The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Just arrived home. Initial impressions, the car looks fairly solid but plenty of crusty bits - should keep me busy for the next few months/years...

Where did you find this one?

Well done...

You've got a good base to build from there. Should be a nice ride when you're finished!
Keep us posted with photos

Ebay purchase - worth taking a chance (!) Will keep posting pics - what's the easiest way of getting the engine out? - The pics online I've seen the engine and trans are dropped with the K frame - I only have an engine lift, so it will have to come out upwards

You can still drop it out the bottom. Just use the engine lift to lift the body.

But if you must remove it up-over you need to remove the radiator and it also helps to un-wind the front suspension torsion bars so that the car does not rise up when you lift the engine.

It might also ne easier to lif the engine out without the trans and just drop the trans out the bottom. Always disconnect the torque converter from the engine flex plate before seperating engine and trans.

Looks like a 383 engine?

Yes it's a 383 Dave

I'm having trouble sourcing a workshop manual - can you point me in the right direction? Sel

sel.ras wrote:I'm having trouble sourcing a workshop manual - can you point me in the right direction? Sel

PM sent.

Ebay purchase - worth taking a chance

Dont ya just love ebay! I found mine on ebay also but I inspected it first and brought it outside of ebay.

From the pics you have posted it looks beter than most for rust?? Is it complete?
Good luck with the resto and keep the pictures comming.

Bit of T-Cut and it will be a show winner.

dave-r wrote:Bit of T-Cut and it will be a show winner.

Just like mine...

I'll be getting the polish out in no time.. the car had been partially stripped, so inevitably there are bits missing - trivia such as radiator, exhausts (inc headers), parking brake etc. Rust wise surprisingly good (I think because it's a California car. Got to sort out some crumpled metal though - mainly L inner fender and back L quarter. Main problem with a stripped car is knowing how to put it all back together first time around. I'll definitely be at Stars & Stripes next yr to scrutinise any mopars there

Bit of an update - nearly finished stripping the car - drivetrain came out today. Left front chassis leg bent upwards, will need straightening. Then hopefully can get cracking with the welding. Went to Duncan Watts' to get a used radiator and heater box, so making headway

He's always got a good selection of E body parts and he's helpful

Yep and he's just up the road - handy!

Nice to have another coming back from potential extinction. As a suggestion, keep a good diary of pictures as it makes what you have now, easier to assemble later. And these guys know em top to bottom so don't hesitate to call.

Will do Jon thanks - yes I've already learned a hell of a lot just by reading this message board

the car had been partially stripped, so inevitably there are bits missing - trivia such as radiator, exhausts (inc headers), parking brake etc.

Same sort of deal with mine. I was missing radiator, air cleaner etc. My engine and trans were only sitting in with a few bolts and the interia was half out.
With a good workshop manual, heaps of time (and money) and the help of the guys on the message board we should be ok.
Have you set yourself a finish date or just take it as it comes?

These boys on here as ace mate, I know I would be totally lost without them. TOP TOP TOP Crew...all of em.......

2 years - but really I have no idea how long it will take. Basically rather than thinking about the end, I'm breaking it down into small manageable jobs - engine out, side windows out etc. I'm hoping this strategy will keep me going...

Thought I'd let you know I'm still plugging away with my car. Managed to straighten the chassis leg & the damaged inner fender and radiator support is now gone - waiting for replacement parts now. I've repaired all the rotten metal around the front windshield. Mine was an a/c car, and I want to fashion a new hole in the bulkhead for the non a/c heater I purchased. Also it must have been a column shift car as there is no cut out in the floor, but the gearbox and steering column which came with the car are for a floor shifter. Does anyone know where I can get the brackets to complete the swap? I am unable to download pics for some reason. Sel

What brackets exactly? I converted my floor shift auto car to manual trans years ago but kept most of the linkeage and floor brackets. Give us a list and I'll have a look for you. What about Dunc?

Grrrr, still no attachment tab - can't post a photo. Basically my transmission tunnel has no holes and no attachments to it at all. I've seen pics of floor shift cars, and there is a console bracket, and another bracket for the linkage just by the hole in the tunnel. I thought they might come in a kit from some retailer - I'll probably call Duncan. To be honest I'm not in a great rush, as there's a million jobs before I get to it. I thought I'd just throw it out there while I was posting. Actually I was thinking about going the manual route as well, but there's plenty of opinions on this site against manuals (!) - cost is the main limitation, much as I'd like a tremec 5 speed