Saving another 68 Charger

[smyythe68]

Been awile since I could do much, but cruising along. In the middle of inner and outer rocker, Torsion crossmember, and floor replacement. I had to build a rig so the thing wouldn't move when I started cutting out hunks of car. Here is a few pics.

 

[Donny]

44 yrs of salty roads = not a fun time for us rebuilding these things.

 

[iraqivet01]

What are you painting your dash with?

 

[smyythe68]

I actually painted the dash with etching primer, coat of high build sanded down with #320 then shot with duplicolor flat black. The flat black actually has a satin to it instead of a flat finish. I had trouble with zebra stripping so I actually opened the spray can and shot it through a HVLP spray gun, I'll try to get some pics up.

 

[smyythe68]

Here is a few shots of the rocker I removed. When I installed the new rocker I was getting interference problems with the inner rocker because of the piece in the picture. When the piece was pressed it was done uneven so it is wider on the one side. Once I cut the piece out a little it ended up fitting better. The outer rocker I used is from Sherman and is a good piece but by no means is it just "fit in", it does need some manipulation. I also included pics of the rack I made. It is now all tied together with two pieces of straight angel iron and a diagonal bar. Also is the used crossmember and inner rockers sand blasted and coated in weld-thru primer ready for installation.

 

[cip123]

My 1st car done in 2 months

Found this fancy patch panel on my car. Anyone know where I can get another? LOL

sure! I can make u another 1 any time! lol! I may have to refrence the extensive notes i took when i did it back in 1990. haha. I guess thats what happens when you give a 17yr old kid a few gallons of duraglass & bondo and say "have at it!'
Seriously tho I'm so happy to have found someone who is willing to bring her back to life. Keep up the hard work. Love the pics

 

[smyythe68]

Here are a few shots of the new rocker installed. I also began working on the driver side which saw many more pairs of salty winter shoes as you can see in the pics. This rocker is from AMD and does not contain the inner brackets unlike the sherman piece so, I left the inner bracket attached to the car. I took two pictures of the footwell area one with the inner frame and one without. With a few doner pieces I think I'll be back in buisiness. The other thing I noticed in removal of both outer rockers was whoever did the driver side was an over achiver with the welder and, the passenger side was lacking the effort.

 

[smyythe68]

I finally got a chance to post some pictures. Halloween is a very busy time for me, I've got a whole yard of animatronics and decorations to set up and take down. Anyway, here is the repaired foot well area. Turned out pretty good. I hope to have pictures of the new torsion crossmember and inner rockers in the next few days.

 

[smyythe68]

Got some time over the weekend to make some progress and take some pictures. New section went in rather well. The left outer rocker fender holes lined up better than the right. The left is the AMD side. On the right one, the hole is very close and the other is way off. I guess there is a difference in quality.
In the rear I was hoping to only replace the driver side rear pan, but it looks like I'm going to have to do both. I might have to wait a week or two to get some funds together. I'm still on the look out for a bargin AC firewall section or pattern to cut the holes in mine to add the factory AC box. Anyway, hope to have some other odds and ends finished this week.:happy7:

 

[TheSwede]

Nice projects, this is like heroin for me! When I get home tonight I will go out to my project, those threads inspire me, Thanks! And keep those pictures coming!:headbang:

 

[detmatt1]

I think I can help you out with the A.C. cutouts. Nice work, keep it up!

 

[smyythe68]

Thanks for the words of encouragement! Working on the front rails now, hope to have some more pictures by the weekend. Hey, Detmatt1. Let me know what you have, much appreciated for any help. Thanks!

 

[smyythe68]

Got my frame rails squared away this week. The driver side tops had been eaten away by the years of salty winter boots. Working on installing the frame to inner rocker brackets right now. I also had to put a 2" x 2" patch in the bottom driver fame also where the bracket attaches. Nothing says fun like welding upside down. Got my rear foot well pans on order, should be in on Monday. Before I install my rocker endcaps has anyone ran a sealant of some kind between the inner and outer rocker seam to keep dirt and water out?

 

[TheSwede]

Nice work! I will fill my rockers with this:
Link

link2


It works on the salty swedish roads during winter so it must keep a summerdriven car rust free for 1000 years or so...

And I will keep them open (drainholes) to let water and moist out, if you seal them up to good you will get condens water inside and it won´t get out instead.

 

[smyythe68]

Getting close to some substantial progress. Removed the rear floor pans and got the inner rockers cleaned up. After that I actually got to test fit the floor. really makes you feel like you've accomplished something when you get to install such a large panel. Hope to have it installed tomorrow or early this week.

 

[smyythe68]

Got the floor installed after some trimming and manipulation. Finally feel like I made some real progress especially after looking at the old pictures. Everything lined up rather well and anyone who has done this before knows that I have had my fill of drilling and filling holes. I didn't stop there though, moved on to the right rear frame rail. I have to say a plasma cutter made that job a hell of alot easier. It's almost impossible to drill out all of the spot welds on that leaf spring body mount section. So, cutting around the frame rail and doing it from the inside made it easier. Got the rear floor pans just sitting in place until I get the rear rails out. I just have the frame rail sitting in there right now but should have it mounted soon. It's just nice to see part of the car there that wasn't there when I got it. I think I might have some patching/replacement to do on the rear seat pan also, cancer has set in rather bad. Little by little she's coming back.

 

[tpodwdog]

i admire you guys that have so much patience.im actually envyous. looks great!

 

[MoparMitch]

Wow!! What a project. Looks like you are making great progress.

 

[Propwash]

Great pic's of the surgery! Keep em' coming. Looking good.

 

[smyythe68]

Couple quick progress picks. Got more frame work to do and I'll probably be installing the passenger rear floor pan next. Then the rear seat pan and then finally the driver floor pan. If anyone has done it before and has a better way PLEASE,let me know.