above:

Concerning Swaybars, yes, the Road Runner had them installed and we plan to overhaul and re-install. Any advice on them will be helpful.

There's not to much too them especially if you already have them, clean them up and paint them, put new bushing on them (poly gives you a good upgrade in stiffness), that combined with new bushing in the leafs and front suspension i think you'll get a great upgrade in the factory handing.

 

[MoparJimT]

Reply to ZeroFiggz above:

Concerning Swaybars, yes, the Road Runner had them installed and we plan to overhaul and re-install. Any advice on them will be helpful.

Glad you making progress, on the rear sway bar, the only part I was never able to source was the half pound bushing that goes to the sway bar to body mount. I tried modifying some and just had to put the originals back in until I find a solution. Also make sure and center the bar and put the car on the ground before you tighten any suspension components so they do not bind, then re-torque after a few miles. Another lesson learned in my adventure. I lost the nuts and bushings on one of the rear sway bar struts to the axle plate.

 

[Bluesky10]

MoparJimT, Thank you for the recommendation. I will have him add a "to comply with items" list to his photo build book for when it comes off the rotisserie. We will be reinstalling all front and rear components before it come off the rotisserie.

 

[Bluesky10]

Can someone direct me to where I can buy new rear shackle Pins/bolts for attaching the leaf spring to the lower shackle arms.

Update but Unsure if they will work: Fastenal has these bolts
Feedback requested

They conform to ASTM A574. Rockwell hardness is C39-45. Minimum tensile strength is 145,000 psi on diameters less than 1/2" and 135,000 psi on diameters greater than 1/2".

 

[Bluesky10]

Answer to the above question was provided by earlier in this thread:
From: Lefty71
Leaf Spring Shackles, Bushings, Ubolts | ESPO Springs n Things
Leaf spring shackles, ubolts, eye bolts, bushings and axle pads from ESPO Springs 'n Things. Both rubber and polyurethane bushings available.
www.springsnthings.com

Thank you Lefty71,
Bluesky10

 

[Bluesky10]

I came across this and wanted to save on this thread and share with others that may see this post and need these items in the future. Thank you John.

 

[Bluesky10]

10-2023 updates: 8.75 and Leaf Spring removals, rebuilds/overhauls, and installs:

 

[Bluesky10]

Concerning the 8.75 POSI, the Kidd agreed to remove the rearend from one of the parts cars, clean it, prime, paint, and service it and help install back in my 74 for the trade.

This parts car he calls the battlellite:

We picked it up for the re-doable interior and drivers door, but have found other things we need. I plan to begin selling off the remainders.

 

[Bluesky10]

late 2024 update rolling into 2025.
Floor pan is ready for welding in, some paint has been applied, engine is being assembled, and dash overhaul starting soon.

 

[Coelacanth]

I just gotta say the best part about this thread is that you got the next generation interested in our old Mopars! I love seeing a guy that age getting his hands dirty, like I did when I was 18!

 

[Bluesky10]

Thank you Coelacanth,
Yes, I was very excited to have him want to get involved. I do have to give some credit to Freiburger, Dulcich, Finnegan, and Roadkill & Roadkill Garage. He was about 14 when we started watching the series, and at 16 he took a liken to the Road Runner I had stacked behind 2 other projects. Once his mom saw he had intrest, she asked if we could give it to him. Next month he will have been working on it for 2 years and no slowdown in sight. He did ask if we could get the car driving before we started the exterior body panel work (Roadkill style), so I agreed. Heck, I never had good paint on my cars, mostly spray can primer.

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