E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Engine, Transmission & Rear End => Topic started by: Blowout on December 06, 2023, 09:08:28 AM

Title: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Blowout on December 06, 2023, 09:08:28 AM
Hi Guys,

I was hoping that some of you could post some good pictures of your 1970 383 R/T engine bay please.  I'm trying to see what I have and what I am missing and as well as figuring out how it all goes together since it was mainly apart when I bought the car.  I plan to put mine back to stock appearance and leaning towards adding a Vintage Air kit verse the stock AC system (since I'm missing most of that) as well as using v-belts.  Would like to see reference photos of engine accessory brackets, pulleys, valve covers, intake manifold as well as Vintage Air set up.  Anything would be helpful.  I have used photos off of Google, but know people here have stuff that would be right for the car/year.  Maybe we can turn this into engine bay Wednesday?

Thank you for the help.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: CudaJim on December 07, 2023, 09:21:04 AM
@Blowout

Here's a few pics I took at a car show in 1992 of what I thought was a pretty nice stock AC setup in a '70 Barracuda, maybe that will get the ball rolling.... Some details are incorrect but there weren't alot of sources for 383 AC car underhood pics at that time... Jim
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Blowout on December 07, 2023, 10:02:46 AM
Thanks @CudaJim very helpful.

Hopefully I can get more from other members as well.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: EV2RTSE on December 07, 2023, 12:40:05 PM
This is a photo of a 70 318 I had saved for a reference but it's basically all the same as a 383 as far as the stuff that bolts to the firewall, inner fenders, and rad support. I think it's just the suction hose, discharge hose, and compressor brackets that are different between small and big block.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: EV2RTSE on December 07, 2023, 12:42:08 PM
This one is my crusty 70 383, I should actually be getting the last of the compressor brackets and misc stuff back from the powdercoaters tomorrow so I should be able to post some more pics then.

Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: EV2RTSE on December 07, 2023, 12:51:27 PM
These are a 71 383 I believe, good reference for the belt routing.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Blowout on December 07, 2023, 09:39:00 PM
@EV2RTSE thanks for those. Those are very helpful, exactly what I needed. Anyone have any with a Vintage Air set up by chance.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Mr Cuda on December 08, 2023, 06:40:34 AM
If you want to go factory,  I  have a complete setup.
Before I take pictures,  tell me what pieces you have.

Some pictures,  and of course have lines. Also have dryer mount. Probably can find wiring.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Blowout on December 08, 2023, 01:11:36 PM
@Mr Cuda that actually would be my preferred method.  I'm missing almost everything AC related except the evap box under the dash and controls. Everything in the engine compartment is missing minus what's in the photo....which probably isn't much. I would probably just pick up new wiring as I did that already with the rest of the harnesses.

I would be interested in what you have. Photos would be great. I have the crank pulley and lower alternator bracket. I have the upper alternator bracket but not sure about it, since it didn't line up correctly like the photos above.

How hard is it to get the old system back up and running in a car in this day and age and what's allowed over here in California?
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Blowout on December 22, 2023, 12:02:24 PM
Does anyone have any up close pictures of the upper alternator bracket? And possibly some measurements on it? 

Also, in a couple pictures above, I see something connected to the upper alternator bracket but can't tell what it is. I think it's in Mr Cuda's photo but not sure.

Thanks guys.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Mr Cuda on December 22, 2023, 01:16:53 PM
It's the heater hose  belt protection.
And we still need to get together and see exactly what parts you need. I'm  still digging up the rest of my a/c parts to see how much I'd be breaking up a complete setup.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Blowout on December 23, 2023, 09:33:50 AM
@Mr Cuda that makes sense on the bracket. Thanks for the image, very help.  I would be interested in that, if you're looking to sale it.

As for AC:
I have the dash controls and AC/heater box. Missing everything else, including brackets and hardware. I plan to get new wiring. I'm excited to see what you have.  Thank you.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Aloha Randy on December 23, 2023, 11:55:33 AM
Here are some pictures with the Sanden Compressor. I got my conversion from Original Air. Compressor brackets are mainly all you change and they come with the kit. Hoses are also changed and a pressure cut out switch.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Blowout on December 23, 2023, 10:12:50 PM
@Aloha Randy those are some great pictures. Thank you.

That kit looks nice.  What did you think of that kit?  Basically its an upgrade kit to an existing system?
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Aloha Randy on December 24, 2023, 11:11:34 AM
Yes I wanted to do a conversion to 134a and they have kits to fit your needs.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: headejm on December 24, 2023, 09:53:09 PM
@Blowout My 383 RT SE. I tried to keep it 100% stock. I believe I got close. I have a lot more under hood and rest-of-car pictures. PM me if you'd like to see them.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Blowout on December 26, 2023, 07:58:38 AM
@headejm that's exactly what I would like to do. Get as close as I can. Great pictures. The more the better.

@Aloha Randy I checked out their site. That might be the way to go.  Thanks for the great tip there.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Aloha Randy on December 26, 2023, 10:36:30 AM
Also on the Original Air kit, order the black compressor if you want a more stock look but they have polished too. Remember that the Sanden compressor is lighter and much more efficient than the stock RV2 compressor if that is important to you.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: usraptor on February 29, 2024, 11:55:49 PM
Here's a pic of the all original/unmolested engine compartment of my original factory ordered '70 'Cuda with a 4-speed and 383 Super Commando with air and no power steering. With that combination it was probably a 1 of 1 car.  Sorry for the poor quality of the pic but back in those days we/I actually used film in our cameras that had to be developed and cameras that weren't very good compared to todays. This is the only pic I have of the engine compartment.  I can't believe that I didn't take more pics of that car when I owned it.   :headbang:
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Mopar5 on January 22, 2025, 07:59:33 AM
Quote from: EV2RTSE on December 07, 2023, 12:42:08 PMThis one is my crusty 70 383, I should actually be getting the last of the compressor brackets and misc stuff back from the powdercoaters tomorrow so I should be able to post some more pics then.


Know this is an old thread, Does the end of the alternator bracket attach to the motor mount?
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: EV2RTSE on January 22, 2025, 08:16:39 AM
Yes right to the front ear on the block.
Title: Re: 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Engine Bay Ref Pics
Post by: Mopar5 on February 05, 2025, 07:46:40 AM
Quote from: EV2RTSE on January 22, 2025, 08:16:39 AMYes right to the front ear on the block.
Thank you, I appreciate it.