Father and Son 1983 SX/4 Project

[eaglefreek]

Glad it's coming together. When I saw it in person when the previous owner had it, I seen how much work it needed and thought it might not get into the right hands. 

[kevindpm61]

This SX/4 has needed quite a bit of work to get it road worthy. Fortunately, the frame and flooring had minimal rust. My son bought the car through Craigslist and had it transported from Alabama without inspecting it. I told him that was a risky venture but what do I know! I'm sure the amount of work is much more than what he imagined but it is about what I expected.
I enjoy working on cars whenever I have some free time on my hands. I am restoring a 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 which I've owned since I was 16.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=225784&highlight=finally+1970+duster+340

Unfortunately, I was taken for a ride by a body man which has caused me to pursue legal action against him. My car is on hold so the Eagle has helped to fill the void.

[eaglefreek]

I had a 73 Cuda with a 360 and pistol grip 4 speed when I was 16. I sold it in when I was 17 in '86 for $1,800  .  Honestly, when I seen the amount of work and detail going into the SX4, I thought you were a little crazy. But, seeing the thread about your A Body makes me understand where you're coming from. Amazing attention to detail. I don't have that kind of patience. 

[kevindpm61]

I guess I consider myself a little ( very)  anal about my car restoration. I have to admit that I've had a hard time reigning it in on the SX/4. Restoring these vehicles is my relaxation. I guess I'm just a perfectionist by nature.

[kevindpm61]

Took care of a lot off odds and ends on the Eagle yesterday. Replaced the fuel filter and thermostat. Filled the radiator with new anti-freeze. Put on the new stabilizer end link on the driver's side. Managed to get the steel  lines to the disc brake caliper removed on both sides. Just have to buy some new lines and bend them to fit.
I'm still struggling to get the front bolt off of the head pipe without breaking the stud. It has proven to be a worthy adversary. I might try using my multipurpose tool with the blade bent to cut a portion of the nut off. It just depends if I can squeeze it up where it needs to be.

[kevindpm61]

I brought the front brake calipers home with me to see about cleaning them up for reassembly. One caliper had a slight tear in the rubber boot and the piston didn't move readily. I check at the local Autozone and they had remanufactured units for $19.99 + core deposit! At that price, I'm not even going to mess with the old units. It's so much nice to put new, clean parts back on.

[kevindpm61]

Got both brake calipers and pads installed Saturday. Bent and installed new hard lines from the flex hose to the proportioning valve on the passenger side and to the connector on the driver side.
Still haven't been able to get that front nut off of the exhaust manifold. I brought a good friend of mine over to take a look at the situation. He recommended an offset socket adapter.

 http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?products_id=6013

I ordered the part today. I will report back as to whether it was effective or not.

[kevindpm61]

I finally won the battle between me and the front exhaust to header pipe battle!! It was a worthy adversary but it proved no match for the offset box wrench and the oxy-acetylene  torch.  Time to fix the annoying exhaust pipe leak. I also managed to cut out the rusted portion of the drivers floor pan. Just have to clean up the areas that will need welding and cut out new sheet metal before I weld up the new floor.. I'm starting to feel like were making some progress towards PA inspection.

[amcfool1]

you the man! good job. when you reinstall the header pipe, use the LONG exhaust nuts, (and antiseize) these are available anywhere, and stick out past the flange, so a wrench can access  them easier. looks good, gz

[kevindpm61]

Thanks for the tip amcfool. I planned on using antiseize but didn't think about long exhaust nuts. I'm hoping that I never have to work on this exhaust pipe again!

[kevindpm61]

My project for this weekend is to replace the driver's floor pan. I new that there was rust under the carpet, but I was unpleasantly surprised when we fully stripped the carpet. I cut out all the rusted metal last Saturday. This weekend, I plan on making a template and welding in the new floor. This project will give me a lot of practice with my new MIG welder.

[vangremlin]

Hey, it looks like that car was set up with the optional Fred Flintsone brakes.  Yabba dabba doo!!

You're right, your new welder is going to get a good workout!!

[kevindpm61]

The floor of the SX/4 is coming along. I got most of the rotted metal out and started to get some new metal down. The worst part is trying to find a comfortable position to lay some welds down. I have some gaps that i need to fill along the out edge of the repair. Kept blowing holes through the metal and decided it was time to quit for the day.

[amc78concord]

Very Good Job!

[kevindpm61]

Thanks 78concord. I will be spending time with the Eagle on Sunday. If all goes well, I hope to get all of the floor installed. I want to paint the inside and outside with chassis paint after I seal the seams. The exterior will be sprayed with undercoating.