1974 Challenger upgrades

[1972 AAR Cuda]

I like the 318, it's a great motor, it's what the 340 and 360 where based on, but I have always been a fan of cubic inches. Two goals in place on this project; make it something as "period correct" as possible (with as many of the parts coming from the pile of goodies I have already collected) and give the Challenger a little more attitude. I am not going to go pro-mod or anything, but I do like the Rallye version of the 74 much better than the base 318 model. I am looking to share what I already have done but trying to keep in sequence (if anyone wants to see that).
I like seeing what people are doing and what they've done with their projects and assume others do as well.

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

Went with some upgrades on 318 - added a 4 barrel and more cam to liven it up, my daughter ran it - running mid 15's in the quarter mile, but ultimately I decided it was time for something more: (she said; Dad - it's too slow, it needs to go faster) who am I to argue?

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

The new bullet getting prepped to go in: she looks nice on the engine stand

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

I ended up choosing to build an early 360 block I picked up, supposedly the early 360's were cast using a 340 casting core - providing a thicker cylinder wall. Is that true ? I don't know, but I had one so what the heck (lol).
I also had a new set of roller lifters so my machinist modified the block for a roller cam using the instructions in the Mopar books - I am pleased with the results.

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

I also tried my hand at porting - my machinist did a 3 angle valve job and I ported the heads and port matched the intake - the results seemed to work well with the Comp cam, TTI headers, and Thermoquad that make up the completed package:

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

While the motor was out I decided to clean up the engine compartment:
Engine compartment was kinda grungy

Working on rust and paint

Gotta prime the surface

Then add color ( body color of course) - looks much better

Then the motor can go in

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

While the motor was out I upgraded the K-member (welded joints and added gussets and doublers)

Added an upgraded steering box from FirmFeel

And Rebuilt the front suspension (adding a swaybar and urethane bushings)

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

The goal for the Challenger was to make a road trip from Washington state to Reno Nevada. This meant I needed to make the car road worthy and comfortable for three in the middle of summer. My wife then replied; I am not taking that trip without A/C... so an A/C kit was purchased from Classic Air.

a factory cruise control from a C-body was added as well, making this nice road trip machine.

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

Some before and after pics of the engine

after

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

With engine and suspension done it was time to address the body. A factory style exhaust was added - meaning a new rear valance and tips from Year One. The pass fender and driver quarter were straightened and painted to match the existing paint and a gas cap quick release filler was added.

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

With the body now in a presentable state, I chose to focus on the interior. The interior is white, but was more of a gray/tan with age and wear. I found some after market door panels and rear side panels, I was given new carpet with the car and I purchased new covers for the front seats and a new headliner. All of this was now installed and what wasn't replaced was thoroughly cleaned - below are some before and after pics;

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

Its been a little while since I've made any serious changes to the Challenger, but I've been working on my motivation for my Cuda and some practice (metal and bodywork) for working the Cuda. So I have been practicing on the Challenger, fixing some rust issues, straightening panels, adding a dual scoop hood I picked up a couple years ago and correcting the fit of the rear valance I added when I went to the dual exhaust for the 360/727 combo. The parts where there, but the fit wasnt exactly what I wanted to see.
The hood was my first part to tackle:
The stock flat hood needed more height for the 360 4 barrel;

The dual scoop turned out pretty good

After some color sanding;
(My painting technique was passible but took some work to clean up)

Front valance was an improvement:
(Color and shine was much better than the hood)

No color sanding this time;

The same valance as I bought the car;

Now on to some rust repair (practice) - the rocker behind the door was worse than it looked;
(I only intended to clean the paint work I started a few years ago, but the rust needed to be cut out)

After metal work (welding) was complete; (still improving)

A little filler needed, but not too bad;

More rust poking through the rear - this was the patch panel ( only the lower portion was needed);

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

After welding, some filler and some trunk extension rust repair;
( the bodylines were a big improvement)

But the after market rear valance needed fitment work on the passenger side; ( I probably spent 3 days just getting the gaps right).
But now I needed to clean up the rear tail panel pieces and trunk floor...

Trunk ( before);
(Very little rust through, but it looked ugly)

After cleanup and POR15;
The rusty spot was hidden under the factory(???) seal.

(Yeah - a big rust hole)

Weld was still improving - solid, but still not perfect (practice, practice, practice)

POR15, then seal, looking better;

More seal than required, but I didnt want the potential for rust to return - all the welds and new metal were painted and fully covered in urethane 3M seam seal -above and below - although not as pretty as factory, I think it was better than factory....

More updates will follow....