Saving another 68 Charger

[Deanfitz27]

Thanks for your help, I just ordered the same kit.

thanks again

 

[smyythe68]

We'll I've had it since January. I couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to drive my black charger. So I made it happen.
I have to say I love the car even if it is four doors. It's probably one of the best 4 door cars I've ever seen. 2014 R/T with beats by dre sound system. Sounds great and it definitely moves, and I couldn't beat the price. I'm paying less per month than I did for my 04 GTO. It will get me by ,hopefully, until I get the real charger complete.

 

[Ron 73]

We'll I've had it since January. I couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to drive my black charger. So I made it happen.View attachment 178048
I have to say I love the car even if it is four doors. It's probably one of the best 4 door cars I've ever seen. 2014 R/T with beats by dre sound system. Sounds great and it definitely moves, and I couldn't beat the price. I'm paying less per month than I did for my 04 GTO. It will get me by ,hopefully, until I get the real charger complete.

I have to admit i like them to, My wife and i watch NCIS and it seems like every-time old "Gibbs" pulls up somewhere you here a little roar coming to a stop! I love it and the fact he does have a 70 Challenger!! lol... I told my wife that if one of the first ones made comes up in our neighborhood i just may check on it! Nice ride, enjoy the fun!

 

[smyythe68]

Took my windshield wiper motor apart yesterday, cleaned, blasted, and primed the housing. Probably going to paint it tomorrow. I don't know why but I was surprised to see plastic gears inside. All in all motor is in good shape, and brushes are good. I had a hell of a time finding rivets to put it back together thank goodness for old mom and pop hardware stores. Also tracked down some new rubber mounting grommets. Should be pretty in a couple of days.

 

[smyythe68]

Well, all back together and shinier than it ever was. Still looking out for the mounting grommets, the ones I found don't have the right size sleave. Anyway all greased and ready to go. One down countless other parts to go.

 

[Ron 73]

Does look great! Your going to have some nice parts going back into this looking like that, sometimes its the little things some forget, but its all part of the process and no worries in the future of things working right when done up right! More parts then we realize sometimes that need the same attention as the major build..

 

[hunt2elk]

Wiper motor looks great. Did you try Kim @ Passion For Mopars for your missing grommets?

 

[smyythe68]

Wiper motor looks great. Did you try Kim @ Passion For Mopars for your missing grommets?

Thanks hunt2elk. That's exactly what I need, grommets, sleaves, and the nuts. I think someone tightened my motor down with a 1/2" wrench at one time. Made the metal sleaves look like an accordion.

 

[smyythe68]

Got some more work done this weekend. Against all the recommendations I could find, i seperated my hood anyway. All of the supporting filler had seperated from the skin anyway so it came apart rather well. Lucky me, There's a prize inside. A nice sized mouse nest to help with oxidation. View attachment 184083View attachment 184084View attachment 184085
The skin looks to be in good shape on top. In the pictures all thats left of the layers of paint and primer and paint and primer... is some original red oxide primer.
Frame has some issues but I think can be saved. The skin I'm leary about blasting, might end up soaking it or dipping.
Anyone have a donor frame for replacement or for parts I can use for grafting?

 

[BigBlock61]

Hmmm, I wonder if any B Body hood would work for the frame or is it specific to the charger?

 

[roadrunnerman]

Hmmm, I wonder if any B Body hood would work for the frame or is it specific to the charger?

Thinking they are charger specific, unless you graft in the pieces.

 

[smyythe68]

Yeah, I was hoping the inner cross pieces were the same on b bodies. Most of the outer edges are in good shape where the skin attaches. Just a few sections in the middle where nests soaked in water and urine could sit and produce pin holes. Anyone have any pictures of their inner structure?

 

[smyythe68]

Well after much research and being scared as hell to sand blast my hood I decided to try molasses. With a little bit of cheap lumber and $25 worth of molasses I took the plunge.
about a 9:1 water ratio some mixing and in it went. I saw it working all over youtube so what the hell. Its still cheaper then eastwood rust dissolver. You can see the outline of the hood in the bubbles I'll pull it out in a week to see how it looks, fingers crossed....

 

[smyythe68]

Well it's getting a little more exiciting. It's been in for a week and Everywhere there was rust there are bubbles floating on the surface. You can see the pattern in the pictures.

I have a little circulating pump in there now hopefully it will speed things up. I might lift it out for a peek on friday to see how it looks. Might do my deck lid next if this works.

 

[Destroyer Doug]

I've never heard of the molasses method. Very cool. I'm looking forward to seeing the results.

 

[Propwash]

Well...even if it don't work, you could make a sh*tload of cookies!

 

[smyythe68]

After 9 days I can see progress. I lifted the bottom corner out today and rubbed it with some scotch brite. More or less wiped it with the pad and this is what I saw.

seems to work rather well I'll give it another look see on Tuesday.

 

[Ron 73]

From what ive read this should work for you, ill give you another small trick that saves money and saved me from buying more Eastwood rust converter, is white vinegar and water, mixed 2 parts water one part white vinegar and using a scotch brite i stole from the wife's kitchen, scrub down with it good and leave it sit until the next day, rinse off and you'll find black converted rust ready to sand and primer, sometimes it appears a orange color but does work very good and minimal clean up and Eastwood gos broke (this time).. I hope you don't mind but do like to share ways to save money.. and i have no issues with the smell of vinegar!
I do cheat and make the mixture more stronger with less water, i think it better... Good luck and hope it turns out great for ya!!!

 

[BigBlock61]

Sort of makes you wonder what we consider food after seeing that LOL. As usual lookin good.

 

[smyythe68]

It's been two weeks officially and I have to say it looks pretty good. The waiting sucks but it's the least amount of work I've done on the car with still getting something done. I think I'll pull it out friday or early next week. I'll have to give it a coating of something quick I know it's gonna start rusting immediately. Still have some work to do on the frame before it goes back together. Thanks to SGT Paul for some hood parts and the idea of using seam sealer between the hood and the frame. Should work out good.