'69 charger r/t-se: Building my dream car

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

That's some very nice work speedy .. looks beautiful

Great work Speed! Gos to show, if we don't give up it gets done, Your going to have a great looking grill on your Charger bud...

Thanks guys! I got all my stuff together to go polish everything with the pedestal grinder at my dad's shop, but forgot sandpaper of all things. So pics to come this week of everything polished up
:head_smack:

But here's a little more progress for the weekend! Got my valve cover flanges completely scraped clean (took forever getting all the layers of nasty sealant off), and cleaned the mounting surfaces of the heads really well with a scotch brite pad and denatured alcohol. I've heard a lot of different suggestions on here of how to keep them from leaking, and seems like a popular way is to use the red high temp rtv between the valve cover and gasket, let them cure together, then install them on the head. Does anyone have any opinion or advice on the best way to do this? Also I did get the nice felpro gasket everyone recommends

I also got my wire retainers painted black from the anodized blue since they stuck out like a sore thumb in my engine compartment haha



Being aluminum I wasn't sure about painting them, but I read online that anodizing is actually a good base for any standard type of paint. So I just scuffed them up with red scotchbrite, hit them with SEM etch-primer, and topcoated with trim black. Gave em a scratch-test with my fingernail and they held up great with no chipping or anything, so I think it worked out!

Once they were good and dry I broke out the plug wires I've had on the shelf for ages, and got a test-run mocking everything up to check for wire clearance around the headers. Everything fits like a glove! :icon_cool:





I'm trying to do everything I can ahead of time to prevent burning plug wires, and everything so far looks like it'll do the trick! So if anyone wants to use my setup: the wire retainers are the "custom machined" ones from R&M, I'll be using Taylor stainless plug wire sleeves (you can see one in the first mock-up pic), and the wires themselves are Firecore 50's. 8.5 mm with silicon boots, custom cut by Ron (screen name firefighter3931) over at the dodgecharger.com forum for RB's running headers. Everyone over there highly recommends him and now I see why, the wires fit like a glove and he was a really nice knowledgeable guy to talk to and do business with.
:icon_thumleft:

 

[usaroadrunner]

just flat out SEXY speedy

 

[tallhair]

Looks great speedy .. great looking M/T valve covers and I really like your wiring organization. I talked to the fireman and he's really cool.

What paint did you use on the Valve covers? Standard black wrinkle?

 

[HYRDGOON]

That looks awesome! Loving those wire retainers!

 

[747mopar]

I don't think you'll have to worry about the valve covers leaking, for one it isn't an un-machined head like cheby's and you have cast valve covers that won't warp on top of that. I've gotten mine soaked (the cork gasket) with oil while adjusting the lifters and still haven't had them leak. I'm glad to see someone else putting they're wires on top instead of under the headers like what seams to be the preferred way "I don't feel like such an outsider anymore". Motor looks great Speedy.

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

Thanks guys, I really needed to run them just for the peace of mind of having the wires locked down and out of the way, but now that they're on I do really like the look of em too. Kinda fits the "all business" thing I guess haha :shruggy:

Looks great speedy .. great looking M/T valve covers and I really like your wiring organization. I talked to the fireman and he's really cool.

What paint did you use on the Valve covers? Standard black wrinkle?

Thanks Brian, they actually came on the engine and looked pretty old so it was important to me to keep em. And yep I just used the VHT Wrinkle paint from Napa, but it needs to be really warm to use it and you have to be really even with the application for it to come out nice. Took me a couple tries to get it right

I don't think you'll have to worry about the valve covers leaking, for one it isn't an un-machined head like cheby's and you have cast valve covers that won't warp on top of that. I've gotten mine soaked (the cork gasket) with oil while adjusting the lifters and still haven't had them leak. I'm glad to see someone else putting they're wires on top instead of under the headers like what seams to be the preferred way "I don't feel like such an outsider anymore". Motor looks great Speedy.

Cool thanks 747, yeah the valve covers don't rock on the heads so that's good, but I did have to repair a crack on one of them so hopefully that holds up. I actually was doing some digging and found an old thread started by bigmanjbmopar about valve cover leaks, sent him a pm and got the full version of what worked for him so I'll be posting that tomorrow night when I get to it. And yeah I figured underneath would have been hit-or-miss at best compared to how ran them with the R&M retainers.

Actually got the wires a little more cleaned up too, went by Napa today for RTV and valve cover hardware and ended up getting these separators for a couple bucks. I'll still probably try to pick up one of the stock ones that bolts to the thermostat housing too


Oh yeah, and it cracked me up that Taylor or Napa shamelessly put "space age" right on the package label for my wire sleeves lol


So in honor of that, here's one for your weekly tunes idea 747. Bonus points for the Total Recall Schwarzenegger clips matching the music? Hahaha
[video=youtube;8zGJ9N7c6pE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zGJ9N7c6pE&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video]

 

[hunt2elk]

I like the way you ran the plug wires Speedy, and with those holders you surely shouldn't have to worry about burned wires . I haven't ordered anything for mine yet - kind of forgot about it.

 

[conv67bdere]

Great wiring job Speedy - love it !

Love the tune you posted too - great tune ! ! !

 

[tallhair]

Looks great speedy and maybe those boots were laying around awhile with that 'space age' packaging but I'm sure if they're space age they'll be doing the J.O.B. just fine.

 

[Ron 73]

Looks really great speed! You do some impressing work and ill bet you'll have more fun in that machine then should be allowed lol... Just kidding with you and hope you have many fun filled rides in that bad boy, and i to always loved Deep purple, one of my favorites that you've heard but!

[video=youtube;zUwEIt9ez7M]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUwEIt9ez7M[/video]

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

I like the way you ran the plug wires Speedy, and with those holders you surely shouldn't have to worry about burned wires . I haven't ordered anything for mine yet - kind of forgot about it.

Thanks elk, I'm hoping not! Trying to prevent as many gremlins as I can ahead of time and save some headaches before they happen haha. Well if you decide to go with these retainers, here's a link to R&M's page:
http://www.rmspecialties.com/1104.html
And Summit carries them so the corresponding finish part number from R&M should cross over:
http://www.summitracing.com/search/department/ignitions-electrical/section/spark-plug-wires-and-accessories/make/dodge/quantity/sold-as-a-kit/brand/r-m-specialties

Great wiring job Speedy - love it !

Love the tune you posted too - great tune ! ! !

Thanks 67! I'm finally almost caught up with your buildthread, great work going on over there! I'll be joining the fun here shortly :icon_thumleft:

Looks great speedy and maybe those boots were laying around awhile with that 'space age' packaging but I'm sure if they're space age they'll be doing the J.O.B. just fine.

We can only hope! I don't know about "space age" but I'll settle for "does what they're supposed to" lol

Looks really great speed! You do some impressing work and ill bet you'll have more fun in that machine then should be allowed lol... Just kidding with you and hope you have many fun filled rides in that bad boy, and i to always loved Deep purple, one of my favorites that you've heard but!

[video=youtube;zUwEIt9ez7M]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUwEIt9ez7M[/video]

Ah of course, always a classic tune! Or there's always "Highway Star" for those late night backroad runs haha. And thanks Ron! Definitely some fun times to come with frankenstein, hopefully some cool driving/burnout/cruise stories and video to come this summer, but I think I'll be sticking with "what happens in the back seat stays in the back seat" hahaha :eusa_whistle:

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Alright guys I have what I feel like is a dumb question but I'm just not sure what's up here, I was looking at how to plumb my fuel lines (bought the RightStuff pump to carb lines) but it looks like I might have the wrong pump or something ? :shruggy:





I found pics on this other thread that look like the small piece threads into the pump, then your rubber hose and fuel filter would bridge the gap up to the long piece that goes to the carb. But my pump only has two built-in "slip on" fittings and that's it :icon_scratch:
http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?63238-Photo-request-440-fuel-pump-to-carb-fuel-line&highlight=fuel+lines

Also where exactly does each "main line" (sending and return) on the frame rail go to on the pump? And my fsm calls for a vapor separator, is that something I need specifically or is it basically a generic cannister-style fuel filter? Any pics or help here would be awesome!

 

[kiwigtx]

Hey there MrSF...check out posts #8 & #10 by 440+6 some great reference pics for a 440.

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...aseplate-technology&p=910006677#post910006677

 

[hunt2elk]

Here is what I got Speedy. I am using a Holley 770 Street Avenger and need all the engine compartment lines yet, so I am curious what you learn.

 

[747mopar]

Wish I could help but I went all custom with braided stainless hoses, summit billet filter and a Holley fuel pump so not much help here. I'm sure you'll get it all sorted out in no time and have it fired up and running. Patiently waiting

 

[moparlee]

View attachment 164044View attachment 164045

Here is what I got Speedy. I am using a Holley 770 Street Avenger and need all the engine compartment lines yet, so I am curious what you learn.

I have the same fuel pump and vapor separator on my 69 GTX 440 as hunt2elk. The small bent line goes from the threaded outlet of the fuel pump fitting then with hose to the inlet of the fuel separator.

 

[hunt2elk]

I have the same fuel pump and vapor separator on my 69 GTX 440 as hunt2elk. The small bent line goes from the threaded outlet of the fuel pump fitting then with hose to the inlet of the fuel separator.

So did you use the longer steel tube also, or do I just need to buy the shorter one?

 

[Mr.SpeedFreak]

Ok guys, got it figured out thanks to that link Kiwi posted. yes elk you'll need both lines, the kit will come with both but will probably be a different part number than mine, since I'm running my stock carter avs.

These are the most helpful pics I've seen:






You can see how everything is routed; vapor separator bracket bolts under the right side bolt of the fuel pump, with the 2-fitting side facing down. The return (vapor) line on the frame rail connects to the small fitting on the bottom of the VS by rubber hose. The main sending line on the frame rail connects to the slip-on fitting on the fuel pump also by rubber hose. Then the short "s" shaped line screws into the threaded fitting on the fuel pump, and connects to the large fitting on the bottom of the VS by hose. And finally the top fitting of the VS is connected by hose to the long fuel line that goes up to the carb.

Looks like I might have a cheapo generic fuel pump since both of my fittings are slip-on, so I'll be replacing that I think. And I was also confused because I didn't have a vapor separator and didn't know for sure that I needed one. (There goes another 50 bucks!) Haha, hope this helps some of you guys
ccasion14:

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Also thanks to 440+6 for posting those pics on the other thread!

 

[pwmcharge]

Hi all. New to site as well. Dig the stance that charger has.

 

[747mopar]

O.K. now you guys have to tell me this "what does it do"? I've never had to run a vapor separator before so was it to aid in a problem they had or was it more about polution? Just curious.

 

[cdr]

it helps to prevent VAPOR LOCK

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I am going to have a return system.