1969 Dodge Charger

[Steven Bowers]

Greetings, I’m just learning how this site works……Figure I’ll start out telling all of you followers about my car….1969 Dodge Charger White Hat Special…..Matching Numbers…..383HP Four Speed with 3.91 sure grip…….my car has No power options other than the 383HP…..once you get it into second gear it actually goes down the street very well…..only issue is you can’t steer it and certainly can’t stop it ……drum brakes….man what a poor design unless you drive 25 mph…..No power steering doesn’t help much either…..I’m a retired Tool and Die Maker with a Machinist background…..have throughly enjoyed my profession….and I’m enjoying retirement easily as well…..I enjoy reading most of the knowledgeable post and learn from them…a great site…..Steve

 

[dadsbee]

Welcome aboard!!! If you can't steer it it's aligned wrong and deem brakes work good to slow you down before you hit some *** that panic stops in front of you.. LOL

 

[Xp29h]

Welcome!!

 

[polywideblock]

g'day from Australia , we like pictures

 

[Ironbuilt]

Greetings, I’m just learning how this site works……Figure I’ll start out telling all of you followers about my car….1969 Dodge Charger White Hat Special…..Matching Numbers…..383HP Four Speed with 3.91 sure grip…….my car has No power options other than the 383HP…..once you get it into second gear it actually goes down the street very well…..only issue is you can’t steer it and certainly can’t stop it ……drum brakes….man what a poor design unless you drive 25 mph…..No power steering doesn’t help much either…..I’m a retired Tool and Die Maker with a Machinist background…..have throughly enjoyed my profession….and I’m enjoying retirement easily as well…..I enjoy reading most of the knowledgeable post and learn from them…a great site…..Steve

Welcome from North Carolina.
I have to disagree Steve. Properly installed, maintained and adjusted drum brakes work quite well. As for manual steering, I like how it helps me feel more in control of my car, but that's just my opinion. No power steering on Nascar, Indy car, etc.

 

[Jerry Hall]

Welcome from Alabama, if you can't steer it or stop it, I will board it and train it for you. Been wanting another Charger.

 

[davek]

welcome Steve,if the drum brakes are right they work fine. I had one with a 440 6 pack and stopped with no problems. I would love to see some pics .

 

[Hey-O]

Welcome from Missouri!!

 

[pnora]

Welcome. Now you just need to find someone qualified to fix your ride.

 

[68sprtsat383]

Welcome

 

[Steven Bowers]

welcome Steve,if the drum brakes are right they work fine. I had one with a 440 6 pack and stopped with no problems. I would love to see some pics .

I’ll attempt to show some photos down the road…

 

[QOTHL]

I have two drivable 69 Chargers. They both have drum brakes. One is a WHS 383 like yours, PS and I'm glad, and it brakes like a train. Even with PS, doesn't steer that well.
The other is a R/T SE that was completely redone. Brakes really well and handles great. It also rides very well. Just FYI, maybe yours needs some work. The WHS still has the original suspension, nothing done to it. Brakes have new shoes, doesn't help much.

PS Welcome to the asylum.

 

[Steven Bowers]

Welcome. Now you just need to find someone qualified to fix your ride.

I’m not a brake man…..so I’ll need someone to adjust them….

 

[davek]

I’m not a brake man…..so I’ll need someone to adjust them….

get your drums turned and new shoes

 

[Steven Bowers]

I have two drivable 69 Chargers. They both have drum brakes. One is a WHS 383 like yours, PS and I'm glad, and it brakes like a train. Even with PS, doesn't steer that well.
The other is a R/T SE that was completely redone. Brakes really well and handles great. It also rides very well. Just FYI, maybe yours needs some work. The WHS still has the original suspension, nothing done to it. Brakes have new shoes, doesn't help much.

PS Welcome to the asylum.

Glad to be part of the group…

 

[Steven Bowers]

Welcome from North Carolina.
I have to disagree Steve. Properly installed, maintained and adjusted drum brakes work quite well. As for manual steering, I like how it helps me feel more in control of my car, but that's just my opinion. No power steering on Nascar, Indy car, etc.

Actually I’m vacationing in N.C……my car has never really stopped that well……have owned mine since 79…..bought it off my boss…..

 

[Ironbuilt]

I’m not a brake man…..so I’ll need someone to adjust them….

I would start by pulling the drums and inspecting every wheel carefully. Stress cracks in the drums? Out of round? Shoe wear? Is the shoe material separating from the shoe? Are the wheel cylinders leaking? Corroded? Are the brake lines in good condition? Leaking? Soft or brittle from age? Springs? Are they rusted? Adjusters? Are they frozen? Corroded? Emergency brake components?
Every single component in the brake system is equally important. Replace ANYTHING that is worn, damaged or that you're unsure of it's condition.
Drain brake fluid, flush the system and bleed properly.

 

[Steven Bowers]

I would start by pulling the drums and inspecting every wheel carefully. Stress cracks in the drums? Out of round? Shoe wear? Is the shoe material separating from the shoe? Are the wheel cylinders leaking? Corroded? Are the brake lines in good condition? Leaking? Soft or brittle from age? Springs? Are they rusted? Adjusters? Are they frozen? Corroded? Emergency brake components?
Every single component in the brake system is equally important. Replace ANYTHING that is worn, damaged or that you're unsure of it's condition.
Drain brake fluid, flush the system and bleed properly.

Fantastic info…..

 

[Steven Bowers]

Welcome!!

Down the road……

 

[Ironbuilt]

Actually I’m vacationing in N.C……my car has never really stopped that well……have owned mine since 79…..bought it off my boss…..

My 63 has manual drum brakes and manual steering. It stops like it's supposed to, no matter how fast I am going. Drum brakes have been stopping my car on the 1/4 mile track for 58 years.