Meet Regina FQ3, a 1970 Polara convertible who turns 51 today

[ayilar]

Since Wyatt will be doing the timing chain, he suggested that we also replace the heater hose nipples. I ordered a pair (Item #: MREHF44082) from Mancini Racing, as I have done for two other C-bodies:

PS: I forgot to mention that I am also getting Fel-Pro Timing Cover Gaskets TCS124602 from RockAuto.

 

[fury fan]

Can't tell if those are stainless or steel.
If stainless, they'll require special sealant on the threads.
Stainless can gall and seize when tightening tapered pipe into steel/iron.

 

[ayilar]

Can't tell if those are stainless or steel.
If stainless, they'll require special sealant on the threads.
Stainless can gall and seize when tightening tapered pipe into steel/iron.

Thank you for the heads up. From Mancini's website: "Patterned after original pieces and zinc plated to prevent corrosion." @71Polara383

 

[ayilar]

I have ordered positive and negative battery cables for Regina from Bill Evans in PA. The cable that he made two years ago for Snow White, my N-code 1970 Polara 'vert, was spot on as discussed here.

Here is how one of Regina's terminals looks right now. Time for a change...

 

[71Polara383]

Update time.

I started with doing the timing chain replacement. Thankfully this is a NON AC car. It made life somewhat easier.

I was able to leave the ALT in place and move the brackets out of the way. Obviously the PS pump had to come off and be laid out of the way. The long Bolt that goes into the block that needs to be loosened to adjust the PS belt has always been really tough to loosen. I worked carefully with a little heat and loosening then tightening and so on until I got it out. I thought for sure I was going to snap it a couple times. But, being patient and not rushing was key.

Everything else went smoothly, and the nylon was still in place on the cam gear and not missing any chunks, which was a concern of mine. When the nylon falls off it always goes to the same spot. The oil pickup. Phew.

It was shortly after this the severe cold I was operating in claimed my phones battery and I put it on the charger and kept plugging away, so unfortunately I don't have any photos of the new chain going on, or the inside of the timing cover cleaned up with a new seal. But I did get a photo before leaving for the evening of the timing cover back in place.

When I did Medinas chain in the car, I was having an issue getting the cover in place and aligned with the dowel pins. It came off and on a few times before getting it properly installed. Unfortunately that fight screwed up my gaskets and she had a slight oil leak from the front of the engine.
I was nervous about that same issue doing the job on Regina, but the cover slipped right over the dowels and I was able to get it tightened down without disturbing gaskets/RTV at all. With Medinas leak in mind. Once the cover was tight, and I had the balancer on, I called it a night so the rtv I used could have time to set.

 

[71Polara383]

The following day I came back and got to work on cleaning up the water pump housing and changing the heater nipples. I also removed the second temp sensor and put a proper pipe plug in it from another housing I had on hand...

I don't have a ton of photos of re-assembly. But here is the engine all back together and topped off with the new air cleaner!

Moving towards the back of the car I pulled the rear wheels and axle shafts to get over to the machine shop to have the bearings replaced.

Then I noticed something abnormal that kinda threw a wrench in our plans. The yoke would barely turn by hand. We were planning on pulling the center chunk anyways to reseal it...but now we were looking at something more in depth. I'm surprised I didn't hear this on acceleration and coasting, it was always a humming above 50ish mph.

That gray/metallic fluid is never a good sign.

 

[71Polara383]

After reporting the findings to @ayilar I decided I'd spend a day in the warmth of our little work room and try to determine the failure.

I rolled the jig I built for diffs in and pulled the X9s original 489 off the stand and bolted up Regina's.

I then got out my FSM and did some reading. I marked the adjusters and caps as the book said. I was not able to check the run out before disassembly.

The carrier bearings didn't look terrible. You can see some dirt ran thru them but nothing too catastrophic IMO. Pretty normal wear for a 100k differential.

 

[71Polara383]

The pinion would not spin still. I was starting to understand what MIGHT have happened now. I continued the tear down...

 

[71Polara383]

With the diff completely apart...I started looking at the blue and gold paint all over thinking WTF? Then I seen the sharpie on the top of the case. Then I went and looked at Regina's tag and door. A31 SPD. 11/1969 on the door...but somehow we have a ring gear from 12/8/69.

I'm pretty certain what Nick to me had suggested in FB messages was the reality of the situation.

This pumpkin was swapped. Likely from a 440 Chrysler and they needed the 7260 yoke. So they swapped em and hammered the pinion nut tight, screwing up the pinion preload. Thus causing the bearing to start to eat itself.

 

[Ripinator]

Update time.

I started with doing the timing chain replacement. Thankfully this is a NON AC car. It made life somewhat easier.

View attachment 638968

I was able to leave the ALT in place and move the brackets out of the way. Obviously the PS pump had to come off and be laid out of the way. The long Bolt that goes into the block that needs to be loosened to adjust the PS belt has always been really tough to loosen. I worked carefully with a little heat and loosening then tightening and so on until I got it out. I thought for sure I was going to snap it a couple times. But, being patient and not rushing was key.

View attachment 638969View attachment 638970


Everything else went smoothly, and the nylon was still in place on the cam gear and not missing any chunks, which was a concern of mine. When the nylon falls off it always goes to the same spot. The oil pickup. Phew.

View attachment 638971
View attachment 638972View attachment 638973View attachment 638974

It was shortly after this the severe cold I was operating in claimed my phones battery and I put it on the charger and kept plugging away, so unfortunately I don't have any photos of the new chain going on, or the inside of the timing cover cleaned up with a new seal. But I did get a photo before leaving for the evening of the timing cover back in place.

View attachment 638975

When I did Medinas chain in the car, I was having an issue getting the cover in place and aligned with the dowel pins. It came off and on a few times before getting it properly installed. Unfortunately that fight screwed up my gaskets and she had a slight oil leak from the front of the engine.
I was nervous about that same issue doing the job on Regina, but the cover slipped right over the dowels and I was able to get it tightened down without disturbing gaskets/RTV at all. With Medinas leak in mind. Once the cover was tight, and I had the balancer on, I called it a night so the rtv I used could have time to set.

Nice job! I hope you replaced that plastic fuel filter. . .

 

[71Polara383]

With the news that the center wasn't original, I went to the only one I have on hand with a small yoke. From my gold 71 that got parted. I pulled it from the axle and seen beautiful honey gold fluid.

This will swap right in and serve Regina well. I thought it was a 2.76 but was wrong it was a 3.23. We will need to switch speedo gears but she should have a little more pep in her step with this.

I cleaned the axle housing, left my mark and popped her new differential into place with the new gasket. I even found a 3.23 tag as well.

Now I am waiting to hear back from the machine shop with the axles so I can finish the rear end up.

Stay tuned for more on Regina soon!

 

[71Polara383]

Nice job! I hope you replaced that plastic fuel filter. . .

I didnt have one on hand but yep it's gonna go!

 

[ayilar]

Nice job! I hope you replaced that plastic fuel filter. . .

That is the plan indeed.

 

[Big_John]

With the news that the center wasn't original, I went to the only one I have on hand with a small yoke. From my gold 71 that got parted. I pulled it from the axle and seen beautiful honey gold fluid.
View attachment 639020View attachment 639021

This will swap right in and serve Regina well. I thought it was a 2.76 but was wrong it was a 3.23. We will need to switch speedo gears but she should have a little more pep in her step with this.

View attachment 639022

I cleaned the axle housing, left my mark and popped her new differential into place with the new gasket. I even found a 3.23 tag as well.


View attachment 639023View attachment 639024View attachment 639025View attachment 639026

Now I am waiting to hear back from the machine shop with the axles so I can finish the rear end up.

Stay tuned for more on Regina soon!

Did you duplicate the inspection marks on the rear?

 

[ayilar]

Did you duplicate the inspection marks on the rear?

Hey, this is a G-rated thread!

 

[ayilar]

Happy to report that the axles are back from the machine shop!

 

[71Polara383]

With the axles back from the machine shop, it was time to take the temporary axles out and swap in the new ones. I went to start the car and move her over to the lift bay and the negative terminal arced and lost contact for the last time.

I got the new cable that was ordered from Evans out, dusted the end with some Chrysler turquoise and installed it.

After getting Regina postioned to go up in the air, I smelt gasoline and noticed the fuel inlet on the carb was leaking. Maybe the fitting for the line too. I imagine this happened when I was doing the timing set and I must have moved the line around enough to loosen it up and cause a leak. I removed the inlet. Changed out the gasket with a spare from one of the carb kits I had laying around. For good measure, I used some fuel rated Teflon tape on the fitting at the end of the steel line to ensure we wouldn't be leaking any more fuel.

 

[71Polara383]

With that handled it was time to get her axles back in. But first I have to change the inner seals out. Fairly straight forward process. I popped them out and cleaned the housing up and installed the new seals. I also added some grease on boad sides to make sure the new bearings, that were packed at the machine shop, had additional grease to work in to the bearings for another 50+ years of service.

With the seals installed I installed the axles, and started checking the end play. I normally do this by feel, but with this being someone else's ride. I had to do it by the book. I did it by feel and got the dial indicator set up to verify my work...the results speak for themselves.

With that finished. I got out the new Lugnuts and put the wheels back on...

 

[71Polara383]

Next up was a some preventative maintenance on the 727. It didn't really leak much that I ever noticed, but I wanted to take the time to get the grit and grime away from the shift lever/kickdown lever... So I removed them and cleaned the caked up crud from around the seal and lubricated them and the shifter linkage for smooth operation. Ever since I did the mounts I've noticed it not going into park completely every time. Knowing how much of a problem that could become. I made some adjustments to the linkage and I think I've got it dialed.

I also did the fluid and filter with our last wix filter and last Moroso gasket. There was some metal and shavings in the pan, but with good operation at the moment, it didn't cause me too much concern.

Next was the speedometer gear to match the 3.23 ratio we added. I marked the housing prior to removal. Removed the red 26 tooth gear, got online and checked what the recommended gear would be for a 28" tire and found that it was the green 31 tooth. Luckily I had one on hand and ready to go. Swapped em out. Popped the housing back in with some lubrication on the O ring and tightened it down.

 

[71Polara383]

Next up I swapped the positive cable out. The new cables don't come with the clip that pops into the bracket so I used a zip tie to secure it as well as the #7 plug wire.

I also went ahead and installed a starter splash shield @ayilar picked up a while back.