68 charger with amnesia build

[garner7555]

For those who didn't read the entire thread, this person is building from rust out to a drivable car for as little money as he can.. He damn sure knows that all parts can be found and bought, but he is returning this car as he wants with extremely little out of pocket.. He has said before that he wants it his way and what mistakes he makes are his and will fix what he feels needs to be fixed... I personally think he's doing a great job. Some things I would do differently, but he has a pretty large set that I don't see with many others here. Including myself!!  I applaud his work and creativity. Not only that but I am enjoying watching his build. 

I agree!!! 

[cudaken]

For those who didn't read the entire thread, this person is building from rust out to a drivable car for as little money as he can.. He damn sure knows that all parts can be found and bought, but he is returning this car as he wants with extremely little out of pocket.. He has said before that he wants it his way and what mistakes he makes are his and will fix what he feels needs to be fixed... I personally think he's doing a great job. Some things I would do differently, but he has a pretty large set that I don't see with many others here. Including myself!!  I applaud his work and creativity. Not only that but I am enjoying watching his build.  

Steve, I as well admire what he is doing. But, when you have to cut a hole in a hood to clear your water pump?   That is where I draw the line.

I do have a bare set of 906's that I have been told there been a lot of work done to them. I am not using them. I might, have a water pump housing as well. Let me know if you want me to look Baldwin.

Cuda Ken

[Baldwinvette77]

I have a set of bare heads too, i just didn't use them.. cause i still need valves, still need a water pump housing, Anyone know if the rocker shafts and valve springs are interchangeable?   

Also Thanks everyone For the comments and suggestions, Good or Bad 

[Cooter]

I have a set of bare heads too, i just didn't use them.. cause i still need valves, still need a water pump housing, Anyone know if the rocker shafts and valve springs are interchangeable?   

Also Thanks everyone For the comments and suggestions, Good or Bad 

Although I've done it, I don't recommend running used valve springs. Especially ones that have been sittingfor long periods of time. They should interchange as well as rockers and shafts.

[Steve P.]

Baldwin, it looks to me, though it is tough to see all from the pics, that your motor is sitting really high and very far forward. It this to clear your oil pan? Most times anyone setting their motor with other than factory specs, tries to move the motor as far back as possible. Only leaving enough room to get the tranny bolts out for removal without pulling the motor too.

So I would first try moving the motor back and down. I believe if you can achieve that you will easily clear your pump with the hood.

I love the Rack & Pinion, forward steering idea. Also a real beefy K member as you have done. But I like it for many reasons. It's strength is first. Second by doing what you have you can run a wider flatter oil pan that can still hold a larger volume than most stock pans and still not rip it off driving on the street. I have plans for something similar, but I am hoping to use a truck oil pan. It is no deeper than a stock pan, but is shaped like a Chevy pan with the sump large and to the rear. The one I have is from a motorhome and it had a scrapper with it from the factory and the factory oil pick up will work with it as well. So dirt cheap parts there. I believe if you went that direction and moved the motor back and down you would have plenty of room without cutting the hood with any pump housing.

I don't know much about the industrial engines, but I know they are built for rough use and am wondering if the coolant passage design of your heads and motor aren't better as it looks like your pump pulls directly from the heads..  I'm hoping for someone with more info. than I will jump in here...

[Steve P.]

Also, I definitely agree with Cooters last. I'm not sure on fitment, but using old springs is always bad news.

I know you've said you want this to be a learning experience, but some things you really want to do up front and not have to learn it the hard way.

Keep it up though buddy. I damn sure don't want to put a dent in your build. 

[Baldwinvette77]

Yes Its high to clear the oil pan, and forward to clear the steering shaft, i would like to move it back and down, but i will need to cut the cross member in half and reshape it to lower the engine ( i might actually do that) as for moving it back, i will have to take a good look at the steering linkage, and see what can be done

And ok new springs , rebuild heads, etc. ... Gotta wait for some money to come in first  but i'll keep it all in mind

[Steve P.]

I think maybe this is the reason that I have never seen the PINTO K design done before on a mopar. The ones I have seen have a dual sump pan. I really don't like them at all.

It does look from some of your older pics., that you could remove the Rack & Pinion and reshape the K-cross section to become the mount for the R&P and give you much more room for a pan.

Keep in mind that you have more beef in that K than any aftermarket or factory K EVER!!! I like it myself, but I think a redesign is probably in order. Maybe weld in some cross bars to keep your geometry in place while cutting out and refiguring the K..

I think you're doing a great job. Very bold and definitely a one of a kind, but thats what I really like.  Anyone can buy parts. NOT everyone can make their own!!

[Baldwinvette77]

Thanks man, the very first new pic i uploaded was of me moving the rack forward AND down 2 inches for oil pan clearance, Thats as far as i can go without creating steering/handling issues,

[Cooter]

Then I'd be thinking bout a rear sump truck style pan if center sump won't clear. Now you know why Must. II front ends are harder to work with a BB/SB Chrysler.

[Baldwinvette77]

Then I'd be thinking bout a rear sump truck style pan if center sump won't clear. Now you know why Must. II front ends are harder to work with a BB/SB Chrysler.

yes i do, but its still 4000$ less than buying Bolt on aftermarket R&P steering, coil over suspension and 4 piston disc brakes 

[Steve P.]

If you are going to make changes to your K and steering you need to read this and get familiar with it. Remember, straight line is one thing, but you will always have to correct and also make it back.  They call this "BASIC", but I find it pretty comprehensive.

http://www.woodwardsteering.com/images/cat05%20pdf%2064-79.pdf

[Baldwinvette77]

Whoa dude, i have some reading to do  And i thought my days of homework and studying were over 

[Steve P.]

Hahahahahaaa..... Like I said, THEY CALL IT BASIC!!!

[Baldwinvette77]

Since i dont mind cutting stuff up, i decided to move the radiator to the front of the rad support, regardless of whether i move the engine back or not.

also hooked up the steering, i've spent hours just sitting in the car and steering it left to right 

[Wicked72]

hurry up whens it gonna run??!! dont judge me!!!! i said i bought sand paper in another thread thats progress for me atm lol. car is coming along awsome bro!

[Cooter]

Something looks hinky with the harmonic balancer. Like it's not all the way installed or something.

[Baldwinvette77]

Something looks hinky with the harmonic balancer. Like it's not all the way installed or something.

its not on properly, i just stuck it on, so i wouldn't lose it 

[Baldwinvette77]

hurry up whens it gonna run??!! dont judge me!!!! i said i bought sand paper in another thread thats progress for me atm lol. car is coming along awsome bro!

Well atleast you have sand paper, im just using old sand paper grinding discs that i folded up 

[fy469rtse]

Waste not , want not, I do the same baldwinvette, if it still sands its not ready to be thrown away yet, lol

[Baldwinvette77]

HELL YEAH!, Made a cross member outta scrap metal and an old e-body trans member!!!



it looks kinda wonky, cause it is.. i made it underneath the car, and my face was smashed against the floor, not the best workin conditions, BUT it does fit, and hold the transmission level, and true

[Indygenerallee]

Baldwin, you should have used a 03-up Crown Vic front suspension, it would have saved you a ton of time and weight (Aluminum cradle) and you can pick them up reasonably cheap. also if shipping was not so expensive I would send you a water pump housing I have 5 of those damn things in the garage taking up space...

Here is a pic of what the Crown Vic Suspension looks like ... 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-05-CROWN-VICTORIA-TOWN-CAR-GRAND-MARQUIS-OEM-FRONT-SUSPENSION-/171343310947?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27e4db7063&vxp=mtr

[Baldwinvette77]

Baldwin, you should have used a 03-up Crown Vic front suspension, it would have saved you a ton of time and weight (Aluminum cradle) and you can pick them up reasonably cheap. also if shipping was not so expensive I would send you a water pump housing I have 5 of those damn things in the garage taking up space...

Here is a pic of what the Crown Vic Suspension looks like ... 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-05-CROWN-VICTORIA-TOWN-CAR-GRAND-MARQUIS-OEM-FRONT-SUSPENSION-/171343310947?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27e4db7063&vxp=mtr

Thanks for the suggestion.... A little late, But i do appreciate it  , maybe for my next build.. But here in southern canada, where the roads are constantly salted, Aluminum doesn't hold up very well, dont know how easy i can get one here and yeah, shipping sucks man 

[Indygenerallee]

Yeah, dime a dozen Ive seen them as cheap as $200.00 for the complete front suspension. makes a nice clean, lightweight install with all the geometry already figured out for you.

[Baldwinvette77]

Yeah, dime a dozen Ive seen them as cheap as $200.00 for the complete front suspension. makes a nice clean, lightweight install with all the geometry already figured out for you.

wow, thats what i paid for the mustang cross member alone