late model hemi into early b bodies

[5.7 hemi]

D-Day...went perfect!!!!

My dad and 2 buddys, Mike and Robert helped me get the engine/trans/front suspension in. We started at 10:30ish and they all left around 3:30. The lift I designed work perfect. With 3 guys watching for clearence and the other lowering the engine hoist it went in real easy. Although I forgot to tighten the cam lock bolts and they decided to "pop" when we pushed it backwards onto the driveway so I could clean the garage floor of some spilled steering fluid and trans fluid. No biggie, we just looked at one another and damn near at the same time said cam lock bolts! Well the fun is getting alittle more fun now cause I got to plug in all the wires and make it look pleasing to the eye. It was so damn foggy here, it lifted for a few hours and came back real strong in the afternoon, thats what you'll see in a few of the pics. Hope everyone enjoys the pics!!

 

[69clone]

Wow that's great! Guessing you'll be done in time to enjoy the summer?

 

[Joe Mopar]

Superb ! Like that lifting jig you made.

 

[Donny]

Inspiring!

 

[rapidtransitric]

Looking good zach i bet your loving the feeling of accomplishment

 

[dantrap]

Hey 5.7 LOOKEN GREAT. Can't wait t see it complete. Dan

 

[65-440]

5.7, iv'e been watching this thread for some time now .... and you have really come a long way, this car is looking great ! keep up the good work !!!

 

[DavidElmore]

What a great job. can't wait to see the finished project. keep the photos coming.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Hey guys thanks for the compliments. Granted I do 99% of the work, I still wouldn't be at this stage if it weren't for some GREAT friends!!!! The guys in the phots above have done alot to help me, Mike-does all the machine work, such as pulleys, one off do-hickeys, and he's gonna help put the wiring in for all the lights cause I dont know squat about wiring a car. Robert-likes to help get dirty and put stuff together, but he draws the line at bodywork(that was all me). And then theres Dad, he helps when he can (got his own #s matching 70 Challenger he's doing). I ask alot of questions to these guys, and they each have thier own "specialty", and they always seem to come through. One last person who has sat by and watched....the better half. After it was put together Saturday afternoon, she said something I will never forget and made my years of working on this worth it....."that is BADASS"!! I was floored, stunned and my heart felt all warm and fuzzy. Enough with the touchy/feely stuff... No work today as I watched football and played with the kids. I'll get some stuff done tomorrow.

 

[rapidtransitric]

good for you zach

 

[5.7 hemi]

Did some engine harness wiring, a real quick front alignment to get to the shop when ready, some undercoating where the factory stuff had come off and general clean up in the garage from Saturdays festivities. When I get back from the eye doc tomorrow, I should finish up the wiring for the engine/trans. Then start double checking all the bolts to make sure they are tight.

 

[Cevidicus]

Man, it's so hard to get drool out of a key board....

Great thread! Inspirational! :headbang:

 

[5.7 hemi]

Just use a blow dryer...lol!!!

 

[Tincup]

Nice job Zack......

 

[5.7 hemi]

Thanks Tin. I got the door handles on today, drivers side took 3 minutes and the passenger side took 45...wtf!!!! It seems the ps "guts" were just to big, so I had to file doen some of that and also the door to get it to fit. Any exposed metal edges after filing the door, was painted with a q-tip to cover it. I guess some aftermarket parts need some massaging to fit, that chaps my hide. That was all I got done today, had an eye appt., and everything is looking good.

 

[rapidtransitric]

aftermarket parts have always been a challenging situation to a bodyman. fenders too short ,mounting holes punched in wrong spot door shells welded together crooked , oversized quarter panels ect.....

 

[5.7 hemi]

Well I have to be thankful that the door handles were semi easy to get them to fit right. There are a couple of other things that I need to get from the aftermarket, reverse lenses, door/trunk locks, 1 mirror, and some weatherstripping. I dont forsee a problem with fitment issues on those items...but I have been wrong before.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Wiring for the eng/trans is finished. Next is the outside lights, I'm not looking forward to that.

 

[rapidtransitric]

you'll get it look how far you've gone

 

[5.7 hemi]

New aluminum fuel line ran from the back to the front fender, then Aeroquip socketless hose to the engine. E brake cable is giving me a hard time due to the x-pipe, gotta figure something out! Bleeding the brakes is next on the list, then start laying out the wire for the lights.