• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

any tips to help me with my 1974 charger restoration ?

B

BKreyZ365

New Member
Local time
2:24 PM
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Location
kansas
a couple days ago i seen an add on craigslist for a truck, so i went to go check it out. when i got there i met an elderly women and her husband, maybe age 70 but in good health so we went to go look at truck in there garage and as soon as they opened the garage my eyes were else were rather than on the truck there infant of me is one of the most badass muscle cars I've seen its a 1974 charger everything original except the paint there is little rust on car but everything is in tact except the seats the front seats are trashed but back seats are perfect. the elderly couple said i could have car for 500$ i said considerate it sold gave them the cash and they said they would keep it for me until i get tires for it but i got all the papers of it and the keys. they told me they think the motor seized up but transmission is fine but what I'm thinking is, take motor out with tranny break down tranny and rebuild it and find a nice 318 motor that will fit but while i put all that stuff together start to rebuild the original motor unless its trashed. i feel like i should put new break lines and fuel lines on it maybe new gas tank but idk i turn 16 in a couple weeks what do you think i should start doing for this car? would love your feedback and tips on best ways to restore this car and what i should get! thanks for reading! -bkreyz p.s i for some reason i can't load pics so you might have to message me for pics
 
Get her on a trailer and home, once you get it up in the air check it over good on the bottom side for rust out ect just to see how big of project you have on your hands. if its solid underneath or at least decent go back to the engine, it may not be stuck.

Pull the starter and spark plugs and valve covers.
Pull the fan assembley and belts. pump a little trans fluid into each plug hole and let it set a day or two. get your 1/2 breaker bar and deep well socket on the end of the crank bolt , have a buddy watch the rockers while you try to rotate the engine. if it will make a few complete rotations and all the rockers are moving free your on your way to seeing if it will run.
Also unhook & plug the rubber fuel line that comes from the frame to the fuel pump. If there is any old skunk fuel in the tank you don't want to suck it into the carb once you get ready to try to fire it up.
Anyhow see if the old gal is able to turn over and get back to us. There will be plenty of help and advice here.
You never know, since you don't have a lot of history on the car it {the engine} may not need rebuilt.

Oh and while its out bench test the starter with 12 volts.
 
Hey this is black bitch. I have the baddest 74 charger on the planet!lol. I also have 80 k $ invested and not finished. Your in for a long hall with that project,but listen up don't expect any return investment? If I were you I would buy it done! Flip the car for more money and save enough to buy the car of your dreams? I no what your thinking, you could do all the work yourself? But I no better! You'll have too much money and time waisted on a car that doesn't fetch much! Why put money into a 74 charger when you can put the same on a better year or body?think about that! Just my thoughts.
 
318s are very common and I'm sure you can find a good used one for a couple hundred bucks if need be. Don't worry about paint, but you should check for frame rot and floor rot, find out how safe it is before you start dumping money into it. Don't get bogged down with making it into a show car, that can come later. Right now just get it to where it can run and stop/steer safely and enjoy it.
 
Make sure the frame rails are not rusted out beyond repair. If they are good you can work with it. I'd just get her running and make it a beater/driver. I believe that can be done on that car for reasonable prices. Good luck and welcome aboard.
 
First, get the car home asap. People will say they will hold it for you, then junk it, or sell it. Second, have a fire extinguisher at hand when you go to start the car. Your plan sounds good to me.
 
As Forum guru and team member BUDNICKS states at the bottom of every post:

"Fill your library before you fill your garage"
 
You sound a lot like me... I'm 17 and just recently bought a 1973 Charger for $500. If you don't have a job - get one-. you'll need the money. I have already put $3500 into my charger (rebuilding the motor, trans, diff, etc.) and it ain't even running yet! But it will be soon. Post pics of your Charger!
 
Love to hear stories about the young guns picking up cars! I agree with getting it running if you can. Maybe a used motor if you can find one? Just keep it on the cheap for now.
 
First, welcome to the forum. Second, DO NOT listen to anyone who starts telling you how long it takes to get these cars on the road, or how expensive it is, or how much trouble it is. Owning one of these cars is only as time consuming, expensive, or troublesome as you choose to make it.

I would suggest reading my posts here http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?40022-Project-Pittsbird-Almost-Done. This has been an effort to get a 74 Roadrunner back on the road without breaking the bank, and I think you'll find some good tips.
 
I have had my 73 charger se for 35 years bought it in high school when I was 17 Spend a little bit every year and you will be in decent shape but prepared if you want it really nice you will have to spend a few grand and maybe more but it will be worth it if you love the hobby and want a near show car condition something you can drive any where and have it be reliable, keep it all stock! Enjoy getting your hands dirty, good luck and keep up the good work!
 
Once you start working on the car, take lots of pictures of things before you remove them from the car, it will help insure you can get things put back the correct way. My project was a complete ground up restoration and I took about 900 pictures, and some things I forgot to capture. It sounds like a lot, but if you have a camera on your phone that should do just fine, and it will save you headaches down the road.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
need help with tranny swap
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
R/T Boy 67
R
RJLOBO55
Into.. 1974 Charger
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Fury 440
Fury 440
M
Driving in winter with dry roads?
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
JJordan1173
JJordan1173
D
Trying to Decode a 67 RT Fender Tag and Certicard
2 3
Replies
43
Views
3K
lemondana
lemondana
74ChargerSE440
1974 Charger 440. Is this the correct Thermoquad carburator? Where to find the best rebuild kit?
Replies
7
Views
1K
Geoff 2
G
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top