DodgeCharger.com Forum

Well, I've finally decided to start writing some of this stuff down before I start forgetting it.  ::)

I bought the car in June 2010 after selling my first car - a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST, pictured below. It was almost a dollar-for-dollar trade. I watched the Dukes of Hazzard a lot as a kid and always swore that I would have a General Lee. I had the money in hand, so figured it was a good idea to spend it before it disappeared. :lol:

I starting watching Craigslist and found a guy named Jeff in New Boston (Detroit) with several 68-70s for sale. He had a lot of parts too. There was one "69 Charger - Oklahoma Car" for ~$3000. I couldn't afford most of the other cars he had for sale, so that caught my eye. Dad and I took a trip down on a Saturday to look at it. We looked at the Oklahoma car first. It was sitting under a lean-to with the front end half buried in gravel and the rear sticking out at an odd angle. It looked very solid - not much rust - but BEAT. It had been T-Boned in the passenger side quarter panel, so one of the leaf springs was bent; the passenger fender was dented and the left-front frame rail was twisted into a pretzel. I was a bit overwhelmed and disappointed that I couldn't get something better in that price range. Jeff also had a 69 Charger R/T basket case for $5000 and a '68 and '70 for decent prices. Both the 68 and 70 were mostly complete cars, but very rusty. The R/T was out of my price range (besides being inappropriate for a GL project).

I decided to go with the Oklahoma car. I had some experience with collision work from my Eclipse (no I didn't smash it! I bought it that way.  :lol: ) and I liked the idea of starting with a solid car vs rust. Jeff included all the sheet metal and parts needed to get the car back in shape body-wise. (see photo below). I also picked up an extra fender and pieces that would help make sure everything was straight during the repairs - such as tail lights and bumpers. Dad was a great aid in deciding on that stuff.

Jeff offered to deliver the car for $1/mile. So, we settled on all the prices and I made a down payment. He delivered the car around 9am the next day - Sunday. After unloading everything Dad and I worked on getting the car limping around on 4 wheels. He had some A-body disk brake setups that we were able to combine with the existing suspension.

Most of the parts I got were damaged. One front fender was full of waves because Jeff had sand-blasted it. The other had rust holes and both were smashed on the nose and someone made a mess of both with a slide-hammer. The hood was pretty rusty. The deck lid was dented from the collision. BUT the doors were beautiful, rust-free and straight.

I wonder sometimes if I would have saved myself a lot of headache by waiting and looking for a more complete car. Around the time I bought the Oklahoma Charger I found a complete, garage-kept '69 at an affordable price on Craigslist. I never went to look at it, so it could have been a scam. But, that's all just speculation and I've learned a lot from working on this one.

Strangely, I didn't work much on the car very much that summer. I suppose it was pretty overwhelming at that point - "Ok, I bought my dream car...now what the #$@! am I going to do with it!?" :lol: I replaced the bent leaf spring and bought new U-Bolts. Dad and I did a lot of 'bench racing' on what the car was going to be and the best ways to approach the repairs. I suppose that counts.  ;D

I headed back to college in the fall and the Charger retired to a bed under a tarp in the back yard.

Next post - Christmas frame repairs! - Coming soon  :cheers:  :popcrn:

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you gotta start somewhere, i like how you said that the r/t is "inappropriate for a GL project"
if mine was an r/t it would be close to factory. but its not so its now a "death proof" clone.
zippidy bop

luke

Fast forward to Christmas break 2010...

We pulled the car into the shop and let it thaw out before beginning work.  :-\ The first step was to pull the K frame and suspension and get the car in a level, immobile position before starting to cut the car apart. The shop floor was not level so we ended up shimming the jack stands with small pieces of strap steel.

We figured that someone jumped the car and it landed hard on the front drivers wheel. :brickwall: The impact pushed the K frame into the other frame rail, bending the K frame, both frame rails, both inner fenders and the cowl. Thankfully the cowl and passenger side pieces could be straightened with some work and did not need to be removed or replaced.

The first step was to get out the spot weld drill and pull the bent core support and drivers inner fender. The drivers frame rail was toast, but an extra was included in the original purchase. I bought another K frame when we discovered it was tweaked, so we were able to use that as a guide when installing the new frame rail. **A big thanks to Aero426 for sending me unibody dimension charts for the Charger.** We couldn't have done it without them. After measuring and leveling, twice, thrice and to infinity and beyond, everything came out to +/- 1/8". I think that's pretty good considering how crude these cars could be from the factory.

We were able to straighten the existing drivers inner fender and weld it back in. It was bent at such an extreme angle that it tore in one spot, but still came out ok in the end. I came down with the flu for a week, so the car was still on jack stands with the floor cut out when I headed back to school in January. Dad volunteered to finish that part of the repair. For some reason he wanted his shop space back.  :eyes: He started out by fabricating pieces and welding them in, but found that it was easier to straighten the bent pieces and weld them back in.

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welcome to the site and congrats on ditching the RICE!!! lol  :cheers:

I'm lovin' it!!! Keep the pictures coming!  :2thumbs: Looks like we're at about the same stage of our build. Good choice on ditching the plastic car!

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 that took a fair ole hit , even the trosion bar got bent by the looks of it , keep the pictures coming

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Wow, you have got one huge project there.

Benji

Yeah, I know the Eclipse was ricey, but I loved that car to death and it was a BLAST to drive! Handled just like a go-cart, except much faster.  :icon_smile_big:

tan top - yeah, the torsion bar got tweaked too. I have a new set to install now.

Love threads like this!  :2thumbs:

Welcome to the 'site!  :cheers:    There's a wealth of info on here.  :yesnod:
Kudos to you for tackling such a big project. Keep the project pics coming.
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Things are looking good. Keep the updates coming. :2thumbs:

Quote from: chaos52 on June 10, 2012, 07:47:22 PM
Handled just like a go-cart, except much faster.  :icon_smile_big:

If that is a feeling you would like to retain, you may want your next step to be installing frame connectors and torsion boxes and add disc brakes, firm feel steering, new shocks and bigger sway bar to your to do list.  These cars don't exactly handle like go karts, more like a stubborn drunk trying to find his way home!   :icon_smile_big:

I don't know what you paid for that thing or how much more work you'll run into, but you're saving a car that many people would've left behind and I commend you for that.   :2thumbs:

Quote from: Dino on June 11, 2012, 07:35:54 AM
If that is a feeling you would like to retain, you may want your next step to be installing frame connectors and torsion boxes and add disc brakes, firm feel steering, new shocks and bigger sway bar to your to do list.  These cars don't exactly handle like go karts, more like a stubborn drunk trying to find his way home!   :icon_smile_big:

Naw, I'm not looking for good handling in this car. I plan to have new shocks and disk brakes however.

It's not as horrible as many old cars, the narrow tires nd loose steering are the worst by far but I can still throw that sucker into corners without feeling it's the last thing I'll ever do.  An Eclipse on the other hand is like riding on tracks and that's not exactly the feeling you get in the Charger.

Wow, long break from posting. Fortunately that means I've been getting a lot done on the car!  :2thumbs:

Sometime after Christmas break in 2010/2011 Dad emailed me that a friend of his was looking to sell an engine for $1000. It was a NOS 1978 400. The guy, Dave, bought the long block brand new (it still has never been fired) and rebuilt it. My memory is pretty fuzzy on what exactly he did when he rebuilt it. It may have 440 heads on it, but I know he put a bit bigger cam in it (see spec sheet below). I picked up the engine the following summer. It is set aside on a stand until the time comes to drop it in.

My original plan for the car was a 440-6 pack, 4-speed setup. I still may do that, but have also been playing around with the idea of stroking the 400. Regardless, this is a good (cheaper!) way to get it on the road in the meantime.

Next up - summer 2011 quarter panel work and finding a parts car!  :popcrn:

So, summer 2011...

My first priority was to remove the eye-sore that the passengers quarter panel was. The second priority was to straighten the tail panel. The impact creased it clear back to the area between the tail lights. Our method of attack was to brace the car against the bumper of the truck with blocks of wood and use a come-a-long to pull the panel back into place. Crude, no doubt, but it worked! It sounds easy in writing, of course, but there was a lot of tapping, pulling, dollying, etc to get it straight. There were also some mistakes that would come back to bite me later...(more on that in future posts) Dad thankfully had the foresight to suggest I buy tail lights and a rear bumper when I got the car. These proved invaluable when making sure everything was straight.

The trunk extension was folded up pretty good from the impact. I cut it out where it joins to the trunk floor, then cut it again at the bend. After straightening both pieces I welded the horizontal piece back onto the trunk floor, then bent a long, thin piece of metal to fit on the inside of the bend of the trunk extension. This gave me something substantial to weld to and a lot of material to work with when it came to shaping that edge with the grinder.

I also did some miscellaneous work early that summer such as stripping the drivers quarter, the roof and doing some wire brushing and paint on the floor and inner room. The drivers quarter had some bondo in it. The rear was rotted out obviously, but there were also 2 dents above the wheel opening and some rust holes in the front too. I debated about patching the quarter or buying a skin--ultimately deciding that the skin was the best way to go. The skins are cheap enough that the extra work to patch wouldn't be worth it.

It was soon after that that we moved again--the 3rd time in 5 years. I lost a lot of time with all the related chaos involved with that. It was sometime in July that we stumbled across a junk yard called "Mostly Mo-Power" about an hour from home. We stopped and talked with one of the owners, Steve, who was nice enough to sell me a '70 charger from the yard. That purchase helped with a lot with parts I was missing to complete the car.

Toward the end of summer I finally got back to work on the actual car. I separated the quarter skin from the rest of the quarter panel that Jeff included with the original purchase. We used that partial quarter panel to replace the horizontal portion of the quarter panel, the trunk gutter and the part of the sail panel that were smashed. The very end of the original quarter panel was unusable and the same part was rotted away on the quarter Jeff included with the car. I decided to cut what I needed off the '70 and use that. Having a piece that I knew was straight helped to make sure everything else was straight.

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nice project my husband is also working on a charger as well. your doing nice work on yours.

Quote from: Mrs.M0parmanJim on July 06, 2012, 11:08:17 PM
nice project my husband is also working on a charger as well. your doing nice work on yours.

thanks!  :2thumbs:

Great progress man!!!

   looking lots better allready.looked kind of iffy and sad when first got it and unlouding it.  so was front and roof of the 70 parts car good? did it sell?

   all da best on your build..dj

Quote from: djcarguy on July 18, 2012, 08:34:42 AM
   looking lots better allready.looked kind of iffy and sad when first got it and unlouding it.  so was front and roof of the 70 parts car good? did it sell?

   all da best on your build..dj

Yeah, it did look pretty rough when I first got it. It will look even better by the end of summer. I've done a lot of work since spring and there's still much more in the plans before I go back to school.
The front end of the 70 was good except for one rotted frame rail. The shell is sold now, just took a long time to work out the details.

Thanks

Wow, now that's what I call a project. Looking good.
Kudos to your Dad for his help and guidance with this. :cheers:

So, Christmas break 2011-2012...

I did a lot of dollying, straightening and welding on the drivers fender. The nose was smashed (seems like they all are), so I ended up cutting that out a making a new piece. Unfortunately, Jeff had sandblasted the fender and warped it pretty badly. I was able to straighten some of it, but it still needs more work and inevitably is going to require a lot of bondo.

I started doing a lot of thinking about my plan of building a General Lee. While I love the car and the way it looks, I wondered if I really wanted to spend the time building something so unoriginal. The car carries an identity by itself. It would never be anything more than a TV icon and I wanted to create something original that I had conceived--or at least as original as a restoration can be.

The problem was that I hadn't seen a Charger in any other color/paint scheme that I liked. Orange with a black bumblebee stripe is nice, but it still doesn't look really good in my opinion. Somewhere along the line I found these photos online and fell in love with the triple-black scheme. After doing thinking and looking for more pictures over the winter semester I decided on black paint, black interior, black vinyl top and satin black bumblebee stripe.

Quick note: If the owners of these cars see this post, please contact me. I've got some questions for you and would like more photos. Thanks!

Summer 2012,

One of the first things I worked on were the rust holes around the back window. The damage wasn't very bad, considering that is one of the problem-spots on Chargers. I had to repair the upper-right and lower-left corners. After cutting out the remaining weak metal, I made patches and welded them in. A coat of fiberglass and some sanding finished it off.

Next I worked on the deck filler panel. My best guess is that someone stood or jumped on it. The dents didn't appear to have been caused by an impact from the side where the car was t-boned. I started by dollying out some of the dents, but didn't get very far. The worst of the damage was inaccessible because of the lower plenum underneath the filler panel. I ended up expanding the 2 holes on either end of the plenum to fit my hand through. Of course, once the damage was hammered out, the panel started oil canning in several places. Neither Dad nor I had any experience with shrinking metal. I did some research online and found various techniques. We started out using a grinder and a wet rag. That worked, but wasn't ideal. Next we tried the oxy-acetylene torch. The technique that worked best was to find the weakest spot in the oil can and heat it up to red-hot. I would then use the body hammer to gently tap around and on top of the hot spot. This leveled off the hot bump in the metal, so after quenching it would be flat instead of having a hardened bump.

This technique worked well to eliminate most of the oil canning, but it wasn't enough and I started to worry about what all the heating and cooling was doing to the metal. In the end, I drilled 3 holes on each end of the filler panel and welded it to the lower plenum underneath. This made the panel extremely stable. I was going to have to use bondo anyway, so figured it would be better to not worry about it cracking.

more to come...

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After getting the filler panel straightened out I started working on the doors. They hadn't been touched since I bought the car and still had all the glass, trim, regulators etc. in them. My cousin helped me out by gutting them so all I had to do was pull them off the car and start grinding them down. The drivers door was beautiful with only a couple small rust holes and one area to patch. The passengers door was dented several times along the bottom and up between the "scoops". After stripping and treating it, I spent several days applying layers of fiberglass and bondo. The lower-most body line that matches the fender was completely gone. I did a lot of measuring from the other door and was able to recreate it with bondo. The area around the 'scoops' was dented enough that I had to build up the edges of the 'scoops' so they didn't get buried.

Around this time I started doing some calling around to find a grille, hood, deck lid and quarter panel extensions. The hood I had was very rusty and dented in a few places. The deck lid that came with the car was the original, so it was damaged pretty badly from the car being t-boned. I had the money, so I figured it would be a good time to get the last big piece I needed for the car--the grille. I called the guy I bought the '70 from. He had a deck lid for me and got me in contact with a friend of his, Dave. I was able to buy a beautiful hood and grille from him along with a nice fender, wiring, quarter panel extensions and lots of other goodies.

Earlier in the summer I had double checked the measurements on the end of the quarter panel before welding it solid. Unfortunately, I didn't think to measure where the taillight panel connects to the quarter. (The area that is covered by the quarter extension) After it was welded, it didn't look quite right--the lower portion was about 1/4" thicker than it should have been. This is obvious if you look in the picture below. The fix was to drill the welds and tap the edge of the taillight panel outward. I specifically bought the quarter panel extensions before doing this so I could be sure everything was right before welding it again.

The new deck lid had a couple minor dents in the surface and one on the rear edge that were easily filled. The only damage to the new hood was a low spot in the rear passengers corner. The edge of the hood was clearly bent. I put a sledge hammer handle (vertically) under the edge of the hood on the damaged spot. After pressing/hammering on either side of the bend the low spot turned into an oil can. I used a straight-edge to compare the contour to the other, undamaged side of the hood. After a bit more work it was stable enough to apply a skim coat of bondo to finish.

More to come...

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I'm jealous of your beautiful grille...  :drool5:

So are all the 68 and 70 owners.  :nana:

It looks like your having fun,and yes I like your grille I wish mine was in that shape. :2thumbs:

Quote from: Ghoste on September 04, 2012, 05:39:50 PM
So are all the 68 and 70 owners.  :nana:

NOT  :slap: :icon_smile_big:

Quote from: cdr on September 04, 2012, 07:24:16 PM

Quote from: Ghoste on September 04, 2012, 05:39:50 PM
So are all the 68 and 70 owners.  :nana:

NOT  :slap: :icon_smile_big:

Me either. I love all 3 years 68-70.
You progress looks awesome.

Wow! You are really in there gettin' busy! Love to see this type resto work. Making all those little patches is time consuming isn't it? I still can't figure out why the aftermarket hasn't come up with a front/rear window channel pre-bent and formed for these type repairs yet.

Bookmarked! :popcrn:

Next priority was to finish the quarter panel repairs. The quarter panel skin I got with the car was a little beat up, but I didn't realize how bad it was until I started fitting it. It was obviously a cheap panel to begin with, but it was dented/twisted/rusted in a couple places and one of the body lines was missing altogether. Instead of spending hours trying to fix that panel, I sprung for 2 new skins. The passengers side arrived on time, but the drivers side didn't come until 3 days before I needed to leave for college, so unfortunately I didn't get that side hung.

I cut a piece of wheel well out of the '70 to aid in patching where the '69 was smashed. That car was so rusty that the lower portions that connect to the trunk extension and the quarter panel were gone, so I had to make patches for those areas. Having the new quarter helped with the contour of the patches, if not the actual location. Even with taking measurements from the other side, I struggled to know for sure if the pieces around the wheel opening were correct. Once the wheel well was at least tacked together, Dad helped me do the initial trim and fitment of the quarter skin. Once we made sure everything was lined up, I welded up the wheel well solid and finished the visible areas with a layer of fiberglass/bondo. It turned out beautifully considering how hacked together it was.

While I was working on the wheel well, Dad started fabricating the rear valance corners. I was grateful to have that done and not have to make them or buy them myself.

After the wheel well was finalized, Dad and I did the final trim and fit before tacking the quarter skin on. After that was just the arduous process of welding and grinding. I spent a couple days applying layers of fiberglass and bondo and sanding. When it came time to prime, I sprayed the new passengers fender, the roof, the rear filler panel and the new quarter. The new fender still needed some patching that I didn't have time for, but I had to get it in primer because I had already stripped it down to bare metal. It was amazing to see the car mostly in the final color after staring at a multicolored, smashed mess for 2 years.

More to come...

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Awesome!!!! keep up the good work  :2thumbs:

By the way, thank you all for the kind words and encouragement.

Quote from: Cooter on September 06, 2012, 11:50:38 AM
Wow! You are really in there gettin' busy! Love to see this type resto work. Making all those little patches is time consuming isn't it? I still can't figure out why the aftermarket hasn't come up with a front/rear window channel pre-bent and formed for these type repairs yet.

yes, patching is VERY time consuming. It certainly would be nice if they made window channel patches. Maybe they don't because of the 3 layers of metal that come together right there?

Quote from: grizparker on September 04, 2012, 05:23:21 PM
I'm jealous of your beautiful grille...  :drool5:

lol, thanks. I was (am) super excited to find one in such good shape. Problem is, I'm paranoid something is going to happen to it before I install it.   :lol:

you are doin great,lookin good :icon_smile_big:

 looks good  :coolgleamA: :2thumbs:

Quote from: chaos52 on September 13, 2012, 05:18:19 PM
lol, thanks. I was (am) super excited to find one in such good shape. Problem is, I'm paranoid something is going to happen to it before I install it.   :lol:

You don't think he would have another one like it for sale, do you? :o

he has another one in even better shape, but it's not for sale. Sorry  :pity:

Nice work!  looks like it is shaping up nicely  :yesnod:

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That is look'en dam fine. :2thumbs:

Dad devoted his Friday off (the day before I left for college) to helping me work on the car. At that point the drivers quarter panel had arrived, but we both knew it wasn't wise to try getting that done in a day. Besides, there was no way I would have gotten the bondo work done and I preferred not to have that half-finished until christmas. So, we decided to work on finishing the engine compartment.

Dad had two sandblasters. One was a gravity fed unit and the other was a spray gun type. I tried the gravity unit, but it didn't work the best. Dad called another friend and was able to borrow his pressure tank sandblaster. That was the first time I had sandblasted anything. It certainly makes a mess, but dang, can't complain about how nicely it strips metal. I think I would have committed harakiri if I had been forced to grind or chemical strip the engine compartment and core support. I also started grinding welds from all the frame work we did, but there's still a lot more work to do there. We also stripped and primed the cowl and vent that day.

Well, that's the last of the summer work. My plan for Christmas break is to hang the drivers quarter panel. I usually don't get as much work done in the winter because the shop isn't fully insulated and heated yet. There's also always lots of events, gatherings, etc to go to. I think that's still a realistic goal however.

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Now, this is the stuff I would like to see on T.V. Kids working with their parents on real projects.

Nice work, keep the pictures coming.

Quote from: Mopar Nut on September 20, 2012, 01:00:41 AM
Now, this is the stuff I would like to see on T.V. Kids working with their parents on real projects.

Nice work, keep the pictures coming.

I agree & no 7 day due date to be at some show or auction somewhere.

Quote from: 6pkrtse on September 20, 2012, 06:57:25 AM
I agree & no 7 day due date to be at some show or auction somewhere.

The "shop drama" and due dates are what annoy me most. A friend of mine saw a car from one of those shows. It looked terrible. They just don't hold up when they're completed start to finish in a week.

 i love to see the fab work on these biulds your doin a kicka$$ job keep it up and dont forget the pics  :popcrn: :popcrn: :popcrn:

 These shows are never know where near done in 7 days. Most of us know that already. We have donated and/or sold many of the engines to these differerent shows, such as Overhaulin, Hot Rod TV & others. We ship them to them months in advance & they mock everything, fabricate everything needed or buy what they need to make it all work. Then the televised part is the final install being filmed.

Well, I'm back from school for about a month. It sure feels good to be back in the shop. Here's progress from this afternoon.

glad see ur putting it back on the road some day and am picking up my 69 projeck next weeked

 :2thumbs:  You are doing an awesome job!   :popcrn: 

Looks pretty solid under there. Keep on it.

 :popcrn: great job man  :cheers:

Amazing.

Good work man.  :2thumbs:

Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement. Here's progress from over the holidays. This is my last week home, so I'm really pushing to get stuff done.

Once I got the drivers quarter cut off, I realized that would be an opportune time to work on the trunk floor. My original plan was to replace the rusty spots with regular sheet metal. I planned to buy a bead roller and make it look as factory as possible. Thankfully, before jumping into that, I started doing some price comparing on the replacement panels. I found them for under $100 per side from Sherman parts. It just wasn't worth the time fabricating patches when I could have a factory floor for $200, so I ordered them.

I had done a lot of fabricating and straightening on the passengers side of the trunk where the car was hit. At first I was reluctant to cut all that out of there and planned to seam the new panel on the inside of the passenger's frame rail. After getting a second opinion and thinking more, I realized I needed to spend the extra time and replace the entire floor. I also bought new bits for the spot weld drill, which made removing the other half a bit less infuriating. After the floor was out, I spent an afternoon wire brushing and cleaning mouse nests from inside the frame rails. Then came a coat of rust converter.

The new panels didn't have the factory edge to connect with the rear valance. I used a scrap from the (new) passengers quarter panel to fabricate a replacement piece. I was also reluctant to cut out the brace that the trunk latch bolts to. But, having it there made test-fitting the new floor and fabricating the new edge far too difficult. I took measurements and removed it.

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Wholly crap baskets barman*!!*  You have some crazy skills and motivation.  Great work.  :yesnod:

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Well, I'm back at school. I finished the trunk floor at about 12:30am on the day I left.  ::) It went pretty well. The drivers side went in with absolutely no issues. I had some fitment problems on the passengers side because I fabricated the trunk extension 2 years ago during the quarter panel repairs. The inner edge wasn't perfectly straight it and pushed the panel around at a weird angle. I also had to cut the end of the trunk extension so it could be bent (vertically) to conform with the edge of the trunk floor. When I did the repairs on the extension 2 years ago, I assumed it was flat. Turns out that it curves upward toward the rear of the car. I guess it's all part of dealing with collision damage.

I also had to do some trimming on the center seam to get each side to connect together properly and had problems with getting the panel to fit flush against the framerail where it angles upward into the passenger compartment.

In other news, I picked up an almost-complete A/C dash. All that it's missing is the dash pad to the right of the column. it came with all the wiring, a complete cluster, all black bezels and the pads are in excellent condition. I don't have any pictures of it at the moment.

Another thing I forgot to write about over the summer, was the 4-speed I picked up. I found it on craigslist shortly before I went back to school. The owner said it came from a '69 383 Roadrunner with about 80,000 miles on it. He included a big block bell housing, flywheel, shifter and the original tailshaft. The shifter is a hurst converted into some sort of racing deal-definitely not what I want. I haven't looked that closely, but I might be able to shorten the linkages to make it work as an interm solution.

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is that a mr gasket shifter?

Looks good.

Quote from: rt green on January 17, 2013, 05:56:23 PM
is that a mr gasket shifter?

It says Hurst on the side. Not sure what it's from. Obviously not the factory Hurst shifter.

we used to see shifters like that in the 70's.  they had a real short throw.

Decoded my fender tag...thought I'd share.

Code   Description
E63   383-4 Barrel
D32   H-D A-727 TorqueFlite Trans / Some Years A-998
XP29   X = Dodge Charger
P = Premium
29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop
H96   H = 383 330HP OR 335HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL
9 = 1969
6 = Newark, DE, USA
W1   Paint Code: Unknown At This Time
W1   Unknown At This Time (2 W1 codes = White Roof + White Body)
C6D   Trim Grade/Style/Color
C = Charger
6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats
D = Dark Blue
B7   Upper Door Frame: Medium Blue Metallic
103   Date Built: 1 / 03 / 1969
106170   Order Number: 106170
C21   Roof Type OR Color:  Center Seat Foldown Armrest
C55   Bucket Seats
G33   Left Hand Outside Mirror - Manual / Chrome
H51   Single Air /w Heater
L31   Hood / Fender Mount Turn Signal
M25   Wide Sill Molding
M31   Belt Molding 69-70
N85   Tachometer
R13   Astrophonic am radio
26   26 in. Radiator
A01   Light Package
M21   Roof Drip Rail Moldings
END   End of Codes

Definitely gonna be keeping an eye on this!
I'm going to have some very similar work to do around the rear window when I get mine home and get stuck in to it!

Quote from: Rosco on March 21, 2013, 08:49:42 PM
Definitely gonna be keeping an eye on this!
I'm going to have some very similar work to do around the rear window when I get mine home and get stuck in to it!

Awesome! Best of luck on your build.

VERY impressive!!!!  :cheers: :2thumbs:   Keep up the great work and picture updates!

Here's a cool before and after comparison from last summer. More current updates coming soon.

Quite the improvement. :2thumbs:  Looking forward to seeing some more progress :popcrn: :popcrn: :popcrn:

Don't worry, I don't throw popcorn :icon_smile_big:

Quote from: chaos52 on May 29, 2013, 07:42:11 AM
Here's a cool before and after comparison from last summer. More current updates coming soon.

:coolgleamA:  you sorted that out !! nice job  :yesnod:

This build reminds me of another charger i know  :scratchchin:  :think: Awesome job!! and must say you defiantly got the better end of that trade  :2thumbs:

Looking good ,big change. :2thumbs:

      wow looking great compared to what ya guys slide off the trailer. big :2thumbs:  :2thumbs: to you and ya dad,lots of great progress so far. an all the best on rest of your build. :popcrn: :popcrn: :2thumbs:  dj

Quote from: chaos52 on May 29, 2013, 07:42:11 AM
Here's a cool before and after comparison from last summer. More current updates coming soon.

Quite the difference you've made on that!  Awesome work, glad to see another one coming back to life!

Nice progress so far.  Here's a shot of my W1 before and after.

Nice work!

      Like the hemi dart ,cuda drag cars.was going to post an suggest cutting the rear wheel well big to get rid of rust and make room for big tires an old school  drag car look.  but ya patched an posted pics of all the work ya did on quarters an it looks good so i kept my idea to myself.    well ya car is sure coming along,keep up the great job of saving ya charger..    any grill plan,, i like the c 500 68 cornet grill .with quick light covers an a nascar look. 

a blue one is pictured on new thread     ---  nascar shot by member-- nascar ______???latter DJ :2thumbs:

Excellent work.   :2thumbs:   

Wow!

I feel like these last two summers I have done nothing but mutilate mine.  Weather beating it up.  I go out to try and fix what I had previously "fixed".. never ending battle.

and just when I get a little momentum, I lose weeks- to a month with Corps stuff.

then .. it feels like I have to start all over.

Much respect to your progress!  wish I had a couple hands to help me out throughout these years.  My wife quit on me after one day of helping and then she tried to slam the trunk lid with a tool in the channel and I might have yelled at her for a second about paying attention or we'll have to back track and fix S*#t that isn't broken....    that was 2 years ago.  she never let it go.

keep the photos coming!  Loving them!

Quote from: djcarguy on June 11, 2013, 03:12:24 AM
      Like the hemi dart ,cuda drag cars.was going to post an suggest cutting the rear wheel well big to get rid of rust and make room for big tires an old school  drag car look.  but ya patched an posted pics of all the work ya did on quarters an it looks good so i kept my idea to myself.    well ya car is sure coming along,keep up the great job of saving ya charger..    any grill plan,, i like the c 500 68 cornet grill .with quick light covers an a nascar look. 

a blue one is pictured on new thread     ---  nascar shot by member-- nascar ______???latter DJ :2thumbs:

    Sorry i have been following 3 builds,yours,SRT *daytona and late one nite this post for 68 with amnesia but somehow i spaced an posted this here,,sorry dude. i have been  :popcrn: watching your build an posted afew times.  glad too see ya back for summer an hoping too see more good progress on ya 69.ya come along way ,keep up the good work.latter dj  :cheers: :2thumbs:

Finally getting around to updating this. I've been working steady since I graduated (yay!) in May and have gotten a lot accomplished. My plan is to have the car in paint this fall and on the road next summer.  Grad school is (hopefully) in the near future and I know if I don't finish the car now it may never get done.

Since I wasn't able to finish the trunk floor over Christmas I started with grinding down the welds and smoothing things out with fiberglass. I also had to finish welding where the floor connects to the wheel wells. The driver's side needed a couple patches there where it had rotted through. I sprayed the trunk area with rocker panel stuff to give it a nice texture.

I already bought the new drivers side quarter skin over Christmas, so I hung that next. It went pretty smooth compared to the other side. The driver's side was just rusty, so there weren't as many fitment issues to worry about. I did have some issues where the skin connected to the rocker panel. The skin was too short for the pinch weld at the bottom to connect properly. I squeezed it together as best as possible, but it caused some warping on the underside and I had to do some filling.

The rocker was hit from underneath toward the front. The driver's fender I have was also bent so that caused some issues with fitting the door to make sure the new quarter skin was hung properly. Dad worked on the fender a bit and we found that the front of the rocker was sucked in about 1/4 inch from the impact. The front half of the rocker needs to be replaced anyway, so that will be an easy fix.  I'm making a new piece for that right now.

After the quarter done I started working on the rear valance. The area between the quarter panel extension and the taillight on the passengers side was still pretty messed up from the collision. The "L" shaped trim piece was against the quarter extension instead of having the proper. 3/8" gap I had to drill new holes so it fit properly, then fill it with fiberglass so it looked nice.

Next up was to finally finish the valance corners. Ugh. Last summer Dad started making a new one for the passenger's side. I had to finish welding a couple pieces on it before beginning to fit it.  After welding it in I spread fiberglass across both gaps to the quarter panel and to the rear valance. After sanding it smooth I used a hacksaw blade to cut the proper gaps.

The top inch or so of the driver's corner was still good, so all I had to do was make a new lower piece. I used the same method to create the proper gaps. The rear valance was bent pretty badly. I spent a lot of time getting the lower edge straight and pounding out/filling dents. After what seemed like forever I was finally able to prime the entire back end and drivers quarter panel.

 :popcrn:

Mmmmmmm  :drool5: thats looking good  :icon_smile_tongue:

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn:

oh hell yeah  :drool5:

Shes looking grreat!!

Nice, keep it up.

Quote from: sixty8charger on June 11, 2013, 02:20:04 PM
Wow!

I feel like these last two summers I have done nothing but mutilate mine.  Weather beating it up.  I go out to try and fix what I had previously "fixed".. never ending battle.

and just when I get a little momentum, I lose weeks- to a month with Corps stuff.

then .. it feels like I have to start all over.

Much respect to your progress!  wish I had a couple hands to help me out throughout these years.  My wife quit on me after one day of helping and then she tried to slam the trunk lid with a tool in the channel and I might have yelled at her for a second about paying attention or we'll have to back track and fix S*#t that isn't broken....    that was 2 years ago.  she never let it go.

keep the photos coming!  Loving them!

Thanks. I hope to see yours on the road soon too. Maybe you could invest in a carport to keep it out of the weather and find a buddy or two to help you out?  :shruggy:

great progress and befor an after pics remind us of how far you have come on ya charger.keep at it,its looking great. :popcrn: :2thumbs: :popcrn: :2thumbs:  :cheers: dj

nice work  :yesnod: :coolgleamA:  , keep the pictures coming  :yesnod: :popcrn: :cheers:

Lots of progress is being made. The body is entirely in primer now and the underside is painted. I'm working on fenders now. I'll post some pictures soon.

Things are looking good. :2thumbs: Keep the pictures coming.

Sometimes it might feel like you are taking one step forward and two steps back but, you are really making some progress here! :cheers:  It is looking better and better. Just keep your head down, keep the faith and enthusiasm and going forward, however so slowly or fast you perceive it to be.

Your Charger is getting closer and closer to being drivable !

Joe hasn't posted so I will.... we have interrupted his progress with a TOTAL redo of the shop.   Poor guy has been a trooper and POURED himself into it.  its been a MAJOR construction project, but needed before he can proceed with the finish work on the car.   We just moved into this place 2 years ago and have not had a chance til now to make the barn what it SHOULD be for restoring cars...  Hopefully only a couple more weeks and he can start the final block sanding and priming.  

looking great well done on the hard work achieved so far  :cheers:

I enjoy seeing this topic and this kids progress on his charger! Keep us updated with the progress!!

I'll write in detail about the progress eventually...but here's a photo from today. Not too much longer before paint.

looking good.

  Been awhile just asking if we get to see some more pixs before ya are gone back to college ??

sure have brought this 69 along ways,great work an thanks for sharing info with us mopar addicts.  :popcrn: :popcrn:  DJ :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

Quote from: djcarguy on September 15, 2013, 07:10:45 AM
 Been awhile just asking if we get to see some more pixs before ya are gone back to college ??

sure have brought this 69 along ways,great work an thanks for sharing info with us mopar addicts.  :popcrn: :popcrn:  DJ :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

I will make an effort to post progress soon. I haven't done a whole lot the past month or so. There's a bit more bondo work around the cowl and engine compartment to do, then it'll be just a lot of blocking.

We had to do a major overhaul to the shop to get it ready to paint cars in. That's almost done, so I can put my energy back into the Charger.

I gradutated this past May, so I won't be going back this fall. Looking at grad school for next fall, but the car WILL be on the road by then. (even if it kills me  ;) )

OK, I'm finally updating this. Unfortunately I don't have many photos, but a lot has happened to the car over the summer.

As the photos show, I cut out a piece of the driver's side rocker panel. It was solid, but had been hit from underneath. The dent was too big to pull and made the panel about 3/8" too short where it meets the fender. I made the new piece out of 16-gauge steel. It was too heavy, I should have tried to find 18-gauge. I flanged the rear of the patch panel so it slipped inside of the existing rocker panel.

Earlier this summer I bought a flanger to hang the 2nd quarter panel. I had borrowed one while hanging the other side. It's a  pretty decent unit for the cost. Only complaints are that the flange it makes is a bit thin (about ½") and the holes it punches are way too small for welding. Northern Tool already discontinued it, otherwise I'd post a link. This model is almost identical.
http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-605ST-Straight-Flange/dp/B0066LMK7S/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1380679033&sr=8-5&keywords=panel+flanger

The next big thing I worked on was to wire brush and paint the underside of the car. We don't have a lift, so I just parked the car over the edge of the concrete pad in the doorway of the barn. That gave me about 6 inches more height, but I still had to lie on the ground. It was a horrible, dirty job. Some of the undercoating came off and coated me head to toe in a thin layer of black goo that wouldn't come off with any amount of scrubbing. Thankfully the car turned out better than I did.

For paint I used 2 quarts of flat black Rust-O-Leum. I didn't have a sprayer that could be used under the car, so I just used a 4" brush—further adding to the mess.

While I was doing the underside, I also welded some final patches in the floor. I used fiberglass cloth and resin for a couple spots with pinhole rust before painting the entire interior – Rust-O-Leum again, only this time I sprayed it.

 :popcrn:

After that job, the car got set aside for about a month (July) while we replaced the 2nd floor of the barn along with 90% of the structural support. It was all pretty well euchred by termites and rot. I've included a few photos of the destruction.

In August I drilled the holes for the vinyl top trim and made sure it fit ok. I also ordered all 4 pieces of wheel-well trim and fitted those.

Throughout the summer I also picked up a fuel tank with straps, a front valance, both front valance lights, a complete set of A/C dash pads and all 4 marker lights.

Next on the agenda were the fenders. I spent a lot of time spreading and sanding fiberglass and bondo on both of them. The driver's side was the worst by far. The previous owner sandblasted it and warped it badly. The wheel-well lip was also torn in a couple places. I had welded those spots previously, but when I went to fit it on the car, I discovered that the fender was sprung and those welds were only making it worse. Both problem areas broke again while twisting the fender back into shape. Having the wheel-well trim was valuable to make sure the shape was correct.

Both fenders needed repairs on the nose where they had been smashed.  Again, the passenger's side was pretty straightforward while the driver's side was bad. It was smashed bad enough that I fabricated a new nose a couple years ago during Christmas break. (more on that later)

After getting the fenders in primer, I started work on the new (used) valance I bought. Fortunately the needed repairs were fairly minor. With some welding, hammering and filling it came out nicely.

I finally was able to fit the fenders, front valance, grille and hood. The gaps around the hood and fenders were good except for the area where the fenders meet the cowl—that was a bit too wide. I have yet to fix that. While fitting the grille I discovered that the fabbed nose on the driver's fender was misformed and the gap was BAD. The vertical fender piece angled away from the grille so the gap was about 3/8" too wide at the bottom. A wooden block and sledge put it back into place, but it meant I had to re-weld and re-bondo the fender nose.

I also did more work on the rear filler panel. We fitted the deck lid earlier in the summer and discovered that the filler panel was too low. Because we welded it solid, it didn't line up with the deck lid anymore—the center of the filler panel was too low while the outer edges lined up ok. I wasn't too thrilled at the idea of getting out the cutting wheel and welder again, so I opted to match the edge with bondo and blend back toward the rear window.

This puts us into September when I took 10 days of vacation time to relax in a rustic cabin on the shores of Lake Superior.

Since I've been back I've started work on the engine compartment. The inner fenders are still a bit warped from the wreck, so they needed some filling. There are also welds from the repairs that needed grinding and filling. I also filled a damaged area on the cowl caused by the impact.

Last week I ordered the transmission mount and Z-bar mount. The transmission mount came. I spent a few hours last week drilling out and retapping a broken bolt on the tail shaft. Now I'm just waiting to get the Z-bar mount so I can get everything lined up and welded the mount on the framerail.

 :popcrn:

I need to take photos of my most recent progress on the engine compartment and the transmission. I should have those posted later this week.

 :2thumbs:  :popcrn:

Photos from today. I primed a couple spots in the engine compartment just to give myself more material to work with. As mentioned before, it's still a bit wavy from the wreck.

I'll be shopping for (non polyester) primer and paint before long. I'm debating whether to paint the engine compartment first or spray it with the rest of the body.

I sent YearOne a message today. My Z-Bar bracket isn't going to be back in stock until next week. So, the transmission will be sitting around for awhile yet. Oh well.
:popcrn:

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn:

Nice, Very very nice  :popcrn:

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on October 02, 2013, 09:01:05 PM
Nice, Very very nice  :popcrn:

Thanks! I always enjoy checking out the latest on your build.

I can't believe I missed this thread....but hey, I'm all in now. :yesnod:  Keep those progress pictures coming!  :2thumbs:

looks great, keep it up ,  :2thumbs:
most guy's would have turned away from that wreck, another one saved thanks to you ,
undo that steering box ,three bolts and swing it over so you can paint frame rail and bottom of shock tower, looks good , and easy to put back as its still attached to steering linkages,
once that engine bay is painted with a nice gloss finish, it will look better then the factory finish by a mile, paint it first with door jams, inside of doors , boot lid the hang all the panels and paint the whole outside of car in one go 

Quote from: fy469rtse on October 03, 2013, 12:25:19 AM
looks great, keep it up ,  :2thumbs:
most guy's would have turned away from that wreck, another one saved thanks to you ,
undo that steering box ,three bolts and swing it over so you can paint frame rail and bottom of shock tower, looks good , and easy to put back as its still attached to steering linkages,
once that engine bay is painted with a nice gloss finish, it will look better then the factory finish by a mile, paint it first with door jams, inside of doors , boot lid the hang all the panels and paint the whole outside of car in one go 

I will be dropping the K frame and suspension before too long. I need to paint the inner fenders and the under sides of the frame rails anyway and getting all that out of the way for priming and painting will be good.

At this point I'm planning to paint the body, then spray the fenders, doors, hood and decklid separate. It will be easier to spray smaller pieces in our shop and I think it will help to stay motivated on the block sanding. (sand a couple pieces and paint them instead of sanding everything in one shot)

Looks good!   :popcrn:

Keep up the progress!

Your coming along,looks great. Ya the sanding get to ya , it can make you crazy :pullinghair:

Quick update:

The Z-bar bracket came. I jacked the trans up into place, bolted in the crossmember, got the z-bar lined up and welded the bracket on.

Other than that I've just been sanding on the rear and quarter panels. A painter-friend is going to pick up the primer I need. Going with a Sherman Williams product. Apparently it's really nice--should be for $300/gal!

Final prime on the body could be within the next couple weeks!  :woohoo:

Looks good ~ Keep it up!   :2thumbs:

Question for the body guys - what do you think of Sherwin Williams P30B primer?

Worked all day yesterday putting up lights and insulation in the shop. Getting closer....

howdy whats happening[,what new???

  Well its been bugging me for weeks,,whos DART an details an can we see a few more pixs of it???

  Hope ya charger is coming alone an shop is lots warmer an more useable, take care an get lots done.lattter dj
:popcrn: :drool5: :popcrn: :cheers: :cheers: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:    DART???   ???   ??? :icon_smile_question:

Quote from: djcarguy on December 06, 2013, 07:07:25 AM
howdy whats happening[,what new???

  Well its been bugging me for weeks,,whos DART an details an can we see a few more pixs of it???

  Hope ya charger is coming alone an shop is lots warmer an more useable, take care an get lots done.lattter dj
:popcrn: :drool5: :popcrn: :cheers: :cheers: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:    DART???   ???   ??? :icon_smile_question:

I started wet sanding yesterday. Final prime will should be in a couple weeks!

The shop is now fully insulated and stays nice and warm. We also cemented the holes in the floor where wooden beams used to be. So, that's nice for keeping things clean and rolling the floor jack around. There's more to be done before it's suitable for painting, but it's getting close.

The Dart is my dad's. It's a '68 GTS. 340 4-speed originally (I think). Running a 360 and 904 now. His name on here is ProDartGTS

Thanks for asking!

The Dart is mine.   I'll post elsewhere about it as I dont want to hijack this build thread.

Quote from: 70 Charger RT on June 07, 2013, 11:00:22 AM
Nice progress so far.  Here's a shot of my W1 before and after.

Nice. I like the blue long. stripe. My red 70' is originall B3 blue with the blue long. stripe also. I have been told by many people that there was no such thing as a blue long. sripe & that they only came in black or white. Its on my fender tag. I never argue I just let them talk.

Quote from: djcarguy on December 06, 2013, 07:07:25 AM
howdy whats happening[,what new???

  Well its been bugging me for weeks,,whos DART an details an can we see a few more pixs of it???

  Hope ya charger is coming alone an shop is lots warmer an more useable, take care an get lots done.lattter dj
:popcrn: :drool5: :popcrn: :cheers: :cheers: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:    DART???   ???   ??? :icon_smile_question:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,106657.0.html

Long overdue update...

Finally sorted out some issues with the front valance. One fender was shorter than the other, so the valance was about 1/4" higher on one side. I ended up cutting the fender. (illustrated with the red line) bending it down into place and welding it back together. It was several hours extra work, but the perfect fit makes it worth it!

Today I tore the car down. Dad sprayed what is hopefully the last coat of primer. The body is looking pretty straight. There are a few areas that will need to be touched up before paint - fisheyes, etc.

Will hopefully be shooting paint in January!

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn:

 :drool5: :drool5: :drool5: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

Lots of change in that most recent group of photos.  So the next update should be painting it huh?  Cool!

Awwwwwww-Yeaaahhhh  :coolgleamA:

 :2thumbs: :2thumbs: very nice , it's come a long way, great work

Looking good. love seeing the progress everyone makes on their projects. Gives me hope for my projects someday.

Quick update...

Just sprayed the 3rd coat of polyester primer on the doors. Decided to paint the doors and body at the same time to make sure the lines are right.

The body is really close. The passenger's side is blocked at 400 grit. The driver's side body line had some problems, so that needs to be sprayed once more and blocked again.

 :2thumbs: :popcrn:

sprayed the first coat of urethane on the doors today. They're looking pretty straight. Had lots of problems with fisheyes though. Oh well, they'll sand out.

Got the body line fixed on the driver's side quarter and it's blocked at 400 grit.

Getting close!

Quote from: chaos52 on February 23, 2014, 09:13:37 PM
sprayed the first coat of urethane on the doors today. They're looking pretty straight. Had lots of problems with fisheyes though. Oh well, they'll sand out.

Got the body line fixed on the driver's side quarter and it's blocked at 400 grit.

Getting close!

Fish eye in your primer??  You don't see that to often. Is it some what uniform over the whole piece you did? Or is it only in a few spots.  If it is , uniiform you either have a contamination in your primer / gun, air line or the room you sprayed it in.   If its only in a few spots its probably some  sort of surface contamination.   IF you were able to burry most of them wiht a couple coats of extra primer they should be fine , but if there are pretty distinct  they will probably dont' sand out complete, you may need to re prime.

Quote from: Canadian1968 on February 23, 2014, 09:23:32 PM
Fish eye in your primer??  You don't see that to often. Is it some what uniform over the whole piece you did? Or is it only in a few spots.  If it is , uniiform you either have a contamination in your primer / gun, air line or the room you sprayed it in.   If its only in a few spots its probably some  sort of surface contamination.   IF you were able to burry most of them wiht a couple coats of extra primer they should be fine , but if there are pretty distinct  they will probably dont' sand out complete, you may need to re prime.

That polyester primer is difficult to dry properly when it's cold and dry. When it's not dried completely it's impossible to sand. So, I had to blow hot air on the doors with a kerosene salamander heater. I'm sure that's where the problems are coming from.

It's concentrated in a few spots. Not uniform.

Quote from: chaos52 on February 24, 2014, 07:55:30 AM

Quote from: Canadian1968 on February 23, 2014, 09:23:32 PM
Fish eye in your primer??  You don't see that to often. Is it some what uniform over the whole piece you did? Or is it only in a few spots.  If it is , uniiform you either have a contamination in your primer / gun, air line or the room you sprayed it in.   If its only in a few spots its probably some  sort of surface contamination.   IF you were able to burry most of them wiht a couple coats of extra primer they should be fine , but if there are pretty distinct  they will probably dont' sand out complete, you may need to re prime.

That polyester primer is difficult to dry properly when it's cold and dry. When it's not dried completely it's impossible to sand. So, I had to blow hot air on the doors with a kerosene salamander heater. I'm sure that's where the problems are coming from.

It's concentrated in a few spots. Not uniform.

Yep fuel contamination will do that.  If it was me I would start over and not simply remove the bad spots.  The kerosene is all over, it just doesn't show everywhere.  It's just a pair of doors right?

Quote from: Dino on February 24, 2014, 09:22:17 AM
Yep fuel contamination will do that.  If it was me I would start over and not simply remove the bad spots.  The kerosene is all over, it just doesn't show everywhere.  It's just a pair of doors right?

I've has issues with fisheyes in the past and they always go away after sanding and priming again.

I'm not too thrilled at the idea of stripping them down again since I've already spent weeks on bondo and primer work. Both doors have sheetmetal work and dents in them.

Quote from: chaos52 on February 24, 2014, 10:34:11 AM

Quote from: Dino on February 24, 2014, 09:22:17 AM
Yep fuel contamination will do that.  If it was me I would start over and not simply remove the bad spots.  The kerosene is all over, it just doesn't show everywhere.  It's just a pair of doors right?

I've has issues with fisheyes in the past and they always go away after sanding and priming again.

I'm not too thrilled at the idea of stripping them down again since I've already spent weeks on bondo and primer work. Both doors have sheetmetal work and dents in them.

Fair enough, sanding will have to do then.

Just block sand it as best as possible then to take a bit off.  Once degreased and ready for fresh primer, spray a dry coat first and see what it does.

 :drool5:

Very good work man!

Quote from: PtitRaisin on February 26, 2014, 06:34:35 PM
:drool5:

Very good work man!

Merci!

Well, looks like the doors are on track to recovery.

I wet sanded them with 220 and sprayed a couple bare spots with etch primer as always. Except this time the etch primer wrinkled and I could scrape it and a layer of polyester off with my thumbnail! :brickwall: It happened in 3 or 4 spots.

Finally figured out that I sprayed the polyester too heavy in problem areas without doing a light coat first, so it didn't adhere and cure properly. So, I had to 80 grit those places and re-mud them. After getting it back to 220 grit I sprayed everything with etch primer to be sure the problems didn't come back.

Just sprayed both doors with urethane and there are no fisheyes and no wrinkles! :thumbs:

Quote from: chaos52 on March 02, 2014, 06:12:17 PM
Well, looks like the doors are on track to recovery.

I wet sanded them with 220 and sprayed a couple bare spots with etch primer as always. Except this time the etch primer wrinkled and I could scrape it and a layer of polyester off with my thumbnail! :brickwall: It happened in 3 or 4 spots.

Finally figured out that I sprayed the polyester too heavy in problem areas without doing a light coat first, so it didn't adhere and cure properly. So, I had to 80 grit those places and re-mud them. After getting it back to 220 grit I sprayed everything with etch primer to be sure the problems didn't come back.

Just sprayed both doors with urethane and there are no fisheyes and no wrinkles! :thumbs:

Ive always been told not to used etch under poly. The only way ive heard it to be ok is if the etch is really dry. Like weeks....

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on March 02, 2014, 06:29:08 PM
Ive always been told not to used etch under poly. The only way ive heard it to be ok is if the etch is really dry. Like weeks....

Yeah, I read that online somewhere. The instructions on the can (Evercoat Feather Fill G2) say to use an etch primer on any bare metal before spraying. I've done that on the rest of the car and it has worked great. Even if the etch primer has only just dried.

Quote from: chaos52 on March 02, 2014, 07:05:55 PM

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on March 02, 2014, 06:29:08 PM
Ive always been told not to used etch under poly. The only way ive heard it to be ok is if the etch is really dry. Like weeks....

Yeah, I read that online somewhere. The instructions on the can (Evercoat Feather Fill G2) say to use an etch primer on any bare metal before spraying. I've done that on the rest of the car and it has worked great. Even if the etch primer has only just dried.

Your using Feather Fill G2?  You know that this is a POLYESTER primer , and NOT a URATHANE /POLYURATHANE primer correct?

Maybe I missed some where in your post,  but your spraying  Etch - G2 - Then a urathane primer??? 

Quote from: Canadian1968 on March 02, 2014, 07:43:58 PM
Your using Feather Fill G2?  You know that this is a POLYESTER primer , and NOT a URATHANE /POLYURATHANE primer correct?

Maybe I missed some where in your post,  but your spraying  Etch - G2 - Then a urathane primer??? 

Yes, the layers would be Nason Etch > Feather Fill G2 > Sherwin Williams P30B > Paint

Is there a problem?

No that's right. At first I thought that you were we referring to the G2 as a Urathane primer.  Are you coating the entire panel with the g2 or just spots?  That Williams primer is great stuff has great build properties an has a flex built in.

Quote from: Canadian1968 on March 02, 2014, 09:41:09 PM
No that's right. At first I thought that you were we referring to the G2 as a Urathane primer.  Are you coating the entire panel with the g2 or just spots?  That Williams primer is great stuff has great build properties an has a flex built in.

I usually spray 2 or 3 coats of the G2 and block at 80, 180 and 220 wet before moving on to the urethane. Makes it easier to get it flat. It works better in the summer when I can put it out in the sun and bake it. It stays gummy for a long time in the winter.

yeah, I like the p30b. High build and sands easy. You pay for it though.

A couple spots to touch up on the doors and it's ready for paint!

I'm looking into having a local body guy spray it. He sprays Standox and has the equipment to mix and measure precisely. It would save me headache not worrying about spraying in a new environment and he might be able to save on materials.

Feeling a bit down lately...

I've dumped about $13000 into this project and hundreds of hours. It's going to take a few thousand more dollars to get it on the road. I'm going to be moving away this coming summer/fall and most likely won't be able to take the car with me.

I'm sick of working on the thing, especially since I'll barely be able to enjoy it before moving.

I've thought about turning it into a daily driver, but I've built it as a show car. It's too nice for that now.

I've also thought about selling it, but I've put so much time and money into it...I can't bare to think of stopping now.

And I've thought about dropping the project and just letting it sit at my parent's house until I have the time and resources to finish it. That's just depressing.

Any thoughts, encouragement, suggestions are much appreciated.

Sounds like you are definitely burnt out on working on the Charger right now.  We all went thru this if we tore a car completely down and slowly built it back up again. 

Just find some place you can store it for a while (parents house would work if they have the room) and re-group for a while. Work on it a little at a time then back off again. When the Charger nears completion, your excitement about the Charger will return and the day it runs, will be monumental for the project.

Everyone gets down on a project that takes thousands of dollars and many hours of your time. Just back off occasionally and re-group. Don't work on it, don't look at it don't go near it for a month or two. Longer if it helps.

Just concentrate on one area at a time, not thinking about the whole car. Pretty soon, there will be no more areas as you have it completed !!

Again, do not sell your car. Find a way to store it and regain the enthusiasm you had for it when you first got it!

 :iagree:
I was in the same place. but now i'm on the move.

Quote from: chaos52 on April 05, 2014, 07:32:36 PM
Feeling a bit down lately...

I've dumped about $13000 into this project and hundreds of hours. It's going to take a few thousand more dollars to get it on the road. I'm going to be moving away this coming summer/fall and most likely won't be able to take the car with me.

I'm sick of working on the thing, especially since I'll barely be able to enjoy it before moving.

I've thought about turning it into a daily driver, but I've built it as a show car. It's too nice for that now.

I've also thought about selling it, but I've put so much time and money into it...I can't bare to think of stopping now.

And I've thought about dropping the project and just letting it sit at my parent's house until I have the time and resources to finish it. That's just depressing.

Any thoughts, encouragement, suggestions are much appreciated.

Charger overload!  It happens, it's normal. 

Here's what always worked for me, on any car or bike.

Clean up the car and everything around it.  Store all the tools where they belong, remove any car parts not bolted down.  Clean them up and store them in a safe place.  Clean the car itself, this may be limited to removing some dust depending on what shape it's in but make sure there is NOTHING laying on or in the car that does not belong there.

You now should have a clean car in a clean spot with nothing to trip over.  Done?  Great!  Now walk away. 

I know it seems weird but just let the car be, you've had it on your mind way too often and you need a break.  Go do something else but ignore the car.

One day you'll find you are looking at things differently and the car becomes something fun to think about again.  Now go to your garage and enjoy working in that nice clean spot.   :icon_smile_big:

Getting tired with all this is normal and healthy, getting depressed over it is not.  The car will be there when you come back, not to worry.

Great advice Dino! Especially about cleaning up!
I do this from time to time. Seems like as I'm working on it stuff seems to pile up!
And cleaning up seems to help me.

Dino nailed it, went through the same thing, been working on mine for over 10 years on and off, have walked away for a year at a time. Your thread brings back alot of memories, I've done alot of the same stuff to mine, if I could go back I never would have started with such a huge project, thought about selling here and there but not to seriously, I'm glad I didn't! Your spark will come back, just take a little break.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement.

The last couple days have been better. Fixed some problems with the body lines on the doors and quarter panels. I still need to bolt the fenders on for a final fitment check, but (fingers crossed) the doors and body are ready for paint.

At this point I guess I'll keep poking away at it when I feel like it. But, I'm not holding my breath that it will be on the road this summer like I planned.

Some photos... lots of progress has been made since the last photos I posted...it's just not immediately apparent.

I've arranged for a local body guy to spray it. He uses Standox product. I plan to call him tomorrow and arrange for him to come look at the car.

Shiny!

Nice  :popcrn:

Good advice Dino, was going to take some photos of seat belt and speaker stereo install, but was embarrassed , had that much shit laying around and in the car, trying to do too many things at once
Those shots of your car look great , a credit to you for all your hard work is showing , that car has come a long way
:2thumbs: keep posting , car is in good hands , it was scrap metal when you first got it

Nice, you're comong along well there chaos.  And if it isn't on the road this summer, so what?  Just go to shows and enjoy the weather anyway it will all be worth it in the end.

Quote from: Ghoste on May 05, 2014, 05:47:09 AM
Nice, you're comong along well there chaos.  And if it isn't on the road this summer, so what?  Just go to shows and enjoy the weather anyway it will all be worth it in the end.

:iagree:
I can understand wanting it to be done,but don't rush it.

I took the doors to the body guy today. We wants to spray a coat of his own primer and block it again. (He uses Dupont. I used Sherwin Williams) That's fine by me. Another blocking with a fresh set of eyes can't hurt. It also means he'll be spraying over a familiar product.

He couldn't give me a timeframe on when they would be done. That concerns me. I plan to wait a couple weeks and stop back in and see where they're at. If worse comes to worst I'll take them back and spray them here.

just hang in there.

Once its painted you can start putting her back together and motivation wont be an issue no more....
Bodywork alway takes too long imo

Sprayed the first coat of urethane on the fenders yesterday. They're looking good.

I also ran out of the polyester primer while spraying the 2nd coat on the hood. I can't get it in quart size, so it looks like I'll be finishing the hood and valance with urethane.

Paint is so close I can taste it!!  :brickwall:

Chaos52, take this for what you paid for it. Car has A LOT of hard earned good times in it once on the road.
Rome won't built in a day. I can't see nobody selling that car and getting anywhere near what would only be an insult. You brought that thing back from the dead. By all rights, it Prolly shoulda been dead/crushed but saved.
you are talented. All you need is that first cruise. I cannot put into words that feeling. You know it.
when all the problems of the past three years just melt away and for that cruise, nobody can touch you.
that car will be amazing when finished.
What's more, you built it like I would have. Hand fabbed most parts. Takes balls when so easy to just buy panels already done. My hats off to you and I hope this message sinks in and I get to hear bout that first cruise.
again, awesome work.

Thanks Cooter, that means a lot to me.

The thought of shiny, straight panels and that first cylinder firing keeps me going.  :icon_smile_big:

Yep what cooter said , keep going , that car is a credit to you and your hard work,
I'm like that at the moment , it will pass , that car was junk, but now thanks only to your efforts it alive !

Got a call from the paint guy last Thursday. He said my body work on the doors looks good. :coolgleamA:
He plans to spray the doors this week. Depending on how they turn out, he may block them at 600 and spray another coat of clear. They'll be done this week or early next week. :2thumbs:

I'm continuing to work on the fenders, doors and hood. They're all getting close.

 :2thumbs:

 :2thumbs:

I had a 70 without the accident damage but RUSTY in the most impossible places and nearly every piece of sheet metal and structural sections like the a pillars, cowl, firewall sections etc.... would of had to been replaced except the doors and fenders.  Unfortunately i gave up because it was just too much work and would of cost a small fortune that i did not have, to repair.  I sold it and have no idea whatever happened to it and i must say i'm regretting it now because it was arrow straight but just rusted like an old battleship. Having stepped away, and looking back now, and reading your build here, has inspired me to carry on and try again.  I applaud all your hard work and fortitude being so young and so dedicated to your project.  I encourage you to carry on and never give up because you WILL regret it.  I know i do.... :2thumbs:

Any update on the doors?

Quote from: Ghoste on June 18, 2014, 06:47:47 AM
Any update on the doors?

No, I will probably call him today.

Lots of people making some great points focused on motivation and clearing your head.

Another point to look at- how many people on this board are replacing the car they had as a kid (I mean 18-25 here)?

You have it- the one. Not one like it, not a clone you made of it; this is the car that you and your dad built. That may not mean much now but in 10,15,20 years it's going to be a symbol of your youth, your dreams and your relationship with your dad.

I know because we still have mine. Started building a 1965 Grand Prix when I was 15, finished when I was 18. Drove it on an off through college and enjoyed it as I started my career. One day my dad was complaining that he had let all if his cars go to the point they were no longer fun to drive. It was his 57th birthday and he had just helped me get into a house I couldn't have dreamed of before. It was one of the happiest days of my life to be able to hand him the keys and say 'happy birthday- it's your turn to enjoy it for a while'.

I am new here but I read through the entire thread and I must say it is damn inspiring!

No matter what you do with your charger you have a lot invested. Some may see it as sunk cost you won't get back- I see it as a sign of determination and dedication you should be proud of. We have all thought of selling out when it doesn't work the first, second or even third time. Your not alone- take your time and like said above walk away until it is fun again.

Thanks 1965gp.

Progress update (with a little back-story):

I'm quitting my current job at the end of August and am planning to move out of state to pursue freelance work (I'm an animator. See http://joerule.com )
I called the painter today and asked if the car was going to be done by August. He said no.

So, I'm going to pick up the doors tonight or tomorrow. He seam sealed the edges, but hasn't primed or blocked them yet. Dad has already asked a painter friend if he would be willing to spray it. He said yes and is coming over Sunday to look things over. The agreement is that he will paint it here. (Lots of cleaning to do! :eek2: )

Earlier this week dad sprayed the back-half of the body again and I'm going to block it a final time. There were a couple wavy spots and a problem with the lower body line on the driver's side. (My standards have gone up since I sanded those spots! ;D )The fenders and doors are ready. The hood and deck lid are 1 or 2 blockings away from finished. The front valance is still at the 80-grit bondo/polyester primer stage.

So, we're back on schedule to get it painted. The sooner I get those panels finished, the sooner it will be painted. If that's not motivation, I don't know what is!  :2thumbs:

Had all the cars out today. It's the first time the Charger has seen the light of day since last fall.  :cheers:

EDIT: Can you spot the cat??  :icon_smile_big:  :nana:

Cat: on the roof on the green car on the right top?  :scratchchin:

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on June 21, 2014, 08:59:03 PM
Cat: on the roof on the green car on the right top?  :scratchchin:

Yup, for better or worse. :-\ He has developed a bad habit of jumping up on the cars lately.

Quote from: chaos52 on June 21, 2014, 09:07:48 PM

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on June 21, 2014, 08:59:03 PM
Cat: on the roof on the green car on the right top?  :scratchchin:

Yup, for better or worse. :-\ He has developed a bad habit of jumping up on the cars lately.

Eh, As long as he doesn't use the antenna as a scratching post...  :lol:

Or the hood scallops as piss pools.

Picked up the doors last Saturday. They were primed and the insides sanded. The outsides still need to be blocked at 400.

Dad's painter friend is coming Sunday to spray the engine compartment, cowl, door jambs, inside of doors, back of hood and back of trunk lid.  :woohoo:

I decided to go with PX8 on his recommendation. Has anyone used that shade of black on their car?

Quote from: chaos52 on June 26, 2014, 11:31:28 PM
Picked up the doors last Saturday. They were primed and the insides sanded. The outsides still need to be blocked at 400.

Dad's painter friend is coming Sunday to spray the engine compartment, cowl, door jambs, inside of doors, back of hood and back of trunk lid.  :woohoo:

I decided to go with PX8 on his recommendation. Has anyone used that shade of black on their car?

Yep. PX8 is a nice sharp,none brown looking black. Thats what I used on my black 68.

Photos from Sunday. A painter friend named Matt volunteered to spray it. He sealed everything with P30B. Also used Sherwin Williams base and clear. We're using their cheaper line of base and cheaper clear for this part. We'll use the same base with the high-end clear on the outside of the car.

It looks absolutely phenomenal. Better than I expected. We had problems with water coming out of the gun even with 2 filters on the hose. It was about 90* and 90% humidity that day, so I expect it was from the pressure drop at the nozzle. Regardless, the compressor will be drained and a new hose, water traps and new filters will be in place before spraying the rest of the car.

There's a small low spot in the cowl that needs to be fixed. It probably shrunk since the last time I sanded it. He sprayed an extra 2 coats of clear on that spot, so I'm hoping it will sand out.

:popcrn:

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn:

Looks great!

Very nice!  :drool5:

 :2thumbs: :popcrn: :popcrn:

I sandblasted the hood hinges and trunk hinges this past weekend. They're in etch primer, ready to be sealed and painted.

The doors are bolted on and the body and doors are blocked at 600. Still need to bolt the fenders on and block them, the hood and deck lid at 600.

I sprayed the 3rd coat of polyester on the front valance tonight. It should be ready for paint next week.

We could be painting the rest of the car next weekend. My biggest concern at this point is the valance shrinking because I did the work in such a short time...we'll see.

(http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=92289.0;attach=175334)
Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking when I bought this project...I obviously wasn't thinking at all. :smilielol:

I can't wait to take a duplicate photo of me standing next to the finished car though.  :icon_smile_big:

Quote from: chaos52 on July 16, 2014, 09:27:45 PM
(http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=92289.0;attach=175334)
Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking when I bought this project...I obviously wasn't thinking at all. :smilielol:

I can't wait to take a duplicate photo of me standing next to the finished car though.  :icon_smile_big:

Man, i know that feeling.. i bought mine out of spite, i was sick of the world telling me i could never have one, cause of rarity, Cost, and just BS from sellers over pricing their junk, I loved it, But looking back... Man... 

YOU DID GOOD THOUGH  :2thumbs: Way better than me, with a similar, if not worse starting point  :cheers:

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on July 16, 2014, 09:41:00 PM
Man, i know that feeling.. i bought mine out of spite, i was sick of the world telling me i could never have one, cause of rarity, Cost, and just BS from sellers over pricing their junk, I loved it, But looking back... Man... 

YOU DID GOOD THOUGH  :2thumbs: Way better than me, with a similar, if not worse starting point  :cheers:

:hah: "But looking back... Man..."  :rofl: I know that feel!

I hesitate to say it's "better" than yours though. Some days I wish I had gone for the Mad Max aesthetic. It would have been more fun to work on, more unique and much less of a financial and mental burden.

It is going to be pretty (sexy) though. :icon_smile_big:

Looks like the Charger will be painted this Saturday! Matt (the painter friend) is coming over Friday evening to mask/prep. Saturday morning we should be shooting color.

Dad and I hung the fenders yesterday. I just need to finish sanding everything at 600 grit for it to be ready.  :woohoo:

We had problems with water when spraying last time. I drained the compressor on Sunday and got at least a gallon of water. :-\ I also ordered a new air hose and a filter as a precaution.  :2thumbs:

The car is all masked off and ready for paint in the morning! Starting bright and early at 8am!  :boogie:

(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/eating/eating-cookie.gif) (http://www.sherv.net/)(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/eating/eating-cookie.gif) (http://www.sherv.net/)(http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/eating/eating-cookie.gif) (http://www.sherv.net/)

 :popcrn: :popcrn: never would I have expected this car to turn out this #%£€ing good excellent work, keep going lad
Great thread , and one of my all time favourite threads ,
Junk to show car , add one very motivated youngster, and walha abracadabra  just magic  :2thumbs:

Well, I have good news and bad news.

The good news is that the car is painted and it looks...beyond amazing.

The bad news is that I have to sand the whole thing again and Matt needs to spray another 1 or 2 coats of clear. (depending on the panel). Half way through the second coat of clear, our water problems returned. It ruined the deck lid right away. We drained the compressor and cleaned the filters, but it came back while spraying the hood. We decided to call it quits before screwing up any more panels.

So, I will start sanding on Monday. I plan to have it done this week so he can come over and spray the last of it some night after work. I'm going to buy another dessicant "noodle". My cousin works at a pneumatics place, so he is going to try to find me an additional filter too. Hopefully that will take care of water problems long enough to get the last of it sprayed.

Anywho, enjoy the photos. I'm also uploading a video, but our internet is sh8t so it probably won't be done until tomorrow.

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn:

The last 2 are closeups of the water problems. It's amazing how such a small thing can cause such big problems.

Here's the video. Just a quick walk around. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SBP-Kr7Zrc

Looks great, congratulations! It is a big milestone have paint on a car!

 :cheers: :2thumbs: :drool5:
Proud papa here.  He's done 90% of this project himself.   I've done a lot of show winning work, but this car is breathtaking!     And this is his FIRST car!!!!!
 

Looks good enough to eat of off... as im sure Your cat will demonstrating in the future  :2thumbs:

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on July 27, 2014, 11:49:42 AM
Looks good enough to eat of off... as im sure Your cat will demonstrating in the future  :2thumbs:

Bite your tongue! We're going to have a problem if he tries it. :nono:

Quote from: chaos52 on July 27, 2014, 05:45:26 PM

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on July 27, 2014, 11:49:42 AM
Looks good enough to eat of off... as im sure Your cat will demonstrating in the future  :2thumbs:

Bite your tongue! We're going to have a problem if he tries it. :nono:

:smilielol:

Seriously though, Looks great in black  :coolgleamA:

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on July 27, 2014, 05:59:39 PM
:smilielol:

Seriously though, Looks great in black  :coolgleamA:

Thanks  :thumbs:

nice work. :drool5:

  nice  :drool5: :2thumbs: :coolgleamA:

Stayed up until 1am Wednesday and 3am Thursday getting the car sanded out. I also borrowed a air filter system from my cousin, bought a new desiccant snake and put in a drip leg on the air line to eliminate water problems.

Long story short, as of 9pm the Charger is PAINTED with NO water problems. Now onto final sanding and wheeling!

That is a great feeling isn't it? You had a problem , but you powered through it. Great job! Nothing worse that paint problems....

My cousin came over today to help me sand for a couple hours. That was much appreciated.

We sanded the whole car at 1500 grit. The hood, trunk and passenger's quarter are at 2000 grit. It looks good except for a couple spots where bugs flew into the fresh clearcoat. :mad: I'm reluctant to grind away at them too hard, so I may end up dripping some clearcoat on the spots to try fixing them.

It should be wheeled out in the next couple weeks!  :2thumbs:

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on August 01, 2014, 07:16:33 AM
That is a great feeling isn't it? You had a problem , but you powered through it. Great job! Nothing worse that paint problems....

Yes, a big relief. I haven't completed the car yet, but it's difficult to imagine anything worse than paint problems.  :rotz:

A big congratulations to you....well done!!   The Charger looks amazing...all that work certainly paid off tenfold!    :2thumbs:

Great thread.  I love seeing people take these projects on for themselves.  Labour of love...

The whole car is sanded at 2000 grit. I dripped some clearcoat to fix a couple pinholes in the clear, but may have make the spots even worse. :( Matt is supposed to come Saturday to wheel it out, so hopefully he can fix them.

I ordered a bunch of stuff from Summit and Brewers the other day. Wheels, headers, exhaust, transmission parts, flywheel, clutch, etc. (ouch, my wallet) Packages are supposed to start showing up tomorrow.  :woohoo:

You guys definitely deserve some updates and eye candy.

Matt came over last Saturday and wheeled most of the car. It was getting late and he ran out of 3000grit sandpaper, so the hood and valance still need to be done.

All my parts showed up Thursday and Friday. I pulled the rear end out of the car and got it cleaned up and painted. I also cleaned and painted the transmission and bell housing. The guy I bought the engine from didn't paint it right, so it was peeling. I wire brushed, cleaned, primed and painted it again. The front suspension is all torn apart and ready to clean and paint. I pieced together all the best parts from the '70 parts car and the stuff that came with the '69.

I also bolted on the wheel well trim, the quarter panel extensions and the marker lights. Also masked off and painted the tail pan - SEM trim black.

Anyway, enjoy the photos. The next step is to find a new set of leaf springs so I can put the rear end back under the car!

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn: That's the exhaust system below - Pypes 2.5" stainless with X pipe.

Im running out of drool  :drool5: :drool5: :drool5: :drool5:

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on August 20, 2014, 09:22:16 PM
Im running out of drool  :drool5: :drool5: :drool5: :drool5:

:2thumbs:
I slap myself whenever I walk out to the shop: "Where the hell did this thing come from?"   :lol:

Are you able to surpress your excitement?

Sh*t, I know I woul'nt
I'd be living in my shop till the damn thing is finished

Quote from: six-tee-nine on August 21, 2014, 05:43:42 AM
Are you able to surpress your excitement?

Sh*t, I know I woul'nt
I'd be living in my shop till the damn thing is finished

lol barely. I've got a lot of other stuff going on right now, so I can only work on it a couple hours per day, if at all.  :'(

Sounds familiar.......

For me not such an issue welding, grinding, spraying primer and sanding isnt that much exciting

very nice , do you remembernot so long ago, we were trying to keep you motivated , very nice ,
your almost finished and on to the next one ,? 68 this time  :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

Quote from: six-tee-nine on August 21, 2014, 03:12:21 PM
Sounds familiar.......

For me not such an issue welding, grinding, spraying primer and sanding isnt that much exciting

I know your pain. Can't say much except to keep poking away at it. I sometimes would do other odd jobs on the car to break up the monotony.

Quote from: fy469rtse on August 22, 2014, 01:25:58 AM
very nice , do you remembernot so long ago, we were trying to keep you motivated , very nice ,
your almost finished and on to the next one ,? 68 this time  :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

lol I don't see another Charger in my future. Someday I'd like to do a 70s Porsche 911 Turbo. It would be a driver, not a show car.

Thats an interesting contrast in garage occupants.

Thanks for sharing all of the details and photos. You've done an awesome job!!

Quote from: Ghoste on August 22, 2014, 07:43:55 AM
Thats an interesting contrast in garage occupants.

Hey, I don't discriminate. ;D

Quote from: chaos52 on August 20, 2014, 09:18:13 PM
:popcrn: That's the exhaust system below - Pypes 2.5" stainless with X pipe.

Interested to see how you make out with the pypes exhuast. I just got finished putting it on my 68 with headers.  We had to do quite a bit of cutting and welding to get it to fit right!  Project looks amazing though!!  Threads like this that keep my spirtis up !! 

Especially after today when I pulled out my upper control arm to find out that my strut tower and frame directly below it are rotten......  :icon_smile_angry:

Quote from: Canadian1968 on August 25, 2014, 06:37:29 PM

Interested to see how you make out with the pypes exhuast. I just got finished putting it on my 68 with headers.  We had to do quite a bit of cutting and welding to get it to fit right!  Project looks amazing though!!  Threads like this that keep my spirtis up !! 

Especially after today when I pulled out my upper control arm to find out that my strut tower and frame directly below it are rotten......  :icon_smile_angry:

Sorry to hear about your strut tower and frame. That's never a good place to be in  :rotz:

Yeah, I was afraid it wouldn't fit very well. For the price though, I can do some modifications and still come out on top. We'll see.... :shruggy:

The vinyl top is on and so is the trunk lid!  :icon_smile_big:

I'll post photos soon.

 :2thumbs:

 :cheers: Here we go!

I referenced the Mopar Muscle Magazine article and the Moparts Tech article to put the top on.
http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/misc/4.html
http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/howto/mopp_0102_how_to_install_a_vinyl_convertible_top/

A couple things I would add -

1. Be sure to let the glue dry for a couple minutes before pressing the 2 surfaces together. It needs to tack up. We had problems with lots of little bubbles on the roof because the glue was still runny. Continuously going back over it and rubbing out the bubbles eventually fixed it. Once the glue tacked up, they stopped coming back.

2. I used 3 cans of glue. (3M Yellow Super Trim Adhesive) Most said 4 were needed. IMO if you use 4 cans, you're using too much glue. We sprayed both the vinyl and the metal up-down and left-right for a total of 4 coats of glue. I can't imagine needing more than that.

 :popcrn:

 :popcrn:

Your skills are amazing - especially for a young dude.  Many of us wouldn't even think about trying that. Cheers to you!  :cheers:  Your car is beautiful, and having the ability to say - "yeah, I did that myself" - - PRICELESS.

That car is drop dead gorgeous. Great job on the top. :cheers: :cheers:

Quote from: TUFCAT on September 01, 2014, 09:10:14 AM
Your skills are amazing - especially for a young dude.  Many of us wouldn't even think about trying that. Cheers to you!  :cheers:  Your car is beautiful, and having the ability to say - "yeah, I did that myself" - - PRICELESS.

Thanks! I have to admit that the guy behind the camera helped a lot. ;D But neither of us had done a vinyl top before, so it was an adventure.

Now we both know how to put one on! (and will probably never do it again :smilielol: )

AWESOME job! Paint and top look Beautiful!
Pat

Your car looks awesome. You must be really stoked,and highly relieved to have the grueling body and paint part behind you. The fun part is all ahead of you now.

 :drool5: :2thumbs: :popcrn:

Nice work on that top!

Mmmmmm This car is gonna look good  :drool5: :drool5: :drool5: :drool5:

It doesn't get much better than that!  Awesome job!   :2thumbs:

Great work, Car looks Awesome!  Some reason I like the exterior color. :thumbs:

beautiful job , done a couple of tops myself, dont want to ever do one again,
but the installers locally are hopeless , so what do you do,
that car is a credit to you , just looks , i was going to say sex on wheels , but there missing  :lol: keep posting, before and after shots are amazing

Quote from: fy469rtse on September 01, 2014, 05:53:24 PM
beautiful job , done a couple of tops myself, dont want to ever do one again,
but the installers locally are hopeless , so what do you do,
that car is a credit to you , just looks , i was going to say sex on wheels , but there missing  :lol: keep posting, before and after shots are amazing

I got the rear end under it tonight, so I guess that's one step closer to sex. :naughty:

steve mcqueen wouldnt have chased that car ,
would have sat there with his mouth open drooling and staring :lol:

Nice work all round. Can't wait to see the final result.  :2thumbs:
TPR

I painted my first car (for a customer) when i was Joe's age... in fact I did it when we were expecting him.   It was a red 62 Tbird convertible.   It looked REALLY good...  I've done dozens of cars since then over the last 24 years... but his FIRST car looks better than the LAST one I did.   (which was either a yellow 340 Dart Sport or a grey 35 Chevy Master street rod, I cant remember)  But the thing is, he has done the bulk of project this BY HIMSELF.  

Every time I walk in that shop and see this car,  I cant help but say... Holy SH**!!!   :drool5: :coolgleamA:

Quote from: ProDartGTS on September 03, 2014, 02:58:47 PM
I painted my first car (for a customer) when i was Joe's age... in fact I did it when we were expecting him.   It was a red 62 Tbird convertible.   It looked REALLY good...  I've done dozens of cars since then over the last 24 years... but his FIRST car looks better than the LAST one I did.   (which was either a yellow 340 Dart Sport or a grey 35 Chevy Master street rod, I cant remember)  But the thing is, he has done the bulk of project this BY HIMSELF.  

Every time I walk in that shop and see this car,  I cant help but say... Holy SH**!!!   :drool5: :coolgleamA:

That's so awesome!  :2thumbs:

The front suspension is all done with new upper and lower control arm bushings, lower ball joints, etc.

Except for one problem - unknown to me, the lower control arms are from a 70s car and the sway bar brackets are in a different place. :brickwall:
So, there's some cutting and welding to be done there. I guess it's all part of piecing a car together from scratch.

I double checked the wheel/tire fitment and am planning to order the tires tomorrow. Barring flood, famine or other natural disasters, it will be on its own feet later this week.  :2thumbs:

Just ordered the tires from a local shop. 295/50 and 235/60. They should be in Thursday or Friday.

I wanted Mastercraft Avenger G/T for all 4, but the 295/50s have been on backorder for a month and a half. So, they got me Hankook for the back and Mastercraft for the front. It's not ideal, but I looked them up and the tread is similar enough I think they'll look ok.

The wheels and tires are on  :o WOW

The stripe is going on tomorrow. I'll post photos then!

Damn tease!!!!

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on September 12, 2014, 09:02:51 PM
Damn tease!!!!

:nana:

Dang kids....

Holy crap that's such a nice car now ,
:2thumbs: wanna help me with next few  :lol:

Great work!   :2thumbs:

Looking forward to the stripe and wheels.

"The Waiting" is the hardest part.  :yesnod:

http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Petty+and+The+Heartbreakers/_/The+Waiting

Here she is. The stripe went on well, but it kept bubbling up when we tried to peel off the top layer. It was only in the 50s today, so I hope that's where the problem was. I turned on the furnace and kept the shop around 70 for most of the day. Going to let it sit over night and try again tomorrow.

The rear passenger's side tire is going to hit the outer lip. I want to lower it 2" anyway, so I'm hoping I can modify the blocks to shift the axle .5" to the driver's side. The driver's side has about 1" clearance.

I also bolted on the bell housing to test-fit the trans and see how deep I need to drill into the crank. (I have a roller bearing from Brewers to use instead of the factory pilot bushing)

cheers!  :cheers:

 :cheers:

I try to imagine miles of hot blacktop stretching to the horizon.  :coolgleamA:

I just Came..... TO SAY I LOVE YOUR CAR  :drool5:

Also i need to change my pants

that stripe looks better with the backing paper still on. well in the photo anyway.

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on September 13, 2014, 08:48:50 PM
I just Came..... TO SAY I LOVE YOUR CAR  :drool5:

Also i need to change my pants

....and underwear  :yesnod:

If you peel the overlay off the stripe and just leave the bubbles alone they will go away. If you push on them etc. the material will stretch and they will be permanent .

Looking sharp!

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on September 13, 2014, 09:16:27 PM
If you peel the overlay off the stripe and just leave the bubbles alone they will go away. If you push on them etc. the material will stretch and they will be permanent .

Looking sharp!

The guy that helped me put it on has done hundreds of striping jobs. He was concerned about it creasing, not necessarily bubbles. I'm sure you're right, but I'll go on his recommendation and wait until tomorrow.  :2thumbs:

That is one fine looking car!  :drool5:
Nice job!  :2thumbs:

I'm totally in love.  :drool5:

Quote from: chaos52 on September 13, 2014, 08:44:26 PM
Here she is. The stripe went on well, but it kept bubbling up when we tried to peel off the top layer. It was only in the 50s today, so I hope that's where the problem was. I turned on the furnace and kept the shop around 70 for most of the day. Going to let it sit over night and try again tomorrow.

The rear passenger's side tire is going to hit the outer lip. I want to lower it 2" anyway, so I'm hoping I can modify the blocks to shift the axle .5" to the driver's side. The driver's side has about 1" clearance.

I also bolted on the bell housing to test-fit the trans and see how deep I need to drill into the crank. (I have a roller bearing from Brewers to use instead of the factory pilot bushing)
:cheers: :cheers: :drool5: :drool5: :popcrn: :popcrn: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :drool5: :cheers:
cheers!  :cheers:

I like the black on black!

I cannot get enough of this thread!  Awesome work

You know you just bumped me to second place in the finest '69 in Michigan category?  Well deserved though!   :lol:  :2thumbs:   :cheers:

Nice!  :2thumbs:

Chaos52 this car is amazing!  You are an artist sir!

WOW is all I have to say!!!!  :cheers:

Quote from: familymopar on September 15, 2014, 09:54:42 AM
Chaos52 this car is amazing!  You are an artist sir!

Thanks! I guess that Bachelor of Fine Arts is paying off! :smilielol:

Peeled the stripe yesterday. It's perfect except for a handful of bubbles. Much better than when we tried to peel it on Saturday.

I also made new swaybar mounts and welded them on. Even got the front brakes on, but discovered something was wrong when I couldn't turn the steering wheel. The calipers were hitting the new swaybar mounts.  :down: Turns out I have the spindles switched side-to-side. - the calipers are on the front when they're supposed to be on the back.  :brickwall:

A fairly easy fix, but it still means I have to pull everything back apart. Oh well, live and learn.

 :cheers:

Black beauty has a heart!  :cheers:

Quote from: chaos52 on September 21, 2014, 09:14:48 PM
Black beauty has a heart!  :cheers:

Just got done reading the whole thread lol. I gotta say that the car is looking AMAZING! :o

I read that you had worked the majority of the time on the car while you were on school breaks which is impressive in of itself. Most guys don't focus on working on a project such as that when on break from college. Kudos to you to keeping the eye on the prize!

What sort of background did you have with cars prior to taking on this project?

 :drool5: :drool5: :popcrn: :popcrn: :drool5: :drool5: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :cheers: :cheers: :2thumbs:     awsum   page 1 to now hard too beleive great good an awsum seeing it happen.  :2thumbs: DJ  :cheers: :cheers: :popcrn: :drool5: :popcrn: :drool5: :2thumbs:

You could move to Iowa and work in my resto shop.....

Paint looks fantastic! Nice work

One of my favorite threads and some serious inspiration.  I love every update.  :cheers:

Awesome

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on September 22, 2014, 07:26:39 AM
You could move to Iowa and work in my resto shop.....

Haha, thanks, but no thanks. I have enough to keep me busy here.  ;)

Quote from: SovereignZuul on September 22, 2014, 10:19:59 AM
One of my favorite threads and some serious inspiration.  I love every update.  :cheers:

Like he said ^^^   :icon_smile_cool:

Quote from: bigdsul on September 21, 2014, 11:36:42 PM
Just got done reading the whole thread lol. I gotta say that the car is looking AMAZING! :o

I read that you had worked the majority of the time on the car while you were on school breaks which is impressive in of itself. Most guys don't focus on working on a project such as that when on break from college. Kudos to you to keeping the eye on the prize!

What sort of background did you have with cars prior to taking on this project?

Thanks!

I've been around cars my whole life, but I didn't get really involved until I bought the Eclipse (see page 1). It was smashed and the transmission was out of it. That was my first taste of car repair and the car enthusiast community. (DSMtuners.com - this site is way better  :icon_smile_big: )

Of course, this project took things to another level. I really didn't have any idea what I was doing or what I was getting into when I bought the car. Looking back, that may have been a good thing: I didn't know what couldn't be done.

I realized something early on in the project that has helped a lot: It really doesn't matter how bad you screw something up. Just cut it out and reweld it. Sand it down and respray it. Take it apart and see what went wrong.

When I'm not screwing things up and redoing them, I read a lot and ask a lot of questions (thanks dad).  :cheers:

You're welcome.   You've done one hell of a job on this car, and I could not be prouder.  :-)

Quote from: chaos52 on September 22, 2014, 06:27:31 PM

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on September 22, 2014, 07:26:39 AM
You could move to Iowa and work in my resto shop.....

Haha, thanks, but no thanks. I have enough to keep me busy here.  ;)

This pays pretty well though.

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on September 22, 2014, 08:20:23 PM

Quote from: chaos52 on September 22, 2014, 06:27:31 PM

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on September 22, 2014, 07:26:39 AM
You could move to Iowa and work in my resto shop.....

Haha, thanks, but no thanks. I have enough to keep me busy here.  ;)

This pays pretty well though.

A wise man once said that the fastest way to take all the fun out of something is to do it for a living.

And on that note: got the transmission in tonight. What kind of masochist does this for fun!?  :brickwall:

Another wise man said " if you love what you do for a living you will never work a day in your life".

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on September 22, 2014, 10:42:54 PM
Another wise man said " if you love what you do for a living you will never work a day in your life".

Touche.

I'm flattered by the offer, but I've just started a new job and am not in a position to be moving right now. Otherwise I would definitely consider it. Thanks again!

Nah that's cool. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope you hone you talent even more as time goes on. Because its obvious that you have the skills to pay the bills.


Great job . You should be very proud of what you've accomplished.

I sometimes wonder about that.

I love restoring old cars, but I spend like 8 hrs a week on mine. I wonder if i would do it 8 hrs a day for the next 20 years if it would still be as fun as it is now?

Quote from: six-tee-nine on September 23, 2014, 05:16:34 AM
I sometimes wonder about that.

I love restoring old cars, but I spend like 8 hrs a week on mine. I wonder if i would do it 8 hrs a day for the next 20 years if it would still be as fun as it is now?

I can honestly tell you that it would not.

Quote from: chaos52 on September 22, 2014, 10:35:07 PM

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on September 22, 2014, 08:20:23 PM

Quote from: chaos52 on September 22, 2014, 06:27:31 PM

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on September 22, 2014, 07:26:39 AM
You could move to Iowa and work in my resto shop.....

Haha, thanks, but no thanks. I have enough to keep me busy here.  ;)

This pays pretty well though.

A wise man once said that the fastest way to take all the fun out of something is to do it for a living.

And on that note: got the transmission in tonight. What kind of masochist does this for fun!?  :brickwall:

I'll agree to that.

I'm a train nut amongst other things and years ago an opening came up for a position with the BNSF railroad. Thought that would be a dream job. Turns out after 3 years I wasn't having fun and living out of a suitcase got old.

Now if I could do the same job and be home every night that would have been different. Now I'm a nurse and I enjoy it as I get to learn something new pretty much every day. And if I get bored I just go to a different department and learn something.

I shot some timelapse footage over the weekend of putting together the front end, engine and dropping the engine in.

Enjoy!  :popcrn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poynRZmuM0c

Quote from: chaos52 on September 23, 2014, 09:32:18 PM
I shot some timelapse footage over the weekend of putting together the front end, engine and dropping the engine in.

Enjoy!  :popcrn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poynRZmuM0c

Drilling for pilot bearing?

Quote from: Cncguy on September 24, 2014, 07:50:29 AM

Drilling for pilot bearing?

Just so the input shaft on the transmission can slide inside the crankshaft. I put a roller bearing in instead of the stock pilot bushing.

Really cool video !
Great work.  :2thumbs:

QuoteJust so the input shaft on the transmission can slide inside the crankshaft. I put a roller bearing in instead of the stock pilot bushing.

Chaos, can you explain the process of the installation? Did you use a slide hammer to remove the old brass bushing? Why did you need to drill the crank for the roller bearing? Is this a conversion kit with instructions on diameter of hole to drill?

Thanks for posting this very informative thread.

Quote from: Nickrc3 on September 26, 2014, 07:04:49 PM

Chaos, can you explain the process of the installation? Did you use a slide hammer to remove the old brass bushing? Why did you need to drill the crank for the roller bearing? Is this a conversion kit with instructions on diameter of hole to drill?

Thanks for posting this very informative thread.

My engine is a 1978 400 with a cast crank. So there was no pilot bushing and the crank was not drilled to fit one. Instead of having it machined for a factory pilot bushing, I decided to use a roller bearing that fits inside the torque converter register (proper term?) on the crank. The hole I drilled wasn't for the bearing. It was just so the input shaft of the transmission could slide inside the crank. (you can also chop off the end of the shaft, but I didn't want to mangle my transmission)

Apparently you can use a roller bearing from a Dakota pickup, but I just ordered mine from Brewers. http://www.brewersperformance.com/products.asp?cat=32
There's lots of information about the bearing on this forum. There aren't any real instructions that I know of, but the bearing from Brewers came with a sheet of installation tips. Most of which are listed below.

I used a 7/8" drill bit I picked up at the local Tractor Supply Company. The transmission input shaft is 3/4" so it leaves 1/16" clearance all around. I've never heard of a suggested drill size to clear the input shaft. 13/16" would probably work, but it's difficult to get a perfectly straight hole when drilling by hand, so I would probably stick with 7/8" so the margin of error is larger.

To make sure the hole was deep enough, I bolted on the bell housing, then measured from the bottom of the hole in the crank to the flat surface on the bell housing that mates with the transmission. Then measured from the same flat surface on the transmission to the tip of the input shaft.

After pressing or tapping in the roller bearing, you'll also need to measure from the surface of the roller bearing to the "mating surface" of the bell housing. Make sure that the same measurement along the length of the transmission input shaft doesn't conflict with the "step up" to the splines.

Wow, that's probably clear as mud.
Here's a diagram to help. It's not to scale at all.

Nice work and a lot clearer than mud.  :yesnod:

Awesome video! great job!!!
Pat

Painted the grill frame and grill and polished the trim over the weekend.

Also sanded down the bumper since it was pitted. Used 320 grit on the DA, then used rough, intermediate and final polishing compounds. There are still a lot of scratches on it and it looks rather blotchy. But it's much better that it was before. It will do until I can afford a new one.

Bolted on the hood tonight. Managed to chip the front passenger's corner. Oh well, it will touch up. There are some minor fitment issues that I hope will go away once the rubber bumpers are installed. Still looks amazing though!

:cheers:

It does look amazing indeed.  :cheers:

Great job  :2thumbs:
I keep going back to the start , just to remind myself on what an amazing job you have done so far,
They weren't this nice new

Quote from: fy469rtse on October 01, 2014, 05:38:04 AM
Great job  :2thumbs:
I keep going back to the start , just to remind myself on what an amazing job you have done so far,
They weren't this nice new

I can't really connect the car in 2010 and the car that's sitting in the shop right now. Somewhere in those 4 years that car disappeared or faded away....somehow. It's weird.  :shruggy:

Nice work!

Such a talent young man! Good for you ...wish I had the patience & skill  :cheers:

This thread has it all......young gun, talent, knowledge, encouragement, educational, entertaining, motivational, and pictorial !!   :bow:

It certainly makes my list for one of the best threads of 2014  :patriot:

I can't wait to meet Joe somewhere in Michigan next year and shake his hand.  :thumbs:

Quote from: TUFCAT on October 01, 2014, 02:41:40 PM
This thread has it all......young gun, talent, knowledge, encouragement, educational, entertaining, motivational, and pictorial !!   :bow:

It certainly makes my list for one of the best threads of 2014  :patriot:

I can't wait to meet Joe somewhere in Michigan next year and shake his hand.  :thumbs:

Wow, thanks  :faint:

Just tell me where and when, and I'll try to be there  :2thumbs:

One of these days (years) I'd like to make it to Carlisle.

Quote from: chaos52 on October 01, 2014, 03:54:09 PM


One of these days (years) I'd like to make it to Carlisle.

I'm positive many guys would want to see your car and talk with you. :2thumbs:  

Troy may have to consider changing the group tent to the dc.com "celebrity tent"  :icon_smile_wink:

Quote from: chaos52 on October 01, 2014, 03:54:09 PM

Quote from: TUFCAT on October 01, 2014, 02:41:40 PM
This thread has it all......young gun, talent, knowledge, encouragement, educational, entertaining, motivational, and pictorial !!   :bow:

It certainly makes my list for one of the best threads of 2014  :patriot:

I can't wait to meet Joe somewhere in Michigan next year and shake his hand.  :thumbs:

Wow, thanks  :faint:

Just tell me where and when, and I'll try to be there  :2thumbs:

One of these days (years) I'd like to make it to Carlisle.

It sounds like someone needs to sign up in the Michigan members thread.   :yesnod:

Excellent work my friend!   :2thumbs:

I know I am late to this thread but you have done a magnificent job of resurrecting that old hulk of a Charger shown in the beginning of the thread! Congrats to you and I cannot wait to finally see you on the road in your beautiful Charger!

Quote from: Dino on October 01, 2014, 04:25:32 PM

It sounds like someone needs to sign up in the Michigan members thread.   :yesnod:

There is a Michigan Member thread ?

John

Quote from: John L on October 01, 2014, 05:09:18 PM

Quote from: Dino on October 01, 2014, 04:25:32 PM

It sounds like someone needs to sign up in the Michigan members thread.   :yesnod:

There is a Michigan Member thread ?

John

Why yes there is!  Nothing formal but I'd love to meet all of you folks (and whomever else who wants to drive there).   :yesnod:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,113470.0.html

Quote from: Dino on October 01, 2014, 05:11:53 PM

Quote from: John L on October 01, 2014, 05:09:18 PM

Quote from: Dino on October 01, 2014, 04:25:32 PM

It sounds like someone needs to sign up in the Michigan members thread.   :yesnod:

There is a Michigan Member thread ?

John

Why yes there is!  Nothing formal but I'd love to meet all of you folks (and whomever else who wants to drive there).   :yesnod:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,113470.0.html

Subscribed!

Woah, excellent work man!

:2thumbs:

Awesome job man! Looks great! :2thumbs: :cheers:

 :2thumbs: :cheers: :popcrn:

 :cheers: :cheers: :popcrn: :popcrn: :drool5: :drool5: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :cheers: :cheers:

Bolted on the valance and test fitted the chin spoiler today.

Also welded in the 4 speed hump. And discovered my brand new shifter handle is for console, not floor mount. Don't know why I never realized those 2 90* bends weren't going to work. It's so obvious now. :rotz:

Slowly but surely.

Quote from: chaos52 on September 30, 2014, 10:12:50 PM
Painted the grill frame and grill and polished the trim over the weekend.

Also sanded down the bumper since it was pitted. Used 320 grit on the DA, then used rough, intermediate and final polishing compounds. There are still a lot of scratches on it and it looks rather blotchy. But it's much better that it was before. It will do until I can afford a new one.

Bolted on the hood tonight. Managed to chip the front passenger's corner. Oh well, it will touch up. There are some minor fitment issues that I hope will go away once the rubber bumpers are installed. Still looks amazing though!

:cheers:

Awesome progress with the car!!!  :2thumbs: Keep it man that car is going to turn out great!!!

Great work! Those are some cool videos.  :2thumbs:

Chaos52 looking good been following since I first saw this and its really looking good...
Where do the stripe come from decal shop? Or someone online company ?

Quote from: plasticman-32 on October 09, 2014, 10:24:16 AM
Chaos52 looking good been following since I first saw this and its really looking good...
Where do the stripe come from decal shop? Or someone online company ?

Thanks!
I got the stripe from Performance Car Graphics based on a recommendation from a member here.

It's the custom color "Flat Black Avery"

http://performancecargraphics.com/Stripes_Lettering/Charger/69_RT_Bumblebee.htm

Good job man!

Awesome job! :2thumbs:

Yesterday I pushed the Charger outside for the first time since it has been painted. It looks downright mean.  :icon_smile_big:
Got the chin spoiler attached, cleaned and painted the blinkers. And polished and bolted on the bumperettes.
Also bolted on the rear bumper, cleaned and put in the tail lights and reverse lights. I don't have any photos of that stuff yet.

The photo is pretty close to the stance I want. I put 300lbs of concrete in the trunk to drop the back end down. Probably my next mini-project will be to pull the rear end, move the spring perches over for clearance and install the lowering blocks.

Here's a photo before I put the taillights in.

Sorry for the bad quality. All I had was a cell phone yesterday.

Effin' awesome!   :2thumbs:

Quote from: Dino on October 12, 2014, 03:41:24 PM
Effin' awesome!   :2thumbs:

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: :iagree:
When you get a chance take a front pick of that spoiler.  I am diggin that and may want one!

What a beauty!

tell us more about your front spoiler  :drool5:

The spoiler is for a 68 Camaro. There's lots of information about them in this thread: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,69474.0.html

You can use the spoiler for 68 or 69. Apparently the 69 is slightly smaller. I went with the 68 because for whatever reason Summit doesn't charge an extra $20 for oversize shipment on that one. They do for the 69.  :shruggy:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gmk-4020-035-671
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gmk-4020-035-69/

I'll take more photos sometime in the next few days.

chaos52 im enjoying following you becaue you reply with all the right information.... i ask about the stripe and spoiler and you provide all the links and info so thank you  :popcrn: :cheers:

Looks sick man!  :cheers:

Quote from: plasticman-32 on October 13, 2014, 09:52:24 PM
chaos52 im enjoying following you becaue you reply with all the right information.... i ask about the stripe and spoiler and you provide all the links and info so thank you  :popcrn: :cheers:

No problem. Glad to help!  :2thumbs:

 :2thumbs:

she is so beautifull in black

Progress from this weekend...

Installed the petals and got the clutch linkage installed and operating. Also took apart the brake booster from the '70 parts car. Somehow it was full of mud and water. :eek2: I'm not sure it's good anymore. I haven't decided what to do yet. A new one might be the best way to go. I need a new master cylinder too.

Also finished polishing and installing the taillight trim. Started working on the door seals and mechanisms too.

There are also a couple photos of my homemade sway bar mounts. They've been done for awhile, but I never took any photos.

Also, more detailed photos of the spoiler. I drilled 2 holes in the valance - one on each end. Then put a bolt through an existing slotted hole in the center.

 :popcrn:

Whoa dude take it easy on some of those shots or it may be flagged as NSFW  :drool5:

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on October 19, 2014, 05:44:02 PM
Whoa dude take it easy on some of those shots or it may be flagged as NSFW  :drool5:

Better?

Great job, this car looks amazing,  :2thumbs: :popcrn: :popcrn:

Quote from: chaos52 on October 20, 2014, 02:27:12 PM

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on October 19, 2014, 05:44:02 PM
Whoa dude take it easy on some of those shots or it may be flagged as NSFW  :drool5:

Better?

:smilielol:

awesome job  :drool5:

Any updates over the holidays?

WOW!  I can't believe I never saw this Thread!  Just spent the entire afternoon pouring over it.  WOW! That's all I can say! WOW! You, young man, Have done a fantastic job! Your dad is obviously proud of you and rightly so! Black is a very unforgiving color. I cringed a little when I saw you decided to go black. Kids tend to dream of that "perfect" look, and it's in black, but their bodywork tends to not be as "perfect" as the vision. Especially on their first one.  I gotta hand it to you, You pulled it off!  I love to see these kinds of posts, Young guns with determination! You learned a LOT along the last four years didn't you? Thank you for sharing it with us! Also, Thank your dad for teaching you all he obviously did (either that or you're naturally gifted!) I have the feeling this car will mean a lot to both of you going into the future!
Again, Thanks for sharing!        Looking forward to the updates now.

Thanks, 71_Charger_R/T.

I haven't worked on the car for a couple months now. Work has been very busy.

I'm not sure when I will be able to get back at it. It could be years. The opportunity to move to California came up about a month ago and I knew I needed to take it. It's the right step to continue my career in animation.

So, I'm headed that direction in a couple weeks and won't be taking the Charger with me. It is heartbreaking to stop now, when it's so close.

Dad is very gracious and is allowing me to keep it in the shop for now. I'd like to come back to Michigan for a few weeks in the summer just to get it running. But, money is pretty tight right now, so I'm not holding my breath.

Sounds like a tough decision, but you certainly must know what's best for you career wise. Maybe your Dad can do some of the finishing work for you?   

Quote from: TUFCAT on December 29, 2014, 06:52:13 PM
Sounds like a tough decision, but you certainly must know what's best for you career wise. Maybe your Dad can do some of the finishing work for you?   

Maybe, but there are 3 other cars that need his attention as well.  :)

Once I get some cash flowing again, I'll probably start ordering parts so things will go quickly when I can work on it again.

Dad sent me this photo yesterday. His Cadillac is in the shop for paint work. The Charger is still there, looking mean as ever.  :coolgleamA:

 :cheers: :popcrn: :2thumbs: :popcrn: :cheers:

So I'm back in Michigan and gathering parts to get this thing on the road this summer!
Here's some eye candy from last weekend.  :popcrn:

Awesome  :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

If you don't mind me asking, what size are the rear rims? Back spacing? And tire size? On the rears.

Good to have a re-acquaintance with your Charger  :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Looking forward to seeing you wrap this this up.
Nice pics.
TPR

I LOVE the front spoiler!
Welcome back!

  :coolgleamA: :2thumbs: :drool5: :cheers: :popcrn:

Great job, man.

Amazing work, car is looking great :2thumbs:

Awesome! i wish i was back at it, but i have peoples problems to take care of first.   :lol:

I just saw this thread for the first time today...and...WOW!! Read the thread clear through from A to Z.

You have really done a phenomenal job on that Charger! I'm glad you're still picking away at it, as you have the time. One day soon, you will be able to cruise that baby, with wind in the hair! :icon_smile_cool:
I am definitely looking forward to continued updates on your project. :cheers:

That is one nice Charger    Caro ?   I was in High School their  Class of 72

Quote from: VegasCharger on April 22, 2016, 01:35:16 AM
Awesome  :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

If you don't mind me asking, what size are the rear rims? Back spacing? And tire size? On the rears.

Good to have a re-acquaintance with your Charger  :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Thanks! The rear wheels and tires are 295-50 on 15x10 rims with 5" backspacing.

There's about an inch of space on one side and no space on the other. My plan is to cut off the spring perches and move them over a half inch. That should give me a half inch of space on both sides.
:2thumbs:

Quote from: 66FBCharger on April 22, 2016, 06:54:52 AM
I LOVE the front spoiler!
Welcome back!

Thanks!

Quote from: Baldwinvette77 on April 22, 2016, 04:52:54 PM
Awesome! i wish i was back at it, but i have peoples problems to take care of first.   :lol:

Ew that sound unpleasant.  :-\
I look forward to seeing progress when you get back at it!

Quote from: Charger_Fan on April 22, 2016, 06:28:10 PM
I just saw this thread for the first time today...and...WOW!! Read the thread clear through from A to Z.

You have really done a phenomenal job on that Charger! I'm glad you're still picking away at it, as you have the time. One day soon, you will be able to cruise that baby, with wind in the hair! :icon_smile_cool:
I am definitely looking forward to continued updates on your project. :cheers:

Thanks! There will definitely be wind In the hair the first time I drive it...because there probably won't be a a windshield  :smilielol:

More updates soon I hope. Things will go fast once I get parts bought.

Quote from: Dodgecharger74 on April 23, 2016, 06:32:50 PM
That is one nice Charger    Caro ?   I was in High School their  Class of 72

Yup, Pretty close to Caro. though, I went to Cass City high school. Let me know if you're ever in the area.  :2thumbs:

Is Jacks Bar still there?   I am in FL  since 81 

Quote from: Dodgecharger74 on April 24, 2016, 08:31:48 AM
Is Jacks Bar still there?   I am in FL  since 81 

Not that I know of, though I'm not really connected to the bar scene in this area.

 :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:
AWESOME BUILD! 

Love the work on this. Great job. :2thumbs:

Quote from: lilredexpress1 on June 09, 2016, 03:41:30 PM
:2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:
AWESOME BUILD! 

Quote from: nvrbdn on June 09, 2016, 06:51:26 PM
Love the work on this. Great job. :2thumbs:

Thanks! I've made progress on lots of little things - radiator, hoses, fan, water pump, fuel tank, etc. The biggest project was moving the spring perches (for tire clearance) and installing 2" lowering blocks. It definitely improved the stance - looks mean!

I'll upload photos soon.

Very nice, you have done a fantastic job  :2thumbs:

Damnnnnnnnn!!!!  :cheers: :cheers:

any new running and driving videos over the years?  Beautiful build!  I wish I had help and a barn to build mine in.  Its been a long time....

Quote from: sixty8charger on September 08, 2018, 07:40:17 PM
any new running and driving videos over the years?  Beautiful build!  I wish I had help and a barn to build mine in.  Its been a long time....

Wow, resurrecting the thread!  :lol:

It's still in the shop waiting to be fired. I've been living overseas for the past 1.5 years so it hasn't been touched. For better or worse.  :shruggy:

Quote from: chaos52 on September 12, 2018, 05:22:45 PM

Quote from: sixty8charger on September 08, 2018, 07:40:17 PM
any new running and driving videos over the years?  Beautiful build!  I wish I had help and a barn to build mine in.  Its been a long time....

Wow, resurrecting the thread!  :lol:

It’s still in the shop waiting to be fired. I’ve been living overseas for the past 1.5 years so it hasn’t been touched. For better or worse.  :shruggy:

Glad it was resurrected! Great work! Hopefully you will be back at it again in the future.  My build took almost 20 years to complete so anything is possible!

:popcrn:

20 years is dedication.  So many get tired after a couple and throw in the towel.

Quote from: Ghoste on September 13, 2018, 02:16:34 PM
20 years is dedication.  So many get tired after a couple and throw in the towel.

Some call it dedication, others call it insanity LOL

reading all of the builds on this site the last 5 years certainly kept me focused!

Amazing!

 :popcrn: :2thumbs:

Wow, I can't believe it has been almost 3 years since the last progress update.  :slap:

Long story short, I was traveling and living abroad during that time, but now I'm back in the US and looking forward to wrenching a bit  ;D

Here's some progress from today. I tore apart the dash, sanded, primed and started painting. I need to buy another can of paint to finish. Also made good progress with general cleaning and neatening in the shop. Definitely excited to get back out there ASAP! We'll see how much time I can squeeze in between work and sleep  :laugh:

Also attached are photos of dad's latest purchase which we picked up today. :icon_smile_cool: A 1970 Challenger.

Wow, lots of progress this weekend. The biggest of which is that it's running!! Finally after buying the car 9 years ago, this is the first time that it has run and the first time that engine has ever been fired. (It's a NOS 1978 400) :boogie:

On Saturday I finished painting the dash and got it into place. Then the next 8 hours or so was fabricating connections between the exhaust system and the collectors. The exhaust is stainless from Pypes and the headers are ceramic coated from Flowtech. Both were cheap solutions. The flanges on the collectors bent which I'm not too thrilled about, but they don't seem to be leaking so it's all good.

On Sunday Dad helped get the wiring sorted out as that was a bit overwhelming. I went to town and bought misc parts to get it running including a voltage regulator, grommets for the valve covers and an oil pressure gauge.

On first crank there was no oil pressure whatsoever. We discovered that the distributor drive gear was missing :slap: Thankfully there was a spare 440 on a stand in the shop that was willing to be a donor.

After priming everything, making sure the timing was right and checking for spark; it immediately fired and 15 minutes later was at temperature and running smooth. Later on in the day I pushed it outside and we ran it again to continue breaking everything in. No problems so far apart from a small coolant leakage around 2 of the header bolts. A bit of Teflon tape fixed that.

Here's a video of the first break-in period and idling outside: https://youtu.be/XJSfiGiQHWc

NICE Looking, Great chaos52, Keep up the awesome work! Can't wait for more PICS and VIDEOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote from: bkd on June 05, 2019, 08:06:26 AM
NICE Looking, Great chaos52, Keep up the awesome work! Can't wait for more PICS and VIDEOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks bkd  :icon_smile_wink:

Awesome to see you gaining momentum again. How are things?

Quote from: Charger-Bodie on June 05, 2019, 09:42:19 AM
Awesome to see you gaining momentum again. How are things?

Thanks ChargerBodie! Things are going well. I'm really enjoying being back in the USA, around family and back in the shop after 2 years in foreign countries.
Also, the brake booster just arrived today, so it could be driving this weekend!

How have things been around the forum? It seems a bit quieter these days and a couple of the regulars are missing.

Anything else going on? just hear listening to all the crickets  :laugh:

Quote from: bkd on June 20, 2019, 01:32:29 PM
Anything else going on? just hear listening to all the crickets  :laugh:

The new brake booster and master cylinder are on the bench waiting to be installed. Other than that I've just been busy with work  :shruggy:

I put in 12+ hour days this Saturday and Sunday and got the MC and booster installed. Also, rebuilt the rear brakes and ran all the lines for front and back. The only thing needed to drive it are the front hoses and a U-joint! ...and a gas pedal.

The booster from Pirate Jack did require routing out the holes in the firewall and stiffening plate. I wasn't too thrilled at grinding away at my freshly painted firewall, but it's all hidden. So, not the end of the world.

Also, I had a fun lesson about using the proper proportioning valve on a disk/drum setup. Turns out the drum valve I had sitting on the shelf wasn't correct and on Chargers there's a secondary proportioning valve to keep the rear wheels from locking up. :scared: Thankfully, there was a valve from a Valiant upstairs in the shop. (thanks Dad) That car had a disk setup, so it should be ok.

(pardon the dust)  :cheers:

This past weekend I got to take it for a drive for the first time  :drool5:

There were some problems with leaky brake lines, but other than that the final steps to getting it moving went well. Just wrapping up lots of miscellaneous things like gas pedal, rear endplay adjustment, gear oil and whatnot.

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT3z_e8JJgA

Awesome!! Thanks for sharing, great work, love this car!  :cheers: :cheers: :popcrn:

The first drive is always the one you will remember most  :2thumbs:

Maybe no power steering ??

Quote from: 70 sublime on July 02, 2019, 12:34:47 PM
The first drive is always the one you will remember most  :2thumbs:

Maybe no power steering ??

Haha, definitely not. No power steering and no power brakes. It was a handful  :lol:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ME TOO!!!!!! ME TOO!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
:cheers: :cheers: :popcrn: :2thumbs: :drive: :drive: :drive: :drive: :boogie: :boogie: :boogie: :boogie: :boogie: :boogie: :boogie:

Been following from the white shell ,unload off the guys trailer??  AWSUM DUDE   ,most ,maybe even me wondered if with the starting shell,, Great looking car now.   :cheers: :cheers: :popcrn: :popcrn: :drool5: :drool5: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

Very happy to see the progress!!

Just watched the video. What an amazing job you have made of that car. It looks fantastic!

Thanks guys!

Quote from: orange383 on July 05, 2019, 11:54:48 AM
Just watched the video. What an amazing job you have made of that car. It looks fantastic!

I agree, you have come a long way with it.

Installed a new starter on the Charger last week. Here's a video of the process  :cheers:

https://youtu.be/sC9LSxoDqWU (https://youtu.be/sC9LSxoDqWU)

Score!!!!!

Joe (chaos52) is doing well but has been really busy. He still has this car. It's here in the garage waiting for me to give it some LOVIN and get it closer to completion. We recently did a project overview video on my YouTube channel. Thought y'all might be interested.
Check it out.

Mike (dad)

https://youtu.be/Emwi2TqGsk8

 :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

What a fantastic journey, Thx for sharing, all I can say is well done  :2thumbs:
and the Charger is absolutely gorgeous.