Mopar Muscle – October 2019

Back in the day, BFGoodrich T/A radial

tires were the performance footwear

of 1970s muscle cars everywhere. The

same holds true today, with the BFGs

wrapped around Magnum 500 wheels

measuring 15x7 inches.

In terms of vehicle documentation,

nothing does more to lock in a vehicle’s

originality than having the original

buildsheet for your vehicle.

The Road Runner’s tail section was also redesigned for the 1970 model year

with clean, recessed lights and dead-straight rear bumper.

FAST FACTS

1970 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER

CAR OWNER: Craig Shilling • Glendale, CA

ENGINE

TYPE: 383-cid V8

BORE X STROKE: 4.250-inch (bore) x 3.38-inch

(stroke)

BLOCK: Factory original

ROTATING ASSEMBLY: Original rebuild of factory

pistons, rods, and crankshaft

COMPRESSION: 9.5:1

CYLINDER HEADS: Factory-original configuration

CAMSHAFT: Comp Cams, 0.585-inch

lift/231-degree-duration intake, 0.525-inch

lift/237-degree-duration exhaust,

lobe separation 110 degrees

INDUCTION: Factory 4-bbl intake manifold

with Holley 650-cfm carburetor and original

Road Runner air cleaner

OILING SYSTEM: Factory oiling system

EXHAUST: Factory-original exhaust

manifolds with 3-inch tubing to

Flowmaster Delta Force exhaust

IGNITION: Mallory electronic ignition with high-

performance distributor, coil and plug wires

COOLING: Factory radiator with thermostatically

controlled electric fan

DRIVETRAIN

TRANSMISSION: Factory original four-speed

manual with Gear Vendors Overdrive

SHIFTER: Factory-style Hurst Pistol Grip shifter

DRIVESHAFT: Factory original

AXLES: Factory original

REAREND: Factory-style 3:55:1 ratio

with Sure-Grip

CHASSIS

FRONT SUSPENSION: Original torsion-bar system

with freshened components

REAR SUSPENSION: Original rear suspension

with leaf springs and 83/4-inch rearend

STEERING: Stock manual-steering box

FRONT BRAKES: Factory-original drum brakes,

10x2.5 inch

REAR BRAKES: Factory-original drum brakes,

10x2.5 inch

PAINTER: Repainted in 2006 by previous

owner, Gilbert Metcalf

WHEELS & TIRES

WHEELS: Factory Magnum 500 15x7-inch

styled steel wheels

TIRES: BFGoodrich Radials, P225/70R15 front

and P275/60R15 rear

This Road Runner features the

all-important fender tag that documents

the options that came with the car

when new. The key elements: the

E63 code for the 383-cid, 4-bbl V8

engine and code D21 for the four-speed

manual transmission.

The trunk has been restored to factory

condition, and the spare is fitted with

a fullsize modern-day radial tire.

Along with the original fender tag, the

car came with an assortment of original

paperwork, including the owner’s man-

ual, warranty literature, engine-starting

information, and a letter from the dealer-

ship concerning proper maintenance.

IN SEARCH OF 1970

58 moparmuscle.com