Hawk-Rod Part 1: Get Back on the Road

[HawkRod]

I figured I would start a thread with the work on my 1970 Road Runner...

To start - some background. Since I was 18 (a long time ago) my favorite car of all time has been a 1970 Road Runner with an air grabber hood scoop. It is STILL my favorite car.

Almost two years ago, my father-in-law ended up with one, and I basically bugged the crap out of him until he sold it to me (he's a Chevy guy anyway). It is a barn find, but it did not have a title, and I wanted to make sure that I could own it legally, properly, and with no risk that it was stolen, etc. Just last week, I finally got the title put in my name. In about 2-3 weeks, I should have the plates for it so I can drive it on the street.:hello2:

My plan is to get it back on the streets temporarily until I finish restoring my 1960 Corvette. My Dad and I bought the Corvette together, and he is now getting quite old. The Road Runner must wait until the Corvette it done, so my Dad can get a chance to enjoy it before it is too late. This thread is dedicated to "Part 1", which is getting the Road Runner back on the road. Once the Corvette is done, I will tear down the Road Runner and give it a much deserved restoration. (That will be "Part 2").

Here is the "Barn Find":


Here is the car after some elbow grease and getting it ready to apply for Antique Plates:

 

[Pops1967GTX]

Looks Great, love the color..........

 

[HawkRod]

Car Details

Some details on the car...

The good:

• Original number matching 383
• 80,000 miles, and to the best of my knowledge, engine has never been apart
• 4 Speed, numbers matching transmission (23 spline)
• A-31 Car with Hemi suspension, 3.55 sure grip, heavy duty cooling
• Originally a Lime Light car
• Has an Air Grabber
• Has tick-tock-tack
• It is a California car with fairly limited rust

The Bad:

• Missing both the fender tag and build sheet
• Trunk floor, extensions and lower quarters rusted, need replacement
• Been sitting for almost 20 years - needs some help to get it running
• Missing original exhaust. Probably had headers but when sold somebody put C-body exhaust manifolds on it.
• Air Grabber is suspect. The hood and all needed parts are there and have obviously been on the car a LONG time. Hood is originally Lime Light like the car, and is also missing the hood stripe, so everything fits it being on the car since new. However, the hose routing does not go through the firewall in the right spot, so it may have been added after the car was built.

Other features:

• Black bench seat interior
• Manual Steering
• Manual Brakes
• Car did NOT come with the performance hood paint or trunk stripe (although I will add that)

Now it is time to get to work!

Hawk

 

[alleyoopmgv]

That Roadrunner is a keeper, thats for sure!

 

[HawkRod]

California Choke

California Cars came originally with Holley carbs. This car does not have THE original carb, but at some point a service replacement was added. It is the exact same as the original in looks and function, but has a slightly different number.

Anyway, the car was missing a choke. The choke for a Mopar Holley was different than other cars, and it has a straight "arm". I found one and installed it. This was a nice easy fix once I found the proper choke!!!



- - - Updated - - -

I also added the windshield washers and fixed a few electrical gremlins by replacing the engine wiring harness. Used a Year One harness that was expensive but fit perfectly.

Today's work was to fix my valley pan. It was rusted through in the back. At the same time, I decided to replace my valve covers with correct Mopar valve covers. The covers I have are in bad shape. They were very rusty and have deep pits in them and dents too. For now, I will have to use them and may upgrade them in the future.

Valve covers and valley pan ready for primer:


Ready to take off the intake:


Old valley pan - definitely dead!!!


In the next few days, I will clean up the intake, paint them all and re-install. Easy work for many of you experts, but still stuff that I don't do every day...

 

[roadrunnerman]

70 RR is also one of my favorite years. Yours cleaned up great.

 

[tallhair]

You are gonna have so much fun!

 

[MoparMitch]

Great looking car Hawk. Be nice to have it on the road. What kind of shape is the Vette in? I also have a 60 Fulie car i've owned for 37 yrs. I restored it 25yrs ago. Maybe PM me and we can share some ideas . These guys don't want to see a lot of Chebbie stuff on here. LOL

 

[HawkRod]

Great looking car Hawk. Be nice to have it on the road. What kind of shape is the Vette in? I also have a 60 Fulie car i've owned for 37 yrs. I restored it 25yrs ago. Maybe PM me and we can share some ideas . These guys don't want to see a lot of Chebbie stuff on here. LOL

The Vette was a total basket case. It is a dual quad solid lifter car (270 HP) with a 4 speed and 3.70 rear. It has received a frame off restoration with literally every nut and bolt removed and replaced. Currently, all the frame, suspension and bodywork is done. Trans is in it, so now I am waiting for the engine (283 with a 327 crank, so it will displace about 317 CI). I also need to do the windshield and interior. The windshield is a PITA, but I have to dive in to that soon.

Forgive me Mopar guys and gals, here's a quick picture and then we'll move back to the Road Runner...

 

[tallhair]

I for one welcome our new insect overlords

Actually that's cool .. now get a room guys

The Vette was a total basket case. It is a dual quad solid lifter car (270 HP) with a 4 speed and 3.70 rear. It has received a frame off restoration with literally every nut and bolt removed and replaced. Currently, all the frame, suspension and bodywork is done. Trans is in it, so now I am waiting for the engine (283 with a 327 crank, so it will displace about 317 CI). I also need to do the windshield and interior. The windshield is a PITA, but I have to dive in to that soon.

Forgive me Mopar guys and gals, here's a quick picture and then we'll move back to the Road Runner...

View attachment 112353

 

[HawkRod]

Parts Missing...

So now, back to Mopar:

When I removed the valley pan, there were no metal end straps over the front and rear of the valley pan. Looks like the last time the valley pan was done, someone threw them out.

Am I OK without the metal end straps?

Appreciate the help...

 

[Ron 73]

I figured I would start a thread with the work on my 1970 Road Runner...

To start - some background. Since I was 18 (a long time ago) my favorite car of all time has been a 1970 Road Runner with an air grabber hood scoop. It is STILL my favorite car.

Almost two years ago, my father-in-law ended up with one, and I basically bugged the crap out of him until he sold it to me (he's a Chevy guy anyway). It is a barn find, but it did not have a title, and I wanted to make sure that I could own it legally, properly, and with no risk that it was stolen, etc. Just last week, I finally got the title put in my name. In about 2-3 weeks, I should have the plates for it so I can drive it on the street.:hello2:

My plan is to get it back on the streets temporarily until I finish restoring my 1960 Corvette. My Dad and I bought the Corvette together, and he is now getting quite old. The Road Runner must wait until the Corvette it done, so my Dad can get a chance to enjoy it before it is too late. This thread is dedicated to "Part 1", which is getting the Road Runner back on the road. Once the Corvette is done, I will tear down the Road Runner and give it a much deserved restoration. (That will be "Part 2").

Here is the "Barn Find":
View attachment 112202

Here is the car after some elbow grease and getting it ready to apply for Antique Plates:

View attachment 112203

Great looking 70 Road Runner, wish you luck with getting the Vette and RR back to there former beauty!

 

[Propwash]

Cool project. Should be a fun build. Vette looks very sharp as well. Good luck.

 

[Red63440]

So now, back to Mopar:

When I removed the valley pan, there were no metal end straps over the front and rear of the valley pan. Looks like the last time the valley pan was done, someone threw them out.

Am I OK without the metal end straps?

Appreciate the help...

No, you will need them....if I had a set I would give them to you, maybe someone will come along shortly and help you out.

 

[tallhair]

No, you will need them....if I had a set I would give them to you, maybe someone will come along shortly and help you out.

X2 and you need to get the correct ones ... B and RB are different lengths ... someone will post the correct RB length soon hopefully

 

[hunt2elk]

That is a great looking project - should be fun. I'm glad to hear the title issue finally got straightened out. Cool Vette also.

 

[HawkRod]

X2 and you need to get the correct ones ... B and RB are different lengths ... someone will post the correct RB length soon hopefully

Thanks for the help Red and Tallhair.

The metal end straps look about as simple as they can be: A straight piece of metal with 3 holes in it. Can't I just make two of them? I can use my valley pan as a template so I know where to drill the holes.

Am I missing something? Any reason why I need to source originals (I will do this eventually, but for now...)

 

[tallhair]

Thanks for the help Red and Tallhair.

The metal end straps look about as simple as they can be: A straight piece of metal with 3 holes in it. Can't I just make two of them? I can use my valley pan as a template so I know where to drill the holes.

Am I missing something? Any reason why I need to source originals (I will do this eventually, but for now...)

No nothing special about them as long as whatever you use will stay flat and not warp or get all bent out of shape when your torque the bolts down ... probably need some good steel stock. Just get the correct measurements and go.

 

[HawkRod]

Thanks. That's what I went ahead and did.

They won't win any awards at SEMA, but with some paint I think they will look pretty close to stock and should do the job.

Now I just have to finish trying to bring my valve covers back from the dead. They were really VERY rusty, and were dented and pock marked all over. Again, one day I will try to get a nice set, but these will have to do for now.

 

[tallhair]

You sound like a man on a mission .. to get that road roaster on the road again after the loooooooong wait! Go Hawk Go!