Challenger getting work at last - 7 year on update.

Mossy68 · Post by **Mossy68** » Mon Jan 13, 14 9:20 pm

So glad your making progress Matt.
Of all the advice I've had since joining. Your words when I first met at the Nats 2012 stuck with me the most.

" keep it on the road !"

Keep up the good work mate

Post by **MattH** » Mon Jan 13, 14 9:20 pm

Had a tinker tonight and tried the grille, bezels and bumpers to see how they fit. They all need to come back off but it was a real boost to see it looking like a car. Might need a better rear valance now.

Sideways · Post by **Sideways** » Tue Jan 21, 14 8:55 pm

Hi Matt,

I'll keep tabs on yer build as I launch myself into bringing life back into my newly acquired 71 Chally.

Post by **MattH** » Tue Jan 28, 14 12:00 pm

Brakes sorted.

Just went to start fitting the rear valance, had to get the grinder out. it seems the bolt tabs on the wings are not lining up well, possibly as I have replaced the whole rear end sheet metal.
Ive had to lengthen the tabs and cut and shut the valance, but seems OK, except I blew the grinder up this morning and had to buy a new one, then the welding gas ran out and the earth clamp spring on the welder broke.

Gas being delivered by 1pm, earth clamp via ebay whilst having a coffee, and even bought a magnetic earth clamp for £7.40 looks a great idea.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320710772266? ... 1439.l2649

Demon James · Post by **Demon James** » Tue Jan 28, 14 1:50 pm

I'll have a look for a clamp Matt cos there might be one up the workshop, handy as a back-up to the Mag-Clamp. I tried to sneak past yours about half hour ago in the Demon (moved to workshop for TLC) but already running late

so daren't stop for a coffee

"Work" work to do

not "play" work

Post by **MattH** » Wed Jan 29, 14 11:36 am

Always welcome James, the car has four matching wheels with air in all the tyres now!
I can now see properly what offsets will and won't work. 15 x 8 is tight on the rear arch with the current offset.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jan 29, 14 12:02 pm

Probably needs a 4.5" backspace.

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Wed Jan 29, 14 12:26 pm

...and being a Chally, the wheels will be offset in the arches anyway!

Post by **MattH** » Wed Jan 29, 14 1:37 pm

they seem to be offset, pass side is tighter. At least i have a set of 7 and 8 to measure and play with so my alloys are the right size when bite the bullet and order!

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Wed Jan 29, 14 1:54 pm

Yes I'm sure Dave will confirm that one side being tighter than the other is perfectly normal, now let's see all the moths fly out of that wallet of yours and get some lovely rims on the old banger!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jan 29, 14 1:59 pm

Ivor wrote:Yes I'm sure Dave will confirm that one side being tighter than the other is perfectly normal,

Yep. The very large wheel/tyre combo I had required that I centre the axle under the car exactly. I still had to cut the arch lips too though.

steveo · Post by **steveo** » Fri Jan 31, 14 12:39 pm

looking good

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Fri Jan 31, 14 12:50 pm

I see all the hard work is coming together, its all worth it in the end. I hope you are still going for this look? I love it.

Post by **MattH** » Mon Mar 03, 14 8:58 am

Bit of progress yesterday.
Thanks to James Demon and his electrical skills we got a side light working, by accident, but also discovered that Copaslip does not help with earthing.
Big flash from the engine block and no starter motor working.
Engine now turns over, but not on the key yet. Lots more rusty fuses to clean up.

Quite a good feeling to have the engine on the car and turning over for the first time in 20 years.
Now got to try to get a spark.

Post by **TyreFryer** » Mon Mar 03, 14 11:17 am

MattH wrote:they seem to be offset, pass side is tighter. At least i have a set of 7 and 8 to measure and play with so my alloys are the right size when bite the bullet and order!

I found the same problem Matt and my axle was centered, it was the take up on the side thrust of the tapered bearings that pulls it to that side. Obviously not a problem with the standard wheels. I don't think this is the case if you have the green bearings fitted?

Just found this: