Dieselholic92

Here is my 1973 Road Runner. I bought it in 2007 off of eBay, from a guy in Missouri. He said that it had been sitting in a shed for about 20 years prior to being placed on eBay. It was originally a 400/727 car with A/C. When I got it, it had a 73 440 in place with an A833 which the seller said was out of a 68 or 69 Charger (haven't ran any numbers yet). As you can tell, I haven't made much progress in the past 4 years but in that time I was finishing restoring my 1966 Chevy Bel Air, bought a shop, completely remodeled the shop, and moved everything into it. So now I finally have a place to work without worrying were parts and tools are.

These pictures are what I started out with.

Dieselholic92

Here are some more of the pictures.

Dieselholic92

And here are some more recent ones. I plan on restoring the car to factory stock as if it came with the 440 and 4 speed. I also plan on making it seem as if it was possible to get a 440/6 from the factory in 1973

scotts74birds

Dammit! I just HATE when folks replace 400-autos, with 440-sticks!!! Ya lucky bastard!

Dieselholic92

I know! Don't you just hate that?

An original 400/727 car is worth more than an original 440/4 speed car but I don't care. Can't go wrong with a 440/A833

Dieselholic92

RM21 = Plymouth Road Runner, Medium, 2 Door Coupe
P3G = 400 260HP(net) 1-4BBL 8 CYL, 1973, St. Louis, MO, USA
264037 = Sequence Number '264037'
E68 = 400-4 Barrel High Performance
D34 = TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission
JF8 = Forest Green Poly Exterior Color
D6F6 = Trim - Deluxe, Vinyl Bucket Seats, Green
JF8 = Unknown Int. Door Frames
726 = Date Built: 7 / 26 / 1973
116540 = Order Number: 116540
JF8 = Unknown Roof Color
U = Built to Specifications for USA Order
B41 = Front Disc Brakes w/Standard 10in RR Drum
C56 = Reclining Bucket Seats 1972 up
G11 = Tinted Glass All
G37 = Left Hand Remote, Right Hand Manual Chrome Mirrors
H51 = Single Air /w Heater
J45 = Hood Tie Down Pins
J52 = Inside Hood Release
M21 = Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M26 = Wheel Lip Molding
N41 = Dual Exhaust
N42 = Chrome Dual Exhaust Tips
R11 = Music Master AM Radio
V8W = Transverse Stripe - White
V9W = Bumblebee Stripe - White
26 = 26 in. Radiator
END = End of Codes


Here is what I got from the fendertag decoder.

Dieselholic92

It's been a long time since I've been on here! Long story short, I got sick of looking at my road runner and not driving it so I decided to start putting it back together so I can enjoy it. I decided not to use the standard 440 that came in the car. I now have a 1974 440HP that I'm re-sealing and having the heads done. I'll post some more pictures of progress when i get the chance.

RacerHog

Sounds like a great Plan....

Dieselholic92

Well I stripped down the k-member, degreased it, painted it, and installed it back in the car with new Prothane bushings.





Also picked up a different motor for the car. A 1974 440HP for $600 plus the air cleaner.

RacerHog

Looks Great...

Dieselholic92

I thought that this motor would be an easy one to get running but instead I found a family of mice living in the lifter valley. So I tore it down to the short block and sent the heads off to the local engine shop. Then I started cleaning and putting it back together.

Dieselholic92

Not sure if I want to keep the old Moroso valve covers or not

RacerHog

Love them Moroso valve covers on the blue....

Dieselholic92

I kind of do too. The blue looks darker in the picture than it really is. Those valve covers are off the old motor that was in the car

RacerHog

Did you go to (Back to the Fifty's).... Great Show I hear...
http://msrabacktothe50s.files.wordpr...ner-poster.jpg

Dieselholic92

No I didn't. I'd like to get there next year!

Dieselholic92

Not a whole lot to update. Slowly accumulating new parts and putting pieces back on the car. I did get the front bumper and grille back on the car, but I would like to find a grille that is in better shape than mine.

RacerHog

A little a day will get it done... I'm moving slow on my (74 Scamp) project also...
Keep us Posted....

Dieselholic92

Do you have a thread for your scamp?

RacerHog

No... Not any more... It was on a site the shut down..... You can see some of the project over in my photobucket down in my sig....

wingding

looks good what paint did u use ? shot from a gun, or rattlecan ?

Dieselholic92

Thanks! I used Dupli-color engine enamel in the rattle can

Dieselholic92

Closest color I could find in a rattle can to cosmoline. When I was cleaning them up I could see the line where they stopped dipping them at the end of the control arm.



New parts. I also have new leaf springs on the way from springs and things. My goal right now is to get the car up on tires so I can move it around the shop. So far I have the upper control arms on the car with new bushings, bumpers, and ball joints. I have new bushings pressed in the lower control arms. As soon as they are cured I'm going to mount them and the rest of the new front end parts

Dieselholic92

For anyone wondering, I got my new leaf springs and shackles from Springs n Things and put them in the car. I also put the front suspension back together with all new bushings, and mounts. Finally got it up on 4 wheels and moved it out of the corner of the shop so it will be easier to work on.

RacerHog

Cool Beans.... Progress update is always good!!!!!
I Like Spring N Things... I just did another set of there stuff this past summer on a 74 Dart.. That Guy has been happy as " Pigs in; Well you know what" lol
Nice shop by the way.. Looks like your staying out of the cold? Looks like a great shop to do your winter work in anyway!!!!!

So Whats the next phase to deal with ??

Dieselholic92

I'm very happy with the leaf springs! The Mopar Torsion bar seals and locks, not so much. The first boot I put on ripped on the seam about 1/2". The locks are so loose that they popped right out as I was pushing the torsion bar mount forward and up into location. I'll spread them out I guess and hope they retain the shape.

Thanks! It's actually the shop where my grandpa first started his excavating company in 1979, and it was old then. We outgrew that in about 1980 and moved. Then 30 years later in 2010, my dad and I bought it back and turned it into our toy shop! Needless to say it needed a lot of work when we bought it back. Still some things to do here and there but its a pretty nice shop to work in.

Now that the roadrunner is out of the corner and easier to work on, I'm going to continue working to get it back on the road. I just want to enjoy it like it is until I have the funds to do a full restoration on it. Sort of a ratty muscle car I guess

RacerHog

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
You must not have looked at my Scamp in my sig. in the Photobucket site under the 1974 Scamp. I still am not close to having it done... But it's a hell of a lot better than in the beginning.... Look for yourself....

Dieselholic92

I see that! Got it running yet?

RacerHog

Ya...It runs.... Roof don't leak any more.... Interior is all in it, but a head liner.... But in the mean time, I hurt the 904 trans, so I need to get to doing that one of these days after I get my Knee all back in order... But that's a story for another day.... Getting old Sucks....

Dieselholic92

Good thing I'm starting now haha. I've been tossing around the idea of getting a parts car to finish out the Roadrunner. Theres a 73 Satellite Sebring in northern MN for sale. Its a complete car, last driven 10 years ago, and last started 5 years ago. I would almost feel back parting it out because it is a complete car, but from the looks of the pictures, the underside is EXTREMELY rusty.