1970 440 Six Pack Charger Revival

[GSGN_RT]

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...a-6-pack-charger.136750/page-4#post-910780828

Many of you know the story of how this car came about. Linked above is the original "barn-find" thread. It's been 3 weeks since purchasing the car. I have had a lot of time to work on it, but not as much to share here. I will throw in a few updates to bring this thread current.

My roommate and have been cranking away. We started with the interior and tear down of the 440. Roughly 5 1/2 quarts of oil came out and 1 1/2 quarts of water. Not off to the hottest start. It's evident that this motor has less than 4,000 miles from the rebuild in 1975. the lifters are perfect, the crank is balanced and brand new. The cylinder walls have virtually no wear.

However, not all is well. It was locked solid- due to the rust buildup on the wrist pins. After weeks of lubrication, it has finally moved a quarter of a turn each direction! That's good enough for me. We've consulted with a few machine shops and Mopar guys. The move going forward will be to bead blast the rods, install new wrist pins and clean/hone the block. It will also need a valve job, as the current retainer caps are aluminum.

 

[GSGN_RT]

Next was the interior.

Sam, the previously mentioned roommate, pulled the original buckets and back seat out of the car. I struggled to get the Pistol grip released from the A833, but after a few broken tools.. it released. Next was fitting and trimming the carpet. Not a hard job, just time consuming. Meanwhile, Sam spent hours detailing the console, including buffing out the bright work. I brought the Shift handle back to life. We treated the leather, and threw everything back in. My Dad came down one Sunday to install a new ignition switch (missing original key) and we fired the 64 426 off.

 

[GSGN_RT]

Unfortunately, I have an obligation to attend and can't follow-up with more progress.. but the next weekend led to 6 hours of wrenching which led to the following video. Hint- it left 2 rubber strips.

 

[440jimr]

This is going to be fun to watch!

 

[GSGN_RT]

In order to achieve the above video, some work was involved in making it stop.

During the week we dropped the old rotted gas tank. Unfortunately, most of the trunk floor came out with it. It will need a pan. Add it to the list! Also, Sam and I managed to spill roughly 6 gallons of 25 year old gas all over the floor.

That Sunday, my dad came down to help replace the rear shoes and wheel cylinders. Then brake lines are in decent shape, but will be eventually replaced for safety purposes before this car gets back on the road. I also installed new calipers, hoses, a master cylinder, and front pads. Unfortunately, we couldn't get rotors in time so I did a "home-cut" with the air grinder. They will be replaced shortly. There is also
A blockage in the system somewhere, as the rear brakes don't get fluid. We think the prop valve needs to be replaced.

After rigging up the fuel system, the charger made its maiden voyage. It idles, shifts, and drives pretty well. It even roasted the tires in second! Enjoy the pics, the whole purpose of getting it running/driving was to flip it around in the garage so we can start pulling the 426. More updates soon.

 

[daytona kid]

.

 

[GSGN_RT]

Then it was time to pull the engine and trans. The A833 is the correct 18 spline numbers matching trans. The 426 and headers played along nicely to pop out.

I was also treated to the surprise that my neighbor found the original exhaust manifolds!! As it turns out- the original hoarder of all this stuff would take apart things and "hide" them in the 50 or so junk cars laying around the property. This includes 383s laying in back seats. The New Yorker pictured below had the manifolds in the trunk. Attached are a few pics of the other gems for sale.

 

[Basket case]

that '57 Plymouth looks mean!

 

[GSGN_RT]

Bought a Meguiar's DA buffer kit to get an idea of how much of the Charger's original paint will come back. I decided to tape off a small section of the worst oxidation. Wow! Check out the result below.

 

[Basket case]

turned out great

 

[GSGN_RT]

turned out great

Thanks! I might just do the whole car now and stare at it

 

[GSGN_RT]

More detail work. I plan on finishing up the engine bay tomorrow.

 

[GSGN_RT]

This thing is going to be so cool when it's done. A little detail work on the quarter and trunk lid.

 

[not so famous bob]

This thing is going to be so cool when it's done. A little detail work on the quarter and trunk lid.View attachment 525011View attachment 525008View attachment 525009View attachment 525010

Interesting. I had a friend , (been dead 5-6 yrs now) that threw together a 440, 69 charger w/ 3 - 500 holleys on the six pack manifold. that thing ran way better than it should have. I borrowed it one night when I was dating my wife, ( my new ford p/u was in the shop w/ 11,000 miles on it), on the way taking her home I wound up at a stop light beside a new trans am, the race was over in about half a block. That old rusty charger completely waxed his *** and embarrassed him!

 

[Super Rob]

Very nice car. I really like your approach to keep the original paint. Good luck!!

 

[Richard Cranium]

 

[GSGN_RT]

Appreciate the kind words! Sam buffed the rest of the passenger side. It came back really nice.

 

[GSGN_RT]

The last detailing post for now. Replacing the trunk pan this weekend!

 

[440jimr]

Love the way you are protecting this car's heritage.

 

[GSGN_RT]

Still plugging away. The trunk pan is just about ready to be zapped in. After a lot of deliberation on how to go about replacing the pan, we decided to save as much of the original as possible and cut the 1 piece pan as needed. Really happy with how it's turning out.

The engine is out to the machine shop and should be ready the 23rd.

I have a bet with my boss that I will drive it to work 11/29. That remains to be seen, but I'm optimistic!