69 Roadrunner SO close now

[WidowrRacing]

Oh the memories….

I can remember being a kid (early 80s) in the back seat with my grandfather and my dad driving with my grandmother up front.
Anytime someone would attempt to pass him my grandmother would say in Italian “Don’t let him pass you”.
My dad would drop from 4th to 3rd and disappear…they always got the hit…I don’t remember him ever losing a roll race lol.
My grandfather and I would just chuckle in the rear.

That was one of the primary reasons my dad bought a B-body in 1969….his parents were both in Canada (Toronto) and didn’t drive and he would have to drive them around. He wanted a 2dr and the Runner was bigger, more comfortable and easier to get into the rear seat VS a Mustang or Camaro.

Another memory I’ll share is when my dad would occasionally drop my sister and I off at elementary school.
I would get out of that front seat feeling like a rock star trying not to smile but wanting everyone to see lol.
I realized at a very young age my dad had a cooler car VS nearly everyone else!

[WidowrRacing]

Well….it’s been 10 years since this thread was created and figured it was time for an update with the recent decision.

My dad is now 78 years old and in good health but the Runner’s car cover never came off this year and he only raised a corner to show the odd visitor the car.

When the car was restored the motor was freshened up with the trans but to me it just didn’t feel right and didn’t perform like it should.
I find the car difficult to drive with the shifter and I’m just not confident with its reliability.
The car has a history of overheating while in traffic and my dad’s tried multi fan and rads with no success.
My dad has also just revealed to me he finds it difficult to push in the clutch with his left leg/hip so I’m starting to think that’s why the car wasn’t driven this year but he didn’t want to admit it.

Recently I was at my parents place and he has started cleaning out his big garage and asked me to post some stuff for sale including his cherry picker and transmission stand. I didn’t think much of it at the time but understand what he’s doing.

Couple days later I thought if these items are sold with the property we won’t have the ability to remove the engine etc and work on the car with all the luxury of tools and equipment and that’s when the light went on in my head.

It’s time for ONE more Re and Re with his car being the last!

I’ve shown pictures of my cousins Roadrunner on here and he and I are very close and we talk almost daily.
He is so knowledgeable about the car it’s insane.
We’ve spoke in great lengths about the car and he’s totally on board with helping with step 1 being:
-Compression and a leak down test followed by removal of the engine and transmission.

After that convo I had a quality sit down talk with my dad and breaking down what was happening with the car and to my surprise there was no disagreeing or arguing back from him and he actually pulled out a piece of paper from his wallet with the steps from the MTO to register the car into my name.

I simply said to my dad if I didn’t enjoy driving it and wasn’t confident with it’s reliability I wasn’t going to be driving it in the future. That he totally understood and is something he doesn’t want to see happen.

So stay tuned for an update on this thread shortly with the goal to just make this car right again like it was for him when purchase in 1969.

[hammerhead]

I miss driving those old cars. Had many "B" bodies and several "A" bodies. Those old clutches are a curse to many hips including my own. I remember getting out of my last mopar and after a weekend of cruzing than jumping into my fox on Monday morning and dam near sending the foxes clutch pedal thru the floor boards because it was that much softer LOL. I miss those old cars and maybe someday. Looking forward to this.

[WidowrRacing]

I’m eager to jump into this and learn whatever I can about this car.
My dad seized the motor in the 70s and a rebuild was done but I doubt the proper pistons were used and compression could be low as a result. I’m also not convinced the heads might have issues from being overheated but there is only one way to properly find out.

What I do know is the original block, transmission and rear end is still being used and that’s going to remain the same.

I’ve also recently watched about 4hrs of Nick’s garage on YouTube and learning quickly about the 383 engine.

[hammerhead]

383's were a preferred engine to a lot of drag racers. It's hard to say why the compression is low until you investigate. Some engine guys in the past could be a little shady. Could be other factors holding it back (intake, carb size and timing). I'm not familiar with Nick's garage but the cars are fairly simple to work on from bumper to bumper. It's cool your going to keep the drive line and the nostalgic feel of the car. I think if I owned one I wouldn't do any kind of updated swaps to the power train. I remember going into my first fuel injected cars and not liking it as much as a well tuned carb on a tight engine. If I did own one It would be more stance and handling I would change, but it is fun sliding around sharp turns at high speeds like the old movies with cars that have positive front camber. I'm excited for you, you're going to have fun.

[WidowrRacing]

Thanks….I plan on using what aftermarket parts I can during this build.
I would guess it has about 2000kms since we did the resto.
During that we installed an Edelbrock Performer intake, 650 carb, full exhaust and Comp cam.
I’m leaning towards Edelbrock aluminum heads if required and trying to make it 10-11:1 compression.

I would be happy with anything over 400 at the crank which seems easy enough with the cubes.

[Uncle Buck]

Great to see you putting some love into the car. It’s a very special car, especially to you and your Dad.

Getting them driving right is important. I spent a long time getting my 66 so I could enjoy it and was really worth it. Now I’m doing the same on the 69 as it was not great when I got it but is steadily improving.

For the clutch, don’t overlook the pedal assembly and linkages. It was a night and day difference on the 69 when I fixed the pedal box and installed a roller bearing.

[WidowrRacing]

Good advice!
Yes I believe the factory Hurst shifter needs a rebuild and something is not right with the linkages.
Nearly all this stuff are things my cousin went through with his Roadrunner when he did his full resto.
I drove his when completed and it drives really nice.

[MUSTANGWOP]

Keep the updates coming Tony, this is a great story.

[Scrape]

Old thread resurrection brings back a lot of memory. Glad to hear your dad is well and car is getting a "Tuneup"