68 RM23 Roadrunner, The rebuild of an old friend

[hunt2elk]

Looking marvelous. Hope you are not going to be afraid to drive that thing.

 

[Runner 68]

Looking marvelous. Hope you are not going to be afraid to drive that thing.

Right, for a couple of reasons. A good friend of mine keeps reminding me about my 60 year old reflexes just to mess with me.
I'm not going to put the shoulder belts back in because they suck, look like **** and are probably more dangerous if used.
If I wreck it that hard I hope it kills me because I don't want to look at the aftermath.

 

[Runner 68]

Got the Trickflows torqued on this evening.
We plopped the Phoenix Specialty Coatings kissed valve covers on for a look. I don't know about you Leanna but I think we nailed the color about as close as we could.
Look at the surfaces of the block that are at the same angle as the tops of the valve covers, pretty damned close. Looks even better in person. Lots of bling and color going on.

 

[Runner 68]

Waiting on the Smith Brothers push rods to wrap up the top end of the 500.
Line Loc plumbed in along with the front brake lines.
Mocked up the K-Member to design the torque strap before powder coat.
Strange 60 on the way.

 

[CudaChick1968]

Wow Brian, you've been busy!! Thanks for the shout out too (sorry I missed it).

I'm delighted you're happy with the results! It was an honor having a hand in it.

 

[Runner 68]

Still chugging along. We got the torque strap fully situated. That in combination with the Mancini Mag Mounts should keep it caged. K Member back off for a little more touch up welding then off to powder coat. Sorry Leanna, I would rather have you do it but I don't feel like shipping a part that big plus potentially losing it these days. It will be black so it doesn't need your artistic touch.
The top end is pretty much together. We did a preliminary pre-oil, all systems go. We had a small issue with intake gaskets but were able to resolve it. The bat wings will be trimmed back.
The next big milestone is the S60 which should be here in a couple of weeks.

 

[Runner 68]

Christmas in February. Look what Santa dropped off yesterday. How Strange.

 

[Runner 68]

It was a SStrange day. Everything went together like a Lego set. How often does that happen?
Having a nice rear end is a beautiful thing.

 

[CudaChick1968]

Fabulous as always!! It's fun hanging out in your garage.

I have some CalTracs for my Cuda but they're still in the box. Seems there isn't enough time in the day for my own stuff.

 

[hunt2elk]

It was a SStrange day. Everything went together like a Lego set. How often does that happen?
Having a nice rear end is a beautiful thing.

View attachment 1428436View attachment 1428437View attachment 1428438View attachment 1428439View attachment 1428440

Nice, I have 2 of those myself. Did you go with the S-Trac for the carrier? Make sure you tie down the e-brake cable on the passenger side. I add a strap under the vent.

 

[71Beeper]

Brian, where did you get that engine torque strap?

 

[Runner 68]

Nice, I have 2 of those myself. Did you go with the S-Trac for the carrier? Make sure you tie down the e-brake cable on the passenger side. I add a strap under the vent.

I did. Way ahead of you on the e-brake cable. I asked them about it before it went into production and they wouldn't weld one on before production. Go figure for a $3,000 diff.
I have a plan and it's exactly what you describe.

Brian, where did you get that engine torque strap?

I made it. Pretty simple. It's basically just a heim joint measured to fit. PM me and I'll give you the specs.

 

[hunt2elk]

I did. Way ahead of you on the e-brake cable. I asked them about it before it went into production and they wouldn't weld one on before production. Go figure for a $3,000 diff.
I have a plan and it's exactly what you describe.

Post up a pic of what you end up doing for the cable mount as maybe I'll do something different on mine. Yeah, I don't understand why they wont address that issue either. Other than that, they are a great unit for the money.

 

[Runner 68]

Post up a pic of what you end up doing for the cable mount as maybe I'll do something different on mine. Yeah, I don't understand why they wont address that issue either. Other than that, they are a great unit for the money.

I was just thinking something simple like this in stainless under the vent bolt.

 

[hunt2elk]

I was just thinking something simple like this in stainless under the vent bolt.
View attachment 1429172

That's what I did as well. If I remember correctly, you have to hog out the hole to 7/16".

 

[Runner 68]

That's what I did as well. If I remember correctly, you have to hog out the hole to 7/16".

Did you put another vent bolt through the "Y" fitting on the driver side or just a plain cap bolt?

 

[hunt2elk]

Did you put another vent bolt through the "Y" fitting on the driver side or just a plain cap bolt?

I used 2 vents. Figured it can't hurt anything, right?

 

[747mopar]

Wow, looking awful sexy!

 

[Richard Cranium]

It was a SStrange day. Everything went together like a Lego set. How often does that happen?
Having a nice rear end is a beautiful thing.

View attachment 1428436View attachment 1428437View attachment 1428438View attachment 1428439View attachment 1428440

Is there any advantage to using the Cal Trac set up on the street?

 

[Runner 68]

Is there any advantage to using the Cal Trac set up on the street?

I don’t know, I have never run them. My son runs them on his Duster and likes them. My engine designer recommended them but he’s an old racer.
I like the idea of them because if this motor generates the 650-700 HP we’re expecting, they should help keep it chained to the ground even on the street plus I think the split mono leafs look clean as hell.