Meet Max the '71 Coronet

[Rennkafer]

When I worked over the k that goes into my 65, I had it tanked twice and there was still crud hiding in there that showed up when I was doing my mass welding. I ended up getting the Victor Wrench out to burn the remainder from the back areas and crevices.

Ya, the only way to really get it clean would be to cut all the oem spot welds, and disassemble it completely. Though without building a jig, that would be pretty dicey getting it back together properly. This will be better than stock, it's just not pretty.

 

[ckessel]

I left my oe welds intact. Just added about 120+ more along with quite a bit of additional reinforcing.

 

[Rennkafer]

I left my oe welds intact. Just added about 120+ more along with quite a bit of additional reinforcing.

View attachment 1669784

Same, though I seam welded the edges rather than adding more spot welds.

 

[Rennkafer]

Ok, since our last episode, I've finished the k member and assembled the steering box/idler/lower arms/ball joints/strut rods and got it put under the car (with some help... that thing is heavy). Also couldn't help myself and stuck the adapters and rear wheels on. They'll probably be controversial, but I like them and that's what counts.

 

[Rennkafer]

Been knocking out prep jobs and such before I get further into reassembling suspension. Finished removing the old torsion bars (so small compared to the new ones), cleaned and painted the new front/rear brake rotors, cleaned all the connections on the instrument cluster and replaced all the bulbs, cleaned and painted the lower steering column. Next up is some rust correction under the dash, and getting the torsion bars in place, a job I'm not looking forward to,

Pics as always...

Anyone know what's supposed to be here?? Bushing? It's a tilt column, not original to the car per the fender tag. The tilt columns don't seem to have much info available other than they were GM built. I really want to go with a different steering wheel too, but again, I can't seem to find any definitive info on what adapter actually fits the tilt column.

 

[ckessel]

For my 65, I had a guy make a Delrin bushing for that area. From the factory, they use a boot/bushing but I wanted something better. There is of course a bearing up top. The bushing isn't installed yet, thats down the road when I put the BAC coupler in with the new internals.

 

[Rennkafer]

For my 65, I had a guy make a Delrin bushing for that area. From the factory, they use a boot/bushing but I wanted something better. There is of course a bearing up top. The bushing isn't installed yet, thats down the road when I put the BAC coupler in with the new internals.

Ya, I was thinking of making something similar, though maybe from some bearing bronze I have a stick of.

 

[ckessel]

While I was rechecking valve cover bolts on my 67 wagon, I saw this. Most likely what you are missing. The bushing will probably be easier though. Non tilt column BTW.

 

[Rennkafer]

While I was rechecking valve cover bolts on my 67 wagon, I saw this. Most likely what you are missing. The bushing will probably be easier though. Non tilt column BTW.

View attachment 1682696

Mine is similar, but different. Here's a pic of mine from a similar angle. The shift arm is reversed on mine, and the end of the tube is different. The bushing is probably not a lot different, but definitely attaches differently.

 

[71Beeper]

I used this bearing on mine.

I think someone here on the board recommended it.
I just left out the snap ring - it fit like a glove.
Now my setup doesn't have the column shift tube in it, but that should not matter.

 

[Rennkafer]

I used this bearing on mine.
View attachment 1683258

I think someone here on the board recommended it.
I just left out the snap ring - it fit like a glove.
Now my setup doesn't have the column shift tube in it, but that should not matter.

Thanks, that's awesome... I'll check the dimensions to be sure they're the same as my setup, but if they are that's great!

 

[Rennkafer]

Had a chance to check the dimensions on that particular bearing and the OD is too large for my column. Some more digging found some that may work, it might just be simpler to make a plain bearing out of delrin/bearing bronze though. Will be giving it some thought while I'm relaxing in Victoria, BC over the weekend.

 

[Rennkafer]

Ok so the last few days I've gotten some more stuff done. I mounted up the new PS pump, ran the lines, and added the Borgeson recommended PS cooler. Pulled the grille out so I can 1) Put in better headlights (Hella E-codes with relays/new wiring, waiting on shipping), and 2) I can repaint it. Never really liked the silver grille, and I've seen several Coronets with black grilles and much like the difference between a Satellite and a GTX... the black grille looks better. So that's what I did.

 

[Rennkafer]

Ok, grille back in... love it. I'll get a better shot when the car is movable, but it's quite a difference. The removed bumper guards help too. Much less "old man car" than before (ya, ya, I know I am one... shhhhhh).

Before and after...

 

[Rennkafer]

Ok, been a couple weeks since the last update. Suspension is all done other than some minor things I'll do post alignment being done. So to go over what was done, complete front suspension and K member was dropped out. K member was reinforced and seam welded. Lower arms were reinforced. Also did a Borgeson steering box (with cooler), SPC 2.0 forged upper arms, Firm Feel front sway bar, QA1 strut rods, Bergman lower control arm pins/bushings and tie rod assemblies, and a Dr.Diff 11.75" front brake kit were installed. It has spacer/adapters to fit a set of 18x7.5" OEM 2010(ish) Dodge Challenger/Charger wheels with 245/40-18 performance tires. I'm currently using the stock 1 1/32" master with the front residual pressure valve removed. Rear is Hotchkis springs, and Firm Feel rear sway bar. A set of Bilstein shocks rounds out the suspension. Did a little eyeball alignment and got the front ride height where I wanted it.

Also installed a Charger Specialties tach in place of the clock blanking plate.

Off to alignment tomorrow... if any of the WA locals are going to be at Goodguys on Saturday (27th), I'll be there probably near the Freeway Trailers display. Stop and say hi!