We are getting super close, though it looks like Voodoo won't be making it to the show this weekend. Just a few too many things left to do and no shakedown time left. Either way, it was an AMAZING push and we are going to be on the road any day now. Got the car rolled out to swap positions with the wagon. It is really nice seeing it out in the open and being able to walk around it!
The swap allowed me to get the Charger on the lift for the final rear end work, and gave the wagon the space near the door for it's cam break in and hopefully shakedown soon!
Having the car on the lift made a huge difference in the pace I was able to complete the rear end projects at. The first thing was removing the rear shocks. I had already disconnected the lowers, but the upper bolts were an absolute nightmare. After three sessions trying to get that nut moving, I resorted to a sawzall and it did the trick.
Once the new rear shocks were in, and I did a quick de-crudding of the rear axle, I was able to move on to the rear brakes. I got the new wheel cylinders in, got the distribution block cleaned up, then ran all the final lines. I also finalized the parking brake cable install, just needs final adjustment and a nyloc nut then we are good to go there.
The rear brakes were more complex than I remember them being, but luckily I took photos before disassembling and did my best to match what I saw when reassembling.
That pic shows the passenger side complete. With my newfound understanding of how they work, I moved to the drivers side to und that it was unfortunately missing a couple of bits. It looks like it may have been seized and the shoes and other guts were removed. I had bought nearly everything new BUT I had not bought the parking brake actuator arms that tuck behind the rear shoe and connect to the cable. Dante's carries them, and I ordered them over the weekend, along with the horizontal bars that go between the shoes. Why not, at that point literally 100% of the brake guts are brand new!
Learned my lesson with unfinished drums on the '59, so I went with the painted ones for this project. When I rebuild the diff in the new year (3.55 Sure Grip!) I plan on going through the whole rear underside and getting it cleaned up and painted so it is as nice as the rest of the underside.
I made this as it's first exhaust iteration. Not exactly what I was wanting, but it was what I could make with available parts in the time allotted. My real goal was to use a true X pipe with a near straight diagonal from header to tire exit. Sadly that required a bit more fab/welding that time allowed. This one should still do the trick and sound good for the time being.
I think the side exit fits the overall feel of the car well, and the exhaust should be suitably rowdy. I am presently working on getting the drivers seat installed, should have an update on that soon!
