Car delivered today, packed up and took a 200 mile road trip.......

[73TXRallye440]

Car got here at 2 today, helped the driver unload the car, got it off, fired it up, took it to the gas station filled it up. Took it home, threw some bags in the trunk and took off for central texas hill country for the weekend. I snapped a few pictures, sorry for the poor quality, it was my cell phone camera. Wow, thats all I can say going from a 318 2bbl to a 4bbl 440ci. I will say this, the car definately needs overdrive. As you can see in one pic, I got up and was cruising with traffic at 75 and was taching 4500 rpm. I dont know the redline, factory tach says 5500 so that had me a bit worried. Figured id change the oil tomorrow, what filter do you guys suggest? What oil do you guys suggest? How many quarts? Thanks for that info before hand. Anyway, car ran amazing. Only two very minor issues. I jumped up to 80-85 running with a corvette for about 20 miles, exited to get to my 3rd gas station stop and the temp needle creeped over to the H, so I jumped back on the freeway and it cooled down- may need to flush radiator and/or add an auxilary fan. Other issue was I was getting on freeway and just put the accelarator to the floor, it downshifted, jumped, then lunged like it was going to fall on it's face, i left off, it's like it caught it's breathe and I gradually pressed the accelarator and it seemed fine- may need fine tuning on the carb? Anyway, I plan on driving it another 100-200 miles tomorrow, should be fun. Next week when I get back it goes into the shop for the front chin spoiler, take window tint off, install the headers, 3" exhaust, and im debating the 5 speed Tremec TKO install. It DEFINATELY needs overdrive on the freeway. Anyway, here are a few pics, enjoy!

about to come off the truck


backed off the ramps and first time in Texas


first pic after taking stickers off

[73TXRallye440]

rear angle of it, man i love it!

here is a pic of the tach/speedo



cruising down I-35 at 80

[73TXRallye440]

Oh, I did the math on my mileage, 6.9 mpg

[Aero426]

Congrats on your new purchase.

Regarding oil, you will want to avoid the current on the shelf oils rated API-SM, or the diesel oils rated CJ.   The new oils are formulated with siginificantly less Zinc and Phosphate anti-wear agents compared to what your engine was designed for.   Assuming the car will not be driven below freezing, I would look for something like Valvoline VR-1 20W-50 which I've found at Auto Zone.  That's one is currently a winner and is about $3 per qt.     Brad Penn makes the old Kendall GT (green oil) which is also excellent, but you need to have it shipped in.  About $5 per qt.    Diesel oil rated CI would be fine.  Check with NAPA.     You can also add oil supplements like GM EOS or STP red bottle to increase the Zn & P, but then you are playing chemist. 

For a filter, I'd go with a NAPA Gold or Wix.  Both are the same filter and are excellent.  Avoid the Fram orange filters.  They are junk.

[73TXRallye440]

Congrats on your new purchase.

Regarding oil, you will want to avoid the current on the shelf oils rated API-SM, or the diesel oils rated CJ.   The new oils are formulated with siginificantly less Zinc and Phosphate anti-wear agents compared to what your engine was designed for.   Assuming the car will not be driven below freezing, I would look for something like Valvoline VR-1 20W-50 which I've found at Auto Zone.  That's one is currently a winner and is about $3 per qt.     Brad Penn makes the old Kendall GT (green oil) which is also excellent, but you need to have it shipped in.  About $5 per qt.    Diesel oil rated CI would be fine.  Check with NAPA.     You can also add oil supplements like GM EOS or STP red bottle to increase the Zn & P, but then you are playing chemist. 

For a filter, I'd go with a NAPA Gold or Wix.  Both are the same filter and are excellent.  Avoid the Fram orange filters.  They are junk.

wow, thanks for all the info. How many quarts does it take for a 440?

[Aero426]

I'd grab five plus an extra to put on the shelf.

One big reason for the new oils is the ten year emission warranties on new cars.   The Zn & P can potentially plug converters over time.   An engine with roller cam or overhead cam is much less of an issue.   But the new oils are not friendly to our flat tappet cams.

[PocketThunder]

Oh, I did the math on my mileage, 6.9 mpg

WHO CARES!!!!!!!!


Thats 6.9 SMILES per gallon.... right?      

[CB]

man I am happy for you that you had a blast in your new ride!!
The pics look good, it is a beautifull 3rd gen 
Enjoy the car!
CB

[TruckDriver]

 

This is the same car before the Magnum wheels? Or is it an identical one. I know there was a older member here that had a '73 Rallye in the same color that had the Nascar wheels on it before the Magnums.

[1969chargerrtse]

Nice, really nice car.  Good Luck.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

Rally's Rule, here is mine.

[Back N Black]

Nice! Very nice.

[73TXRallye440]

Oh, I did the math on my mileage, 6.9 mpg

WHO CARES!!!!!!!!


Thats 6.9 SMILES per gallon.... right?      

I know, this thing could get FOOTAGE and id still drive it

[73TXRallye440]

This is the same car before the Magnum wheels? Or is it an identical one. I know there was a older member here that had a '73 Rallye in the same color that had the Nascar wheels on it before the Magnums.

That's the same car!!

One question- I want to find an original air cleaner assembly- where is the best place to find a complete set? Want to go back with as much original equipment as possible.

[73TXRallye440]

Rally's Rule, here is mine.

See, I love how your's looks with the chin spoiler and no bumperettes! Doing those mods later this week. I just hope when the bumperettes comes off they dont leave bad markings or are an eye sore with places left on the bumpers.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

You will need 4 bumper bolts, the chrome ones, to fill the holes where the "Bumper Guard" went.
I did the same on mine.

I may have a extra Dual Snorkel Orange BB Air Cleaner for your Charger. I will look this weekend.

The chin spoiler will really look sharp, did the same as well as a rear go wing. I think they look nice on the 73-74 Chargers.Either are correct for them but hey, make it your own, mine is a nice solid driver at best.

What I did was also added the rear R/T tails and I am going to put on hideaways and and R/T hood this Spring. I figure it my be overkill but they are bolt on items that I can take off if it looks to gaudy.
I know what you mean about the gears. I was on my way to a Mopar show this Summer and My Satellite has 318 2BB & my Rally has 400BB 323 gears in the rear and on the highway it seemed like I was missing a gear in the Charger.
Here are some pic's from a local car show this past summer. M<an, this guy has all the factory goodies in here, I believe it even has Cruise Control.

[no318]

Nice car.  I think I have an extra dual snorkel air cleaner, too.  PM me if you are interested.

[bordin34]

Looks good, are you sure your 3rd gear isn't slipping? What is the rear end ratio. My 3rd gear slips a lot and the rpms are high on the highway.

[69*F5*SE]

Very nice car. You'll surely have some great times in it     Ted

[Charger1973]

Nice 

I think thats the color mine is supposed to be. 

[73TXRallye440]

Looks good, are you sure your 3rd gear isn't slipping? What is the rear end ratio. My 3rd gear slips a lot and the rpms are high on the highway.

I dont think so, but they may be. I have 3.55's in the back.

[69charger2002]

man alive i'd be worried about taching 4500 that is nuts.. 3500 scares me to be honest especially over 10-15 miles of it buzzing so high
trav

[bordin34]

http://vexer.com/68rt/speed.html
4500 seems way high.

[73TXRallye440]

yea, I think it's time to order the Tremec TKO transmission.

Does anyone know where I can find a nice, clean steering column for a 73 Charger that was meant for a standard car?

[Silver R/T]

good looking charger

[73TXRallye440]

http://vexer.com/68rt/speed.html
4500 seems way high.

Ok well just got home, I cant tell you how many thumbs up, 'nice ride man!' at stoplights, gas station, etc this car got Very cool. On the way home I ran 60 mph, it tached at 3,200 rpm which was much better but definately needs OD. This wont be a problem when I get my Keisler Tremec TKO 5speed installed. Logged right at 515 miles in the past 56 hours, loved every minute of it. The mod list is starting to grow, cant wait to get it going-will be ordering parts tonight. First two things I need is an original 73 440 44bl air cleaner assembly and a tuff steering wheel.

[68RT4ME]

http://vexer.com/68rt/speed.html
4500 seems way high.

Ok well just got home, I cant tell you how many thumbs up, 'nice ride man!' at stoplights, gas station, etc this car got Very cool. On the way home I ran 60 mph, it tached at 3,200 rpm which was much better but definately needs OD. This wont be a problem when I get my Keisler Tremec TKO 5speed installed. Logged right at 515 miles in the past 56 hours, loved every minute of it. The mod list is starting to grow, cant wait to get it going-will be ordering parts tonight. First two things I need is an original 73 440 44bl air cleaner assembly and a tuff steering wheel.

I know you will love the Tremec but you may also want to consider the Gear Vendors. You can keep your automatic and it's nearly half the price of the Tremec setup. I've had mine for almost 3 yrs now and it works great. I run around at 80 mph@ 3100 rpm's with 391's for gearing. I also added an electric fan as it gets pretty hot here in Fla. so that's a good mod to add. It's on a seperate switch and I use it as I need too.

Love the car man. It's a great looking ride. 

[73TXRallye440]

http://vexer.com/68rt/speed.html
4500 seems way high.

Ok well just got home, I cant tell you how many thumbs up, 'nice ride man!' at stoplights, gas station, etc this car got Very cool. On the way home I ran 60 mph, it tached at 3,200 rpm which was much better but definately needs OD. This wont be a problem when I get my Keisler Tremec TKO 5speed installed. Logged right at 515 miles in the past 56 hours, loved every minute of it. The mod list is starting to grow, cant wait to get it going-will be ordering parts tonight. First two things I need is an original 73 440 44bl air cleaner assembly and a tuff steering wheel.

I know you will love the Tremec but you may also want to consider the Gear Vendors. You can keep your automatic and it's nearly half the price of the Tremec setup. I've had mine for almost 3 yrs now and it works great. I run around at 80 mph@ 3100 rpm's with 391's for gearing. I also added an electric fan as it gets pretty hot here in Fla. so that's a good mod to add. It's on a seperate switch and I use it as I need too.

Love the car man. It's a great looking ride. 

Whoa! Is your name Andy? Is that your orange 71 R/T? How did you get your stance/suspension setup like that?

What aftermarket auxilary fan or fans are the best? ( I want something to move the most air)

What did the gear vendors entail? Did you install it? Difficult to do? This is my first muscle car with an auto tranny, not sure im liking it

[68RT4ME]

http://vexer.com/68rt/speed.html
4500 seems way high.

Ok well just got home, I cant tell you how many thumbs up, 'nice ride man!' at stoplights, gas station, etc this car got Very cool. On the way home I ran 60 mph, it tached at 3,200 rpm which was much better but definately needs OD. This wont be a problem when I get my Keisler Tremec TKO 5speed installed. Logged right at 515 miles in the past 56 hours, loved every minute of it. The mod list is starting to grow, cant wait to get it going-will be ordering parts tonight. First two things I need is an original 73 440 44bl air cleaner assembly and a tuff steering wheel.

I know you will love the Tremec but you may also want to consider the Gear Vendors. You can keep your automatic and it's nearly half the price of the Tremec setup. I've had mine for almost 3 yrs now and it works great. I run around at 80 mph@ 3100 rpm's with 391's for gearing. I also added an electric fan as it gets pretty hot here in Fla. so that's a good mod to add. It's on a seperate switch and I use it as I need too.

Love the car man. It's a great looking ride. 

Whoa! Is your name Andy? Is that your orange 71 R/T? How did you get your stance/suspension setup like that?

What aftermarket auxilary fan or fans are the best? ( I want something to move the most air)

What did the gear vendors entail? Did you install it? Difficult to do? This is my first muscle car with an auto tranny, not sure im liking it

Ahh, yeah, this is Andy...lol. It's my '71, I lowered the back with 2" lowering blocks and turned the torsion bars down some to get the stance. Now, since I'm getting to be an old man (45)...lol, I didn't like the harshness of the ride so I put it all back to....normal.

As for the fan, I have one in front of the radiator, 12"s round. Several types will do the trick. Ordered from Summit Racing. It pushes about 1200 cfm if I remember correctly, maybe more.

The Gear Vendors I ordered myself but, my neighbor owns a trans shop and he installed it for me. He had the drive shaft shortened about 12"s and rebalanced. He also had to bang out the trans tunnel just a bit for it to clear as the 3rd gen Chargers have a slightly narrower tunel to them the the 2nd gen cars. You can't hardly tell though and he touched it up too. Does not show inside the car either. You can expect to pay $2-300.00 for the install I would think. Hope that helps.

[73TXRallye440]

well i logged a total of 613 miles this weekend, loved every minute of it. Got it into the garage tonight, boy was it tight! Need to hang a tennis ball to know how close to pull in. With it all the way in as in the picture below, barely enough to put garage down!

[73TXRallye440]

You will need 4 bumper bolts, the chrome ones, to fill the holes where the "Bumper Guard" went.
I did the same on mine.

I may have a extra Dual Snorkel Orange BB Air Cleaner for your Charger. I will look this weekend.

Please let me know if you find the Dual Snorkel.

Where is the best place to get the 4 bumper bolts? (chrome ones)

it should look like this---

[BMOTOXSTAR]

I have the bolts and dual air cleaner.
Please PM me with your e-mail

[73TXRallye440]

email sent BMO.

[Charger1973]

I might have a column shift column from a 73 and I know I have a floor shift column.  Both are in parts cars though so im sure they would need rebuilt.  PM me if you want me to look into either of them for you. 

[Charger_Fan]

well i logged a total of 613 miles this weekend, loved every minute of it. Got it into the garage tonight, boy was it tight! Need to hang a tennis ball to know how close to pull in. With it all the way in as in the picture below, barely enough to put garage down!

Sounds like my garage is about as deep as yours. With mine pushed against the back wall, I have about 18" at the front. If I put my Suburbus in the garage, I have about 4" at the front...I have to either crawl under or go through one vehicle door & out the other, to get to the other side of my garage.

[tan top]

nice looking third generation     .. 

[Nacho-RT74]

nice to see a member's car is still between us!!!!