I got my appointment for the alignment shop on Tuesday next week. So I have 3 days to get a bunch of little stuff ready before it goes in. I'll drop it off Monday night and they said they will keep it inside. I can just see some punk running his keys down along the side!!!

Tonight I fired it up and left it warm up to temperature and then I ran the valves hot. I jacked it up and pulled the front wheels, and checked the rotors for runout. I snugged up all the tie rod sleeves and tightened up the upper control arm bushings. Everything had been left loose because it all needs adjusted anyway. I check all the tire pressures again and adjusted my ride height to where I wanted it up front. My 3 point seat belt from Wesco arrived today and I picked up all the straps I need to tie it down on the trailer. getting ready !! Woo Hoo!!
Thanks for listening!

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Rick,

What suspension and brake parts did you use on that (list everything), and what front tires/wheels (dimensions) do you have on there? That may affect my alignment recommendations.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Lou,

Car has 73-76 Large bolt pattern Disc brakes. Summit 3-way adjustable shocks. Stock Slant 6 torsion bars. Wheels are 6" wide and have M/T sportsmen tires. Really only worried about going in a straight line. Rear has stock leaf springs moved in to the frame rails. For now the rear has 6" wheels with street tires. (Not sure of the size) but I can post it if you need it. Competition Engineering drag shocks out back also.

Thanks,

Rick

_________________
2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

I am excited for you.I second guess everything,and worry too much on what doesnt really matter.Your car and attention to details tells me you will bee fine.I over worry everything.Mark

Rick,

Here's what I would use for alignment settings:

Camber: 0.1 - 0.3 deg negative (match both sides within 0.1 deg)
Caster: 1.0 - 3.0 deg positive (match both sides within 0.4 deg)
Toe: 0 - 0.1 deg total toe IN (0 - 0.05 preferred)

Make sure they put the steering wheel/column at top dead center before they adjust the tie rods (for toe).

They might balk at these based on the stock settings, but tell them to not worry or find another shop. I would watch them do it if you have time, or even help with cam bolt adjustments if they'll let you. Although, as Mark says, these are not critical for a drag car.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Thanks Lou!

Rick

_________________
2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

I loaded up the Valiant and took it in for alignment. Lou, does that look like a truck you used to have?

Got lots of looks on the way there. At every stop sign people were gawking! Most probably don't even know what it is. Next door neighbor came out and looked at it while I was loading. He never saw it up close. He said he like to hear it sometime! Oh Yeah!! Take this!!! He liked it.

Then while unloading, some guy rides up on a Harley and says "Hey Dave, how you doing?" " Oh your not Dave" No I'm Rick. Then he really looks at the car and says, "Man that thing is straight!, that is a sweet ride".

So that was all pretty cool. Should have it back tomorrow.



Light issue. I fiddled just a little with some small things Saturday. I got Headlights and parking lights up front. But not parking lights out back. I have juice back there but when I install the bulbs I get no light. I want to get the lights squared away once I get the car back.

Rick

_________________
2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

"Dave's not here man".

Tail lights sound like a missing ground.

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I'll have to look on the Wiring diagram and see if I can find where the ground should be. Unless someone knows off the top of their head.

Rick

_________________
2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Ground is taillight housing to body.

Truck and car look good together!

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I second that!

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

That is what I thought looking at the FSM. I probably have too much paint on the car to make any good ground. I will take care of that.

Got the car home. All went well with the alignment. I punched on it across the large parking lot on the way to my trailer, and it felt good! Sounded good too! The guy at the garage was impressed with it too.

Now the lights, and the Emergency brake stuff, then the spool. Should be ready by April 1st!!

Rick

Going out to wash off the dust on the car and put it away for the night.

_________________
2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Man that's gotta be a good feeling.

You should make that deadline March 31st or April 2nd... April 1st thing doesn't sound right... Oh wait! I'm thinking about ME...

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Installed my new Edelbrock 600. Now I can give Ryan his back. Still need to rework the linkage a little bit to get it to my liking! I also installed the Wesco Seat belt so I now have a shoulder belt.



Top rivet holds the main reinforcement plate up inside the post. It will get a dab of blue to match.



Front mount is the factory lapbelt. Rear mount in the floor, goes through a double thick peice of the floor and has a 3" washer top and bottom.

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Looks real good Rick!

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....