Challenger RTSE • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **CraigRTSE** » 23 May 2008 18:32

Here are some pics of my restoration, starting with when the car returned from body/paint about a year ago. It's a '70 Challenger RTSE, 440, 4spd, 3.54 dana. I've owned this car since Oct '03 and started the resto in '04, so it's been a long journey nearing its end. The car was a mess when I bought it; it's nice to see it being brought back to life. Everything on the car has either been rebuilt or replaced w/new. I hope to have the car running by late summer.

Currently the engine is at the machine shop. Once they do all the normal stuff (boring, porting, decking, etc), a friend and I will do the assembly, then take it back to the machine shop for a break-in on the dyno. Anyway, enjoy the photos. I'll post some updates as they come. And thanks again for the help in the tech sections.

by **jh27n0b** » 23 May 2008 19:36

looking good. I love the pics. Hope to see some"road" pics soon
Bob

by **rtse4406pack** » 23 May 2008 19:39

hey craig,car is looking great. just love those r/t s.e. cars :wink2:

cant wait to see it finished!!

by **Eddie** » 23 May 2008 20:26

Craig, very nice! Cant wait to see the engine build as well. The body is gorgeous! :thumbsup:

by **dave-r** » 23 May 2008 21:35

Ultra neat!

by **CraigRTSE** » 25 May 2008 14:16

Thanks everyone!

by **ianandjess** » 25 May 2008 14:27

WOW craig that car is going to be so awesome im green with envy its going to be 1of the best cars we'll ever see the workmanship looks top notch really good to see keep us up to date
cheers ian

by **DAYLEY/CHALLENGER** » 29 May 2008 1:58

I've seen these pics before.

They look good on this site too.

by **CraigRTSE** » 23 Jul 2009 0:45

Car is done and has been on the road for a few months now. Have racked up about 1300 miles. Drove it to Carlisle, PA and won 2nd in my class. Here are some pics. Enjoy.

by **CraigRTSE** » 23 Jul 2009 0:47

Another

by **CraigRTSE** » 23 Jul 2009 0:48

Engine

by **CraigRTSE** » 23 Jul 2009 0:49

Kids & car then

by **CraigRTSE** » 23 Jul 2009 0:50

Kids & car now

by **CraigRTSE** » 23 Jul 2009 0:52

Another

by **CraigRTSE** » 23 Jul 2009 0:54

At Carlisle with my wife, the lovely ChallyGirl.

by **CraigRTSE** » 23 Jul 2009 0:56

Inside

by **CraigRTSE** » 23 Jul 2009 1:01

Last one

by **dave-r** » 23 Jul 2009 11:12

A lot nicer than my orange Chally. Well done. :thumbsup:

by **Eddie** » 23 Jul 2009 15:43

Very NICE! The Challenger too! :thumbsup:

by **CraigRTSE** » 23 Jul 2009 23:03

airfuelEddie wrote:Very NICE! The Challenger too!

I have other pics, but they have to stay in my personal stash, lol.

by **72challorange** » 24 Jul 2009 0:13

Very nice, I remember looking at it there.

Tom

by **Goldenblack440** » 25 Jul 2009 19:09

Wow, very nice resto - it was a long wait but worth it for sure. The kids shots, before and after is a great touch. The number plates were a good score too! Can i ask a question. I was looking at the closeup door/mirror pictures and can you tell me how is the correct way to put in those mirror screw wells? The steel screw retainer things, 2 for each mirror. I bought some from RT Specialties and looking at my 71 Challenger which had some in, they looked like they were pressed in. But a panel repair shop told me you need a special tool to install them- a bit like a rivet gun? But i am not so sure. I tried pressing them into my 73, no luck, they were too loose. So how did you get them in so they are very tight? Thanks

by **Jon** » 25 Jul 2009 23:46

Looks great, it shows all your hard work. :thumbsup:

Well worth it too as she will be around for quite a while. A family heirloom as it were.

Careful letting the kids drive it though. :lol:

by **CraigRTSE** » 26 Jul 2009 23:27

Goldenblack440 wrote:Wow, very nice resto - it was a long wait but worth it for sure. The kids shots, before and after is a great touch. The number plates were a good score too! Can i ask a question. I was looking at the closeup door/mirror pictures and can you tell me how is the correct way to put in those mirror screw wells? The steel screw retainer things, 2 for each mirror. I bought some from RT Specialties and looking at my 71 Challenger which had some in, they looked like they were pressed in. But a panel repair shop told me you need a special tool to install them- a bit like a rivet gun? But i am not so sure. I tried pressing them into my 73, no luck, they were too loose. So how did you get them in so they are very tight? Thanks

Use a 10-24 hex headed screw with a flat washer and a hex nut. The screw is threaded into the insert with the hex nut threaded on the screw. While holding the screw to prevent it from turning, the hex nut is tightened to compress the threaded insert. The insert must be held tightly to the sheetmetal as the nut is tightened.

by **CraigRTSE** » 26 Jul 2009 23:28

Thanks for the compliments everyone!

by **Goldenblack440** » 27 Jul 2009 17:10

thanks for the method Craig! pity i didn't know that before hand. so easy when you know the right way.