I spent the evening at the garage. Got home about 2:38 AM again.

I'm an insomniac anyway, so I might as well make some progress while I'm not sleeping, right?

Challenger progress:

I got the new trans fluid lines installed without any issues.

Here's the new fitting for the trans and the 90 degree elbow.



Since the cooler I bought has some funky metric fittings I had to go with hose barbs at the cooler. Rubber hose was kept to a minimum (no more than 5-6 inches total).



I wanted 90 degree elbows at the cooler too, but those funky metric fittings made me go this route. Kinda hokey, but functional.



I do like the 90 degree elbows at the transmission. It helps to get the lines out of the way (especially since I'm installing a scatter shield).



Here's the rear hose.



I did run into a little snag as I was starting to install the scatter shield.

The rear bolt hole that the shifter cable bracket bolts to was stripped. I wondered why the shifter cable was loose down there.

Proper method for repair: At the very least drop the pan and install a helicoil. Better yet, take this opportunity to remove the trans and have it gone through by a professional...

Rob's method of repair: Take a rat tail file to the bolt hole and drop a bolt from the top down and put a nut on the bottom. What? the bolt head interferes with the broken and disconnected neutral safety switch..? Grind the bolt head down! Still not quite enough..? Take a flat file to the top of the trans case and file it down some too!

Yeah, that's right! I showed that tranny who was boss!

Here's the nut and bolt. Notice the filing mess still present. I'll clean that up next time I'm over there. I had another neutral safety switch to replace the broken one at least. Hopefully it won't leak.



My stubbornness causes me grief sometimes...

I just about put the scatter shield in, but it looked like I'd have a time getting the neutral safety wire hooked up with it on. Not sure why Norm wasn't running a neutral safety switch...

Anyway, I couldn't find a spare wire connector for it, so I called it a night (morning ) and headed home.

Kinda blurry, but you can see how the scatter shield comes really close to the neutral safety switch. Better to put the wire on first. There will be room for the connector. The scatter shield (black) will slide down and over some and mount to that bracket sticking out to the left with the bolt in it.



I'm gonna take a shower and get about 2 hours of sleep before I have to get up again.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Neutral safety switch could have been on the shifter.
Will

Thanks Will. Would it still be wired to the starter relay, or somewhere else entirely? I was wondering about that and the trans brake. I have a lot to learn about this next level of car.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

What the heck do you need a neutral safety switch for on a racecar??

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I thought you had to have one to pass NHRA tech... At least I remember a couple different tech guys checking that a long time ago...

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

To keep from running over yourself working on it.

Rob, you can either wire the switch into the hot side or the ground side. On the red car I had it wired to the ground side of the relay, where the wire from the neutral switch would go.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Yes, its a requirement for tech.

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There's no such thing as too much cam....only not enough engine!

It really is kind of ridiculous on a race car. What about a 4-speed. Where is the neural safety there? Common sense says start the car while holding the brake anyhow.

For what it is worth, Mason Dixon never checked and I don't have one now. I will probably hook one up eventually but it is still a ways down my list.

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Some tracks check, and some don't. You pays your money, and takes your chances, if you don't have one. It sure sucks to travel a couple of hundred miles, and fail tech.
I think Bristol does a "Full" tech.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Yes, it depends on the track. RT 66, Coles County, Kearney will all check.

Clay City and US 41 will never check a street car.

Rick, I have seen many cars started in gear with both an auto and a stick. Shyt does happen.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

It's just a simple wire and I like the added safety. I've seen people just about run a co-worker over when they cranked the key and the car lurched forward.

I'm pretty sure I have another connector and length of wire somewhere...

It's nice to be making so much progress on multiple fronts.

When we went to US60 a couple weeks ago they never even glanced at either one of the cars. I saw a couple people snicker when I put my helmet on. Definitely a laid back place. Not complainin', just sharin'. I hear that Ohio Valley is more strict. They are an NHRA track.

I think I may drive the Dart out to Ohio Valley Saturday,... and US60 Sunday!

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

safety requirements are for a reason, everyone's safety

Richard

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

I think its more to make sure that the car is started with someone actually in the drivers seat instead of someone just leaning in thru the window to start it and creating a runaway race car. I've seen several times guys unstrap the race car on a trailer and reach in thru the window to crank it to warm it up before unloading it and it still be in Drive from where they loaded it and have it jump over the front of the trailer when it cranks.

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There's no such thing as too much cam....only not enough engine!

OK, easy enough to run one on the shifter.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I like "Idiot Proof", 'cuz... Well, you get the idea.

(Shut up Cookie! )

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser