My 73 Roadrunner Project

[idrivemopar]

Here is the c-pillar sound deadener, REM has a nice reproduction pair that is correct material, figured what the heck, they did a nice job.



Also, picked up one of my two grilles that I had restored, gotta have a spare you know!!!! I Found a guy that is a wiz with plastic, so no more cracks, dings, or broken tabs, plus the paint turned out really sweet!!!!! I actually used my original as a donor for the other two that were restorable since it was broken in so many places, but had all the parts needed to fix two! I think I will cry the first time it gets a rock chip! LOLOLOL

 

[747mopar]

Wow, your doing a sweet job on that car, looks brand new underneath. Everything looks top notch "round of applause". Keep up the good work.

 

[Ron 73]

Whoever did your grill really did a great job on it! I had a pretty decent hole in the very middle and bottom of mine that i repaired and then painted myself, I can notice where i made the repairs but ive never had anyone say they could tell, but i never had my car in a show that scrutinizes everything either, worked good enough for me and i agree with a spare, i bought one off a member here a year or so back but as yet not made the repairs, hope i/we never need them, of course if we sell one, you know what would happen

 

[idrivemopar]

Got my air cleaner back today!!!! Yes, went the extra mile and had my body shop do it, results are great, just have to put the seal and stickers on now!

 

[Basket case]

you should have them clear it after you add the stickers.

 

[idrivemopar]

That's a thought, but its already a base coat/clear coat paint job.

 

[idrivemopar]

Engine is getting closer

Went to check up on the engine today, and was hoping it would be on the run stand for break in, but not quite there yet. Here is how she is looking.

 

[F.C.Fury]

Your Roadrunner is lookin dope!

 

[kb73rr]

The "what did you pay" thread got me thinking. What is your car going to be worth when you are done? I'm not trying to pry and not asking for the actual number. Instead, I am curious because (in my limited experience) I don't believe I've ever seen anyone do such a thorough and high quality job as you and idrivemopar are doing on a 73/74 RR.

Right now the official estimated value of these 73/74 RRs is quite low compared to some earlier models. I know you said you are going to keep yours, but hypothetically if you were selling it, I wonder what it might bring? And when you get done you are going to need to get it insured, and there is going to have to be an agreed value. What will that be? I think your cars could potentially "raise the bar" on the market and insured value of these cars.

Good job and keep up the good work ha ha ha!!!!!

I posted this on 73runner's thread. I didn't want to cross post, but it applies to both you guys. Awesome work!!!!

 

[idrivemopar]

Thanks, yes, I saw and responded to it on his thread. Nice to see a good group of 73/74 Roadrunners here and some nice quality work.

 

[idrivemopar]

Finally got the motor situated, after I installed it, found out the MOPAR blue paint from summit racing was a bad batch, they sent me two new cans for no charge, now she's back in the car and looking proper now. So for those that were following the other thread about paint colors, now we all know why it didn't look right.


I got the trans cooler lines re routed outside the headers as well, so should not be any issues there, not the best pictures, but the lines stay up above the shift and kick down lever, then drop down and go outside the headers up next to the oil pan and back to their original configuration to connect to the radiator.




Also had to make a new shift lever, as TTI recommends putting the connector block on the top side of the shift lever, the original one does not fit, hits the floor pan, so I made a new one, that is the opposite of the original, it will go in soon, and I can get a better photo when its installed.

 

[bm02tj]

Between you 73runner and rebootej I have started a list of suppliers so I can find what I need to put my 73 ssp back on the road

I have owned this for 39 years and it has been in dry storage for the last 17 years after my daughter smashed it up

how far from Moab Utah do you live as I will be down for Easter Jeep Safari next year and would love to see your sweet car

Bruce

 

[idrivemopar]

Hey send me a message when you come down, its a long drive from Moab to my location, about 425 miles away.

 

[bm02tj]

I quess that means your are closer to east side of Colorado and that is a little farther than a day trip from Moab

I hope in a few years I will get and enclosed trailer for the car as it will not fit in the garage of the motor home

so the jeep will keep it and I will take both and travel more and farther

Bruce

 

[idrivemopar]

Yes, north of Denver. I guess that all depends on your definition of a day trip.

 

[bm02tj]

I hope you are not in the flooding I see on the news around Boulder

Bruce

 

[idrivemopar]

So, its been a while since I updated here, but at least I have some progress. Finally got a dash pad that fits, and getting the electrical done for the most part took a bit of time, but mostly installing the dash with all the piping for the heater/ac venting was tricky and the steering column. but its done, the engine is all hooked up, and I fired her for the first time in the car yesterday! Its been 28 years since the engine was running in the car, but she fired right up with no issues. Getting closer to being able to back her out of the garage again, I just have to button up some of the wire routing and finish the dash, then its on to installing the tie rod ends and drag link, doing some mechanical checks, etc, then on to the interior! These projects sure do consume a lot of time!!!!

Here are some pictures of the engine and dash. Waiting on the AC compressor to come back from being restored, hopefully will have that back in about a month. Also included a couple of photos of the power steering cooler that I installed. This was from an aftermarket cooler I found and I fabricated the bracket. I think it should work out well as I noted when the engine is running the fan pushes a lot of air across the cooler in this location. I tried to keep it as close to the original setup as possible.




Here is the pump cooler



Oh, and Bruce, no flooding in my immediate area, but if you were to go about 5 miles in any direction, it was a mess!!!

 

[CudaChick1968]

Looking fabulous! Keep up the fine work.

 

[moparmarks]

I don't know Paul, I think you could pay a little more attention to detail.:glasses10:
Glad to see that you got the P/S setup worked out.

 

[idrivemopar]

Well, she finally moved out of the garage under her own power, first time since I started the strip down a little over 2 years ago!!!!