1973 Plymouth Roadrunner

Mossy68 · Post by **Mossy68** » Wed Jun 03, 15 9:41 pm

MilesnMiles wrote:Moss,it's had a cheap $200 spray ober at some point, plus original paint and bare metal. I've tried polishing and cutting to no avail, so Gibbs it is

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Jun 24, 15 8:50 pm

Thought I should update the build details on my car as the tend to be littered about the site on different threads.
Edited March 2017
Motor
1972 340 block +30
Eagle rotating system
Mahle forged pistons 10 1
Xe268 comp cam
RHS/INDY cylinder heads machined and ported from IMM Engines
Air gap inlet
Mopar Lecce ignition
TTI headers and dual exhaust with Dynomax boxes
650 Speed Demon carb with annular boosters
2,400 JW convertor
727 Dunc built with TF2 shift kit, new prop and UJs
489 rear open with 3.23 gears

Johnny Dart · Post by **Johnny Dart** » Mon Oct 26, 15 10:38 am

Miles, is the engine all up and running in your car now ?
What's it like ?
I have all the bits for a similar build.
Well some
Cheers Johnny

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Mon Oct 26, 15 6:40 pm

Johnny it runs strong. No strip time so can't prove it,but seat of the pants tells me it's a decent combo. In truth more gears and convertor would be good, but that's down the road a bit. I do know that the addition of good heads and inlet/headers to a stock 340 motor is a major improvement.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Sun Mar 05, 17 3:59 pm

Haven't updated this thread for a while. Sold the car last May, bought in back in December and been busy on it ever since. Replaced much of the ignition and charging system over winter and just refitted the propshaft today.
Had it rebuild and balanced plus a new slip yoke (from a Bristol) that work was undertaken by H Chard in Bristol who can balance huge boat props so my job was realively simple.

Next few threads will be with pics and are on the joys of stripping ou the steering column etc to fit a new ignition switch.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Sun Mar 05, 17 5:18 pm

So I decided to replace the ignition switch. This is not a short job. Lots of parts to remove but besides a three leg puller nothing special needed.
I had to drop the column so as to get the switch wiring and connector block out of and then into the headset area which is a tight fit.
After much time test fitting I finally started to put it back together only to find that the steering lock hits the new switch

There's no leeway for error so I assume that the aftermarket switch is a fraction bigger than the original one and so I had to settle for removing the steering lock otherwise it catches badly on the switch and would soon gauge a chunk out of it.
Don't need the steering lock, but getting that ring on and off and trying to get the very tough oil in and out is no fun.
Next step is to adapt the wiring to accept the new ignition switch, it's not just a straight swap and plug and play. More fun

to come.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Mar 05, 17 5:46 pm

Good pictures Miles, I want to get rid of the steering lock on my Challenger, similar vinatage, I hate the steering lock

Cannonball · Post by **Cannonball** » Sun Mar 05, 17 6:00 pm

Pete wrote:Good pictures Miles, I want to get rid of the steering lock on my Challenger, similar vinatage, I hate the steering lock

Its handy on the big Dodge Pete, wire the ignition up to another switch, burn the baby out, stage it n pull the key out that lock keeps the car nice n straight along that old black rubber strip,,

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Mar 05, 17 6:15 pm

errrrr, No.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Sun Mar 05, 17 6:36 pm

Interesting idea Dunc

Pete, it's easy enough to do. Driving that pin out is a bit tricky without hitting the housing but once half out I used molegrips to close the split part of the pin and out she came. I then used a puller and the ring came off easy.
Has to come out to get the switch in/out.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Sun May 07, 17 7:54 pm

Back in black. Decided to paint the headlamp surrounds. Looks better and the body lines stand out more

Mick70RR · Post by **Mick70RR** » Sun May 07, 17 9:16 pm

Be warned, the steering lock comes on when you switch the ignition off, not when you remove the key. I found this out the hard way. The idea was to check the plugs after a full power run down a stretch of dual carriageway near me. There was a layby at the end of a long straight and slight left hand bend. I cut the ignition at about 100mph and started to coast round the bend towards the layby when the steering lock came on and I drifting across the road with an lorry coming the other way. Just managed to switch the ignition on again. Nearly Bananarama! myself.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun May 07, 17 10:48 pm

....which is why I have removed the lock on the Challenger.

I know a guy who had the steering lock come on in a '70 'Cuda down a country road at around 80mph,,,ended up in a field, missed everything "hard"....lucky escape,,,,

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Mon May 08, 17 7:14 am

My steering lock is now in a box on the shelf. I don't miss it.