Startin to work on the Clone Runner (it's PAINTED!)

[71Beeper]

I have made arrangements with a local exhaust shop to get the exhaust done on the car.
I bought a universal X-pipe setup from this company.

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My order came in and I got my mufflers and header collectors and exhaust tips ready to go.

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My appointment to get it done will be Thursday July 18th.
Now I just have to get the car there.

[71Beeper]

So yesterday, I pushed the car outside. It hasn't seen the light of day since it came here all painted in when......ah 2022?

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I need to get it from my big garage in my backyard to my front garage at the house if I'm going to have our Auto club tow it over to the exhaust shop.

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So in order to do that I got my wife to tow it with our Jeep and a strap.
Easy Peezy.

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The hard part was pushing the slug back into the front garage.

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[71Beeper]

So last Thursday July 18th was the big day. Time to get the exhaust installed.
So the local tow company shows up bright and early (6a.m.) to my house to load up the car.

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Then it's off to the exhaust shop which is located next to my work place and about 20 blocks from my house.
Here's the name of the business.....M&R Auto.

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Marko and Ryan are the owners and they do great work.
Marko is the one who does the exhaust work.
So, unload the car as we are a little early......

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And I sit and wait and have a coffee waiting for the boys to show up.

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[71Beeper]

About 8a.m. the big bay doors start to open up.
Lets get the car inside and start to unpack the pipes and lay them out.

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Next Marko starts at the front and get's started on the x-pipe.

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Next - start the mid-pipe and muffler on the passenger side.

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[71Beeper]

Next, move onto the tailpipe.

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And now, the best part - the machine-gun tip...

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[71Beeper]

Next, now to finish the drivers side

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Oh, and here's the mufflers I will be using.

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Now finish up with tail pipe.

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And she's done!

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[71Beeper]

My buddy Frank showed up to see the car being worked on.

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Now the tow truck comes to taker her home.

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I got a ride home with Frank in his Duster!!

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[71Beeper]

It's alive!
I was able to get a quick fuel supply hooked up (electric clicky clack) & 5 gallon Jerry can in front of the car.

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With the help of my neighbor we got it fired up and revving above 2000r.p.m.'s to break in the cam and lifters.
I have a video of it but am not sure if I can attach it here.

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Anyway I was fiddling with the carb and timing at the same time and "POOF" this happened....

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I still have eyebrows and all my arm hair...
All in all it's good - no leaks. The rad is doing it's job.
Next is to dial in the timing.

[71Beeper]

So I was able to take the car out on it's maiden voyage.
Took it easy, she drove straight, the suspension is good.
I did hear a little rattle of an exhaust pipe that may be too close to the body.
Oil pressure is great and temp is normal.
Other than that, she is ready to go to the alignment shop this week.
So I went and got the gas tank topped up.
Now - I did have just under two 5 gallon Jerry cans of fuel in it. I get to the gas station and fill up with 94 octane.
Man, did I get some sticker shock....

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To put this in US measurements that's just under 14.5 gallons.
The gas tank can hold 20 gallons or 76 litres of fuel.
Yeah, us Canucks are getting gouged at the pumps.....

But before the trip to get the alignment done I must put on the remaining piece....the air cleaner housing and air filter.

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First, get it installed.

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Here's the part number for the air filter.

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[71Beeper]

Now, to make sure there is hood clearance.

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Looking a little closer, I see this.

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Crap - now I have to trim the studs so there is clearance.
First, drape some plastic on the engine bay.

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Next, fire up the ol' Dremel tool and start cutting.
Here's the before shot.

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And afterwards....

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Cleaned up pretty nicely.

[71Beeper]

Now just when I think I'm done, I go to do a fit check and now this rib is touching the air filter lid.

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Now what?
It looks like I have to lower the whole air cleaner assembly.
I decided that 1/2" should be enough to remove. So off I go to the big garage and make a scribe line and tape it.

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I can't believe I'm cutting a actual Air Grabber base....
But here goes...

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Clean up the cut edge.

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And back on the engine for a fit-check.

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[71Beeper]

Check for clearance and it's all good!
Man was that ever under pressure for me......

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[71Beeper]

So today was a big day as the last major thing needed to be done is the front end alignment.
So like when the exhaust got done, pull it out first thing this morning (6a.m.)and wait for the tow truck to get a ride to the alignment shop.
Show up before the workers show up.

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Great place - well recommended for front end work.

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Once inside, got it on the rack and commenced with getting it dialed in.

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[71Beeper]

After that I drove it for it's first long maiden voyage.
Now that the steering wheel is nice and straight and it goes nice and straight.
I dropped by my local Chrysler dealership as the parts manager is real good with me and i get good deals with them.
No sooner did I pull in when this came thru and parked.

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The boys at the dealership liked the car.
So I've been waiting for this day for a long time that my restoration of the Clone runner is complete!!
Of course there will always be little things that need doing, but now its time to enjoy it and drive it for the rest of what's remaining of summer.
That includes driving it to the biggest Mopar show in Ontario - Moparfest.

[sdweatherman]

Awesome man! Boy I can't wait to sit behind the steering wheel of my ride.
Scott.