72 Challenger Rebuild

[terrywalker]

I'm to the point where I have to decide on front seats. I've seen where the 2004-07 Tiburon seats are great but when I look at what is for sale, it's usually the passenger seat in good shape. The driver's seat is usually worn out and not listed for sale. So, what are the recommendations that others are using that are aftermarket seats? I need them to be comfortable, recline and slide forward enough for backseat access. I don't want to use original seat as they are too uncomfortable. Thanks.
Terry W.

 

[terrywalker]

An update. I think I may have the brake line seepage stopped. Time will tell. I did get the steering column in but I may have to take it out if I decide to install the pedals in for a 4 speed conversion. I'll know as soon as I get the engine from a friend's house if the crankshaft is drilled for a 4 speed. I was trying to figure out what to do about front side marker lights since this 72 Challenger has a 70 front end on it with the 72 rear side markers in back. I took a pair of old corroded 1970 front side marker housings and removed the light sockets. I carefully filed the socket opening to accept the 72-74 style side marker light sockets. I fitted a new socket in, installed a push in LED bulb and they work great. I'm using an original 72 front light harness so I don't need to cut into the harness to install new light sockets. I cleaned these corroded 70-71 housings and filled the pits with JB weld filler since they won't be seen anyway. It saved me almost $200 by not having to buy complete new side marker assemblies. I'll sand the JB filler smooth and use these side marker lights. They tested great and were very bright with the LED bulbs.
Terry W.

 

[terrywalker]

I've been working on prepping a 70 R/T hood for the car that I got for free. It has some dents and dings. I also have a converted shaker hood from a flat hood that I'm considering prepping for this car also. My grandson thinks we should go with the shaker hood. I'm considering just painting both hoods when I paint the car and I can use whichever one I want. I would still need to get the baseplate and the grilles for the bubble. The cold weather has slowed me down some. It's 12 degrees outside and 54 degrees in my shop. Alot of the things I would normally do outside, such as using paint stripper, has come to a standstill.
T Walker

 

[terrywalker]

It's been awhile since I gave an update. I waited months for a new front anti-sway bar to arrive. I got it a couple weeks ago and installed it. It looks good. Shortly after, I had to pull back as I had to get my son's 71 Challenger fixed so he could take possession of it. Last week, I was looking in the passenger's window of my 71 convertible and noticed some papers I had placed on the front passenger's side floor mat were wet. Heater core leak. Fortunately, the plastic floormat had contained the antifreeze leaked and none got into the carpet. I pulled the heater box out and am in the process of restoring it now, so the 72 is on hold. Photo of the anti-sway bar installed.
Terry W.

 

[terrywalker]

It's been a few months since I was able to do some work on the car. Life sometimes throws things at you that you have to spend time fixing. I ended up pulling the interior out of the 71 convertible, sanding and painting the front floor pans after finding some surface rust. I decided as long as I had all the carpet out to go ahead and replace it. All done with that project. I realized after starting back on the 72 that I had not installed the insulation pad which is glued to the cowl above the dash. I studied it out and realized I could glue the insulation in without removing the steering column and dash by loosening the nut clamping the defrost vent tube and sliding the insulation in and gluing in place. Here's the end result. Next, install the heater box.
Terry W.

 

[terrywalker]

It's been several months since I posted on this rebuild. I have installed new fuel line/vapor return line along with the gas tank and new sending unit. I have been straightening out the engine harness and finally figured out why there's almost 3 feet extra running down the passenger side of engine bay. This was originally a 318 car and the harness is for a big block. It's what I received in one of the parts boxes when I got the car. So, I'll be shortening the coil and distributor wiring on that side of the harness. It had been looped back on itself, with zip ties, 3 times above the blower motor and looked terrible. We also installed a rear antisway bar. Fun, fun. I hope to be installing the engine in the next several weeks. I decided to leave it an automatic transmission and will be putting all the 4 speed stuff in the 74 Charger that's waiting to go into my shop. I had installed new Duralast rear wheel brake cylinders several months ago. I noticed there was brake fluid on the inside of the left rear tire. The new brake cylinder had started leaking so I replaced it with one from NAPA. A few weeks later, I noticed the right tire had brake fluid on it. That Duralast wheel cylinder had started leaking so I replaced it. Pulled both wheel cylinders apart and they had new parts in them. Made in China.
Terry W.

 

[terrywalker]

I got the rebuilt 360 engine and 727 transmission to my shop a couple of weeks ago and put the engine on my stand. My friend bought the engine to help the wife of his friend who passed away suddenly as she needed some funds. It has Edelbrock heads, Edelbrock Performer intake and carb. It came with photos and receipts for the parts installed and work done. My friend became unemployed and sold me the engine and transmission for $3k. While looking at the engine, I saw a block off plate installed where the fuel pump goes. No problem as they were probably thinking electric pump. I looked in the port, and no pump eccentric installed in front of the cam timing sprocket. Not a big deal as I had a spare. My grandson and I pull harmonic balancer and timing cover off. The builder had installed the harmonic balancer dry. I looked at the front seal and about 1/3 of the seal lip had been rolled and damaged. I had a new one but now I'm thinking about what else should I check. My grandson is enrolled at the local junior college in their automotive tech course. This has been interesting to him. He now knows about timing gear marks, seal, water pump, etc. What I really need to think about now is what else to check. Recommendations?A friend has a stand to put the engine on and run it for break in when ready. I wish I had rebuilt it with my grandson.