1974 Dodge Coronet Custom Sedan 225 L6

[Maus]

Maybe not a real project or body-off restoration, but I'd like to share the progress I'm making with my Dodge.
There's a lot of small things to do before I can drive it properly for the summer season.

First I removed the reflectors and sticker from the trunk lid and removed the silly outside temperature gauge from the dash, I think it looks much cleaner now.
I also installed the side marker lights, since they were not even installed and fixed all the other outside lights.

And last week I bought some nice white line tires.

I've also ordered a cover to keep the car dry during the winter season.
And lots of other things to do.

 

[496 polara]

Very nice! I love the car and what you are doing with it! That is one clean ride.

 

[ckessel]

I like that package. Quite unusual.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Dude, your car is SWEET! That 225 cid inline 6 cyl will outlive cockroaches after a nuclear war. Those engines are indestructible and have more torque than you’d guess.

 

[YY1]

That is an interesting color.
...especially with a brown interior.
Fender tag still on it?

 

[Maus]

Yes! I even got an organizer with it with al the original papers in it. It was sold by Chrysler Belgium.
It was repainted, but I think I like this color better.

 

[WileE]

 

[Maus]

With the cold, wet weather here I wasn't able to do a lot of things, just a few small things which makes a lot of difference.
Repaired the cable which holds the glove compartment lid.

Installed a new fuel cap, which isn't a big deal, but I found out that the license plate cover opens the wrong way around, so I have to fix that also.

Sandblasted the sparkplug tubes and installed new seals and plugs.

I borrowed a videoscope (is that the correct word?) from my work to check on the cylinders, and I think they look pretty good for a 50 year old engine.

And I got a picture of how the car was found after being stalled in a trailer warehouse for 30 years.

 

[Maus]

Just a little update, I still haven't driven the car properly, since there is a terrible scraping noise coming from the back end. I thought it were the wheel bearings, but it turned out that it came from the differential bearings. So I pulled the axle assembly from underneath the car and will replace the bearings. Also all the other parts, like new bushings for the leaf springs, dampers, brake lines, etc.
I also did a few other things before all this, like the front wheel bearings, transmission mount and a new battery with new clamps and cables.
The car also stalls when accelerating, so I will also overhaul the carburetor and change the fuel pump. I will keep it all original.

So now, the axle assembly.

Little rust coming from the damper and leaf plates.

Dragged the axle to my cramped barn.

This oil was 25km old, look at the black debris coming from the bearings.

 

[Maus]

There is some side play at the housing, this could be because of the worn bearings.

The gear run out isn't that good, but the gears look decent.

Broke the pinion bolt....

 

[Maus]

This is how I spend my weekends mostly....

 

[roadrunnerh]

Nice progress, keep up the good work!

 

[Maus]

Found the faulty bearing. Left side of the carrier.

 

[RemCharger]

Very good catch. Good idea to check the pinions as well

 

[Maus]

Yep, front pinion bearing would not have lasted very long either.

 

[ckessel]

Have any outlets in your area to source those?

 

[roadrunnerh]

Yeah, those are toasted.

 

[Maus]

Have any outlets in your area to source those?

Yes, but I order everything myself in the US. Prices here are unbelievable.
A repair like this would cost me about $1000,- at a local garage. Just for the four differential bearings. Without warranty.
That's why I do everything myself if I can.
Now I will do the complete rear end, with spring bushings, dampers, brakes, lines, etc. Cost me about $400,-.