1969 Charger R/T resurrection

[hunt2elk]

The bigger, torrington style bearing fits into the step of the crankshaft, thus allowing the use of improperly drilled automatic crankshafts. Also easier to install and remove if you need to.

Yep - got it installed. Another $14. to add to the grand total lol.

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

Yep - just 1 big piston. It is the same setup as the late 70's F bodies used.

- - - Updated - - -

Yeah, but yours will be running before mine :icon_thumleft:. I will say that I sure was a happy camper when the bodywork and painting were done. So time consuming and costly. I think that is the stage where a lot of projects get abandoned.

Cool deal! I read in a b-body upgrade book that the large single piston has more braking force than our stock four piston calipers. Eh maybe but at the rate you're going you'll be done in no time :icon_thumleft: And yeah I agree, see a lot of cars on craigslist either in paint or about to be painted that the owner is giving up on. At least the Charger is in a lot better shape than my Chevelle was and still managed to get straight haha. keep the progress rolling!
ccasion14:

 

[hunt2elk]

I spent my Saturday working on the quarter windows. I almost feel like I let you down Devin, as 15 minutes didn't get me to far lol. But I have to thank you again for the detailed description and pictures you posted in your thread regarding these. Made everything go much easier. I had some cleanup time, replacing a couple of rollers, and adjustment also included, but nothing to serious. Just a scraped up arm from the first side before I figured out the tricks, and one of the roller clips that I managed to lose down into the rocker - but everything fit and even works. :headbang:



- - - Updated - - -

Also managed to get the heater box installed.



- - - Updated - - -

I know some of you don't much care for Year One, but I think their customer service is second to none. As I have been working on this project, I order parts that I know I will in the future to save on shipping costs and throw them on the shelve. I bought a z-bar rebuild kit from Y.O. 1 1/2 years ago and just opened it up and noticed I was missing the nut and washer that holds the stud to the frame. So I call them and explain what I need. They said it would be taken care of immediately. 2 days later I get an entire new kit instead of just the 2 pieces I needed. How's that for service?
I am only bringing this up because I ran into a similar problem with a fuel sending unit I bought from In-Line Tube at about the same time. I pulled it out of the unopened box 3 weeks ago and ohmed it out before installing it in the tank. It was so far out of wack that I wouldn't even think of using it. So I called them and after a couple of hours I get the answer that they cant do anything for me because of how long ago I purchased it and I should have checked it out immediately. Now on this order was also the entire brake lines, e-brake kit, fuel and return lines. So it wasn't like I never have boughten anything from them. So I told them I would buy another one from them. This one came a week later and ohms out perfect. I stuck my first one in the new box and sent it back saying it was defective after getting a return authorization # from them. After 2 weeks and several phone calls, I have finally got a credit for the sending unit, but they wont reimburse me for the extra 2 sets of shipping charges. So I end up with an additional 20 some dollars for a product that was defective from the get go. Two different business' ways of handling a problem - I know who I wont ever be buying anything from again.

 

[Duda]

Your moving along a good pace while raising a family and dealing with work. These projects would be a lot easier with an 8 to 5 job 5 days a week. The car is really nice and I love black.
Frustration with incorrect and non complete packaged parts is another discouraging part of the build. I experienced the same issue with auto anything on 4 slotted rotors I ordered and they were delayed on shipping but I was not notified. When I called to find the delivery date they said they just shipped. I canceled the order but had to pay the return shipping which was over $45.00. Customer service is # one with all of us. Oh these were for a work truck not the charger.

 

[747mopar]

"Cool" Glad to see your getting it together. I've had really good luck with companies standing behind there product so far but that would piss me off. I wish I would have ohmed mine before putting it in but hadn't heard about all of the bad ones yet and just didn't think about it:sleepy2:. I've put 5 gallons in it and it barely moves the gauge so I'm hoping it just has that much of a reserve haha, if the rest of the car is an indication I'll be pulling the tank:angryfire:. Enjoy

 

[conv67bdere]

Thanks for the example of the two companies Customer Service ( wait, on company - guess the other on is Customer Non-Service ( SMILE ) ) - will keep it in mind.

Great job on the windows - they look really good ! ! Bummer about the arm - but I think we've all been there.

The car is really coming together there H2E - thanks for the update, Spring is just around the corner ? ? ?

So now I have to ask . . . is it DONE yet ? ? ( smile )

 

[tallhair]

Great up date H2E and thanks for the tips on both companies. I know which one I'd buy from after considering that. I have ordered from YO and last was just recently I bought a set of Conv top locks and anti rattlers and a bunch of other cool stuff since it was a 30% off sale.

I got an email stating everything except a RR horn button was out of stock and would ship separately. I was thinking of calling to confirm they wouldn't charge me separately for the split shipping or cancel the horn button since it was a cheap part so no big savings and shipping it would cost more than it cost.

Well I didn't get around to it and got the first shipment right away. I got the horn button a few days later with a note saying they don't charge for separate shipments if a part is out of stock. I thought that was pretty cool.

 

[hunt2elk]

I forgot to mention the outcome of my bad distributer that was bought a year ago from Mancini Racing. It sat in the box until recently when we fired up the motor on the dyno. It made 5 pulls before coming apart. They shipped me out an original style from a stash they recently found. I sent back the bad one and got a call last week that they are refunding the part cost, their shipping charges to me, and wanted to know what I paid to send the bad one back to them so they could credit me for that also. Cool beans - another great company.
On a side note, I don't know if it is just me but do any one you have the bad luck that I do? It seems like every step of the way something has to buck me.

- - - Updated - - -

The car is really coming together there H2E - thanks for the update, Spring is just around the corner ? ? ?

So now I have to ask . . . is it DONE yet ? ? ( smile )

Well it looks like I finally may get a week or 2 break before the next bigger job is ready for me work wise. So I am quite excited to spend a little more time on the car. Thinking about dropping in the motor and tranny next..........

 

[roadrunnerman]

Good to see you making some progress. Sometimes doing the little more time-consuming things (rear window) are more gratifying when you get them installed then the bigger stuff on these cars.

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

I forgot to mention the outcome of my bad distributer that was bought a year ago from Mancini Racing. It sat in the box until recently when we fired up the motor on the dyno. It made 5 pulls before coming apart. They shipped me out an original style from a stash they recently found. I sent back the bad one and got a call last week that they are refunding the part cost, their shipping charges to me, and wanted to know what I paid to send the bad one back to them so they could credit me for that also. Cool beans - another great company.
On a side note, I don't know if it is just me but do any one you have the bad luck that I do? It seems like every step of the way something has to buck me.

- - - Updated - - -

Well it looks like I finally may get a week or 2 break before the next bigger job is ready for me work wise. So I am quite excited to spend a little more time on the car. Thinking about dropping in the motor and tranny next..........

Nope it definitely isn't just you lol! Everything always ends up throwing me some kind of curveball in one way or another, I just chalk it up to "the nature of hotrodding." Haha

Great progress and some good feedback on those companies. No experience here with YO or Inline but Mancini was quick to correct their dropping the ball on my rear main seal order last summer too, seem like good guys.

Nice battle scars from the quarter window war too lol! Good luck with the big drop-in man, and like everyone's gonna be saying.. "watch the paint!"
ccasion14:

 

[daytona kid]

I agree with SF, it's definitely not just you. I have had a rash of ill fitting parts myself lately as some may have seen. Glad to here Mancini made that right for you. Funny my arm looked like that from getting the 1/4 window out. Guess it will happen again putting it back in. Good work Hunt, your on the home stretch.
I'm still very jealous of your rapid work!:tongue6:

 

[hunt2elk]

Got a good day in on the car today. Motor, clutch, bellhousing, tranny, and shifter are in. And not even one scratch in the paint :hello2:. Got the shifter adjusted, the wheels back on the car and let down to put some weight on the suspension. Torqued all the front end parts to spec.

 

[roadrunnerman]

DOGGONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! You work fast.Looks good sitting in there. Any idea on when the rest of the sheetmetal will go on?

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

Nice!!! awesome progress man, and I'm with rrman "that was fast!"

Hopefully this question isn't going to cause you a setback, but are you going to be able to get your headers in with the engine and trans fully installed already? Not sure how TTI's are but I know I wouldn't have had a snowball's chance in hell of getting my Hedmans in if Ididn't have them hanging loose on the engine as it went in. Either way it's looking outstanding as always elk!

 

[hunt2elk]

Any idea on when the rest of the sheetmetal will go on?

I was waiting on the front end sheetmetal until the motor was set in. Just thought it would be easier and less chance of scratching the fender tops.

- - - Updated - - -

Hopefully this question isn't going to cause you a setback, but are you going to be able to get your headers in with the engine and trans fully installed already? Not sure how TTI's are but I know I wouldn't have had a snowball's chance in hell of getting my Hedmans in if Ididn't have them hanging loose on the engine as it went in. Either way it's looking outstanding as always elk!

The tti instructions say that the torque shaft has to be out and the left side of the motor raised an inch, and that is it - but we will see. I will just use the cherry picker to lift the motor while the car is up a couple feet on the hoist. That is the plan right now at least.
I have to figure out what is going on with my clutch, torque shaft, fork, and rod though. Something is not right and I was getting frustrated with it last night and needed a break. I am running out of adjustment and the engine side of the z-bar looks to be forward to much because of this. I thought I had all the correct parts, but who knows when I got some parts in boxes with the car, and bought others new. This is also the first McLeod clutch I have used, but I cant imagine that would be the problem :eusa_think:. I wanted to get this all put together before I fought with the hedders, just to make sure everything was right - and right about now I am extremely glad I did.

 

[conv67bdere]

I was waiting on the front end sheetmetal until the motor was set in. Just thought it would be easier and less chance of scratching the fender tops.

The tti instructions say that the torque shaft has to be out and the left side of the motor raised an inch, and that is it - but we will see. I will just use the cherry picker to lift the motor while the car is up a couple feet on the hoist. That is the plan right now at least.
I have to figure out what is going on with my clutch, torque shaft, fork, and rod though. Something is not right and I was getting frustrated with it last night and needed a break. I am running out of adjustment and the engine side of the z-bar looks to be forward to much because of this. I thought I had all the correct parts, but who knows when I got some parts in boxes with the car, and bought others new. This is also the first McLeod clutch I have used, but I cant imagine that would be the problem :eusa_think:. I wanted to get this all put together before I fought with the hedders, just to make sure everything was right - and right about now I am extremely glad I did.

Holy Cow H2E . . . a guy can't even blink around here and you've got a big chunk of your car put all back together and looking GREAT ! ! !

Will be following up on this thread to find out what happens with the rest of the install . . . guess I better check back in an hour and see how he's got the clutch figured out, the headers installed, engine bolted down, off the rack and on the tires . . . WHEW ! ! !

Keep up the great work ! ! ( smile )

 

[tallhair]

Man it's rolling fast and furious now .. nice job on all the work you did ahead of time and having everything lined up

 

[Ron 73]

Elk, i am impressed with how well you have done this resto that im sure tested your patience many times, The work you did that really didn't need done at the time considering all the metal work that had to be done is now playing right in your hands. Im working when i can on my project and wonder sometimes watching these threads if i shouldn't do the same and im still up in the air over it. waiting for parts and money for parts it seems the right way to go but what stops me is im afraid of getting to many things going at one time and it becoming overwhelming! I can only work once in awhile on mine with anything because of life related things but its good to see everything going well with your Charger, i hope it continues to be smooth for you! looks really great...

 

[hunt2elk]

Well my work hiatus didn't make it long. Ended up getting about 3 days new work today that I wasn't planning on. I just cant seem to get any slow time this year. I did manage to get ahold of Wayne at Brewers and he straightened me out on the clutch problem. Seems I bought a sort of generic torque shaft that can be made to work in several applications, but not perfect for anything. So I have a new one on the way - I hate buying the same part twice, but I guess I should have known better. Wayne is such a wealth of knowledge for anything tranny or clutch related on these cars. And a great guy willing to help out. Another great vendor imo.
By the way Ron, remember that bellhousing I bought from you way, way back when? It is nestled between my motor and tranny looking like it came there from the factory :icon_thumright:.

 

[snakeyes]

looking real good thanks for the updates I now about trying to get some slow time so we can get a little extra work done seems like more over time than ever now