1973 Roadrunner first look needs a littel work.

[Barry_Calgary]

Hi All, Just picked up this 73 Roadrunner 440 engine/auto that was sitting in a barn for 8 years. The old guy did drive it a couple of times a year. It was last registered in 2013. It was too muddy for me to take on a test drive so just loaded it up and brought it home.
Did an oil and air filter change and it fired up right away. Although it has a Carter carb and the electric choke doesnt work.
From initial road test here is what I have found so far, it has air shocks on the rear that do not hold any air. Has an exhaust leak,the wheels are 14" 70's that do not show off the looks of the car very well. Other than that it has a few minor issues that can easly be resolved.
The engine is pretty plain and could use some sprucing up.
As this is my first old ride I will definately have some questions, any input is greatly appreciated.
First item of business is replace the shocks and fix the exhaust leak.
Should I get more air shocks or just regular shocks? I do want to put bigger wheels/tires on the back, maybe 15" 50 series tires?
Thanks.

 

[gunnar]

Welcome to the site. Looks like a nice ride and in pretty good shape. You can do whatever you want with this beauty, do exactly what you want to do and take your time deciding. Get it running good enough to be comfortable that you won't break down 10 miles away and drive it. Get to know it and it will tell you what it wants. Enjoy.

 

[cj69RR]

Congrats! That's a good looking ride you have there. As states do what you want and enjoy it. I'd put some regular shocks on it.

 

[peresvet24]

Welcome from Moldova. beautiful runner:drool: you can give more pics.

 

[george68hemirr]

Wow barry.....she is in great shape......good luck

 

[69hemibeep]

Welcome and a nice find. Put regular shocks on it.

 

[4spd69RR]

Nice ride Barry, take the air shocks off and installed a good set of normal shocks. Install some 15' rims all around, I currently have P225/70R15 on the front and P275/60R15 on the rear of my runner. However a set of N50-15's would look good on the rear of that beauty.

 

[Basketcase]

nice find. i know some associate air shocks with the devil, but i've run them on most of my cars. just don't put 150 pounds of air in them. you could try a new air line kit first. the only time i had trouble keeping air in the shocks was when the car would sit over the winter. after a few drives they were ok. my first mopar was a '73 340 4 speed road runner. I ran G5015s on the back and it loooked great. and yes, more pics please.

 

[jays69bird]

My brother had a 73 340 auto,green with the road wheels.

 

[Bee Keeper]

Nice score, she looks to be pretty clean! I'm not a big fan of air shocks because of the stiff ride and poor handling. If you decide to keep them, invest in new lines and fittings because that's usually where they're going to leak and make sure that you have separate air lines for each shock because if the shocks are tied to one air line with no valves, they amplify body roll. As one shock loads, the air is transferred to the unloaded shock.

Enjoy your new mistress! :flag:

 

[Barry_Calgary]

Update: put some coil over shocks on the rear. Fixed the exhaust leaks.
Changed fluids and adjusted the timing. It came with a nice Weiand aluminum manifold so that is going on next with a new ignition system and Mopar Performance valve covers. Ordered some new wheels and tires, 235-15-60 front and 255-15-60 rear. 8" rim front and 10" rear. That should give her the classic muscle car stance.
I will install new belts and hoses when I start the engine mods.
Will post some photos after the work, added bonus is the quality time spent with my son in the garage!

 

[Basketcase]

 

[Photon440]

Hi Barry, lucky find! I like that car. Let us know as work progresses.

 

[peresvet24]

keep us updated! and good luck with it

 

[Bee Keeper]

:flag: