My 1971 Road runner

[1 Wild R/T]

Thanks T2R9 - what type of fastener is used to hold it on?

Spring clips..

 

[T2R9]

Thanks T2R9 - what type of fastener is used to hold it on?

I used moden plastic push pins after I fought with the repop metal ones that came with it and kept falling out. They look good and it's staying in place.

 

[71Beeper]

In the shop today to mount some more items. The temp wasn't too bad considering I do not have any heat in there.

First, I decided to mount the under hood to top rad support seal the same way that T2R9 did.
I got some modern ribbed push pins from Amazon.

And proceeded to install the seal.

Next on the list was the cowl drain flap - got this one thru Detroit muscle technologies...Thanks Jim.

Since I was on the seal install kick, next was the cowl to under hood seal.

Here it is installed.

Next were the high beams. I couldn't wait for Amazon to deliver as they are on back order, so I went to my local auto parts store and bought them at twice the price each!

Now she has 4 eyes.

 

[71Beeper]

Last item for today was to mount the beep beep horn.
Unfortunately my repop inner fender did not come pre-drilled for the horn mounting.
I had to do it myself....
First thing is to locate the two mounting holes.

Next - do the deed...

And finally, install.

On the underside I used a stainless fender washer for extra support.
The horn mounting bracket was tapped so I threaded it from the backside.

 

[whayden2003]

looking good sir.

 

[71Beeper]

Thanks whayden.
Moving onto wrapping up the last pieces in the engine bay.
First, is the clutch rod that goes thru the firewall along with the boot.

Next is the splash shields that mount under the headlights (the black painted steel pieces).
Passenger side.

And drivers side.

Then hook up the power wire for the line loc.

Next is to unwrap the front bumper brackets I had powder coated.

They look good.

Now, lets do a fit check starting on the drivers side.

So far so good.

 

[whayden2003]

Hate to ask this. But you are right where I need some guidance before I start. My bumper has always been high. Is the only mounting points those 4 bolts in the bumper bracket to frame?

 

[whayden2003]

Hard to see how bad it is in the pic. I’ll try to take a better one.

 

[71Beeper]

Yes it is.
Back them off gently and you should be able to lower the bumper.

 

[whayden2003]

Thanks.

 

[ct71rr]

Looks great! You’ll be driving it in no time!

 

[Rockland71GTX]

Hate to ask this. But you are right where I need some guidance before I start. My bumper has always been high. Is the only mounting points those 4 bolts in the bumper bracket to frame?

I looked in the service manual and don't see it, but I recall additional straps from the side impact bumpers to the bumper and also at the upper center of the bumper to the latch tray or somewhere near there

 

[Rockland71GTX]

They are on this pic from above

 

[71Beeper]

Rockland, you are correct - I stand corrected on this.

 

[71Beeper]

So, I was able to score another 4 speed tail housing from a local Mopar buddy.

I'm replacing mine as the front shifter mounting pad is damaged and not easily repairable.

The good news is that the replacement housing already has the driveshaft bushing in place, even tho I already ordered another one thru Brewers...

So, it's off to the evaporust vat to get it cleaned up.
Next, it's time to drag the engine K-member out and get started on cleaning it up.
It takes 2 hydraulic trolley jacks to get it moved.

Put some elevator padding down.

Pull the shrink wrap and find this.

Put it up on jack stands.

I'm going to start with the underside first.
First thing to do is get the underside cleaned using some of this.

Here it is in action.

Next is to scuff it with a coarse scotch brite pad and put some semi-gloss paint on.

The paint is shiny as it was just applied - hopefully tomorrow it will dull down some.

 

[71Beeper]

Had a chance today to flip the K-member over and paint the topside.

 

[71Beeper]

Got in the shop this morning to have a look at the paint.
It's still tacky in a few places but otherwise looks good.
Here's what semi-gloss looks like almost dry.

Next job to tackle is the upper & lower control arms & strut rods.

 

[71Beeper]

As for the lower control arms, I cleaned them up with the scrubbing bubbles. I ordered some actual spray on cosmoline coating. I'll apply it once it comes in.
The upper arms had an aluminum type of finish on them. I scuffed them down and put on a light grey paint.

Future plans call for changing those out to tubular ones.
Next on the list are the strut rods. I cleaned them up and applied a VHT caliper paint in a steel color. I also added new stainless hardware to the ends.

Finally it was time to wok on the center link and the outer tie rod ends.
I cleaned them up with a fiber wheel and washed them down with lacquer thinner and did some masking to get it ready for 2 coats of primer and the same VHT caliper paint I used on the strut rods.

 

[71Beeper]

Well...2 coats of primer and 2 coats of VHT caliper paint and they look like this.

I removed all of the bolts and nuts that were on the tie-rod sleeve clamps.

I'm not re-using those - instead I bought these.

 

[71Beeper]

I got a chance to put some actual cosmoline coating on the lower control arms to bring back some of that amber color.

I also had a chance to install the rain gutter trim.
Problem with having a white car is that stainless trim that has been cleaned up doesn't pop as nicely as if the car was a darker color.