Newly Purchased 1968 440 RT.

[68 Chris]

Hi!
I just bought a 1968 Dodge Charger 440 RT in Avon Ohio last weekend. Has a unrebuilt Carter on it that runs like garbage so I ordered a 750 Edelbrock. As soon as the Carter is plucked it will get a rebuild. The 273 rear end is a nice rear end and is fun to tool around but not laying much rubber. I have a 373 posi rear end as well but don't know if I want to put it in yet. This is my first muscle car so I'm just getting acquainted with it. I love the sound. It's got a hemi exhaust with the H pipe. I am going over the car with friends and everyone is blown away by the car. Everyone keeps saying " You just don't see these cars anymore." This is my favorite Muscle car and I'm glad I finally have one.
Here's my first question. I have an exhaust leak on the passanger side of the block right at the the manifold. I found that two bolts are turning way too easily and not tightening. So I have two stripped threads in the block Not too happy about that. I wish the owner would have discolsed that to me. So I'm thinking that this is not common because the stripped bolts are why the leak is present and the red gasket goop that is coming out from the seal should have beena give away considering the other side does not have that. I guess I won't know until the manifold is off. Would any of you advise putting in a longer bolt? Or retapping the hole and going with a larger bolt? Any help would be appreciated.

Chris:star_wars2:

 

[moparstuart]

nice score
picture ??? please

 

[69Bee]

Drill out and install a heli-coil to return it to the correct size.

 

[Big Jim]

X2 on the heli-coil, and while the head is off, do all of the exhaust bolts.Save some headaches down the road.

 

[Sonny Black]

when your sick of the '68..P.M. me.

 

[dave5237]

Drill out and install a heli-coil to return it to the correct size.

I agree. :blob1:Thats the only way to do it right.

 

[detmatt1]

Welcome to the site, we're practically neighboors and I grew up in Troy! `68's are my favorite, let's see some pics, better yet send me a pm and let's get together. Swap meet and show in Centerline on the 29th.

 

[ja20]

Welcome, and good luck with your new toy. Do it and do right the first time, heli-coil is the only way to go. Oh and by the way what's the number on that Carter carburetor I might be interested. Welcome.Good luck. Have fun. John

 

[68 Chris]

I'll post pics tonight when I get home. Nice to meet all of you. Edelbrock 750 cfm Carb should be at my doorstep tomorrow. This should be a nice weekend! Can't wait to get rid of that Exhaust leak. It's driving me nuts!

second question. I want to make the car a fun driver that handles the highway speeds well. The car has 273's in it now and it drives really nice but with a stock transmission and no shift kit it really doesn't launch very hard. Any suggestions on how to make it a highway cruiser as well as a low end beast without putting in a 5 speed? I have been told, to put in a shift kit and add a Over drive. I have a 3.73 Posi rearend ready to go in as well. Should I just put the 3.73's in and take the 2.73's out? I have options right now in setting the car up. It's original RT equipment was the 373 posi and that's what I would like in it but poeple keep telling me that the RPM's will be too high for highway driving. Any suggestions on that?

Chris:banana:

 

[70rr-brian]

3.55 gear would likely provide the balance you seek....but the 3.73 would be the next best thing. 2.73...wow, UGH....what a dog off the line that must be.

 

[1970V-code]

Suggestion

3.55 gears are the perfect all around gears; especially if you do some highway driving.

I have the Edelbrock Carter Series with Electronic Choke; I later added the Petronix All in 1 Ignition System which also helped with the way the car Idled.

You may want to see what Cam you have in the car also.

Congrats on your Charger Purchase :headbang:

 

[68 Chris]

I posted pics in my photo album, but here is a few.

I put some more pics in my photo album. I'll add more pics as I get to know the car better. These shots were all taken the weekend of purchase.

Thanks for the advice on 3.55 gears. I need to look into that.

Chris

 

[tpodwdog]

thats a beautiful machine. a few loose exhaust bolts are not a big deal in comparison to what you have there.

X3 on the helicoil...and a right angle drill...and a short drill bit youll have it fixed in no time!

3:55 are the way to go. good off the line and not too bad on the highway. i have 3:55's in my road runner and i am very pleased with them.

 

[dave5237]

Congrats. You made a fine purchase.

 

[hunt2elk]

Nice looking car. If you have a set of 3.73's all set up, you should drop them in and see if you like it. It will be night and day difference from what you have now. The car probably came with 3.23's, 3.55's, or 4.10's from the factory. 373's were not an option back then.

 

[68 Chris]

OK, I'll see if I can get my hands on a 3.55 set up. I'll try them all out. I think the interchangaility of all the HP parts is awesome on these vehicles. Can't wait to start testing and trying out the different rear ends. I went out for dinner tonight and ended up driving around for about 4 hours. This car is absolutely amazing. I parked right in from of a restaurant and sat in the front window looking at it while I ate my burrito. I'm so lame! But it dwarfed all the little beemers and Euro BS that was parked around it. It is probably the sexiest sheetmetal ever formed. This is going to be a blast of a summer.

 

[detmatt1]

That car looks really nice, can't wait to check it out first-hand. Is the fender tag or build sheet with it? Standard rear gear would have been a 3.23 but I think a 3.73 will be a good one for you. As easy as it is to change them out I would give it a shot and if it's too steep you can look for a 3.55 or a 3.23.

 

[tpodwdog]

OK, I'll see if I can get my hands on a 3.55 set up. I'll try them all out. I think the interchangaility of all the HP parts is awesome on these vehicles. Can't wait to start testing and trying out the different rear ends. I went out for dinner tonight and ended up driving around for about 4 hours. This car is absolutely amazing. I parked right in from of a restaurant and sat in the front window looking at it while I ate my burrito. I'm so lame! But it dwarfed all the little beemers and Euro BS that was parked around it. It is probably the sexiest sheetmetal ever formed. This is going to be a blast of a summer.

YOU SAID IT BROTHER....68 chargers ARE the sexiest sheet metal ever formed !.

 

[68 Chris]

Fixing the Heads first thing in the AM.

OK, The last head I fixed was on a 1993 Dodge Spirit. I am about to get this head off tomorrow to put the helicoils in to fix this issue of antifreeze pouring out the head. Yes I tried to see if I could could back out the passenger side manifold bolt. Now the stud came with it and it's pissing antifreeze. I have it tight enough that it's a very slow drip. I figure this is the car wanting me to prove myself to it. So here goes nothing. To be honest I was looking at it today and it it looks pretty straight foreward. I am going to remove the manifold and check warping so that has to come off. Does anyone know of any websites or source of information that could give me some advice or instruction about taking the top of the engine apart? I have the shop manuel so I will use that primarily. I'm hoping this all goes smooth. Wish me luck! I'm asking here becuase you people are the best shop manuel someone could ask for. You all have experience.

Chris :icon_pirat:

 

[451Coronet]

OK, I'll see if I can get my hands on a 3.55 set up. I'll try them all out. I think the interchangaility of all the HP parts is awesome on these vehicles. Can't wait to start testing and trying out the different rear ends. I went out for dinner tonight and ended up driving around for about 4 hours. This car is absolutely amazing. I parked right in from of a restaurant and sat in the front window looking at it while I ate my burrito. I'm so lame! But it dwarfed all the little beemers and Euro BS that was parked around it. It is probably the sexiest sheetmetal ever formed. This is going to be a blast of a summer.

Dude I do the same with my '69 Coronet Or at least I did when I was driving it Hopefully soon....
When I was stationed in Norfolk I used to cruise around downtown so I could see my reflection in all the storefront glass Kinda wild seeing yourself in the car. Then I'd head on over to the parking garage and set off car alarms lol

Btw beautiful '68, nice catch!