RT68440
Well-Known Member
I used a combination of things. I used 3M strip discs and wire wheels to get the heavy stuff, then I’d go over everything with 80 grit on a DA, then I’d hand scuff it with a maroon scotch brite pad.
Chris' '68 Charger R/T restoration
- Thread starter RT68440
- Start date
RT68440
Well-Known Member
I got all of the body panels in epoxy primer and in the basement. Ended up picking up the engine from the builders. It was all broke in on the dyno and made right around 525hp/530tq. I had to do some mock up before putting the engine in primer. Since I'm running headers I couldn't just use factory plug wires but I wanted somewhat of the stock looking wires, so I decided to make my own. I bought all of the boots and a spool of wire and went to work. I bought the factory brackets to route them as correctly as possible.
RT68440
Well-Known Member
One issue that I had was with the valve covers. I had bought a set of AMD covers that leaked pretty badly while on the dyno. Rather than mess with them, I found a nice original set from Tony's Parts. I blasted them, bought new wire tabs and welded them on, redipped the tabs and spark plug wire holders in rubber, touched up a couple areas with filler, primed them and sanded them with 320. I installed them onto the motor so they would get primed with the engine.
With the valve covers done, I wire wheeled and scuff padded the motor and washed it down with wax and grease remover twice then wiped it with wax and grease remover a couple of times. I then sprayed 2 coats of PPG epoxy on it and the components.
With the valve covers done, I wire wheeled and scuff padded the motor and washed it down with wax and grease remover twice then wiped it with wax and grease remover a couple of times. I then sprayed 2 coats of PPG epoxy on it and the components.
Last edited:
RT68440
Well-Known Member
I put the engine back on the dolly and put an engine bag over it and tucked it away under the bench. Once the body is done I'll bring the engine back out, scuff it and shoot it with color.
Motor is looking real good. Got to ask though. Why wouldn't you paint it now since you are in the timeline that doesn't require scuffing? Did you ever find your fender tag? I would be interested to see the color combo since it is such a rarity.
RT68440
Well-Known Member
I thought about that. It's going to be in the garage while I do the bodywork and priming, blocking etc to the engine bay and underside of the car. I know that no matter how good I try to keep the motor clean it's going to get dusy. It's not a huge deal but I'd rather paint it once I do a full clean on the garage and am closer to installing it.
Fender tag is at my parents house with the VIN tag. I have it over there for safe keeping. If I think about it, next time I'm over there I'll snap a pic
RT68440
Well-Known Member
More updates. With the engine primed and tucked away, I continued on the body. I scuffed the e coat on the underside of the car, the engine bay and inside the trunk. I did any body work on those areas that needed it and then I sprayed everything with primer.
RT68440
Well-Known Member
As I was sanding the body, I was also picking away at some other parts as well. We had Paul's Chrome rechrome everything as well as polish all of the trim. We got that stuff back so I was able to finish the grill and assemble the vent windows. All glass is new date coded pieces from ECS.
Looking good. Make sure you check the fitment of that rear AMD glass with the opening and your trim. There has been a lot of problems with it because the curve in it is not correct. Most guys were sending them back and finding a good original. This was up to at least a couple years ago. Maybe they got the problem corrected by now, idk.
RT68440
Well-Known Member
Paul's did a great job on the chrome, the original bumpers look great.
The car is going to have a slight Day Two look to it. We are going to be running redlines and magnums most of the time but will switch out the wheels with a set of Cragars and F-60 and L-60 Polyglas Goodyear's. The tires came in after over a year of waiting. We also had the TTI headers ceramic coated in white to give it that old school look. The coating is a traditional silver ceramic that they do and then the white goes over top. This helps to protect the white from yellowing
And currently I'm at the tedious task of sanding the underside, engine bay and inside of the trunk with 320 grit. After that I'll wet sand the outside of the body and then paint.
The car is going to have a slight Day Two look to it. We are going to be running redlines and magnums most of the time but will switch out the wheels with a set of Cragars and F-60 and L-60 Polyglas Goodyear's. The tires came in after over a year of waiting. We also had the TTI headers ceramic coated in white to give it that old school look. The coating is a traditional silver ceramic that they do and then the white goes over top. This helps to protect the white from yellowing
And currently I'm at the tedious task of sanding the underside, engine bay and inside of the trunk with 320 grit. After that I'll wet sand the outside of the body and then paint.
RT68440
Well-Known Member
Will do, thank you
keepat
Well-Known Member
Pauls chrome is the best! Looks awesome. Congrats on the progress.
Pat
Pat
RT68440
Well-Known Member
Thanks Pat, it's a shame that they went out of business a few months ago...
- Local time
- 1:54 PM
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2018
- Messages
- 21,184
- Reaction score
- 74,126
- Location
- Midland Ontario, Canada
Nice, neither Vintage Tire or Coker could be bothered to tell me that the Polyglass are back in stock !
RT68440
Well-Known Member
I just so happened to see a post on Facebook where someone posted a picture of them sitting at their door step. I called Kelsey Tire that day and they were shipped that evening.
Similar threads
