|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: VincentVega]
#1393845
02/27/13 07:59 AM
02/27/13 07:59 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader
OP
Swears too much
|
OP
Swears too much
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
|
Quote:
That's the problem. And that sort of lesson does not just apply to axles. Imagine NEEDING to use power? Like to get out of the way of a big truck, or avoiding getting rear ended, or etc etc. And now imagine someone riding with you. And maybe things would have worked out, only your axle grenaded. You cannot predict and control what happens out on the roads, and setting yourself up to fail in this manner is unnecessary and dangerous to others.
We were talking about this a week ago... and thats the only real concern, especially living right in the chaos ov "civilization" and all... Sounds like in all but the most bizarre circumstances i should be safe though. Yeah... i'm a gambler.
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: pinkduster]
#1393846
02/27/13 08:02 AM
02/27/13 08:02 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader
OP
Swears too much
|
OP
Swears too much
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
|
Quote:
If you have nothing to drive and putting the 383 in the Challenger will net you a drivable car, I'd do it right away. When the rear finally lets go, you can swap in an 8 3/4 and drive shaft at that time. Any amount of time you can get out of the 7 1/4 is just a free bonus. 
Heh... the one other negative would be that when the 8 3/4" finally does go in, along with the bigger brakes, shaft, etc... my car will slow down noticeably. Damn. Even putting an 8 1/4" in the Duster after the lil one went, and with the same size brakes and shaft, his car slowed noticeably. Not that this will change my plans though...
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: Mapandjlp]
#1393849
02/27/13 11:36 AM
02/27/13 11:36 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,143
Port Saint Lucie, FL
ChallengerGary
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,143
Port Saint Lucie, FL
|
Quote:
I'd guess my warmed 360 is around 330HP or so. I've been running it in front of the 7 1/4 in my Challenger for two years with no issues. I've been known to tear up the right rear tire from time to time. Still no problem. I do have a sure grip, 3.23, 8 3/4 all ready to go but haven't had the time to swap it out.
I'd say do it. Worst case, you're forced to swap in an 8 3/4....
Actually, worst case is like what happened to me - my transmission tail shaft snapped in two when the 7-1/4 failed and locked up, and made having to replace the rear end cost me a new transmission as well. That was an expensive lesson learned. Worst part was, I had a good 8-3/4" with 3.23 sure grip laying around but was too lazy to change the rear when i changed the engine from the tired 318 to the nicely built 360 with T/A heads.
Last edited by ChallengerGary; 02/27/13 12:00 PM.
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: ChallengerGary]
#1393850
02/27/13 11:43 AM
02/27/13 11:43 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 509
Middle River, MD
Mapandjlp
mopar
|
mopar
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 509
Middle River, MD
|
Quote:
Actually, worst case is like what happened to me - my transmission tail shaft snapped in two when the 7-1/4 failed and locked up, and made having to replace the rear end costing me a new transmission as well. That was an expensive lesson learned. Worst part was, I had a good 8-3/4" with 3.23 sure grip laying around but was too lazy to change the rear when i changed the engine from the tired 318 to the nicely built 360 with T/A heads.
Ok. Best case, when your 7 1/4 finally gives up, you'll be forced to install an 8 3/4.
Worst case, anything beyond best case.
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: Mapandjlp]
#1393851
02/27/13 01:46 PM
02/27/13 01:46 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,688
Marlboro, NY, USA
Rick_Ehrenberg
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,688
Marlboro, NY, USA
|
Quote:
Quote:
Actually, worst case is like what happened to me - my transmission tail shaft snapped in two when the 7-1/4 failed and locked up, and made having to replace the rear end costing me a new transmission as well. That was an expensive lesson learned. Worst part was, I had a good 8-3/4" with 3.23 sure grip laying around but was too lazy to change the rear when i changed the engine from the tired 318 to the nicely built 360 with T/A heads.
Ok. Best case, when your 7 1/4 finally gives up, you'll be forced to install an 8 3/4.
Worst case, anything beyond best case.
To me, simple economics dictates doing the swap ASAP. Besides the potential overrunning clutch / output shaft / extension housing tranny costs, there's this simple fact:
A serviceable 7-1/4" has some valve, even if only as trade bait. A blown up one is just scrap iron, to be melted into more Hyundais and Prisus'.
No bucks for an 8-3/4"? Find an 8-1/4" the right width (Dakota? Cherokee?)
Rick
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: GomangoCuda]
#1393852
02/27/13 02:21 PM
02/27/13 02:21 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,873
Chicken coop
dustergirl340
Chicken Little
|
Chicken Little
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,873
Chicken coop
|
Quote:
Quote:
Behind a mild 383 and 3 speed? 3100-3200lb car.
Quote:
My 6cyl Challenger needs an engine.
Really? A 3100lb bigblock Challenger? I think it's going to be a lot heavier than that.
Our '72 Challenger, small block with iron heads, full interior, and all metal body weighs 3,300 pounds. My Duster is exactly the same weight.
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: GomangoCuda]
#1393853
02/28/13 08:39 AM
02/28/13 08:39 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader
OP
Swears too much
|
OP
Swears too much
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
|
Quote:
Quote:
Behind a mild 383 and 3 speed? 3100-3200lb car.
Quote:
My 6cyl Challenger needs an engine.
Really? A 3100lb bigblock Challenger? I think it's going to be a lot heavier than that.
No... you read right. My original plan should come out to that, its a pretty spartan rig and i'm a master at weight-reduction. Now, if i have to sell my brand new fiberglass hood and fancy wheels to fund the rest i'll be closer to 3200lbs, but not over.
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: Mapandjlp]
#1393854
02/28/13 08:42 AM
02/28/13 08:42 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader
OP
Swears too much
|
OP
Swears too much
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
|
Quote:
I'd guess my warmed 360 is around 330HP or so. I've been running it in front of the 7 1/4 in my Challenger for two years with no issues. I've been known to tear up the right rear tire from time to time. Still no problem. I do have a sure grip, 3.23, 8 3/4 all ready to go but haven't had the time to swap it out.
I'd say do it. Worst case, you're forced to swap in an 8 3/4....
Tear up the rear TIRE... Haha. I'm hoping mines a sure-grip. The one in my friends Duster was. Not that i'll be 'using' the sure-grip...
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: ChallengerGary]
#1393855
02/28/13 08:55 AM
02/28/13 08:55 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader
OP
Swears too much
|
OP
Swears too much
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
|
Quote:
Quote:
I'd guess my warmed 360 is around 330HP or so. I've been running it in front of the 7 1/4 in my Challenger for two years with no issues. I've been known to tear up the right rear tire from time to time. Still no problem. I do have a sure grip, 3.23, 8 3/4 all ready to go but haven't had the time to swap it out.
I'd say do it. Worst case, you're forced to swap in an 8 3/4....
Actually, worst case is like what happened to me - my transmission tail shaft snapped in two when the 7-1/4 failed and locked up, and made having to replace the rear end cost me a new transmission as well. That was an expensive lesson learned. Worst part was, I had a good 8-3/4" with 3.23 sure grip laying around but was too lazy to change the rear when i changed the engine from the tired 318 to the nicely built 360 with T/A heads.
Well, if that happens to me i'll have wrecked a 230 3-speed and the stock (too small for a 8 3/4") driveshaft.
But no... worst case would be like when my friends Duster finally blew (after months ov listening to that lovely grinding noise get louder... and louder... and LOUDER... and LOUDER...)... at 70mph, on the highway, in mild evening traffic, in the rain... and the snapped axle/wheel/tire actually slid out, munched his quarter lip, and made its way across the passing lane and into the ditch... dropping his left rear bumper onto the asphalt and steering his dangerously procrastinating ass immediately towards the right shoulder... with an oncoming bridge/river about an 1/8th mile ahead.
Heh... yeah... worst case would be that tire actually slammed into another car, probably full ov nuns and crippled children... and took it out, and him actually flying off that embankment into the river...
He got lucky. Cost him a $60 tow, a $400 bill to pay some random mechanic swap in the 8 1/4" i had for him, and about 1/2" ov metal off the corner ov his rusty rear bumper. And we never did find that axle/wheel/tire. Dammit... that was a perfectly good 15x8" small-bolt-pattern slot mag. Looked for that thing for a goddamn hour...
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: Rick_Ehrenberg]
#1393856
02/28/13 09:06 AM
02/28/13 09:06 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader
OP
Swears too much
|
OP
Swears too much
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Actually, worst case is like what happened to me - my transmission tail shaft snapped in two when the 7-1/4 failed and locked up, and made having to replace the rear end costing me a new transmission as well. That was an expensive lesson learned. Worst part was, I had a good 8-3/4" with 3.23 sure grip laying around but was too lazy to change the rear when i changed the engine from the tired 318 to the nicely built 360 with T/A heads.
Ok. Best case, when your 7 1/4 finally gives up, you'll be forced to install an 8 3/4.
Worst case, anything beyond best case.
To me, simple economics dictates doing the swap ASAP. Besides the potential overrunning clutch / output shaft / extension housing tranny costs, there's this simple fact:
A serviceable 7-1/4" has some valve, even if only as trade bait. A blown up one is just scrap iron, to be melted into more Hyundais and Prisus'.
No bucks for an 8-3/4"? Find an 8-1/4" the right width (Dakota? Cherokee?)
Rick
RICK! I'm honored.
I have to debate your one point though... Here, where i am, a 7 1/4" has NO value. Nothing. Only the toothless cockroach scrap-metal thieves eyeing my backyard would find value in it. You cant sell ANYTHING here anymore. I sat on a really nice drum-to drum 8 3/4" for 3 years because no one would give me $150 for it. Before that the previous two 8 3/4's (E-body and A-body) sat as long because i wanted just a bit more.
I would love to find a loving home for all this rather rare E-body 6-cyl stuff... but in my moments ov lucidity i know that i will be buried with it...
And i HAVE a nearly NOS 8 3/4" housing and axles i've hoarded for THIS car... been under a workbench since 1971. Just have no pig, no shaft, and no rear brakes, nor the money to rebuild it with all the little (yet surprisingly costly) stuff it needs. I even have new leafs for it (yet again, no hardware for them either).
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: JDMopar]
#1393859
03/01/13 06:32 AM
03/01/13 06:32 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader
OP
Swears too much
|
OP
Swears too much
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
|
Quote:
Your rear brakes that are on the 7 1/4 will bolt right onto the 8 3/4 when you have to put it in. Been there, done that with my 71 Challenger when I swapped from 7 1/4 to 8 3/4. Sounds like you need to just scrounge up an 8 3/4 chunk to have a complete 8 3/4. 
Good to know.
I passed up a decent deal on a 741 8 3/4" sure grip last year... i shouldn't have. Was waiting for a nice 489 or 742. Grrr... I just sold literally 4 8 3/4" pigs too, in the last year. Thought i'd have no use for them. All 741 highway gears and open.
I HAD some really nice, recently done 8 3/4" C-body 11x3" brakes... but for the life ov me i cant find 'em now. REALLY hoping they didn't get sold with the last 8 3/4" i flogged.
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: DaytonaTurbo]
#1393860
03/01/13 06:42 AM
03/01/13 06:42 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader
OP
Swears too much
|
OP
Swears too much
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
|
Quote:
In your situation, with your budget, or lack thereof, I think it's time to run what you brung. Slap it together with whatever you have and start putting some miles on that car. Even if you do have to baby it.
Yup... unless fortunes change and soon, looks like i'll be going the welfare route.
I just wanna drive the damn thing. Its been sitting in my driveway collecting rust since i bought it in 1999. I've only driven it once, with the ailing slant-6 and solid rear 'suspension'... just around the block and chugging like a crippled locomotive on 20 year old gas... but even that was just damn cool. I think the last time i had a Challenger insured was about 1997...
If i could stand to listen to a 6-cylinder for even a couple months i'd just drive it as-is and do the whole 'fill the oil, check the gas' bit like with my last car...
|
|
|
Re: How long would a 7 1/4" last... . . .
[Re: slantzilla]
#1393862
03/02/13 07:51 AM
03/02/13 07:51 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader
OP
Swears too much
|
OP
Swears too much
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
|
Quote:
Personally, I'd love to have a Slant E-body.
You know... the way life's been going these days there have been more and more times where i've thought if someone actually wanted to pay for this car i'd actually sell it. I've had serious interest from 3 different slant-6 freaks now (not including you), but the trouble with /6 cars is that everyone wants to pay /6 prices for them. Sure... its not a TX9 71 /6 Barracuda rag... but its still a damn straight, neat car.
|
|
|
|
|
Not to get off topic here but, I would like to lose a bunch of weight off my car too eventually(fiberglass etc). Nice pic of your E body BTW! 