Rocketman's '73 Road Runner Restoration

Phase 2

It's What's Underneath That Counts

In Phase 1 it was mostly cosmetic stuff. This phase is mostly stuff you don't see. However, it has made the car way nicer to drive. Here are some pics of the major things I did this past season. In March and April it was a bunch of drivetrain work, then over the summer I was lazy and didn't do much more than chase rattles, then again in September and October I had the engine worked on, installed the new headers and carb, and got the brakes all replaced.

2009 - In the Shop Again

• 3/13 - The Road Runner in Red's Frame Shop for chassis and drivetrain work
• 3/13 - Rear wheels off, beginning work.
• 3/25 - The rear axle, springs, shocks, sway bar, and gas tank are out.
• 3/25 - All getting replaced or rebuilt.
• 3/25 - The front end is in the process of getting rebuilt with new bushings, tie rod ends, and an alignment. I'll clean all the rust up and paint the parts after the mechanical work is finished.
• 3/28 - New 3" steel driveshaft custom made by Drive Train Specialists (DTS) and also new u-joints and yoke.
• 3/31 - Driveshaft loop from Mancini Racing.
• 4/3 - Rear axle rebuilt and powder coated by A+ Transmission. New 3.21 ring and pinion gear installed. New shocks (front too). Swaw bar powder coated, modified to clear axle and new bushings installed. New brakes including drums (11"). The fronts were completely rebuilt too. The old springs were replaced with a new custom set based on superstock specs, now solid mounted to the rear axle. Bye-bye rubber bushings.
• 4/12 - Gas tank cleaned and coated with silver POR15. Gas tank straps sandblasted and powder coated. Sorry, but I always liked those chrome diff covers. They look so retro. Now it's got one.
• 11/10 - TTI polished ceramic headers, 1 5/8" with 3" collectors. The exhaust pipes are still 2 1/2", stepping down to 2" over the axle. Next year I hope to replace them with 3" stainless all the way to the back.
• 11/10 - I also did some work under the hood. I had the brake booster and master cylinder replaced. I painted the booster with gold pearl to try to simulate the original iridite finish. It didn't work and no matter how much I try I can't make myself really like it. However I don't really dislike it enough to change it - at least not right now.
• 11/10 - I had some work done under the hood. There was a slight coolant leak so I had the heads pulled and checked out. It turned out to be a freeze plug. Everything inside looked very good and very clean. The engine appears solid and was obviously recently rebuilt. The bores look fresh. I've never been able to get the engine build details so can't say exactly what was done. It does have a double-row cam chain, and seems to have some type of performance cam. The heads and valves look stock. I had an old set of MP valve covers so I repainted them the same Inferno Red Pearl Clearcoat as the body. We also cleaned up the engine and tidied up the wiring. The power steering pump and hoses are new now and don't leak any more. I got rid of that stupid aftermarket radiator cap and replaced it with an original repro. There is still more to do under here but it's good enough now that I'm not embarassed to open the hood.
• 11/10 - Last picture for now. Here it sits in my driveway. This picture was taken Sunday, November 8, 2009. It was a beautiful fall day. Today it's Thursday the 12th and it's another perfect one. Tomorrow it's supposed to be the same. Maybe I'll drive it to work. Oh wait, that would be Friday the 13th!!!! On second thought maybe I won't push my luck.