front bumper

[400/6/PAC]

Dose anyone have pics of how the front bumper assembly bolts to the frame
I went to bolt on all the heavy steel to the frame and it looks like the bumper frame is a lot wider then the body frame.
Thanks
David

[Charger1973]

What year car?

[400/6/PAC]

Sorry about that.
73 charger

[Charger1973]

You have to have all 4 of the bumper brackets.  Ill see if I can find a better picture, this is the only one I seem to have on my computer.  This picture only shows 2 of the brackets. 

[Charger1973]

Check out this ebay auction number 230096405477, the guy has decent pictures of a bumper with the brackets still attached. 

71/72 front bumper mounting brackets have the holes in different locations from the 73/74 brackets from what I have heard.  (never tried to switch them myself) So you will most likely want to make sure and use a set from a 73 or 74.  This picture shows a 72 bumper but it gives you an idea of how they go.  They bolt onto the outsides of the front frame rails with 2 large bolts. 

[400/6/PAC]

I do have all the brackets.
There is a big gap between the brackets and the frame, about four inches.
I wonder if there is that much room for adjustments.
Thanks for the help.

[Charger1973]

I think you may have the brackets on backwards.  The flat side should go against the frame rails...  try switching them around and see if it lines up better. 

[400/6/PAC]

AH HA
That just might do it.
Thanks a lot.
I'll let you know if that works but it makes sense.
Because of the angle of the brackets, If I reverse them It will defintally change the width.

[Charger1973]

No problem , I think that will take care of it.    Now lets see a pic of the whole car.   

[400/6/PAC]

I need to to update my pics.
The car is a lot farther along then this.
Thanks for the help.

[Charger1973]

Damn nice car, I really like the fact that you kept the canopy roof.  You dont see many 73s with those anymore!

[400/6/PAC]

It's been one hell of a project.
The final paint will be done this week and the interrior next month.
I cant wait to get it on the road!

[Charger1973]

One question.  I notice in your pic of the engine bay that your car was originally a small block car.  I can tell by the passenger side inner fender.  On a big block car there is a large opening covered by a rubber mat, rather than the metal plate like the drivers side. Anyway, I am just wondering if you have any types of clearance issues with anything on the passenger side, or if your spark plugs or anything like that are hard to get to now?   Im still not 100% sure why the factory used the larger opening on big block cars, but it looks like hell if you ask me.     Id much rather look at the matching plates like your car has. 

[400/6/PAC]

I did have clearence probloems on the passenger side.
The motor fit in just fine but the hooker headers only cleard the fender by 1/4"
Because this car was not restored as original, I decided to remove a small piece of the inner fender
to allow more clearence.
The header was almost touching on the back side of the plate where it starts to curve down towards the frame.

[400/6/PAC]

Hey that reminds me.
Can you see in the picture of the engine, just to the right of the ignition control box there is a piece missing on the fire wall.
Do you know what is supposed to go there?
Thanks.

[Charger1973]

There 2 things that could go there...  Either a delete plate or this valve:
3656660  73 TO 3/15/73  control valve
3656660  73 TO 3/15/73  EGR VLV VAC CONT SWITCH EX W/ 340, 400 CID 4BBL
3656660  1973 SOME  EMISSION VAC CONTROL VALVE


The one I have in the picture is broken, it should have 2 plugs sticking out not just one.

[Nacho-RT74]

Im still not 100% sure why the factory used the larger opening on big block cars

Suposelly to have room to remove spark plugs with rachet and extension without meet with inner fender.

[400/6/PAC]

Hey Charger73.
I reversed the bumper brackets, and it lined up perfectly.
Thanks for your help.
Kinda makes me feel stupid though, seein as how I just took it apart last week and couldn't remember how to reassemble.
But then again , if we all knew everything we wouldn't need DODGECHARGER.COM.LOL
Thanks again
David

[Charger1973]

Hey no problem 

[400/6/PAC]

Man you guys type fast,
I wont need the control valve so the delete plate will work.
Thanks
David

[Nacho-RT74]

and you still didn't enter on chatroom LOL

[400/6/PAC]

Never thought about the chat room
could have saved a lot of time.

[Charger1973]

Man you guys type fast,
I wont need the control valve so the delete plate will work.
Thanks
David

That is one of the holes I am filling in to "clean up" my engine bay on my project.

[Nacho-RT74]

Never thought about the chat room
could have saved a lot of time.

eeeehm... depends... there are ppl at night, but tipically, during the day is empty