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4 speed conversion - 70 RR 383 #1849606
06/15/15 02:27 PM
06/15/15 02:27 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 117
New Jersey
7
70SAT Offline OP
member
70SAT  Offline OP
member
7

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 117
New Jersey
After almost 1 1/2 years of collecting parts, my 70 RR is now officially a 4 speed !!!!! I decided to have Jamie Passon do the actually conversion and I am glad I did. I bought my rebuilt date correct A833 from him so I knew that if there were any issues with the trans, he would take care of them. I bought other parts from members here, some from the other forum, some from Craigslist and some from Classic Industries. I have to say that some of the Classic parts were sub-par and the clutch pedal rod angles were totally off (I will be contacting them) when compared to a stock pedal rod that I bought from Jamie.

The welding of the hump, ball stud frame bracket and buddy seat brackets were very neat and even. Jamie took it upon himself to get a rattle can of FC7 and sprayed all the welded in pieces. They look like they were factory. I never would have been able to do that nice of a job which was one of my biggest reservations. I know that if the ball stud bracket is not located properly and square that the torque rod would give you continuous problems. The clutch goes in nice and smooth, even pressure, no hangups or snags.

I put in a Mcleod diaphram clutch. Grabs really nice. Very different feel than the clutches on the euro and [censored] imports that I drive regularly. I guess it's just a matter of getting used to it. What I did notice was that the throttle lag that I used to have with the automatic totally disappeared. I thought it was a carb problem. I will pay attention to see if it returns at all.

The other two things that Jamie did besides the conversion was change my power steering box to a Steer and Gear firm box because both my upper and lower seals were leaking and it was loosy goosy. It's like night and day. Much more responsive and better road feel. I was going to put in a Firm Feel, but the wait time was 2 months. The other thing was he changed my u-joints. Apparently, Jamie thought the rear u-joint was original and never changed because of a wire across the joint that originals had. There was a lot of play in both of them anyhow so needed to be changed out. I would not want to lose the driveshaft while burning through the gears.

I will be listing for sale some of the parts i removed in a separate post. I have my 727, the console (switched to buddy seat), the console shifter, the automatic carpet and a 513 bell(sold) (Jamie had a pristine one that I decided to use). Here's some pics of the new setup and a before pic.

carpet12.JPG2d8b_3.JPG
Last edited by 70SAT; 06/15/15 02:30 PM.

70 SATELLITE CONVERTIBLE-SOLD frown 70 ROADRUNNER 383-4- SOLD frown

70 SATELLITE CONVERTIBLE- AGAIN !!!!! smile


---------COLT 1911A1--------
------USA ALL THE WAY-----
Re: 4 speed conversion - 70 RR 383 [Re: 70SAT] #1849700
06/15/15 04:04 PM
06/15/15 04:04 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
mickm Offline
master
mickm  Offline
master

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
nice! unless i don't see it, you may want to add the reverse indicator light if you want it to be correct.

way too much fun driving a 4 spd, eh? only way to fly!

drive

Re: 4 speed conversion - 70 RR 383 [Re: 70SAT] #1849962
06/15/15 09:35 PM
06/15/15 09:35 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
Plum440 Offline
pro stock
Plum440  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
Sweet! Welcome to the "Converted to a 4-Speed" club. You'll be happy you did it!! No other feeling like rowing gears on a BIG block Mopar!


70 Challenger, 440, 4-speed, pLuM cRaZy
71 VW Super Beetle Convertible, Lemon Yellow
A couple of Jeeps…


Re: 4 speed conversion - 70 RR 383 [Re: 70SAT] #1849968
06/15/15 09:37 PM
06/15/15 09:37 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
Plum440 Offline
pro stock
Plum440  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
Oh, I've got the same clutch and took the advise of removing the over-center spring from the pedal assembly. It was a very good move and makes it a lot more fun to drive.


70 Challenger, 440, 4-speed, pLuM cRaZy
71 VW Super Beetle Convertible, Lemon Yellow
A couple of Jeeps…


Re: 4 speed conversion - 70 RR 383 [Re: 70SAT] #1849976
06/15/15 09:40 PM
06/15/15 09:40 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,873
Chicken coop
dustergirl340 Offline
Chicken Little
dustergirl340  Offline
Chicken Little

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,873
Chicken coop
Both Brewers and Passon are top notch. And I second the reverse indicator light. LOVE my 4-speed cars, have fun with yours!

Re: 4 speed conversion - 70 RR 383 [Re: 70SAT] #1850029
06/15/15 10:32 PM
06/15/15 10:32 PM
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,386
Philadelphia PA
Pynzo Offline
Drugs are bad
Pynzo  Offline
Drugs are bad

Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,386
Philadelphia PA
You did it right! Nice Job!
X3 on the Reverse Indicator!
Mounts here.

image.jpg
Last edited by Pynzo; 06/15/15 10:36 PM.
Re: 4 speed conversion - 70 RR 383 [Re: 70SAT] #1850690
06/16/15 09:33 PM
06/16/15 09:33 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 117
New Jersey
7
70SAT Offline OP
member
70SAT  Offline OP
member
7

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 117
New Jersey
Thanks all. It's like driving a totally different car !!!!

I've been looking for the reverse light. Does it get in the way of the Air Grabber switch? Where does it get wired to? The reverse switch on the trans?


70 SATELLITE CONVERTIBLE-SOLD frown 70 ROADRUNNER 383-4- SOLD frown

70 SATELLITE CONVERTIBLE- AGAIN !!!!! smile


---------COLT 1911A1--------
------USA ALL THE WAY-----
Re: 4 speed conversion - 70 RR 383 [Re: 70SAT] #1850781
06/16/15 11:19 PM
06/16/15 11:19 PM
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,386
Philadelphia PA
Pynzo Offline
Drugs are bad
Pynzo  Offline
Drugs are bad

Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,386
Philadelphia PA
The Engine side Reverse Switch Harness should have a short pigtail from the Black w/White Tracer Wire out of Cavity C of the Wiper Motor Harness. Run this Male Bladed Pigtail to Cavity Z of the Headlight Harness.
Under the Dash- Reverse Light Black w/White Tracer plugs into Cavity Z, and it's an assembly line add on so the wire simply gets a couple of friction tape wraps outside the main harness. Purple Ground Wire bolts to Dash Frame with a #10 self tapping screw. Hope the pic helps.
And Hell Yeah! Big difference driving a 4 Speed!
Congratulations!
http://www.tonysparts.com/newproductsB.htm
Tony has the Dash Light.

image.jpg
Last edited by Pynzo; 06/16/15 11:34 PM.
Re: 4 speed conversion - 70 RR 383 [Re: Pynzo] #1850847
06/17/15 12:43 AM
06/17/15 12:43 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 117
New Jersey
7
70SAT Offline OP
member
70SAT  Offline OP
member
7

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 117
New Jersey
Originally Posted By Pynzo
The Engine side Reverse Switch Harness should have a short pigtail from the Black w/White Tracer Wire out of Cavity C of the Wiper Motor Harness. Run this Male Bladed Pigtail to Cavity Z of the Headlight Harness.
Under the Dash- Reverse Light Black w/White Tracer plugs into Cavity Z, and it's an assembly line add on so the wire simply gets a couple of friction tape wraps outside the main harness. Purple Ground Wire bolts to Dash Frame with a #10 self tapping screw. Hope the pic helps.
And Hell Yeah! Big difference driving a 4 Speed!
Congratulations!
http://www.tonysparts.com/newproductsB.htm
Tony has the Dash Light.


Thanks Pynzo. I'll look it up. I have a FSM too. Was hoping it was really easy !!! LOL


70 SATELLITE CONVERTIBLE-SOLD frown 70 ROADRUNNER 383-4- SOLD frown

70 SATELLITE CONVERTIBLE- AGAIN !!!!! smile


---------COLT 1911A1--------
------USA ALL THE WAY-----






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