Recent posts

#61

Parts & Accessories Wanted / WANTED: 1968 CHARGER HEADLIGHT...

Last post by Mr.Lee - July 21, 2025, 04:20:15 AM

Hi all, looking for a set 1968 Dodge Charger headlight bezels.

Anyone a set available? Don't mind if it is an aftermarked set they produced a few years ago.

Thanks for looking.

Serge

#62

Charger Discussion / Re: Car show yesterday and min...

Last post by Kern Dog - July 21, 2025, 12:03:48 AM

Back east, the humidity is a huge factor.
The guys that tough it out over there are real dedicated people. I can handle it too but I'm glad that I don't have to.
The Monday after getting home to California, it was 99 with 20% humidity, low enough that it isn't a factor at all.
I like spending most of the day at a show. I enjoy hearing from others the stories of their cars and how they restored them. Talking with others offers opportunities to learn.

#63

Engine, Transmission, Rearend, & Exhaust / Re: surging stumbling unresolv...

Last post by oldcarnut - July 20, 2025, 11:17:14 PM

Sounds like you've covered a lot of bases there.
I'm not super technically minded so I can only go off my personal experiences.
Twice and on different cars (One being my 69 Charger) I've replaced PCV valves, and the difference has been like night and day, from the cars running crap and popping and farting while driving to running how they should.
Worth a try if you have a spare on hand

Anything is worth a try .  The pcv valve in it is pretty clean and appears functional but I could try running with the vacuum line plugged to see any difference

#64

Charger Discussion / Re: Car show yesterday and min...

Last post by b5blue - July 20, 2025, 09:43:00 PM

Yea I went to a show and couldn't get the point of sitting next to a car for 6hr in the sun. More power to the ones who sweat it out! 

#65

Chassis, Suspension, Brakes, Wheels, & Tires / Re: Borgeson box with Bergman ...

Last post by b5blue - July 20, 2025, 09:36:58 PM

 

#66

Charger Discussion / Re: Car show yesterday and min...

Last post by lloyd3 - July 20, 2025, 09:03:48 PM

No, not desperately hot but... the sun can be pretty intense here (at a Mile High), especially in a newly-paved parking lot. It was also a bit-humid (for here) but it was just uncomfortable so why stick around?  We'd seen all the cars and had the requisite chats and lunch/brunch was on order.

Back East, many car shows are on grass (which is great!) and even under trees to keep it more cozy. Way cool (in so many ways).

#67

Chassis, Suspension, Brakes, Wheels, & Tires / Re: Align your car at home?

Last post by Kern Dog - July 20, 2025, 08:36:15 PM

The engines and transmissions are offset 1 3/4" to the right side.
I've been able to get identical caster numbers both with offset UCA bushings and with aftermarket UCAs. Sometimes you need to put washers between the knuckle and the lower ball joint. This gives you negative camber which allows you to also get more positive caster.

#68

Charger Discussion / Re: Car show yesterday and min...

Last post by Kern Dog - July 20, 2025, 08:33:36 PM

Hmmm...It was 93 here yesterday and it felt great. What do you consider "too hot" ? I know it is all relative. I was in Carlisle for the big show and while it was around 90, the humidity was in the upper 80s so it was not pleasant.

#69

Chassis, Suspension, Brakes, Wheels, & Tires / Re: Align your car at home?

Last post by Dino - July 20, 2025, 08:31:04 PM

I bought some nice alignment tools, nothing too expensive, and it made the alignment much easier. I figured it would be helpful in the future seeing I have 6 old cars.

I can't get the passenger side caster to match the driver side so it pulls to the right. I never checked for thrust angle so that will be next. I'll end up buying new UCAs as well. Either QA1 with built in caster and add offset bushings, or adjustable UCAs.

Now, I got distracted by shiny things and did not confirm, but for a moment I thought the passenger front wheel sat more inward than the driver side. I never noticed it before but I had the wheels off and the toe plates on the rotors and it was more obvious. That doesn't seem right. Isn't the engine offset toward the passenger side?

#70

Engine, Transmission, Rearend, & Exhaust / Re: Intake Manifolds...Sealant...

Last post by 375instroke - July 20, 2025, 08:18:19 PM

The intake bolts are 3/8". Rod nuts get torqued to 45 ft lbs so the intake torque is not a problem. How do you strip cast iron with only 40 ft lbs?

Rod nuts/bolts are alloy steel, usually equivalent to Grade 8. Intake bolts are usually Grade 5 and cast iron is, well it's cast iron and the area where the threads are isn't very thick. In addition, intake bolts are more likely to have been installed, removed and reinstalled numerous times (shucks, some of mine maybe a dozen or more times) and each cycle increases the chance of stripping the threads...especially on non-dry threads.

Most universal torque charts will show the torque on a 3/8"-16 fastener at 30-35 ft. lbs. on dry threads

3/8" is 13-15ft-lbs.  I am so used to the torque wrench clicking when it gets tight.  Then going back to car engines, the bolt gets tight, then I have to keep turning and turning.  I have this sinking feeling as the bolt stretches, about to snap at any second.