The new beginning; Elephant with wings.... Whatcha think?

[1970Moparmann]

Keep it going Troy!  How much work in the engine compartment are you going to do prior to the engine going in?

[hemi68charger]

Keep it going Troy!  How much work in the engine compartment are you going to do prior to the engine going in?

- Clean it up
- remove engine and starter harness and replace with new Hemi versions
- tiddy up the harness I made for the MSD with OEM wrapping and connectors
- R/R booster for Hemi-booster
- replace all fuel and brake lines along with both brake fluid combination and Proportioning valves.
- R/R throttle cable for Hemi-version
- since steering column is out, replace both upper and lower bearings and signal switch..
- whatever I missed

I am thinking of replacing the lower control arm shafts with Hotchkis greaseable versions.. Looking for some feedback on that.....

[Mopar John]

Troy,
Years ago I replaced the upper control arm bushings with greasable bearings and the lower control arm bushings with greasable ones on the GTX racecar. This gave a great increase in front end lift and weight transfer for that purpose. I don't see much gain over a good polyurethane bushing on the street.
MJ

[hemi68charger]

Troy,
Years ago I replaced the upper control arm bushings with greasable bearings and the lower control arm bushings with greasable ones on the GTX racecar. This gave a great increase in front end lift and weight transfer for that purpose. I don't see much gain over a good polyurethane bushing on the street.
MJ

I'll have to investigate some more... so..... are there three different types of bushings? Rubber and poly only?

Another step for Operation: Hemi Transplant...
Since I wasn't able to make it oit to Family Day, I decided to take the 440 and 727 from the k-member and dolly then placed it on the shopping cart dolly the hemi came on.. I separated the 727 from the motor, now I can take it to the tranny shop to have freshened up.

[hemi68charger]

inching along......

I got the manual reinforcement plate from John today and cleaned it up and painted it. ( Thanks John !! )Picture stinks, but you get the right idea..... I replace the harness clip with a new one... So, one step closer in installing the Hemi booster assembly. I am waiting for the clear coat I need to spray the V2 paint I did to touch up some areas under the original booster that leaked some brake fluid over the last 15 years and messed up the paint. As soon as that comes in, I'll install the booster and continue with the brakes...... My 727 should be done Friday, I ordered my new 2400-2800 stall converter today......

[hemi68charger]

To all my 426 Hemi owner friends. Based on some feedback, I felt the need to move the dipstick location from the front corner where there is the potential problem with the battery tray. So I moved it rearward to what I think is a more OEM correct position. I don't think it will get in the way of the power steering gearbox. Whatcha think?

[Mytur Binsdirti]

That looks good. Is it the stock tube that's been straightened or a modified big block tube?

[hemi68charger]

That looks good. Is it the stock tube that's been straightened or a modified big block tube?

I started with a 440 tube I had laying around. BUT, when I got to the point where the weld was for the 440 tab to go to the motor mount bracket bolt on the 440, it snapped....... Oh well........ So, I went and used the 426 Hemi tube I started off with forming it, placing the header back on, forming it some more, put the header back on... Went back and forth until I got the fit. The tube, with the white heat cover, doesn't touch the tube nor block anywhere, so I am not worried about that. The dipstick goes in pretty smooth considering the abnormal bends. When I put it all together, I'll have a brand new mini-starter tucked away under the headers...... Soooooo, hopefully, it'll be a LONG time before I ever need to remove the headers.......

[Mytur Binsdirti]

The dipstick goes in pretty smooth considering the abnormal bends.

As you know, whenever you start bending the Hemi dipstick tube for header clearance, getting the stick to go in smoothly is always an issue. Glad you've got it licked. 

[70Sbird]

Troy,
I think you will be very happy with that dipstick location. I had issues with the battery tray on the green 'Bird I did. Great progress, keep the updates coming!

[hemi68charger]

Last night I test fit the Hemi Booster and lines. Once I get the short firewall harness clip for the reinforcement plate, I will permanently the booster

[hemi68charger]

More brake work....

Yesterday I installed, for good, the Booster Assembly I got from Wayne Brown at theramman.com. It looks great.. I also finished up one caliper with all new parts from Harmon Classic Brakes. He supplied me with all new pistons, seals and springs. It is so nice putting back brand new parts. I honed out the original calipers, so we'll see. Took apart the other one... Man, it is a wonder they even worked.......

[hemi68charger]

Ewwwww !!!   

[gymratt30]

Troy , your really doing a great job.
Man I'm impressed.

[hemi68charger]

Troy , your really doing a great job.
Man I'm impressed.

Maybe Mark will hire me for an internship.. 

[tan top]

 good stuff 

[hemi68charger]

Pressing forward with more on the Daytona. Was disappointed that I couldn't mate the tranny due to the flex plate having the large attach holes to the converter instead of the large. So, I will have to get another flex plate. But, I did take the 426 Hemi and put it on the k-member and dolly. Also mocking up the fit of the steering gear box, looks good. Yes, I need to install the 90degree fitting on the gearbox, but will do that when I remove it to but the starter, then headers then gearbox again. Of course, this will be done when I get the tranny mated. I will finish watching the Coca-Cola 600 and a beer or two..


For those who remember my car when it was a feature car in Mopar Muscle, the name on the tranny should ring a bell. Also, taking care of the other caliper. Productive day somewhat.

Scott and Mike, the repositioned oil dipstick looks so much better there.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Looking good. 

I've been watching your progress closely.

I'm hoping I can put an elephant in my car. 

[hemi68charger]

Last of the brakes for awhile... I'll get new drum hardware later on and rebuild the wheel cylinders since they are the originals I believe. Regardless, I'll freshen them up. I also have a new set of pads. As you, I use the Blue Racing Brake Fluid due to the increased temperatures in the engine compartment of the Nose-cone car. I am hoping with the TTI ceramic coated ( internal and external ) and the exhaust being further down, my engine compartment temperatures will decrease substantially. Those cast iron 440 HP manifolds put out some heat...

The other thing I did was remove the OEM .92 original torsion bars and replaced them with the .96 MP versions. I'll duplicate the brown paint swabs on the torsion bars.

[hemi68charger]

Did some work this weekend thus far. Mated the tranny to the motor. Had an episode of "I hate headers". Of course, the original bends of the tranny lines don't work with headers. So, I massaged them and I believe all is good. I have to get another 90 degree power steering fitting. I got the smaller 66-68 fitting. I do believe the 69 and later are larger. Got the mini-starter as well... Everything seems to he going forward albeit slowly. But, that's OK. So far the TTI headers bend rather well.

[hemi68charger]

4 more

[hemi68charger]

Had a very cool day yesterday and today. Jacob and I went over my friend Dave's house where he helped me clean up my lower control arms and help install the new polygraphite bushings. Jacob helped with blasting them prior to putting them together. I will give them the ole cosmoline finish this weekend. Also got my proper 90degree power steering adapter for the steering gear box, so I finished installing the lines. Looking good. Then Dave handed me this very cool Avon limited production Daytona cologne bottle. Also installed my power steering hoses once I received the proper 90 degree adapter. Thanks for Jaime at MegaParts.....

[hemi68charger]

Some more.. control arms with the new Polygraphite bushings from PST....

[gymratt30]

Looking good Troy!

[hemi68charger]

Well, yesteday I tackled the front control arms. Installed the new PST upper bushing and cleaned things up. Love that bushing removal/installation tool. Cosmoline application of the lowers and they are ready for reinstall. The lower control arms have the PST polygraphite bushings as well. I will wait till the motor is in so there is less things in the way. I want to make the installation of the drivetrain as simple and unobstructed as possible. Cosmoline is actually darker than what appears in the picture. Looks good if I say so out of the garage with a rattle can from RestoRick.