73 Challenger, going to be a long journey I think.

[Premix]

Hey everyone,

I've just began the strip down of my 73 challenger and found a few nasty's already! I guess I didn't expect it go easy though.

Anyway I'll post up some pics of the progress as and when it happens for anyone that's interested

Andy

[Cuda Cody]

Nice job so far.  There's always little things, but keep your head up and it will be done before you know it.   

[Premix]

Nice job so far.  There's always little things, but keep your head up and it will be done before you know it.   

Thanks Cody, So far I need to replace the left front floor panel and the left inner fender. Do you know where I can get a replacement fender tag? I've got the VIN number and uncovered the primary and secondary numbers so hopefully that's enough to apply for one.

Andy

[torredcuda]

Good looking project. The only accurate way to have a fender tag made is to have the original one but a broadcast sheet can work if you have one.

[Roadman]

              Wow, the bulkhead connectors really got hot. Consider bypassing the amp meter. 

[Premix]

Good looking project. The only accurate way to have a fender tag made is to have the original one but a broadcast sheet can work if you have one.

Thanks torredcuda, you'll have to excuse my ignorance but what is a broadcast sheet? 

[Premix]

              Wow, the bulkhead connectors really got hot. Consider bypassing the amp meter.

I think it must have been pretty close to meltdown! Thanks Roadman sounds like a good idea for a bad design. Not sure what the alternator is on there but I'm guessing it's more than the original 60amp.

[Premix]

Bit more done the last couple of days. Sandblasted the headers and VHT coated them outside with Eastwood internal header paint inside.

Still waiting for the 3/8" bolts to arrive to mount the engine onto the stand 

[Cuda Cody]

Torredcuda is right.  There is a place called "Data Tags" http://www.datatags.com/ that can reproduce the physical tags, but they can not tell you what codes or the order they need to be.  The only way to know the original codes is to have a photo or copy of the original Fender Tag or have a Build Sheet.  A Build Sheet is sometimes found in the car and is one of the main documents that the factory used to build your car.

https://www.e-bodies.org/buying-your-first-e-body/vin-numbers/e-body-vin-numbers-page-6/#buildsheet

Hope that helps. 

Good looking project. The only accurate way to have a fender tag made is to have the original one but a broadcast sheet can work if you have one.

Thanks torredcuda, you'll have to excuse my ignorance but what is a broadcast sheet?

[Cuda Cody]

@Premix  nice job on the headers!     Is it cold there?  Looks like you have some heaters going. 

[Premix]

Thanks Cody, the only build sheet I got with the car is for the new engine specs. I was hoping it would be straightforward to get a new one like it was for my 69 mustang

The heater in the pic is on to keep the room warm while spraying the headers, they went into the oven for baking after so hopefully won't flake off when back on the car!

We had a nice spring day yesterday 55F! T-shirt weather! Today back to 50F

[jimynick]

Don't feel too bad, it's 20F and lightly snowing here in the Great White North (Canada). The broadcast sheets were usually jammed into the bottom of the rear seat upper cushion or in one of the front seats or, apparently, over the glove box occasionally and they contain all the info as to your particular car and all it's options. As for engine bolts, you can use hardware store bolts and they'll work fine to put it on the engine stand or, remove and use the ones currently holding the engine to the trans. It looks like yours was hit in the rt hinge pillar area previously and they didn't repair the outer panels as they were covered by the fender. Just make sure there's no cracked seams in the area if you choose to leave it. nice car to start off with though! 

[Timbbuc2]

@Premix  Good progress, keep up the good work.

[Premix]

jimynick, Yeah someone with great skills managed to gnaw a hole in the inner fender and silicon a new panel over the top, quality work! I'm going to replace the inner skin but not sure what to do with the frame rail which has a crease in.

[torredcuda]

You should probably get it checked out on a frame rack, looks to have taken a front end hit at some point and could be out of spec.