Road Runner Nest

Hi, this is a cool board. Recently traded into a 74 Road Runner in dark green. Definite project, no drivetrain, sitting for years. But it's the lowest optioned anything-like-it I've seen. (That's ok, I dig that kind of thing.)

Bench seat, manual 3-on-the-floor, AM radio, manual brakes, roll-up windows. Green with white stripe & green interior. Originally a 318 (Doesn't bother me either - I'll drive it every day!). Looks like the only options other than being a real Road Runner and what came with that are... cig lighter and power steering. Maybe the AM radio? Nothing. Those might even be rubber floor remnants...

It's rough but it's the car of my dreams and I can't wait to start wire brushing the floors and rebuilding, getting it running. I want to drop in a 318 & 3-speed and get it roadworthy, take it to a few gatherings as is. It'll be the rattiest Runner that I've seen on the road in 15 years or more. Eventually, I'd like it to be a corner carver with a crate 360 and a 5-speed... yes, same green...

As a 40-something guitar builder going will be slow and as funds permit, but eventually it'll be right like I want it. I aim to enjoy and drive it at EVERY stage though; the view from behind the wheel over that bulging nostril hood, however weathered for now, is the main one I care about.

Anyhow, wanted to introduce and all. I'll link to a project page with pictures this month once it's set up. Not much to look at right now though, unless you're me. Then it looks like comin' home.

Questions: Anyone know how many deep sherwood green Road Runners happened in '74? Anyone else here have such a no-optioned '73 or '74? How unusual is that? And lastly I have a 318 & 3-speed out of a 70s van. I know the engine mount/pan etc. differences but I don't know about the trans... I have the complete car linkage. What else will I need?

Thanks so much & looking forward to talking with you all. There are some cool folks & nice rides on here.

~Scott in Texas

Welcome! Sounds like a cool car. Chrysler was crazy the way they equipped some cars. Why even be able to order a car without a radio when you have to tool up another part like a non-radio dash bezel? Seems to me it would have been cheaper just to put a radio in every car. My RR didn't come with a radio either, but it DOES have a speaker in the dash. What's up with that?

As for the number of Sherwood Green Road Runners in your year, Chrysler's records don't really keep exact numbers by color. All you can do is go by percentages--X percent of B-bodies in '74 were painted Sherwood Green. I don't happen to know that percentage. Perhaps someone else can chime in with that.

Post some pics when you can and good luck on your project!

Sounds like an awesome project. I am like you, limited funds so progress is slow. I have my Sebring Plus on cardomain.com - check it our sometime. Good Luck with your project and get us that link to your prject page soon! Scott.

Welcome Scott. Enjoy the ride as YOU want it to be, sounds cool. Post a link or pix when you can

Hi Scott, I'm Horace from Whiteville, NC. I'm new to the Nest also. I am currently on year four or possibly 5 on my 72 Satellite Sebring to RR clone. I have truly lost track of how long... But i WILL NOT give up. I hope that you don't either. After two years with new quarters in place, the car is hopefully going to body work and paint this month. AMD 1/4's are truly incredible. It took a long time to recover from that expenditure but it was SOOO worth it !!!!! When I get more use to this format, I will post pics. I look fwd to seeing yours too. Good luck, Horace

Sounds like a neat project, many have started with less!

Research the 318 RR engine, It was not exactly like the 318 used in A,E,C bodies and B vans, and D trucks.

It was the only 318 equipped with factory dual exhaust, and came with a special valve spring, I think the horsepower rating was also a little higher. Not just a lowly 318!

Your van engine and transmission should work fine. You've already mentioned the oil pan, you'll also need engine mounts, and may need exhaust manifolds. Your RR came with rear outlet manifolds, I believe trucks and vans had center outlets.
If your transmission has two shifter locations, you're all set. Your bench seat car should use the forward location. The factory bucket seat cars had a different floor hump, and used the rear shifter mount.
Check the trans ratios before you install it, I think 1st could be around 2.5-1, or a lower 3-1. These numbers are approximate. With the lower, you get more tire smoke!, the higher, less shifting.
Looking forward to seeing your pics.

Spot on Gcoupe72. On A-230 3 speed transmissions you had one of two gear sets

For slant sixes and 318
1st 3.08, 2nd 1.7, 3rd 1.0, Rev 2.9

for 340 and 400s
1st 2.55, 2nd 1.49, 3rd 1, Rev 3.34

I've got a low option 3-speed '72 Runner, but mine is a mixed bag of performance and low end (i.e. Chome exhaust tips but manual drum brakes.) Glad to see more new projects even low options.

Thanks everyone! Here's a little picture. Yes, the 'runner 318 was rated higher because of the duals. I have headers, cherry bombs, a Performer intake & Holley carb for when the engine's going in. If I could only find some "right" tires for the 14" Rallyes... anyhow, that's phase one. Running, tagged, inspected, and raw.

Then I upgrade & refine as I can, but from a driver. It's pretty trashed, there's plenty to do, but there are no other footwells I'd rather be wire brushing.

Thanks for the trans info!

The car was pulled out of a garage in north TX, went to Oklahoma, sat, and is now back in Texas. I'm honored to be the guy that'll get it back on the road. It's a gift from the universe, as is.