74 restore (black rallye)

[EccentricMagpies]

Back in March I kind of came across this car on ebay.  After realizing it was an original triple black rallye I kind of thought to at least send the owner a best offer not thinking it would actually be accepted.  
 
So, without even seeing the car or having anyone check it out I had to get the thing hauled up from Texas to Wisconsin in about 2 weeks time.

The car is solid.  Interior is the worst area but that is also the easiest fix.


The car will be painted back to black with the rallye stripe.  I really have no plans to place the vinyl put back on though.  Really not sure if that would add much to the look or not.



My nephew wanted to take the project on so he has it at his place where he has already started.  He plans to have the motor pulled tonight and will check the condition on that.

I'll keep posting as things get completed on the car.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Post some more pics and keep us updated! 

[EccentricMagpies]

Post some more pics and keep us updated! 

Plenty of dust to start with.

[EccentricMagpies]

under hood

condenser is toast

[EccentricMagpies]

inside.

[EccentricMagpies]

150 speedo installed, original laying in trunk with radio area chopped.

[JB400]

Looks like a pretty decent project.  Best of luck

[EccentricMagpies]

The seats and drivetrain are all pulled.

Floors look great and so does the inner firewall area.

Minor patch work will be added under the vinyl top area around the window.  I think I have been convinced to replace the vinyl top to break up all of the black.  Yes, it is black but it will add another level of black.

Car will be sandblasted in a week and the transmission will be sent off.

The motor, even after soaking the cylinders for ~4 months, is still stuck so it will be interesting to see what is the cause of that.  

Plan to get the transmission rebuild kit and replacement disc brakes on order this week.

[EccentricMagpies]

As mentioned, this is really the only damage area along with some small area on the rear lower quarters that will need a patch.

The rear valance is a dual cutout which was a nice surprise.  I swore the from the photo's I recieved that it wasn't.  So I wont' have an added cost there.

There must have been some small damage to the front end at one time.  The front valance looked like a brand new piece and of course the grill had the SE red horizontal bars in it.

[EccentricMagpies]

You have a guy come out to pull the windshield and rear window and he breaks the glass.  I could have done that!   But not all is lost, he isn't charging me for the one he broke.

 

Intermission.....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CpOjQvADLG4

[bordin34]

Its going to look great. I have a soft spot for triple black cars.

[EccentricMagpies]

Its going to look great. I have a soft spot for triple black cars.

 
Thanks Bordin

Car is about ready for sandblasting.  Transmission and kit dropped off for rebuild.  Definately not a midwest car.

[EccentricMagpies]

more...

[tan top]

 

[EccentricMagpies]

Some updates on this car.

Car under area had been completely sandblasted and sprayed.
- Motor is free
- Seats are completely refinished
- carburetor rebuilt

Right now, leaning towards a basic rebuild on motor. 

[400sforever]

man if I had that car I would leave the vinyl top on it put it back to black with the rallye sidestrip along with original magnum 500 wheels. That is a color combo I never thought id see from the factory on a rallye.

[EccentricMagpies]

man if I had that car I would leave the vinyl top on it put it back to black with the rallye sidestrip along with original magnum 500 wheels. That is a color combo I never thought id see from the factory on a rallye.

Thanks!!
I agree.   Half-way down this thread I mentioned that I was convinced to add the top.  Already have that actually along with carpet and head liner. 

Id really like to see it w some oversized rims though, but I do have 500s

[1973rallye]

man if I had that car I would leave the vinyl top on it put it back to black with the rallye sidestrip along with original magnum 500 wheels. That is a color combo I never thought id see from the factory on a rallye.

Thanks!!
I agree.   Half-way down this thread I mentioned that I was convinced to add the top.  Already have that actually along with carpet and head liner. 

Id really like to see it w some oversized rims though, but I do have 500s

I had ordered a vinyl top from Legendary via Dantes. Had major problems as the halo top material was not sufficient to stretch everywhere it was needed. It took photos and phone calls from my reputable installer to convince them that the top they provided as being correct was in fact, NOT! They did provide a new top with the extra material needed (just enough). I might suggest that if yours is from legendary you take it out of the box and lay it across your roof to see that the material covers everywhere needed. I took a month from start to finish before I had my car back after all was said and done. Ray

[EccentricMagpies]

man if I had that car I would leave the vinyl top on it put it back to black with the rallye sidestrip along with original magnum 500 wheels. That is a color combo I never thought id see from the factory on a rallye.

Thanks!!
I agree.   Half-way down this thread I mentioned that I was convinced to add the top.  Already have that actually along with carpet and head liner. 

Id really like to see it w some oversized rims though, but I do have 500s

I had ordered a vinyl top from Legendary via Dantes. Had major problems as the halo top material was not sufficient to stretch everywhere it was needed....

Hmmm, that is exactly where and how I bought my top.   Thanks for the heads-up.  I'll have to check into this
John

[EccentricMagpies]

Wow.  1-1/2 years later.....

Well, the top was fine.  Just never posted



Dropped off the non-number matching motor ( ) about a month ago local with powerline.

Engine supposedly should be done next week.  Internally balancing it has been slowing things down.

[EccentricMagpies]

Horrible photo.  Phone has been going downhill
Picked up my motor today.  Dyno results were better than expected which is a bonus.  I was hoping for around 350 and it topped out around 415. 

Transmission promised to be done next week.






After these are dropped in...  straight into the body shop.   Supposedly no line to wait in.

[EccentricMagpies]

The builder had to replace the pistons I went with and the carb I had.  Otherwise he was surprised with the numbers it produced. 

On the pistons, He claims to have seen the tops blow off which I ordered ...due to the ring location he felt

Thermoquad?  Not sure if I should bring it back to the guy that rebuilt that or maybe it just wasn't a good fit for this motor?

[EccentricMagpies]

Almost exactly 2 years since I dropped it off, the transmission has finally been rebuilt and picked up.

(I'll have to remind myself to never say:  'whenever you can fit it in".  Ever)

this week will be to drop the motor/trans in and hopefully get hauled over to the body shop.

Edit:  At $300 bucks, the price was right however...

[EccentricMagpies]

Drivetrain is in now so hopefully we can get it to the body shop this weekend.

[Chargerguy74]

Nice work

[Fitz73Chrgr]

 

[EccentricMagpies]

Well... decided to pull this thing to my place this spring.   Moving along way too slow.

I started to make the final updates this fall but being an hour away it was just too inconvenient. 
At first glance, all that needs to be done is hook up the headers, transmission lines, drop the carb back on, and add the wire harness and maybe some other small details to get it in "drive-able" condition.
It's all the paint guy wants before I drop it off at his shop.   So, hopefully I'll have something to share this next spring.

[Baldwinvette77]

i'm looking forward to seeing it finished 

[JB400]

Will be looking forward to the next update then.

                                 

[EccentricMagpies]

So... WTH is it with getting a car project complete and women?    
They just don't go together well.

Pulled the car back and finishing up a few ends before paint.  
Still need to:
- install shifter to trans rod. (cannot find mine so ordering one)
- headers
- carb
- belts (assuming by removing the AC that the non-AC brackets will work as expected with factory non-AC belts)
- fluids (trans / water / PS)
- Wiring

I think all pretty minor but at least it's going in the right direction again.

[EccentricMagpies]

- headers

I think all pretty minor but at least it's going in the right direction again.

Famous last words. 
It took the best part of yesterday and a half an hour tonight to finally bolt that engine back to the transmission after installing those damn things on the driveway.   Good lord what a PITA.
On a happy note.. I don't think i broke anything. 

And, I didn't have to bend anything getting them in.

[JB400]

Good
To hear

[EccentricMagpies]

Well some good news on the car.

I finally broke down (few months ago already) on a new engine harness.  Mainly because the car would not turn over unless I jumped the relay.  (note: knowing that the current set was somewhat stiff and looking like each wire should be taped was another reason)
Anyhow, found out this harness had a few wires more than the old one, (one being an actual ground) the car now turns over by key.

I need to add the fluids (fuel and transmission) and I'm hoping that nothing other than probably a leak of some sort is my next worry which should be pretty minor.
Then to the body/paint shop finally.

Oh yeah.. i need to order some breather caps too.  I'll have to call whoever i bought the covers from I suppose.

[EccentricMagpies]

After installing the new harness the electrical issue was "fixed".

Following that was the next issue, to replace the complete fuel system.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,137553.0.html

From here the car turned over fine with fuel at the carb with no spark.

Replaced the ballast resistor and the voltage regulator. (I really questioned these two parts when I decided to reuse these and installed them back on)