Sir Purple-ous a real nice 74 road runner

Muscle Car: Plymouth RoadRunner 440 magnum clone Year: 1974 Engine: 440 Condition: Restored

It all started out with a 79 ford bronco which turned into an F150 lightning whose offspring frame adopted a 55 ford fatty f100 body that had a fresh plymouth 440 with the 727 auto in the truck bed. so now a home was needed for the 440 and trans. we decided on a roadrunner for the transplant.1974 Plymouth Road Runner “CLONE”: The project began life as a 1974 Plymouth Sebring Plus Factory engine installed was a 318 V8, 904 auto transmission, original paint color was red. Vinyl bucket seats with factory console floor shifter, vinyl roof, disc brakes, air conditioning, and sway bars were selected. Why the original owner didn’t opt for the “Road Runner” package, (+$249.00) is up to debate, that said, here’s our version with the 440 V8/ 727 addition. The vehicle was purchased with the “Petty” blue paint ( factory original/ red. The body was in overall good shape, but with all vehicles 37 years old, fatigue and wear n tear, plus the environment take their toll. This Plymouth had the typical ‘rotten floor pans’,( pic # 9,9a,10). and light collision damage to the front lower radiator core support (replaced w new support), ( maybe an impact with parking block or lifted with floor jack?), and front valance panel was dented and repaired. The trunk both inside and underneath were clean and rust free solid steel. All door, hood, trunk, and ¼ panels were solid rust free. The rusty floor pans were removed from the frame supports,and a new “Goodmark” pan, was spot welded and seamed with ‘dura-glass’, primed and body tone painted ‘Plum Purple’. The whole floor pan was insulated w/ sound/heat barrier. All chassis parts were replaced with new components, i.e., ball joints upper/lower, idler arm, pitman arm, center link, tie rod ends, power steering gear, hoses/line. Energy suspension poly bushings used throughout the vehicle.(leaf spring mounts, isolators, sway bars). “Max Air” rear air shocks, with KYB fronts.  Upper control arms and lower control arm pivot are Energy suspension poly bushings. Brakes are front Kelsey Hayes disc, with 10x 2 ½ rear shoes, (all new hardware, friction material, master cylinder, calipers, power booster, brake lines both steel line, and rubber hoses). Engine is 440 V8, casting # 2536430, (66-72 high compression 10:1), single “Thunder” 4 barrel carburetor. Stock internal parts, only an electronic Chrysler ignition and headers were added. Horse power should be in 325-350 range/tork 450 lbs. The cross member mounting bushings were replaced with “Energy Suspension” poly bushings, and “Schumacher” poly engine mounts. Chrome valve covers and oil pan. Auto transmission is stock 727. Shifter is factory floor console. Heavy duty driveshaft/ujoints. Chrome trans pan, Energy suspension mounting bushings. Rear differential is Chrysler: 8 ½ 2:71 gears, w/ Eaton posi, chrome cover. Electrical: all the 37 year old brittle wiring was removed and replaced with a “Painless” wiring chassis harness, &( with yellow wiring loom to match exterior stripes). New turn signal switch installed in column. Dash factory instruments, 120 mph speedo, oil pressure, water temp, amp meter and Summit aftermarket ‘red light’ tach installed to replace the inop factory clock . Wiper motor, blower motor and alternator replaced w/ remans. Fuel: tank was removed cleaned and a new 3/8” fuel line,(big block), sending unit and tank seal installed. A new solid steel 3/8” line and ¼” evaporator were replaced on the chassis. Heavy duty manual pump. Cooling: heavy duty 3 core w/ auto trans cooler. Copper/steel construction, not plastic! Interior: Front buckets and rear seat were refinished in Chrysler stock pattern,(black) along with new cut loop pile carpeting. New weather strips and gaskets throughout vehicle. Door and window mechanisms were reconditioned/lubed and sealed. Factory center console was retrained along with factory shifter grip. New trunk mat installed. Exterior: Vehicle was completely sanded to metal, primed, and 3 coats of “Plum Purple” were applied ,( as well as the under carriage), and sealed with clear coat. “Phoenix Graphics” stripes, (Sunnco Yellow), were applied to the hood, with “440” engine decals, and trunk wing spoiler with “PLYMOUTH” script. Road Runner decals were applied as required in stock locations. New black v-roof installed. Chrome wheels w/ baby moons. Front 15.7 , rear 15x10 w/ Bridgestones. New windshield glass/chrome. All components on the vehicle have been replaced with either new or remanufactured items. All receipts were retailed. The  Road Runner's "Hoist-a-Tissorie" reconditioning took 3 years of labor. Watch the TV Hot Rod rebuild programs with 50+ pro's working a single project. This project was completed by 2 'retired' seasoned professionals, right down to every nut and bolt being replaced. There are a few items which still need attention, but this is left to individual taste. The factory am radio is inop. It serves as a dash “plug”.. Several companies offer the stock radio, or replacements.. New speakers (6x9) in rear shelf tray. The wheel well chrome moldings are missing. The mounting holes were ‘not’ filled , so as to future part availability, they can be mounted without problems, the mounting holes don’t distract from the vehicle’s appearance. The air conditioning was removed, but with the stock evaporator sealed in dash for future use. “Vintage-Air” manufactures a radial compressor(small external size rather than the old “York” highboy axial compressor), and then retains a single serpentine belt, complete with brackets/pulleys if you wish to return the Road Runner to air conditioning and run R-134a freon. The factory heater/electrical switch will activate the new compressor through the “Painless” wiring harness ,the exciter wire has been retained. we also have a factory repair and parts manuals on ( CD-R) .