71 Road Runner Restoration Started

[71airgrabberRR]

Back in the day.......

Me too! Years ago I can remember swapping out a complete Rally gauge cluster from my 72 Challenger with one from a 70 because the tach went to 8K RPM instead of the 7K that was in my car.
Afterwards I asked a few buddies if they wanted the old cluster. I couldn't give it away, so I ended up tossing it. During barracks inspections I kept getting "gigged" for having car parts in my room. Otherwise it probably would have came home with me.....
Looking back I guess I could have mailed it home. But that would have cut into my gas and beer money!!!! Lol

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:bootyshake:H

Making progress, looks good, so many little things when doing these cars...

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I'm not sure who make any of them really, I'll follow you thread a little & see how you like the quality & fit etc.... I've been debating on putting a console in my 68 RR, I have new buckets in, they never came with one, only bench seat in 68.. but I want one like in a 68 GTX, I'm going to use a B&M Quick Sliver shifter too, instead of the original type, so it will need to be slightly modified anyway... all the original consoles I've seen have been total junk or priced thru the roof, or I was just broke, at the time & missed a great deal...LOL... IMHFO thou, I think I'll just buy an aftermarket assembly, if I do it, not modify an original, unless I get/find a great deal on one somewhere... good luck

You are right, good original parts are hard to find. Most old parts are P.O.S.
if not they are over priced......
That's the main reason why I decided to buy new reproduction parts.
Most of the new licensed stuff is "close enough".

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Headlight Bucket Assembly

Last night I started working on the headlight buckets for the Road Runner. I took them apart and glass beaded them to bare metal, removing all surface rust and old paint.

Follow along with the photos....

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These pictures show the process after I disassembled the buckets.

The bracket parts are the same between the driver side and passenger side. The only difference is where the headlight adjuster screws go.

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These next pictures show the actual head light buckets. They are different so pay attention where they came from as you take the assembly apart.

when new these parts were galvanized to protect them from rusting.

Most of the time the galvanizing remains intact, so all they need is a light cleaning.

How I do it is simply hold the part a good distance from the glass bead nozzle and lightly fog the part with abrasives. Blow the part off and give it a coat of clear. This allows the part to look the same as when it was new.

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These photos show the parts after paint.

You can see Heidi my German Shepard too!!

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Now I'm waiting on the new headlight adjuster screws to come in. I purchased a new set of 4 Halogen headlights for the car. While I'm waiting on the adjusters I can polish the trim rings.

There you have it. Not hard, just attention to details...

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Today the console body and 4 Speed Transmission Tunnel are supposed to arrive. If they do and I have time I will post some pictures of a comparison between original and aftermarket.

 

[tallhair]

Thanks for another fine post .. love the detail

 

[71airgrabberRR]

New Console & Transmission Tunnel Arrived

Just like clockwork!!!!

The new parts arrived a little while ago. It's like Christmas in July!!!!

I initially had concerns about the aftermarket console that I had ordered.

I was pleasantly surprised. These new consoles for the 71-74 B and E bodies ROCK!!! They have the same grain pattern in the plastic and are made from the same type of plastic as the original's were.

The parts even have all of the provisions for the console top plate, lock / latch assembly, etc.

tonight I will not have time to do a side by side comparison with new vs old. I promise that I will do it soon.

So in the meanwhile, here are some pictures. Enjoy them and have a good night.

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Here are a few close up details.....

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Here are a few pictures of the new transmission tunnel.

Now I'm waiting on the console top plate. It should be here in a few days.

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The console came with new mounting clips for the top plate.

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Thanks for another fine post .. love the detail

Thanks for the compliment!!! I hope I don't bore anyone to death with the mundane details though. I just want to try and list things as they happen, the good, the bad, and the ugly.....

If I run into problems I will try to let you all know about them so you can learn from my mistakes. With the way our economy is right now, none of us need to waste money when it can be avoided.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Grill Mounting Hardware / Clips

Just a short note. I ordered the grill mounting plastic clips and hardware a few minutes ago.

I also ordered another set of headlight adjuster screws from a different supplier so that I could get them a little faster. I'm anxious to get the headlight bucket assemblies finished.

A note of caution on these headlight adjusters!!!!

Up until recently they were available directly from Chrysler..but no longer. It's now a discontinued part. I didn't think about parts availability when I cut the originals out, because up until now getting new ones was not a problem. I found they are still available, just not from my usual sources.

I started worrying after I called 4 different suppliers and they all told me "sorry, no longer available."

FYI, Several persons are selling them on EBay..... and they are still available from Year One and Classic Industries

I always replace them on my restorations. It sucks when you break one after everything is installed, because the plastic is so old and brittle....

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Just a short note. I ordered the grill mounting plastic clips and hardware a few minutes ago.

I also ordered another set of headlight adjuster screws from a different supplier so that I could get them a little faster. I'm anxious to get the headlight bucket assemblies finished.

A note of caution on these headlight adjusters!!!!

Up until recently they were available directly from Chrysler..but no longer. It's now a discontinued part. I didn't think about parts availability when I cut the originals out, because up until now getting new ones was not a problem. I found they are still available, just not from my usual sources.

I started worrying after I called 4 different suppliers and they all told me "sorry, no longer available."

FYI, Several persons are selling them on EBay..... and they are still available from Year One and Classic Industries

I always replace them on my restorations. It sucks when you break one after everything is installed, because the plastic is so old and brittle....

So I will have some extra H/L clips. That's OK because they were used on our cars up until around 1985........

 

[roadrunnerman]

You're really going good getting all your parts ordered. If you install them as fast as you get them, your car is going to be done in no time. BTW, like your dog.

 

[tallhair]

Yep I know what you mean about those head light adjusters and plastic grills .. very hard to get them out w/o breaking something plastic before the rusted in screws give up.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

More parts came in.....

Tonight the 4 Speed console top plate came in along with a set of clutch / brake pedal pads.

I was also able to find a very nice set of reproduction arm rests. These have a metal core just like the originals did.

So far I have been very pleased with the quality of the aftermarket parts that were selected. If your interested in part numbers, where I found these items from etc, just send me a PM.

Hopefully tomorrow I can get something done on the car.

Until then, take care and have a safe evening.

 

[747mopar]

Christmas in July :icon_santa:

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Headlight buckets

You're really going good getting all your parts ordered. If you install them as fast as you get them, your car is going to be done in no time. BTW, like your dog.

That would be fantastic if the parts could be installed as fast as they came in!!!! I'm not that lucky.....

Here is one of the headlight buckets after reassembly. I still have to polish the trim rings and install the lights.

The parts look night and day between before and after.

Thanks for the compliments on my German Shepard. She's a good looking dog and very protective and loyal to our family.

What more could you ask for from a dog???

 

[tallhair]

Are you buying all of your parts from one source or shopping for the best deal? Any recommendations?

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Shopping for Parts

Are you buying all of your parts from one source or shopping for the best deal? Any recommendations?

I do a lot of research and make a list of who has what part for sale and how much it costs. I try to locate hard to find or one off parts first.

Sometimes when you run across a deal, you have to jump before it's gone. I can't always do that, because money isn't always available.

Believe it or not, there are several stores on EBay that are very good too. Mopar9999 is one of them that I use.

I also order a lot of stuff through Classic Industries. They offer a lot of good licensed reproduction parts.

For interior parts I use Legendary for the most part. These new arm rests for the RR I scored on EBay.

As far as sheet metal goes, I try to buy from AMD whenever possible. I know they have had a bad rap on a few parts like full OEM quarters for the 68-70 Chargers, but for the most part their parts fit very good. Any time you have to replace sheet metal expect some kind of fitment work issues to arise simply because when they produced our cars, Chrysler allowed 1/4 inch variances between panels as acceptable. Quality Control has come a long way.......

I have been considering becoming an AMD dealer.

Still tossing that one around, because I am also working on starting up a business for a universal engine test run stand that I have a patent applied for. It's a pretty cool set up that allows you to run the engine and transmission on the factory K-frame, and then install it using the same stand. It will work on anything from slant 6's to Hemi's.

PM me and I'll send you a link to my web site. It shows how the engine test run stand works. I will be donating a portion of each sale to the Wounded Warrior Project too. We are working an producing a few videos for Youtube.

As far as engine and drive train parts go, I use Summit Racing, Jegs, and Mancini Racing. All have excellent service.

If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask.

 

[tallhair]

Still tossing that one around, because I am also working on starting up a business for a universal engine test run stand that I have a patent applied for. It's a pretty cool set up that allows you to run the engine and transmission on the factory K-frame, and then install it using the same stand. It will work on anything from slant 6's to Hemi's.

PM me and I'll send you a link to my web site. It shows how the engine test run stand works. I will be donating a portion of each sale to the Wounded Warrior Project too. We are working an producing a few videos for Youtube.

Thanks for the detailed response and I'll PM for the link. Thumbs up on the blue text

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Gardner Performance Quickstand

Thanks for the detailed response and I'll PM for the link. Thumbs up on the blue text

Thanks.

I want to try and help out our returning Veterans. Without them, our great Country would not be what it is today, despite the politicians....

I am in the process of registering the business as a LLC and getting a tax ID number. I still have a long way to go before I can actually say its a "business".


The quick stand is something I designed and applied for a patent on.

It will work with all engines from a slant 6 to a Hemi. We are making brackets so the Ford and GM guys can use it too.

You can purchase the complete stand with all modules or you can buy it a part at a time. You can have whatever gauges you need too. Each unit is custom made for the users needs.

It can be used as an engine test run stand and then converted over to an installation stand by removing the ignition, fuel, and cooling modules.

After your done with it, it breaks down to small sub assemblies and can be stored in a small space.

Then the stand actually holds the engine / transmission in place as you lower the body down over the top. I used it on my Duster and it worked fantastic.

You can use the stand to check everything out and make adjustments before the engine is installed while you can still get to everything.

You can set the timing, adjust the carb(s), valves, check for coolant and oil leaks, check headers for clearance issues etc.

I now have a very good machinist lined up to make all of my parts with a CNC Cad controlled machine. He has the ability to produce several thousand parts a day and each one will be exact.

We are building jig fixtures to hold parts for welding and I have a certified welder assembling parts.

I'm trying my best to use only parts made in the US or Canada.

I want to do my part to try and put Americans back to work.

If this business takes off I can become a vendor / supporter on FBBO too.

I am serious about the Wounded Warrior Project and helping our vets out.

Our website is still a work in progress. Look for an article in the future in the Mopar Muscle magazine and the Mopar Collectors Guide.

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Here are some pictures of the test stand as it is used to install the engine from below. You can see how easy it is to remove the modules.

 

[tallhair]

That's totally cool man !!!. Good luck with your patent.

 

[Ron 73]

I agree! thats quite the set up.. Good luck!

 

[roadrunnerman]

It never ceases to amaze me as to the knowledge and ingenuity every time I click on any of these threads.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Rally Dash Instrument Cluster

Today the gasket set arrived for both of my Rally Dashes. I ordered on for the Road Runner and one for my 1970 Challenger. Here is a picture of what is included in the kit. I ordered a couple of extra ammeter insulators at the same time. They are good to have on hand.

When I restore my cars, I take every nut and bolt apart and start from there. Whenever you take an instrument cluster apart, most of the time the foam gaskets just crumble away to nothing, and the cardboard parts become too brittle. So I try to get these parts in hand before I even attempt working on the gauge cluster.

So very soon I will be posting pictures in a step by step of the gauge cluster restoration on the Bird.....

BTW, I haven't forgotten to do the side by side comparison with the original VS reproduction consoles. I have to get the original one for my Challenger down from the storage room. Possibly tomorrow night if things go well.

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Here is a picture of the gasket set for the gauges.

The set on the right is for the Road Runner.

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Making progress, looks good, so many little things when doing these cars...


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I'm not sure who make any of them really, I'll follow you thread a little & see how you like the quality & fit etc.... I've been debating on putting a console in my 68 RR, I have new buckets in, they never came with one, only bench seat in 68.. but I want one like in a 68 GTX, I'm going to use a B&M Quick Sliver shifter too, instead of the original type, so it will need to be slightly modified anyway... all the original consoles I've seen have been total junk or priced thru the roof, or I was just broke, at the time & missed a great deal...LOL... IMHFO thou, I think I'll just buy an aftermarket assembly, if I do it, not modify an original, unless I get/find a great deal on one somewhere... good luck

Based on the quality of the aftermarket console I purchased for the RR, I think you will be VERY HAPPY if you decide to buy one for your car. You have the buckets in your car now. To me adding a console would be like icing on the cake!!! It's your car, do with it as you please. You're the one who should be happy. There is no crime in cutting a reproduction console to make your shifter work. Go for it.

Yes there is a TON of little things to do when you properly restore a car. You don't realize it until your in too deep!!! But it's the little details that make or break a car. Attention to detail............ And try to do your very best at all times.

 

[Ron 73]

It never ceases to amaze me as to the knowledge and ingenuity every time I click on any of these threads.

X-2

 

[tallhair]

Today the gasket set arrived for both of my Rally Dashes. I ordered on for the Road Runner and one for my 1970 Challenger. Here is a picture of what is included in the kit. I ordered a couple of extra ammeter insulators at the same time. They are good to have on hand.

When I restore my cars, I take every nut and bolt apart and start from there. Whenever you take an instrument cluster apart, most of the time the foam gaskets just crumble away to nothing, and the cardboard parts become too brittle. So I try to get these parts in hand before I even attempt working on the gauge cluster.

So very soon I will be posting pictures in a step by step of the gauge cluster restoration on the Bird.....

Looking forward to it .. btw I think your next project should be a 70 Road Runner or 68 Coronet R/T convert