Guess it's time for a quick update. Today, I installed the rear window and trim. I have removed several but never installed one. It went very well because JDMOPAR took the time to tell me how he does them. Though, this photo does not show it, I also finished trimming the rear of the headliner and installed the rear window interior trim. I installed the vacuum lines on the engine and heater hose in the engine compartment. Things moving forward again. Woohoo!

Good deal! I was afraid you ran into problems and it was just sitting. I'm glad to hear things are still moving forward.

Busy day today. I had planned on putting in the front windshield but it did not arrive in time so I moved on to the engine. I've ordered some Firecore plug wires for it but they have not come yet. I test fit the repro-fiberglass T/A air cleaner base that came with the project and it did not fit. So I ended up leaving the regular base on for now. I finished running vacuum lines and tightening some of the suspension components.

I then got everything ready to put the drivetrain back in the car from the bottom. It was really hot and wearing a dark shirt was a bad idea. I almost had heat exhaustion. My 8 yo was nice enough to bring water out to me several times during the course of the install. Oh, and I was so focused on getting this done that I totally forgot to get the "MONEY SHOT" of the engine going in from the bottom.

So here it is installed.

Last one for now.

Great job. Did it go right in or did it fight you?

It went in pretty easy. I thought the K-member bolts would be the hardest but had more trouble with getting the tranny mount holes lined up. Who'd a thunk it?

Wow! That looks great! Glad it went in pretty easy. You should have that thing back on all 4's before long. It might be a blessing in disguise about the windshield not showing up yet . If you're like the rest of us...you'd sit in the car making engine noises and slobber all over the inside of the new glass! It's supposed to be hot for a while, so drink the water today that you will need to sweat tomorrow.

Can't really sit in it too good yet, so I just keep making the exhaust noises while I'm walking by it working.

I connected the spindles to the upper ball joints. (Jackie, that caliper mount look familiar? ) I also started connecting engine wires. Wired the alt, starter and ignition coil. I began to hook up the 4 speed shifter rods that came in a box with the car and ran into a problem. 2 of them were correct but one seemed to be wrong for the car. I called Wayne at Brewer's and after talking to him, we believe that the 3/4 gear rod is not correct. So, I've ordered one from him. The new Firecore wires I ordered should be here tomorrow.

Nice job! It's looking real good

Great work, glad to see you back at it again!!

Looks good.
Did you forget the shocks?

I have new shocks for it but they are the wrong color and I haven't scuffed and painted them yet.

Thanks Tom! I've had you on my mind lately and have been meaning to give you a call. I'll try to call you this week and see what you are up to.

Thanks Shawn, glad to be working on it again. I'll be cleaning and painting some small parts this week so I can make some more progress.

The last few days I've been been able to get a little more done. The new 3/4 shift rod arrived from Brewer's and it was different than what I had. It did fit correctly and all the rods are installed and adjusted. With the help of Moparts members in the Q&A section (including 1 Wild RT), I installed the z-bar using all new parts and got the clutch pedal working as it should. The speedometer is now in place along with the back-up dash light wiring. Also arriving this week was the correct E-Brake Cable from Fine Lines. The one I had ordered from them was apparently for a Barracuda and too short but they sent me the correct one right away. I appreciate their customer service and willingness to correct the problem. I installed the radiator w/ fan shroud but ran into a problem with the fan blades hitting the shroud. I found a similar thread in the Resto section of Moparts and realized that the fan blade was 20" and that I need an 18". So, I will track down a correct one this week so that I can complete that.

Today, I installed the rotors, calipers, brake hoses etc. I still need to do the shocks and torsion bars before I can sit the front back on the ground. I wrapped up the day with installing the front windshield. Using JDMOPARs method it also went really well. My mother-in-law was my assistant with the front and rear glass installs and have to say she is pretty good at it.

Looks great Joe. Glad it went well. It's kind of a one shot deal setting the glass in...lol. If you miss your marks or drop it too soon,it's a pain to cut it back out,scrape all the goo off and start over again. When you install the trim,run some tape around the opening to keep from scratching the paint. You can experiment with the placement of the tape to find the sweet spot, so it will protect the paint...but not be so far down that the trim captures it and makes it hard to pull off when you're done.

Using the tape as alignment marks for the installing the glass is really key to getting it right the first time. I didn't use any tape when installing the rear trim. Guess I was lucky or careful enough because I didn't scratch the paint any. I will probably use it on the front though. I installed the new torsion bars today and will probably paint the shocks on Monday. I have to get some new dust covers, thought I had those but didn't. Here's a shot of the disc brake conversion using A-body spindles and 73 Challenger rotors, calipers and brake hoses.

I sent out the old rimblow to Moparts member Plumbeeper to be restored and sent it back a nice and clean. Here's how it turned out.