I bought this car off Hudson late last fall and have been making a bit of progress between waiting for parts and other issues.
Car is an original matching #'s 340, 4 speed, axle pkg car. A few slight modifications will be made to better performance however I think the only holes that will be drilled will be to install the factory rear sway bar.
I bought the car as a painted shell but with almost all the parts to complete it. I had a slight mishap bringing the car home from Seattle and this is a shot of the car coming back from the bodyshop after the damage to the rear stripe on the trunklid and quarter had been repaired. I had made the car rolling at this point obviously.

Sheldon

Big stress day today as it was finally warm enough to do the rad support and cowl blackout. It's not easy scuffing nice paint to duplicate the mess that the factory did.

Sheldon

Two sets of wheels will be in order, the date coded 15X7 rallyes and a set of day 2 Torq Thrusts, unfortunately the 8.5's will not fit without putting a B-body rear axle in, I'll stick with 15X7's.

Sheldon

The 7's. Too narrow but I want the car to be pretty original.

Sheldon

Yeah the parts are everywhere at this point.

Sheldon

Underneath obviously, still have to mount the rear sway bar.

Sheldon

Still have to restore the column, it was just in temporary to move the car to the bodyshop. Pedals are done.

Sheldon

Cowl blackout.

Sheldon

Car is super dusty, I have to blow it off and then roll it out for a wash pretty soon. It was filthy as the roads were a mess when we moved it back from the bodyshop, but with no way to clean it without scratching it.

Sheldon

Yup, that's a firewall all right.

Sheldon

Cowl again, the Coronut lends encouragement, she's glad she will be getting only half the abuse pretty soon.

Sheldon

It's a manual, 11 inch drum car. I changed it up to the big rotor setup.

Sheldon

Another shot of the defaced orange paint on the rad support.

Sheldon

Not all the coatings are right and that's okay in my book. I want it easy to clean after being driven in the rain.

Sheldon

Again.

Sheldon

Headliner should be going in tomorrow, looks like I have to add a bit more insulation first.

Sheldon

Interior is almost ready to go in. I still have to go through the dash and the heaterbox. Everything else is pretty much ready to go. Yeah the stuff is taking over the house right now.

Sheldon

Engine and driveline stuff in this room.

Sheldon

Body and trim stuff in this room. I also have a semi trailer filled with stuff (not much for this car) and a 20' container filled with E-body stuff but it's getting sorted out and I'll be ready to sell the seconds pretty soon now.

Sheldon

The compressor and bead blaster have been getting a workout lately.

Sheldon

Matching #'s 340, 11.5-1 360, date coded 440, 400 block, World Hemi Block, 4.5 stroke crankshaft, 4.15 stroke crankshaft. What to do?

Sheldon

The car is looking good, great color on a chally.

Thanks Super: How's yours coming along lately?

Sheldon

Driving in the what??

Looking great Sheldon. Glad to see your getting it together. I vote for hemi small crank (don't want to twist car up to badly) a new passon 5spd. and a B-body dana to help fit a little more rubber under there. It all bolts in . Throw the #340 and #tranny under the work bench for later date when you want to slow down. Torq thrust wheels would be my choice and look great.

Hudson

Yes: I think I'll even run a Passon OD 4 speed if I find one cheap enough, I was going to do the B-body rear but have decided against it for now.
Been polishing stainless the last few days, looks like I don't have to hunt for any pieces. The wide windshield trim was a bit rough but I've been carting one around for 30 years that cleaned up nice and will be going on.
I'll be trying to get the dash installed this weekend and the glass next week the way it's going.

Sheldon

Man: This REM stuff is crap. I waited about a month to put my headliner in waiting for the REM sailpanels and they were nowhere near being right (clearly labeled as 1970 Challenger too), I ended up throwing them away, then I go to bump the firewall nails in and they're absolute crap too. Off to NAPA to see what they have..
The Rally dash stuff is sure minty on this car though. Not much work there at all.

Sheldon

Thanks Troy: Dash and column are apart and cleaned and painted. A pretty good day again. I think I'll hit PickNPull tomorrow to see if the Dodge trucks have firewall nails like the E-bodies, they probably do, I can usually get them out without damaging them. I need a couple of heater cables too. I recycle lots of Dodge truck parts into musclecar parts. Much better luck with 30 year old Dodge parts than new repro parts.

Sheldon

A bit more progress between doing fixits on the wife's Honda and necessary stuff around the house. The dash is in for the final time, thankfully. The 1970 Challenger rallye dash is my favorite by far, when I had my 70 HemiCuda it always looked second best to me. The 71's are even worse.

Sheldon

Lots of delays on this. I recycled insulation nails out of junk vans at PicnPull. Then I had to redrill some firewall holes that had been welded up by mistake (I'd sooner deal with that than welding up holes that didn't get filled before paint).

Sheldon

Steering column is ready to go in as soon as I finish underneath the dash. This was quite exciting too as the steering wheel puller butchered the top of the shaft before I figured out I better run a nut on to keep the puller centered. I have never had that happen in using that tool for the last 35 years, maybe the shaft was damaged before, oh well.

Sheldon

Hood is getting changed although my bodyguy didn't fix the hole in this one. I'll just live with it I suppose.

Sheldon

Pistons came this week and they're about .5 too big to fit in the 340 block so I'll have to make some allowances there as well.

Sheldon

Thanks: If I wasn't so busy at work I'd take a week off and blast this thing together, but it'll take a bit longer for sure. It's all fun now though.

Sheldon

Looks great Sheldon. Very similar to the car we are just finishing up right now. It's a '71 Cuda with a 340, 4 speed, 3.91, factory B5/B5 with white billboard and console. Added a shaker and rear wing. Also going day two on this one. It's not numbers matching so it made the engine decision easier. Stroked it to 408 making 450hp and 500lbs. Cragars and tti headers and exhaust. Should be a fun all around car.

That sounds great. I like day 2, you can add a few items that make it easier to enjoy the car and no foul as long as you don't cut up the car. My Hemi Charger was matching #'s and the way I drive my stuff it was always in the back of my mind I didn't want to hurt that block.
I'll lose a bit of momentum on the car this month. I have to do a few items on my sweptline for the new owner then the MATS in a few days but I'm still doing small items to the Challenger at night and the body should be ready by the time the engine machining is done.
I rebuilt the heater box this weekend, got the cables and wiring harnesses I needed from friends, (Thanks Ron and Pete) and a few more trinkets ended up getting bolted on.

Sheldon

Nice work Sheldon, that is a most excellent color combination. Hope to see it in person some day. Any chance of the Mopar show in Langley this July?


Mark

Mark: The plan is to drive it there. We'll see how that works out! Should be no problem but you never know.

Sheldon

I don't know if it's progress or lack of progress this week. Spent about 15 hours working the grille then spend 3 days fitting the terrific fitting Chinese bumpers front and back and then the grille and front valance. Rear bumper doesn't have enough bow to it and the outer bumper bolts are pulling it in enough to dent it a bit, if they weren't pulling it in it would be sticking out way too far on the ends.

Sheldon

Challenger emblems are the wrong shape but at least they're shiny. Yep she's a V-8.

Sheldon

Sunova! NOS headlight door doesn't fit the worked fender so well, and the other 2 headlight doors fit the same. Back to my guy to have the fender fixed properly, I suspect they'll be a few accidents I do that he'll have to repair anyway before it's all done.

Sheldon

The right side of the valance is hanging about 1/16" low under the bumper, I can't get it any better by myself, I'll wait for my son to come down and we'll hit it again.

Sheldon

The bullet should be getting machined this week I hope.

Sheldon

Lots of room in there right?

Sheldon

I guess I can't wait any longer, Time to tidy up the interior and finish it up.

Sheldon

Wow: A month and a half later and I'm still waiting on the engine. Lots of company lately so I've been going a bit slower on it but It'll still be ready for when I get the rotating assembly next week anyway.

Sheldon

I added P.S. the wiper motor and other parts will go in after the engine. No use putting the hood on until after the engine either. Hemi master cylinder, Rad is stock 340 but with a high efficiency 4 core in it now.

Sheldon

The wheels are for you guys that seem to like 14 inch rims and dog dishes, I don't.

Sheldon

Maybe 2 hours to finish up the interior. I found an NOS heater cable and it's here now. So I'll put it in and then finish up trimming the carpet and install seats and console, they're ready to go in. Steering wheel is just for putting my grubby hands on while working on it. I've got a nice one to go in at the end.

Sheldon

Interior put up a good fight and I'm still shrinking the headliner a bit.

Sheldon

.

Car still has a bunch of dust and dirt on it. I can finally roll it out for a wash this week I hope. I had to sell the 8 inch rear wheels I wanted to run, I was going to put a B-body rearend to run the 8's but didn't want to make that mod in the end. Idea is to have the Rallye rims, stock flat hood and 340 all restored and able to go in to make it totally original any weekend I want to.

Sheldon

man ,you sure are kicking my azz sheldon,i havent even touched mine in over two weeks now,ive been busy but still.........

your cars looking great,i LOVE that white interior,so classy!!

You'll probably beat me anyway Dean, looking good! I have to retire so I can hit the cars full time but I don't want to ever go back to work if another "market correction" hits so I'm taking no chances. The interior was just ugly to get in (I forgot how junky E-bodies are). I think I'm pulling the rear seat out again too as I want to fluff up the bottom cushion a bit. But the colours work on this car all right.

Sheldon

Sheldon,

Car is looking fabulous! I can hardly wait to see it. Be sure to let me know if/when you need another set of hands....least I can do!


Dave

Dave: I forget what you look like! We'll have to meet up one of these days for sure.

Sheldon

sounds good. ...and FWIW, I'm still my same old, homely self!

I was supposed to go to the Old Time Drags in Ashcroft this weekend, but the car isn't ready, the camper isn't ready and my home renovation checklist is overflowing.....


Dave

Sheldon... Looking good !!!!

Well it's back on again. I had to hand shovel 16 tons of this lovely material (other description would get me banned) on Sunday, I waited for the hottest day this year (30c) and went at it so I could reward myself by working on the Challenger.

Sheldon

Got the parts back from the balance and bore job Friday and now it's on!

Sheldon

Some of the goodies.

Sheldon

I love the CP pistons, light as a feather and they've held up well in the Coronut.

Sheldon

She looks ready to swallow an Elephant.

Sheldon

40 lbs gone from the bores but I still wish I could have sold it and went to an HP.

Sheldon

Hope they get it put out. House is insured, car isn't insured because of govt. bureaucracy.

Sheldon

Thanks Troy, things are really looking better today, it's been a stressful couple of days. I don't imagine they'll let us back into the area for a few days yet. Temperature is down to about 80f today and it may actually rain. I haven't heard them report any loss of buildings today so I think we might get by with minor damage and cleanup at this time.

Sheldon

Car looks great. Good luck with the fire. Good clutch solution; running a McLeod in my 68 D100.

The car and house are safe. We got back in Monday night after 5 days of worry. I was hoping to update with a photo of the longblock done but the new set of exhaust rockers didn't show up this week. I'm currently fiddling with the valvetrain to finish up the engine and it is a slow process.

Sheldon

Spent all summer waiting for parts. She's in but I have to fab up a few items so it will be awhile yet.

Sheldon

The bolt in stuff just about flys onto the car but the other stuff bogs down the build pretty good.

Sheldon

I have to go to Alberta for a week or so, that will cut into the assembly pretty bad, Time to retire.

Sheldon

Lookin good, good choice in wheels.

Thanks, I will run the 15X7 rallyes and these wheels 50/50 I imagine. Picking away at pulleys, rad, shroud etc. this week and it's all coming together. Waiting for my driveshaft to get built so I decided to not put off pulling out the center section of the diff any longer. I got a pleasant surprise, it's in great shape! I can't even see changing the Timken bearings for some new auto store crap so they're going back in with a new spacer and seal after I clean everything up. So that is a much needed break for a change.
Even the non car loving neighbors are starting to get excited about the car getting done now.

Sheldon

Looking great Sheldon. Good plan with the wheels, I screwed up with mine: going to put poly's on the steelies and run an aftermarket wheel with the BFG's for driving....probably those same TT's.


Dave

Looks great Sheldon - you really get after something when you get rolling on it. Wish I had your motivation!

Thanks Jon but I don`t feel that way. It seems like I get lots done but when I hit a brick wall waiting for parts it`s hard to get the momentum up to speed again. Waiting for a new driveshaft this week but I think I`ll take a couple of days off work when it comes and finish up everything on the underside if I can.

Sheldon

Looks good Sheldon! I'm beginning the Hemi journey that we spoke of.... Wish me luck! Between that, starting the process of building a garage, and expecting a young one in Feb... I might go crazy...Lol

Sounds like me, all in! You'll enjoy it all. As soon as the Challenger is done I'm going to gyproc the basement and then start tearing down the 66 for new paint and a freshening up of the chassis. I guess when the projects end you die (or something like that).

Sheldon

Looks like it is coming along nicely Sheldon. That is one sharp car

Soon Grasshopper, soon. It doesn't look totally stock from this angle. I'm probably the only guy that would make B-body 3 inch exhaust work on an E-body but I got tired of having 2 sets of B-body exhaust laying around collecting dust. Should be lighting the candles next weekend if everything goes correctly.

Sheldon

Sheldon,

That car looks GOOD! The Hemi looks right at home in there.

Stan

Sheldon,

I just got back from Boston and expected to see an update! Any further development?

I finally got mine inspected/aligned and insured.....10 years this February! What can I say, I'm a little slow! Anyhow, don't know if the weather will allow me one last outing before I put her away for the winter but I'd like to see your car at some point and I owe you a drive.



Dave

Dave: It runs, I am still finding used parts to replace the new chinese crap that doesn't fit or breaks (like the repro Hemi throttle cable that broke the first time I stepped on the throttle). I have to double check the intake seal and then the hood goes on.
I'm home all weekend if the weathers good!

Sheldon

Haha; I know the feeling well! ...pretty sad when 44 year old original parts are 10x better than brand new repops. A good percentage of the repop parts I bought ended up in the garbage or spare parts pile...probably added over $5k to my resto cost.

I'll see how it goes this weekend and give you a call if I can get out. I'm putting a lift in to store Donna's new toy (Mercedes SLK) above the 'Bee.

...sorry for the semi-threadjacking!


Dave

Dave: Make sure that Bends doesn't leak on the green monster! No thread jack, I had pretty much stopped posting on here anyway. Not too interesting anymore, just normal shots of a Challenger now.

Sheldon

Ugh: Well once you get driving it a bit it will stop marking it's territory.

Sheldon

Loud and Proud! Cam break-in is done, leaks are gone (although I'm monitoring the power Steering box). Time to tidy up the bits and mount the shaker. May consider adding two more mufflers as it is a bit obnoxious.

Sheldon

I hate blue wires but they're only temporary until I decide on a good quality black set that will work with the Hemi boots.

Sheldon

looking pretty hot! firecore wires might fit for ya.

Yep: They gotta be black whatever goes on there. Another delay, waiting for a Mcleod clutch, the Zoom gets to hug the Chinese parts in the garbage can. Ongoing theme this year but I don't think there will be any bugs next year, I'm finding them all as we go this year.

Sheldon

Good luck Sheldon! It will come along once you get all bugs out. It seems anymore you have to do everything at least twice!
Looking good.
Matt

Close enough to a wrap. I built the aircleaner last weekend, this weekend I did the alignment (somehow ended up with 4 degrees of caster!). Just have to throw in the new clutch if it ever gets here (delayed at customs for over a week) and install the exhaust tips (I'll wait until the exhaust is back in after the clutch re and re).
I was hoping to back it out and wash it before it starts freezing but it looks like the clutch is going to hold that up.

Sheldon

Scoop should sit a touch lower but that's as low as I could get the aircleaner and it's close enough for me.

Sheldon

Looks awesome, Sheldon. My Hemi is at Gary Stanton racing awaiting assembly. Hopefully my shaker will looks as good as yours! Take care.
Greg

Quick spin around the block today. I have to dial in the brake bias and maybe install the exhaust tips I bought months ago.

Sheldon

Traction is nonexistent but I'm keeping the small fuses on the rear for now.

Sheldon

YEAH!!! That is awesome!

Stan

Looks great Sheldon; with this weather, it shouldn't be long before summer arrives!

...I think the early warming is my fault; I bought a ski chalet this year!


Dave

Thanks Dave: We need this good weather. Well I installed a friends rally rims today and I'm not totally crazy with the look. I have correct date coded 15X7's that I had powdercoated and original trim rings. I think I will wait and buy a set of E60's for them as I won't drive on them that much anyway.

Sheldon

Exhaust tips are on after much screwing around, but they sure look better.

Sheldon

I know a tuff wheel isn't right in an E-body (especially a fake one) but it ain't wrong either.

Sheldon

I was going to swap out these old door panels for the new Metros I have but I ran out of time today. This is an early car and isn't supposed to have the wood grain.

Sheldon

Had a fuel delivery problem with the shaker bonnet on. Bent two new 3/8 lines to the carbs and wrapped them in insulation and that's fixed, A/F ratios are pretty much dead on and the car drives awesome. Still waiting for new armrest pads so I can change the front door panels but the car is done and is fun to drive. Haven't taken it to any shows yet and I don't care too. I enjoy my cars from behind the wheel.
Only thing I plan on doing is rip into the matching #'s 340 and get it ready to be dropped in some day.

Sheldon

Sheldon, at what rpm do you start tapping into the front carb on a steady acceleration? Still battling my stumbling issues at 2400-3000 rpm's. I'm thinking I may be trying to run to far off the back carb? Anyhow, when I start tapping into the front carb the stumble goes away....

Well: My method of tuning is probably a little strange but what I need from it is this. I drive around and really don't think about it much just kind of take off like a normal everyday car off a stop sign with probably less than 1/4 throttle, then I drive around at various throttle positions ranging up to about where you can feel the other carb tipping in (throttle pressure doubles up you can feel it with your foot). (Up to about half throttle should be just on the rear carb).
Then if that's good I'll go in a bit harder and maybe go 5/8 throttle and 3/4 throttle to make sure it doesn't surge or load up (at this point you're using the second carb).
If the driveability is good then I'll go out and whack the throttle in 2nd gear at about 2000RPM and if it stumbles it needs more work. I just nail it and it just hits and breaks the tires loose and it better pull hard up to 6500 or so. I know I want a lot from it but that's what I expect before I think it is running right.
I hope this makes sense the way I wrote it. It's not easy to achieve but is the way I feel it should run.
BTW I bought another one today, U-code, 4 speed R/T SE, I'm swapping in the 472 out of my red Coronet.

Sheldon

Sheldon, we have twins.... Lol

We both must be nuts! I wish I was down near you to give you hand with your car. You'll get it though, trust the wideband.

Sheldon

Yeah, lord knows I need a fresh perspective.... Lol