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1970 Challenger- my way.

WayTooShort

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Hello E-body folks..

Been busy lately, I did not have the time starting a thread about my campaign..
Anyway, I rectify this misfortune right now.

As starters, here is how the story goes:
I acquired this 70 Challenger from a guy in PA last year. It arrived in England in December 2018 and work on it started pretty much instantly.
Few words about the beast- A66, 340+727,8.75, 11 inch manual front drum brakes..it was bought as a roller with no engine or tranny in. Along with the Challenger's purchase, I bought from RockAuto some repo sheet that got shipped stashed in the car.

It came without a whole lot of missing parts such as sway bars, rear brakes and third member, doors' hardware and glasswork, propshaft, tail lights, mouldings, etc..
Since the car purchase I managed to source a driver quality tail lights, a 2.67 non-SG chunk, instrument cluster.

This project has no budget, I cannot afford spending on it and therefore there are some compromises with the way things are being made...sometimes I have to switch from a task to another due to lack of materials, paint, sheet metal or something else.

After I evaluated the situation in person after the car's arrival, it became obvious that the bodywork is the biggest issue... Front LH and rear RH frame rails were gone, some rust on the inner fenders, minor rust on the upper cowl, all floor pans, trunk bottom, lower quarters, tail light panel, windshield pillars...all these were shot..
So I did not think much- just hit it. I started with the engine bay, planning of progressing towards the rear end...

So far I have done the hood hinges' areas, under the battery usual rot, few smaller bits on the rad support and inner fenders, the cowl is nearly finished up.
The front LH frame rail was cut off and reproduced step by step, with me been careful not to disturb the K member's location..

Since few days I moved towards the front floor pans. With all the spot welding drilled and the rotten flooring cut and removed, I made a cardboard template to reproduce the shape.
Next I fitted the new makeshift flooring pan..not welded in yet as waiting for mig wire and shrouds.

About the power train- I have waiting in the shed a 1977 440+727 that came out of a RV. It had 452 stock heads but I was lucky enough to get hold of pair of 906 "1968" stamped ones. I should have them overhauled in the autumn..and the engine assembled too.
I am aware that this low-output 440 are from from potent engines, but it is what I have to use for now. I do not build a racing car neither..

Please find bellow some photographs showing the progress.

Cheers from England.
Drag

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WayTooShort

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More bodywork. I actually quite enjoy doing it despite the lack of fundamental tools needed for a proper sheet metal work.. I plan to source these tools in the future anyway..

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WayTooShort

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440 stripped down and also the new studs I made few days ago.. I ditched the UNFs for metric M12x1.5..
Also a photo of the 8.75 with epoxy primer applied and mock up assy with the 11 inch brakes I intend to use.
Just added few pics of the hinges. Complete strip down, re- ream bigger bores, new pins and bushes.

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Rich G.

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Your patch repairs look good. Be careful on your large flat panels like on the floor. The bead rolls add strength to the panel.
 

budascuda

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I hope you don't mind, I am cataloging the repairs you are making, the work required on your car is common with e-bodies .
Quite frankly I was wondering what became of you after your first post, glad you are well and things are moving along.
 

/sixchall

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Great looking metal work, takes some real finess like you’ve got going on. By the way I’ve been to the Ace Cafe in London several times, love that place.
Thanks, Al
 

WayTooShort

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Thank you everyone for the courage and advice.

What the car was like when arrived:
Some pics showing front LH frame rail work:

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DetMatt1

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Wow! Big project but worthy and good for you on attacking it the way you are. You’re fearless Man!:lol:
 

aussiemark

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Your welding skills are very good. You can get some good deals on small panels like the front floor sections from the US Ebay sellers with the global shipping arrangement I am in a similar situation living in Australia. There is nothing wrong with the latter model 440 blocks they are actually better in some ways like thicker mounting lugs and bigger cooling passages there is a lot of information here 440 Source.com Everything you've ever wanted to know about blocks and more....
 

WayTooShort

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Thanks boys...a bit of a work from today. Not quite a lot but still counts.
The lower cowl patch wasn't a difficult one. The frame rail and the crossmember seem to be alright...thick coat of Wurth rust convereter won't hurt anyway.
The upper cowl to firewall bit is already shaped and awaits welding on the weekend.

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Grady Cain

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You are doing a great job with the limited tools you have. Keep up the good work and keep us posted on your progress. We love this stuff man...
 

WayTooShort

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I listened to a good man's advice and today after work played a bit with the floor pan. An old cast iron milling block served me well with its 5/8 slots. Rest was to pick up the correct ball-head hammer. Far from pro job but would do.
Tomorrow if weather allows some three coats of epoxy primer would get sprayed into the frame rails and crossmember.
By the way, I do not really like he driver side floor pan and probably ought to make a new one..
PS Some epoxy was sprayed today..

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WayTooShort

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Today after work, using some leftover bullets, I managed to throw together a quick "press tool". It was designed around the sole 40mm hole saw I got.
After a test bit was drilled and test formed, the pan panel received same treatment.
I post pics of the test bit and the pan on place..

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budascuda

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"bead rolls?...
Did anybody say bead rolls?
Come and get them, hot off the press...
Man..., you have absolutely no idea what HARD is!
I like your get it done attitude, it's a slap in the face of any person who ever looked at a job and whimpered; "I can't do it".
Now i'm interested not just in the repairs but also the different ways that repairs can be done. Thanks, please keep'm coming.
 

Rich G.

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You sure are doing things the hard way but you got skills man! You could probably make a killer street rod! I wish I could work alongside of you I could learn a few things! Great work!
 
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