Inherited 1972 Roadrunner/GTX 440

[440jimr]

I agree. Get the car running and road worthy so you can enjoy it. Bodywork can come later.

[NOrrTH]

post some pictures when you can. The interior, engine compartment, underside, trunk and the Dana.

Try to read the stamped number on the machined pad, on the right side of the engine block, just above the oil pan. Mine was VERY lightly stamped and I had to brass wheel the paint off. That number should match your VIN number. I'm not sure where the four speed stamps are located.

The body VIN's are stamped on the engine cowl, on the drivers side by the wiper vent, somtimes under the weather stripping which is easy to unclip. Some cars didn't get stamped. There is also a stamp on the right side of the rad support facing the engine. I have yet to see mine though.

[csilko]

Wow! I can't believe my original posts were from 2011. After some senseless estate fighting, I finally got the car delivered today and am very excited. I have lots of questions to ask the forum and lots to figure out, but I wanted to get the update and pictures posted ASAP.

The body seems good, and the interior seems to be in excellent shape. Most of the original parts appear to be there.

I also found that what took it off the road in 1978 was the he apparently forgot to put oil in it and the engine seized. Not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing, but I guess the engine needs to be rebuilt anyway.

I think I have located a good engine shop in Alabama that is going to rebuild the engine. While that is happening, my plan is to try and clean up the rust in the engine compartment and start working on the smaller things. I also am going to try and do the brakes, fuel, and suspension. Body and paint will be long down the road after I get the thing running reliably.

I definitely have some questions on some of the parts. It appears that he had been buying new parts over the years but never really did any work on the car.

Anyway, let me know what you think so far.

[csilko]

Engine compartment pics

[csilko]

Engine components

[csilko]

Engine parts

[csilko]

Transmission and drive shaft.

[csilko]

Other components.

[csilko]

Components.

[csilko]

More components and lots of bolts and nuts.

[csilko]

Underneath.

[csilko]

Some of the parts that are new in the package, mostly purchased around 1983.

[csilko]

A few final pics from the outside. The driver's door was hit by a drunk driver lady in 1978, so he replaced it with a door from a satellite. Funny thing is that according to the VIn on the door, it was also a "U" 440 engine that was built in the same place in Canada.

[steved]

wow...nice car! V21/V25 stripe option is really cool.

I'm in Atlanta. (I think you said you were in birmingham?) feel free to contact me. I built my '71 GTX from next to nothing, and I did all the mechanical work myself. I don't have a numbers matching car, and I was building a driver. It has cost an astronomical amount of money, but i smile and i'm so proud. You'll get there. take your time.

Steve

[paladin2511]

That car is still in great condition , compared to some I've seen. Glad you finally got it home. Did you square the title issues yet.
You can ask anyone with cars like this its a never ending trial it complete it. Even when you have it complete you'll 'always find something else to do. That's the fun of owning such a beast.
You will find that this forum is a great source of information, maybe a little too much at times. But that part of the fun of being with like minded people.
Good luck and congratulations of the star of a life time journey.