"Blind in Texas" '71 Dart build

[HYRDGOON]

I can't believe you have both these cars going at once! **tips hat**

 

[chargin']

Yeah GOON,didn't say I wasn't a fool! Lol. I've actually done this a couple time before,build two cars at the same time. Great for motivation,you get sick of one you can work on the other one. But oh the work,and I'm older now,I can't say it's not taking it's toll. Some days I go out in the garage and think "oh God" ,then I think about Matt's and Props Roadrunners,Bigblocks Coronet,747 Charger,etc,call myself a wuss and get at it!

 

[chargin']

Had a great morning at the Dart. Removed the torsion bar retaining clips with my fingers! Unbelievable. . Put some new bushings in the lower front end,cleaned off the over spray and dust and gave them a shot of paint.

 

[chargin']

A buddy is doing the wiring for me. We are going to remove the glass fuse box and start from scratch...for the most part. The hot from the ignition that runs through the box and into the column is going to be replaced/put on a relay. I'll get some more pics as we go. I will be keeping all the factory instruments,lights,buzzer,etc.

 

[chargin']

I got a couple things done yesterday at the garage,upper control arms in. And the leaf spring brackets and hangers. I painted all this stuff 15 years ago,just wash it and install. The dash is at my friends place,I'll probably be at that later this evening!

 

[chargin']

Well; building a car in Canada sure sucks with the dollar! I'm changing the Dart to 4.5 bp,and 15'" steel wheels,and I'm using Challenger brakes on the front. I needed axles and a center section. I ordered them from Dr.Diff,a great place to get parts by the way. It's a axle set and a posi tru trac with 3.55's. The total was 17 hundred and 3 hundred for shipping est. Do the conversion into the colored money,and it was 27 hundred and change. Fed ex calls me and I owe 300 bucks,duty's and taxes. So the 1700.00 U S,turned into 3030.00 Oh Canada! At the end of the day! Thankfully I have most of the parts I need now.

 

[chargin']

Spent the morning at the brakes,all new parts,and I'm replacing the hand brake cable while I'm at it. It is no easy task getting the cable out of the clip under the dash. Sure am glad I'm doing this now with the dash out!

 

[chargin']

The dash wiring has become bit of an ordeal...so I decided to make up some brake lines! I'm going with a manual,front disc/ rear drum setup. I don't believe in the distribution valve,I just T it and run the lines direct. Not the right way to do it,but it works for me.

 

[chargin']

I spent the morning,finishing up the brake lines,and started to assemble the rear end. Also pulled the hood off.. I'll be getting a new phone next week,I've noticed the picture quality is after going down hill!

 

[Deanfitz27]

Looking good Sheldon

 

[chargin']

Cleaning and painting leafs,it's a dirty job but somebody's got to do it!

 

[chargin']

Time to mask the engine bay,and get the dash,front and rear glass installed.

 

[chargin']

I'm just doing a clean up on the dash,I can't seem to find the instrument cluster?

 

[cudas426]

Awesome a body man. are your front brakes factory replacement parts or did you get a kit from someone?

 

[440runner]

I'm just doing a clean up on the dash,I can't seem to find the instrument cluster? View attachment 256503View attachment 256504

Thats what happens when you leave something for 20 years! I am away for months at a time sometimes and i find that i put things in places where i won't forget where they are but sure enough i still struggle some times. You think it might be a age thing? For me i mean, surely not a young guy like you!

 

[chargin']

Awesome a body man. are your front brakes factory replacement parts or did you get a kit from someone?

Thanks,it's factory Challenger stuff.

- - - Updated - - -

Thats what happens when you leave something for 20 years! I am away for months at a time sometimes and i find that i put things in places where i won't forget where they are but sure enough i still struggle some times. You think it might be a age thing? For me i mean, surely not a young guy like you!

Very true Ted,finding stuff that I had put away years ago and is in good condition is very exciting! Believe me,I don't have the GO I had when you were around! lol

 

[747mopar]

Looking great Chargin! I know what you mean about leaving parts lay around then compound that with someone taking mine apart before I got it and I'll just say "THANK GOD FOR FBBO"!

 

[chargin']

I managed to get the rear end hung in place,still has to be lined up,and pinion angle set etc. I want to weight on the suspension for final sand and paint.

 

[chargin']

Texas: Great for steel,not so great for rubber! I spent the afternoon swapping rubber on the door windows. It all needed to be cleaned anyway.

 

[chargin']

Brakes are finished,fuel line ran,and suspension in place. I'm waiting on a couple things,and I want to get some of the wiring done,then it's paint time!