69 Charger Awakening

[xs-ivv]

Well just got done a 12 hour day so i didnt have time to pick up the k frame, hopefully tomorrow. Thanks for the advice on the metal 69 gtx. Megapartsusa looks like its going to be a great resource for me. It seems like there are lots of different skid plates out there but i wanted the style that is radiused to match the curve of the k. Alot of the ones that i looked at were straight.

 

[xs-ivv]

Thanks glenwood! What area do you work in?

 

[showard]

Welcome and thanks for posting your project. I'm looking forward to watch your continued progress. I love these old chargers and your have a great car to work on.

 

[xs-ivv]

Thanks showard. I have read a bit of your thread. I love that 68!

 

[xs-ivv]

Picked up the k from machine shop today. Also got my first delivery of parts! Pinion yoke, pinion seal and rear spring bolts. Now I can prep the dana for sandblasting.

 

[xs-ivv]

I had the whole day today to work on the charger so I decided to start reinforcing the k. I have to do this work outside because i dont want smoke and metal dust on the other cars. The weather was nice and mild so I got the welder outside and ready to go. Just to find out i didnt have any gas left. I must have left the valve slightly open last time i used it. So I called around and the closest place i could find to refill my bottle on a Saturday was in brampton 1 hour away. Bit the bullet and went to fill. Thank god at least 1 place was open.

 

[xs-ivv]

I cut some of the lip off the k the even it up. Some places were over lapped. Also found a few crappy factory welds.

 

[xs-ivv]

Started by welding the edges. I welded 1-2 sections and kept moving around to different spots to keep it from warping. This was alot of welding. Good thing this car wont be for drag racing i must have added 2 pounds of weld!

 

[xs-ivv]

I bought some washers to strengthen the lca pivots. All i could find was galvanized so i had to grind all of that off first. Then marked them and cut to fit

 

[xs-ivv]

I put a wet rag in the holes before welding to keep the worst of the spatter out. Then welded them on. Welding the inside of the washer without wrecking the surface that the pivot sits on was quite difficult. Its not the prettiest weld there but i am afraid to add any more.

 

[xs-ivv]

Ground down the edges and washers. Thats it for today. Hopefully i can find some time tomorrow to make templates to make the triangle shaped reinforcements.

 

[oldbee]

I cut some of the lip off the k the even it up. Some places were over lapped. Also found a few crappy factory welds.

View attachment 565131 View attachment 565133

Great work, but you gotta realize those “crappy” welds you found lasted for over 40yrs? Just saying.

 

[xs-ivv]

Very true old bee. Probably last another 40 too but while I'm doing the rest of the welding i might as well clean these up as well.

 

[xs-ivv]

Has anybody installed the firm feel reinforcement kit? I want to add washers to where the strut rods mount but im not sure of the size.
-Is this washer's i.d too big?
-Or should i match the hole size in the k frame?

 

[xs-ivv]

I made some cardboard templates for reinforcing the steering box. Then cut them out and welded them in. They had to be bent to fit the contours of the k frame. Its surprising how long these jobs take with only limited tools!

 

[1967coronet440]

I had the whole day today to work on the charger so I decided to start reinforcing the k. I have to do this work outside because i dont want smoke and metal dust on the other cars. The weather was nice and mild so I got the welder outside and ready to go. Just to find out i didnt have any gas left. I must have left the valve slightly open last time i used it. So I called around and the closest place i could find to refill my bottle on a Saturday was in brampton 1 hour away. Bit the bullet and went to fill. Thank god at least 1 place was open.

View attachment 565130

Had this same issue when I went to install my 4 link and new S60, except it was late Saturday afternoon and no one was open on Sunday! Had to wait Til the next weekend to get it done

 

[kiwigtx]

Welcome fellow Ontario sparky! Looks like a fun project.

You're in good company here @xs-ivv ....a bunch of electrician's are frequent posters here at FBBO. Great looking Charger you have to play with there.....looking forward to your progress updates.

 

[xs-ivv]

1967coronet440- yes sometimes it feels like i need to do 5 jobs before starting the one that needs done!

 

[xs-ivv]

Thanks kiwigtx! This is a great site with very talented and amazing people with a common interest Im glad to be posting here.

 

[Glenwood]

Thanks glenwood! What area do you work in?

Picking up work inmy area of Peterborough mostly, and some project management in Toronto. How about you?

Making good progress!