It is Time to Finish That Which I have Begun: '68 Charger by a mechanical idiot

This site is amazing, I've already connected with one Mopar Master (Hey Mike!! thanks again!) and gotten tons of great advice on my build. Figure I'll start a photo journal of what I'm doing to keep myself accountable. This is a '68 Charger I've had since 1997. It ran as my off and on driver until 2012 - I decided to pull out the 440 and do a rebuild. Then I had two daughters...the engine is still on the stand and I have systematically torn the rest of the car down - it was always a 20 footer anyway. So here it goes. I am not a mechanic and my math is GARBAGE! Capital "G". I don't have the 70K to have someone else do it, so with a few exceptions (like paint and body and pressing in the rear gears) it's all me. I can do this. That's what I keep telling myself.

Build Specs / Goal: Resto-Mod w/ the 440, 500-550 hp, firm handling, not a drag car or a track ride, just weekends and car shows and the occasional burn out to let me know I'm alive. Five Speed - the swap kit with the Tremec from SST arrives tomorrow.
* Phase 1:
- Replace all suspension - guys at Firm Feel already helping me out, order in place, 10-12 weeks out on delivery. That's fine, I have other projects....
- Replace the Trans. - the 727 is out and sold, the 5 speed Tremec manual arrives tomorrow.
- Sub Frame work: Putting in US Car Tool sub-frame connectors now - holy **** grinding out the damn undercoating is the filthiest thing I may have ever done. I have black sand in every crevice. Also putting in US Car Tool torque boxes front and back - considering radiator support too, but undecided.
- Rear end: 8 3/4" - pull the 472 carrier and have 3.73's or 3.55's put in (the overdrive gear is .64 or so, so the freeway driving should be real nice)
- Brakes : Replace the front discs - - they're pretty trashed, convert the rear drums to disc.
- Gas Tank / EFI ready: pulled the old one - anyone interested in 12 gallons of 8 year old gas (now kerosene)? I may or may not use the old gas to kill the gophers in my lawn. Wife not amused by that plan.
* Phase 2: Body and paint
* Phase 3: Wiring Harness, Interior, Stereo and, of course, the motor and accessories.

Total budget: Uh...well...it was a very rough "I think it will be $35K honey, all told." Did an excel spread sheet during this pandemic...trending towards $45K quick. Hopefully it tops out there.

Love this site, hope everyone is staying safe.
-Aron

Looks like a great project and you have a solid plan and a nice space to work.

having just done the us car tool reinforcements myself I would recommend doing the core support brace. It’s the easiest of the bunch and adds a significant amount of strength to the front as it ties the frame rails together.
Good luck!

great car and welcome from s carolina

having just done the us car tool reinforcements myself I would recommend doing the core support brace. It’s the easiest of the bunch and adds a significant amount of strength to the front as it ties the frame rails together.
Good luck![/QUOTE]


Thank you sir! Quick question - the radiator support looks good and it makes sense that it almost finishes the "box" of the frame along with the subframe connectors - but what did you do about the clip attached to the stock rad support pictured -- I'm pretty reluctant to cut that guy off....did you cut the US Cart Tool support around it?
Thanks again!

davek said:

great car and welcome from s carolina

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Thank you!

Aron said:

Thank you sir! Quick question - the radiator support looks good and it makes sense that it almost finishes the "box" of the frame along with the subframe connectors - but what did you do about the clip attached to the stock rad support pictured -- I'm pretty reluctant to cut that guy off....did you cut the US Cart Tool support around it?
Thanks again!
View attachment 932333

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I did remove the bracket. It wasn’t a big deal, just a few spot welds to cut and plug weld it back in. It’s pretty easy to get it fit back in place, I’m sure you won’t have a problem.

welcome from Pa. like those stands, where did you find them???

I didn't cut mine off. Not sure but I think usct recommends leaving the stock one on and overlap/weld it with their's. That's what I did.... Looks like you have later model door handles, kinda cool! Nice shop also!!

Welcome Aron!

First, you CAN do this on your own - the biggest thing is being willing to try. Additionally, there are LOTS of really knowledgeable people on this site very willing to help out. Simply ask away and people will be glad to help!

I added the full "car tool" set to my 70 Road Runner. I highly recommend it as it has truly helped the car drive better and feel much more solid.

Now I'm not so sure about killing gophers with the old gas!!!

Hawk

Welcome from Arizona! We love our mopars too. Another question is how did you get your car so high to use those stands. thanks

Welcome from Alabama, great Charger project.

Welcome Aron! You have a nice car to work with that's for sure!

BIENVENIDO DESDE MÉXICO !!!
Kid is right, nice car, welcome to the best mopar site.

Aron - (this is Mike), glad to see you here and the pictures of your car, looks awesome. You have a solid plan, just take it one step at a time, focus on one aspect (but do not lose sight of the others). I always try to think about what I am doing an how it affects other issues/components, nothing worse than having to rip or cut up something you spent a lot of time doing previously. There is a lot of talent here and an abundance of advice, just think through everything and make decisions based on your desired end state.

Welcome to the site. Looks like a very nice solid project you are starting with.
I'm really not certain how necessary it is, but it is always recommended to install the frame connectors and torque boxes with the full weight of the car on its wheels. I always get them tacked in real good like that and then weld them in solid when the car is lifted up on a hoist - similar to how you are setting now. However I have a buddy who has put quite a few in with the cars supported like you are doing, and he doesn't worry about it.

lol I remember when my tools were all lined up and tidey like that on the wall. Ahhh, those were the days...

Welcome from Michigan Aron! Thats gonna be one sweet looking car....

One question though.....who the hell has a garage floor that clean....

Looks great good luck. Best thing is to do a 2 book spreadsheet, one the wife gets to see and the other...well you get the idea.

I’m in the same boat. Restoring my 69 super bee. I have a photo garage on here as well. It’s been five years now. Five years of work. LOL

hunt2elk said:

Welcome to the site. Looks like a very nice solid project you are starting with.
I'm really not certain how necessary it is, but it is always recommended to install the frame connectors and torque boxes with the full weight of the car on its wheels. I always get them tacked in real good like that and then weld them in solid when the car is lifted up on a hoist - similar to how you are setting now. However I have a buddy who has put quite a few in with the cars supported like you are doing, and he doesn't worry about it.

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This is solid advice and comports with the directions US Car Tools sent. here is my plan - since I don't have access to a four post lift nor will I be putting wheels back on to put in the connectors, I'm going to jack up the rear diff and the front control arms to replicate the suspension "being under load." It's not ideal but it's the best plan I can think off without towing it somewhere to get this completed (not really an option). Thoughts?