New to the Mopar world. Need help with 2 questions

[tendy30]

Gents,

I am new to the whole world of Mopar and have wanted a 69 Charger for years. I am not very old and some may say I am out of my era but I love the power and look. I just purchased my first 1969 Charger but really don't know where to start with it.

It aparently is an original 383 but it has a 440 in it now (not original matching #'s but I am ok with it at this stage in my life). I want to enjoy it and it is completely driveable but unsure if I should look at putting it back to original or simply keep on rolling with the upgrades.

My real question is: with the VIN # is there anyway you can order an original parts book specific to my car in order to find out what exact parts I need.

I have a couple of worries i would like to address over the winter to make sure the car is solid. I have been told that some of the 383 engines came with a sh*t rear axle/end and the rear end wont be able to handle the 440. Truly, I have no idea what kind of rear end it has and I have also been told to convert to posi? Any advice?

This turned into more than 2 questions...

Lastly, I am located in Canada and parts are much more scarce. I am looking at refreshing most of the external chrome aka bumpers and guards - front and back, door handles, sill plates, and a few trim pieces. What are some great sites that are reputable and cost efficient?

Thank you guys for you help.

 

[moparmarks]

Congats and welcome.
On the front drivers side inner fender well is the fender tag, if someone didn't remove and lose it. That will have most of the build codes for your car. Hopefully somewhere inside is the broadcast sheet. That is have all the build codes. Look under the seats, carpit, above glove box.

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It probably has an 8.75 rear end which is a good one. Welded on rear cover like a 9" Ford is an 8.75

 

[tendy30]

Moparmarks,

Thanks for the reply. I definitely know the fender tag is there. Don't have much experience with reading the builder codes etc. When looking at the fender tag what exactly am I looking for and with the builder codes where do I go/use these codes to find out what I need? Do I call up Mopar, give them the codes and ask for a schematic of my car which they send in the mail or email? or will the fender tag allow me to order a new broadcast sheet?

I bet these are basic questions so appologies as i simply don't know where to start

I'll look for the broadcast sheet but pretty sure the previous owner didn't have anything.

 

[moparmarks]

Take a picture of the tag and post it on here and we'll decode it for you. Can't get a replacement broadcast sheet. Also the IBM cards for the 69's were destoried in a fire. Glad your tag is there. Don't remove or lose it. Post some pics of your car too.
This site is here for people to ask questions and learn about their car, no worries.

 

[shag766]

welcome aboard:headbang:
unless you can put the exact original 383 back in it, keep driving. as for the rear end in it don't worry unless there is an issue with it. going to the posi can be a future upgrade if needed or desired. the chances are the rear you have now is probably the same as the 383 unless your 440 is h/o. you can purchase a factory manual specific to the model but not the vin #. this is pretty much a must have. as for trim pc's and etc, the suppliers who support this site are reputable. you have one of the best parts supply in canada every year at your back door. the barrie swap meet.
if it was me i would be putting my effort's into the safety of the car for drive ability and making up a wish list for add on's.

p.s. i almost forgot something very important:worthless_thread:

 

[tendy30]

I tried posting pic's before with the browser pop-up. I got impatient and closed the window b/c the pic's were 0 high reso. Will post some tomorrow along with the fender tag. Would love to learn how to decode these things. That will come with time

Shag766 - thanks for the advice. Car is pretty solid ( i think) I haven't had a safety yet as I just picked up the car from London, Ontario last week. It was an original Wisconsin vehicle. Aparently it was yellow but is now black with the red stripe. It has R/T emblems etc but I know don't think it's an R/T. Again, safety wise I think it's good to go. The exterior "wish" list is my winter project. Exterior chrome, handles, etc. which brings me to my last questions. I have the original craiger rims and the car looks like it's on tiny "donuts" with the orignal Red Line tires. What is the widest tire you can put on this car, on the original rim, without having rubbing issues?

Also, I live in Barrie - the swap meet you mentioned....is that the one that's Burrows Creek?

 

[300]

Don,t waste your time at Burl,s Creek. I,m 10 min from there, and you won,t find much Mopar stuff there, National Moparts in Beaverton can get you what you need, also Moparfest in New Hamburg in Aug , Trust me. Been there, done That.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

I tried posting pic's before with the browser pop-up. I got impatient and closed the window b/c the pic's were 0 high reso. Will post some tomorrow along with the fender tag. Would love to learn how to decode these things. That will come with time

Shag766 - thanks for the advice. Car is pretty solid ( i think) I haven't had a safety yet as I just picked up the car from London, Ontario last week. It was an original Wisconsin vehicle. Aparently it was yellow but is now black with the red stripe. It has R/T emblems etc but I know don't think it's an R/T. Again, safety wise I think it's good to go. The exterior "wish" list is my winter project. Exterior chrome, handles, etc. which brings me to my last questions. I have the original craiger rims and the car looks like it's on tiny "donuts" with the orignal Red Line tires. What is the widest tire you can put on this car, on the original rim, without having rubbing issues?

Also, I live in Barrie - the swap meet you mentioned....is that the one that's Burrows Creek?

Hey, welcome to the site. Sounds like a cool car.

 

[ram250098]

Hey tendy welcome, I am just down the road from you in Cookstown and know many people in Barrie with Mopars. Pm me your email and I will send you some links that you may need.
Yes burls creek is not Mopar friendly....only a few guys selling mopar parts and seem to be fewer every year.
AL

 

[terzmo]

I don't understand the bad axel thing...You could have a chevy and the axels could pop out on accelleration...no one seems to make an issue there. There are some who prefer one axel case over another but if You are not going to race and hook,(hook is the key word) any of the rearend/axel combo's are fine. 69 chargers are cool and with the original engine gone, unless You are extremely lucky and find the original block, the car will never be matching numbers. (so what is My opinion) AND, My 2 cents...if the original is gone, the car is more attractive with the 440. Welcome aboard

 

[soundhd]

Welcome to (as my Mopar buddies told me when I recently bought my first Mopar) the "Darkside".
Does not matter how young or old you are......you have "arrived".....
The internet is best source for information on your 69.
Here is your first.....this web site ( http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=107 ) has the Mopar parts catalogs that you can download for FREE......one word of warning though.....they are very large......I downloaded the one for my 70 RR and it was 2300 pages.......took awhile to print it up but all the parts diagrams, lists etc.... are all there........
As for your fender tag.......again lots of sources on the net for figuring out how to de-code it. If you can find the copy of the broadcast sheet in your car that's the best.
I suggest you get a copy of the shop manual and wiring diagram for your Mopar...very helpful when working on it....and this web site is the best source for a one on one answers to any of your questions. A bunch of great Mopar people here............they have helped me a lot and I am still asking questions and getting answers.....
Again welcome aboard.........post a photo on the welcome section.

A fellow Mopar "newbie" in MIchigan

 

[beezee]

Welcome Tendy, I,m local to you as well,there,s a few Mopar owners in this area of Simcoe County and hang together at cruise nights,car shows ,BBQ,s etc,we,ll even throw in a couple of chevies to tease all in good fun.Natioal Moparts in Beaverton is a good source of parts in Ontario,check out Maclean Classics in Palgrave Hwy 9 and Gore rd area,a quality restoration shop near me.
http://www.macleanclassics.com/1968chargerrtresto.htm

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Here,s another link to the 68 Charger restoration from DC.com,this is one beautiful car,parts and resources are plentiful,just how deep are your pockets....LOL
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,48718.0.html

 

[Canadian1968CoronetR/T]

I just went on line found a decoder no problem and the fender told me everything including thst it was a ordered car,in the day. I bought my car in Barrie.

 

[sublimegtx]

Welcome, sounds like a nice car can't wait to see the PIC's :icon_mrgreen:

 

[tendy30]

Fender tag and pictures. Comments and suggestions accepted

Alright, here are the long awaited pictures. My wife says at 7:00am this morning, "What the hell are you doing in the garage?" haha - I think this is just the start to the urge!

So as you can see quite a few things to do on the exterior front. The back of the car really bothers me. The tail light lenses, bezels, bumper and guards need to be redone/replaced. Priced online and easily $1500 in the hole. Are my used parts well sought after as in buy new and sell what's on the car on ebay to recoup costs? Can bezels be rechromed - they look to be plastic or some kind of material.

The front has the same the problem. Bumpers are in much better condition. The front "I" chrome trim piece needs to be replaced. Looks to be like previous owner banged out dents from inside and put it back on. Hood pins will be an additional item.

Current tires are on 15 inch original rims (is that what came with 69 chargers 15 inch or 14's?) with original Super-R-Belt redline tires. I can't find P215/70R 15(example) anywhere on tire. I want wider tires on back but not sure how wide you can go without having rubbing issues on the Charger. Classic Industries sells P235's REDLINES. Any suggestions?

Open to feed back - DO'S and DON'T's much appreciated.

Thanks guys,

 

[moparmarks]

Nice car.
XS29L9G
Charger R/T
440hp
1969
St Louis built.

Give me abit and will decode the rest of your tag.

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Check to make sure the vin numbers on the vin tag and fender tag match.
My first car waaaay back in 1976 was a 69 Chagrer R/T. White with black top and stripe delete.

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Also the motor is the wrong color, should be orange.

 

[wannadrag]

Nice and X2 on checking the numbers.

 

[Basket case]

welcome and beautiful car! I had a '68 RT that color.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Welcome aboard. Great lookin car.

 

[Sonny Black]

Tendy, you have something special! good luck,,,,,,,,,,,,,