DWilbur
Well-Known Member
I spent about 6 months looking for a decent Road Runner but could not find one that was not rotted or as most people call it.( Just has a little rust ). Those are the famous words. When you can see through the roof into the back seat or through the trunk pan the street below its ROT. About 2 and half week ago I found a Plymouth Satellite 1973 picked it up for $2,500. $810 for back fees and registration. I now have a driver with rotted tires and I drove it home the night I bought it about 20 miles. Last week I put new tire and wheel on it so its safe to drive. I almost forgot its gutless no power stock 318 2 barrel carb. I drove it to my Nephews shop and he put it up on the rack so I can check it out. The right quarter panel has rot in front of and behind the rear wheel as well as the roof connection and below the tail light and some rot below the left side of the rear window. The left front fender has rot in the lower part along with the right and left rocker panels and I notice the rot when I bought the car. Not to bad for a 41 year old car for $2,500. The 1974 Road Runner I looked at was way worst than the Satellite and the seller was asking $6,000.00 for it. The good thing is the trunk pan and floor pans are very clean no rust or rot. I decided to make changes to the engine first I ordered Edelbrock Performer air gap Manifold and Edelbrock 750 cfm performer carb. when the intake manifold was delivered I opened the box and read that when installing on 318 you must install 340 heads. so I called Summit and confirmed it was required. so I ended up buying Edelbrock heads 60779 that work with the intake manifold. I called my nephew and was asking him if he could make time to help me install the parts. and he mentioned that I should stroke the engine. I said it would cost to much. but curiosity got the best of me and I looked into stroking it and found a stroker kit from Hughes Engine for $2,040.00 delivered. Checking out the internet I found some builds that using the same part I bought and getting about 400hp out of the engine very cool. now I need some help with transmission based on what I have learned reading through some builds on FBBO I have a 904 transmission and 8-1/4" rear end. Would it be worth rebuilding the trans and rear end or going with something else. like 727 and 8-3/4". what do you guys think. I'm new to building car as I have owned 4 wheel drive tucks all my life. the last time I owned a car was high school.