My 1974 Plymouth Satellite Sebring build.

[carfreak]

Well, I figured I'd better get a build thread started even though this is going to be drawn out over several years since I have another project (my '98 Dodge Ram) to finish.

Brought her home to school in -20* weather

So far I've replaced/put on the ICM, Starter Relay, Distributor, a MSD Blaster Coil, Summit Performance plug wires, spark plugs, alternator, Valve Cover Gaskets, Intake Gasket, dropped the T-stat to 180*, went through the engine harness, fuel tank, sending unit, and installed new locks on the doors.

Also re-did the rear brakes...

Took her on her first "long" drive. She died on me on the way out to my buddy's house (air in fuel system) and then a second time on the way back to the dorms, where I live. The last time is how I found that the ammeter did in fact work and i wasn't even charging the battery. Ended up getting towed back the last mile. At least I found out I still had a problem (mostly because I got lazy and didn't double check stuff. I just want to drive her lol).

 

[old_skool]

Nice car and project, I use to have a 71 Satellite, had over 300,020 miles before I sold it without ever being rebuilt, still ran like a top. Subscribed to your build!

 

[carfreak]

Thanks. I had a 71 Satellite before this one too. It's the only project I will never finish. It definitely taught me a lesson about finishing what I started.

 

[roadrunnerman]

Looks like a nice project. I guess you're going to drive it a bit before you get into redoing it.

 

[carfreak]

Thanks. Gonna try for a little bit. None of my vehicles are cheap to drive anymore and this one is probably the worst, but I'll have some fun with it before I get to really tearing it apart. More than anything, I need to start building up more money since I'm going to be done with school in December and possibly moving to a completely different area. Gotta have a safety net. That living paycheck to paycheck is not for this guy yet.

 

[rebootej]

Sweet man have fun. Ill be following this

 

[carfreak]

Thanks I see you have the A518 od mod on your's. Which one did you use and how difficult was it? I'm looking at either doing a Tremec 5 spd or an auto with an over/under drive setup, but if the A518 isn't too bad I might look closer at that (cheaper to build for the HP I'm gonna shoot for). Especially since I'm rebuilding my 46RE for my truck anyways.

 

[carfreak]

Well the new fuel tank showed up. Gonna try to get it installed tomorrow (if the weather is nice) and drive it around a little to see if anything else pops up. Hopefully I'll be able to drive it home without any problems so I can quit spending money on it for awhile lol.

 

[rebootej]

I used a 46RH out of a 94 Dakota. It wasn't to bad but still a very tight fit. A fully adjustable transmission jack was a must. I had to notch a bit of the "fin" on the tailshaft and we modified my rear bracket so it could use the existing mount, but a lot of guys use the a gm style mount instead and it looks a lot easier. Ive got a bunch of links i can send you if you'd like.

 

[carfreak]

Sure, I'm open to new ideas on this build for sure. I'm leaning strongly to the 5 spd or 6 spd swap more and more, just because I like driving manuals. A built auto would make it quicker on the 1/4 though, and I want to be able to do a few passes with it along with drive it on the street.

 

[1971 plymouth roadrunner]

I love the fuselage body cars they represent the '70s so much, I am thinking of buying a solid 1972 charger that is for sale in my area cheap for my next project

 

[old_skool]

I love the fuselage body cars they represent the '70s so much, I am thinking of buying a solid 1972 charger that is for sale in my area cheap for my next project

Do it!!! I love mine

 

[carfreak]

Not gonna lie, if I ever get this car and my other project cars/trucks to where I want them I'm gonna go get another 1971 Satellite. It's kind of an addiction. A really expensive one.

 

[rebootej]

Ya id prefer a manual car too, so much more fun to drive but ill send you some of links. My next project is going to be a manual conversion for sure.

We have a 71 sitting at home, i think thats gonna be my next project too.

 

[old_skool]

Not gonna lie, if I ever get this car and my other project cars/trucks to where I want them I'm gonna go get another 1971 Satellite. It's kind of an addiction. A really expensive one.

They are a nice body style, I wouldn't mind another 71 myself, but any extra $$ I get will probably be sunk in this one continually...I wouldn't mind another 66 Charger either, another car I regret selling, I think I regret selling each and every one of my Mopars, but that allowed for the new one to take it's place. I think I'll be sticking with my latest, for quite some time, it will probably outlast me.

 

[carfreak]

Well it's parked for awhile. Got the gas tank installed and went to get the air pushed out of the fuel lines. Low and behold the motor started knocking. Well, a lot of stupidity later I've determined that I more than likely have several problems involving collapsed lifter, threads pulled out of the heads on the intake manifold holes from being over torqued by the last guy (I'm a stickler for accuracy in that department) causing a poor seal on the coolant passages, which in turn allowed the main bearings to be contaminated (I had been changing the oil a lot due to the original thinking that it was just condensation build up. Didn't think it through good enough). Needless to say it's time for an engine rebuild. Depending on what I find, it's either getting a 365 or a 408, both fully forged and balanced rotating assemblies (Scat setup). It's going to be a pricey build and more than likely take a few years as I'm done with school in Dec. and will be trying to start a new life/career. So bear with me guys. I'll do my best to have some updates from time to time.

 

[old_skool]

awww, that sucks, find an ultra cheap 318 motor, throw it in there to be able to drive it while you rebuild the motor you want at a nice easy slow pace...

 

[rebootej]

Bummer man. I agree with old skool just throw a cheap 318 in i see them all the time on craigslist. What are you going to school for?

 

[carfreak]

Bummer man. I agree with old skool just throw a cheap 318 in i see them all the time on craigslist. What are you going to school for?

Well, I finished my Associates in Automotive Technology this last Dec. This Dec. I'll be done with my Associates in Diesel Technology. It's been fun, but I'm a little uneasy about actually making a living off of it even though my teachers say I'm good. Glad they think so lol.

- - - Updated - - -

I'd do the 318 thing except putting it up on the trailer again revealed a few problems with the frame alignment. The passenger side is pushed up about .5" (car was hit on that side. Knew it when I bought, but at the time it didn't look like it bent the frame) It's a good thing I have a cousin that's in the auto body industry. Just to find the money to get the whole thing done in one shot body wise.

- - - Updated - - -

Really kicking myself for selling the 360 interceptor motor I had built for the 71. It was very stoutly built top end wise. The dang thing had 13:1 compression before we did all the work to it.

 

[carfreak]

Anybody got a desktop dyno that can calculate final horsepower and torque?