1966 Charger 383 4BBL 4 speed, original owner. First gen experts PLEASE HELP!!

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Hello all, thanks in advance for all the time you spend helping me in my predicament!    

My uncle purchased this car new (was a dealer demo driven by the owners son) here in California back in 66.  Everything is original, and it's partially restored, and partially a basket case.  That's where I need the help, the basket case part.  I'm a seasoned car guy with a lot of Ford and Pontiac experience and very little Mopar.  I have had this car around me my entire life (44 yrs) and am excited and honored that he's trusting me to finish what he can't.  My aunt suddenly died 2 months ago only 8 weeks after finding that she had cancer.  They were married for 50 years and this was their first car.  I can still remember being in the back with the seats folded down rolling side to side with my cousins while my uncle rammed the gears and did the twist and turns!  Nothing can compare.  My aunt always wanted to ride in the car again but she never had the chance.  My uncle wants to drive this car to Virginia in a couple of years to give it to his daughter and I want to make sure that happens!!  My uncle has a very compelling story that I won't go into here, but I will be sending in an application to Overhaulin' but that's a long shot to say the least, but one can hope!  But anyway, back to the car.

Here are the basics:

The car hasn't been dravable for at least 15 years.  About 8 years ago the car was partially disassembled by a body shop that didn't take good notes, no pics, and no labeled bags, ect.  The motor rebuilt and set aside.  Car was painted and it's probably a 7-8 quality for a driver.  Interior partially pulled out and set aside again with no notes, pics, or labeled bags.  Dash, headliner, rear seats and rear portion of console are the only items still in the car.  Everything is rough, but looks like it can be restored with the SEM products and a lot of metal polish!  I put the motor back in and got it running but the carb looks to need a second and better rebuild.  The choke mechanism doesn't work and the car runs rough at higher rpm's.  Under the hood is pretty much done and looks good.  Not concours quality and some parts missing or not correct.  Good enough for this project though, for now.

I wasn't surprised when I realized the aftermarket for this car is limited and very expensive compared to the 2nd generation Charger, mustangs, Camaros, etc.  Just Dashes said at least 2000 to restore the door and quarter panels and at least 2500 for the dash assembly.  Screw that!  I can get it good enough with careful at home restoration with the right products.  I've been to BEA products, and others listed on the 66-77 charger site and learned a lot there!  

Where I really need the help is small brackets, tabs, front grill assembly, exterior trim mounting and location, some, maybe all of the interior trim.  Any tips and tricks, resources, etc. are very welcomed as well.  Would you first gen guys be open to me posting up pics of parts and identifying them for me?  I also need direction in reassembling the front grill assembly once the parts are identified.  The headlight bucks are still together and I have Topher on the line to rebuild the motors and possibly the limit switches if needed.  I just don't have a clue how it all goes together.  The rear windows are having trouble going up and down, it needs all new weather strips and seals (except for the wing windows, thankfully!).

Thanks again in advance.  

Carl from Bakersfield

[Delta 4 Wheel]

More pictures:

[A383Wing]

get a service manual, it's filled with pictures on how things go together

I got 2 66's.....interior pieces are a big puzzle if you didn't take it apart

post whatever pics you want, I can tell you where it goes, Just FYI, the air cleaner is wrong, the battery is missing proper hold down, and washer pump & bottle are missing. I have new relays here for the headlight motors, I can also rebuild the dash light power pack, have contacts for cluster repair, dash pad is reproduced

Bryan

[Homerr]

Here's a 67 manual, much will be the same.

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=109

[moparnation74]

Sorry, to hear about your loss.

Nice ride as well.  Silver and red is sweet!

Anything Mopar is expensive no matter what year you have.

You are on the right forum for any help with any year.

Hard to find clips and fasteners,  best source R/T Specialties, www.rtspecialties.net/ the owner Tom can be an azz, just ignore that and order what you need.

Those interior prices, I am not surprised.  Most of us have paid the same if not more.

[A383Wing]

Here's a 67 manual, much will be the same.

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=109

no it's not....electrical is completely different....you will need the correct manual for the car

[myk]

That car doesn't look too bad at all-I've seen others with a lot more to get done.  Are you trying to get it PERFECT?  You've already used the term "driver" so I would pace yourself accordingly and just get it roadworthy again.  You can worry about the concourse stuff later.  Good luck and welcome...

[Delta 4 Wheel]

get a service manual, it's filled with pictures on how things go together

I got 2 66's.....interior pieces are a big puzzle if you didn't take it apart

post whatever pics you want, I can tell you where it goes, Just FYI, the air cleaner is wrong, the battery is missing proper hold down, and washer pump & bottle are missing. I have new relays here for the headlight motors, I can also rebuild the dash light power pack, have contacts for cluster repair, dash pad is reproduced

Bryan

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!


I will definitely post up a few pics.  I want to get the headlight and tail light sections with the bumpers on first, exterior trim second, then interior third.  I have the original small air cleaner cover, but the base has been lost in the shuffle unfortunately.  The washer bottle, washer pump, and the battery hold down need some restoration still.  I also need to grommet the two passenger plug wires and secure in the bracket. (I just saw that in a pic of another car).  I also have 2 of the plastic dipped plug wire brackets and need to find where they go as well.

The engine and headlight harnesses are new from Year one.  Where are the relays?  The dash power pack?  I see the instrument bezel is repop'd as well but from what I read its a poor fit and the black paint comes off easily.  Is it best to just have this one vac plated and paint myself?  The dash assembly doesn't seem difficult to remove.  What am I missing here?  I mean come on, I've seen the jokers on Graveyard cars do it.  HA!

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Here's a 67 manual, much will be the same.

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=109

no it's not....electrical is completely different....you will need the correct manual for the car

Thanks you guys.  I will get a manual asap.  I got the Fischer manual for my  68 Firebird and it was useless to me.  But I'm pretty thick headed and  I need a lot of color pics.  When I take a unknown car apart I assume a complete moron is going to put it back together and bag and label accordingly.

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Sorry, to hear about your loss.

Nice ride as well.  Silver and red is sweet!

Anything Mopar is expensive no matter what year you have.

You are on the right forum for any help with any year.

Hard to find clips and fasteners,  best source R/T Specialties, www.rtspecialties.net/ the owner Tom can be an azz, just ignore that and order what you need.

Those interior prices, I am not surprised.  Most of us have paid the same if not more.

Thanks for the condolences and the link.  She was an incredible woman...but of course she was.  It's always the good ones who die early and the POS humans that never seem to get it they way they deserve.

I have a big bag of clips.  I'll post up a pic of some of those as well.

[Delta 4 Wheel]

That car doesn't look too bad at all-I've seen others with a lot more to get done.  Are you trying to get it PERFECT?  You've already used the term "driver" so I would pace yourself accordingly and just get it roadworthy again.  You can worry about the concourse stuff later.  Good luck and welcome...

Nice driver, but a driver.  The underside of the car has not and will not be touched by me other than general safety and maintenance.  As you all know, this car business is a slippery slope.  If I restore the dash and the cluster-bezels, door panels perfectly (as in Dashes Only) the rest of the car's interior will look like crap.  I am looking for an upper-upper middle of the road where one would look in and say, nice car.  I can restore most of the interior, seats, carpet, etc, and be within the standards I think.  I'll just need to try on some samples from my pile of parts. 

I am really trying to convince my uncle to do power disc in front as well.  I like original, but manual drums suck big time.  He can always keep the drum pile if he ever wants to put it back.

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Who's the go to guy for used parts?  I would like to find a cleaner than most gauge bezel and glove box door. 

[A383Wing]

gauge bezels are reproduced, never heard anything about paint peeling....yer not gonna find anyone to replate the bezel and then repaint it...go with a new one. Headlight relays are behind glove box, dash light power pack is under dash under the glove box...gonna be hard to find the correct air cleaner base for the stock assembly.

[ODZKing]

I have some info on my website as well. http://www.retrorarities.com
See http://www.retrorarities.com/images/ChargerServiceManualSuppliment.pdf
and http://www.retrorarities.com/images/ChargerServiceBooklet.pdf
And schematics if you need them http://www.retrorarities.com/ChargerSchematics/66-67ChargerSchematics.pdf
Yes, lots of changes between 66 and 67 Chargers so when you run into an issue, ask. Hopefully we can shed some light on the reassembly. 

[Delta 4 Wheel]

I have some info on my website as well. http://www.retrorarities.com
See http://www.retrorarities.com/images/ChargerServiceManualSuppliment.pdf
and http://www.retrorarities.com/images/ChargerServiceBooklet.pdf
And schematics if you need them http://www.retrorarities.com/ChargerSchematics/66-67ChargerSchematics.pdf
Yes, lots of changes between 66 and 67 Chargers so when you run into an issue, ask. Hopefully we can shed some light on the reassembly. 

Wow, the service booklet is going to be very helpful.  Very detailed!  BTW, your 67 is insanely beautiful.  That white interior is breathtaking. 

[Delta 4 Wheel]

gauge bezels are reproduced, never heard anything about paint peeling....yer not gonna find anyone to replate the bezel and then repaint it...go with a new one. Headlight relays are behind glove box, dash light power pack is under dash under the glove box...gonna be hard to find the correct air cleaner base for the stock assembly.

OK. if I get the replacement bezel and glove box door with the dash pad I think the rest can be polished and cleaned sufficiently. 

From what my uncle said, the lights worked kinda.  One side didn't rotate. 

So why the bad news on the air cleaner base?  Rare bird huh?  Anything that will work that's close to correct under the stock top cover?  Did the stock cleaner have the 383 mag decal or was that a later addition? 

[A383Wing]

stock air cleaner for the 383 in 66 was the smaller unsilenced style....the 273 4bbl used the same base, but again, very hard to find. No such thing as a 383 magnum in 66 or 67, bodging on the fenders was the only clue what was under the hood.

I got 2 66's here, both 4spd cars, one is pretty much all original, the other, not so much.....click on the below and you can see some pics..I'll try and get eng compartment pics tomorrow

http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/A383Wing

[Delta 4 Wheel]

stock air cleaner for the 383 in 66 was the smaller unsilenced style....the 273 4bbl used the same base, but again, very hard to find. No such thing as a 383 magnum in 66 or 67, bodging on the fenders was the only clue what was under the hood.

I got 2 66's here, both 4spd cars, one is pretty much all original, the other, not so much.....click on the below and you can see some pics..I'll try and get eng compartment pics tomorrow

http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/A383Wing

I'll start looking for the rare unicorn air cleaner base.  I don't care if its correct, just good enough to mount the visible top on it.  I'll look forward to your pics.  After this project is complete I'm going to look for a 4 speed first gen to add to the corral.  These cars are something else.

[ODZKing]

Here is another link for you. http://www.nicksgarage.com/aircleaner.htm
Use it as a guide, not gospel as some of the info is questionable.

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Here is another link for you. http://www.nicksgarage.com/aircleaner.htm
Use it as a guide, not gospel as some of the info is questionable.

Thanks for the link.   I can't find a thing that's close.  I'll keep looking, I have some time I guess.

[ODZKing]

Go to EBay and search  -  Mopar air cleaner unsilenced.  There are a bunch of them there, overpriced, naturally.

[ITSA426]

Not all 66 383 four barrel cars came with unsilenced air cleaners.  I have seen single snorkel air cleaners on cars that came with factory installed undercoating and on air conditioned cars.  I'm not sure that the picture is the correct silenced air cleaner for a 66 b body though.

[Delta 4 Wheel]

This is the cleaner that came with the car.  This car also has under coating.

[A383Wing]

most if not all the cars came with undercoating, it may not have been much, but most got it. And the top you have is correct for the 4bbl 383 in the Charger

[bigdsul]

Another Bakersfield resident!

There's a small collective of MOPAR guys here in town but man are some of them reclusive. Oh be sure to check out Famoso when the NHRA drags are going on there are a good amount of vendors there that have all sorts of goodies.

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Another Bakersfield resident!

There's a small collective of MOPAR guys here in town but man are some of them reclusive. Oh be sure to check out Famoso when the NHRA drags are going on there are a good amount of vendors there that have all sorts of goodies.

Isn't it a great day to be in BakersfIeld?  Wind and dust storms so bad I couldn't see 5 feet on the freeway.  Everyone pulled over and drive on the shoulder.  This town can sure be a sh!t hole at times.  Let me know if you know if any first gen chargers here in town.

I love famoso, but haven't spent any time with the vendors. 

[Delta 4 Wheel]

most if not all the cars came with undercoating, it may not have been much, but most got it. And the top you have is correct for the 4bbl 383 in the Charger

I assumed it was given the history, but good to know for sure.  Do you happen to have a pic of the correct base. Thanks again.

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Here is start of the unidentified parts-components. 

[Ghoste]

The rubber flaps go in the trunk at the leading edge just under the deck lid and the metal strips retain them.

[Homerr]

MyMopar has a bunch of links here that will also help - wiring diagrams, part number search, etc.

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=31

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Here are some more.  Thanks for the help so far. 

[Delta 4 Wheel]

And more. 

[A383Wing]

1) green valve is California distributor emissions valve for timing, you don't need it

2) Black round rubber is what's left of lower steering column seal in eng compartment

3) that is what's left of steering coupler seal at steering box to shaft coupler

4) red plastic is close off trim under steering column under dash..could be metal,

5) large red plastic is tail light finish panel inside trunk at rear of car

6 & 7) I cannot tell by the pictures posted

[Delta 4 Wheel]

1) green valve is California distributor emissions valve for timing, you don't need it

2) Black round rubber is what's left of lower steering column seal in eng compartment

3) that is what's left of steering coupler seal at steering box to shaft coupler

4) red plastic is close off trim under steering column under dash..could be metal,

5) large red plastic is tail light finish panel inside trunk at rear of car

6 & 7) I cannot tell by the pictures posted

Thanks a lot, that's veryhelpful.  If I had to guess 6 is part of the grill-headlight assembly.  7 part of the bumper mounting.  The reason is those two parts of the car were sand blasted and painted and only those two areas of the car were.  These parts are also cleaned and painted.  Parts in 7 are heavy steel just like the bumper brackets. 

[A383Wing]

part 6 is not for headlight assembly...is it rubber or metal? Is there a part number on it?

The metal brackets could be for bumper mounting to body, but I have not seen anything like them...anymore pics form different angles? and are there part numbers on those as well?

[ITSA426]

#7 spacers fit outboard rear bumper to brace (I believe).  They keep the bumper straight, and tight.  Your bumpers probably have a stain where they used to be.

No idea what #6 is from the picture.

[Delta 4 Wheel]

part 6 is not for headlight assembly...is it rubber or metal? Is there a part number on it?

The metal brackets could be for bumper mounting to body, but I have not seen anything like them...anymore pics form different angles? and are there part numbers on those as well?

I will take more pics and get the part numbers for both.  I'm pretty sure they have them on the inside.  The number 6 is metal, and pretty heavy gauge as well.

[Delta 4 Wheel]

#7 spacers fit outboard rear bumper to brace (I believe).  They keep the bumper straight, and tight.  Your bumpers probably have a stain where they used to be.

No idea what #6 is from the picture.

THe bumpers were re-chromed.  I'll look for the mounting holes in the car side brackets.  At least this gets me in the general area!

[A383Wing]

looking closer, #6 might be a seat frame rail or track brace....would need an end shot and the other side

[Delta 4 Wheel]

looking closer, #6 might be a seat frame rail or track brace....would need an end shot and the other side

It's an angle with one edge of the corners rounded.  Here's a backside pic blown up a bit. It's about 12" long x 1/2"

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Here's a better end pic.  It's hard to get quality under 200 kb

[ODZKing]

Delta, here is a shot from the Collision manual. #3 and they are rear bumper brace/supports.
Go to http://www.retrorarities.com/1966ChargerCollision.pdf
and http://www.retrorarities.com/1967ChargerCollision.pdf and download the pdf(s) on my site.
I'm not sure about 6 either.   

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Delta, here is a shot from the Collision manual. #3 and they are rear bumper brace/supports.
Go to http://www.retrorarities.com/1966ChargerCollision.pdf
and http://www.retrorarities.com/1967ChargerCollision.pdf and download the pdf(s) on my site.
I'm not sure about 6 either.   

Thanks, very helpful.  The small un-identified bracket almost looks like number 4 on the diagram but those look a bit longer than mine.

[A383Wing]

#4 on the diagram says seal...those would be rubber or foam...not the metal #6 piece you have

[Delta 4 Wheel]

#4 on the diagram says seal...those would be rubber or foam...not the metal #6 piece you have

Got it.  Hard to tell since the description wasn't lined up with the number 4.

I looked through everything I could in the service manual and couldn't find that bracket.  I'll put it aside and look for a place it could possible mount when I get to the assembly. 

[A383Wing]

Here is start of the unidentified parts-components. 

the red piece in this post is inside rear window trim, you should have another just like it, except mirror image..it's either the top inside or bottom of rear window

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Here is start of the unidentified parts-components. 

the red piece in this post is inside rear window trim, you should have another just like it, except mirror image..it's either the top inside or bottom of rear window

thanks, I might be missing one then. 

[ODZKing]

If Bryan is correct and I believe he is, in the picture I posted, the back of the headliner there are 2 pieces of trim.  On mine they are black with a connector in-between.  I think that is it.

[A383Wing]

yes, at the rear of headliner, ans top of window..there are 2 pieces plus the connector middle piece...I probably got what pieces you are missing

[Delta 4 Wheel]

If Bryan is correct and I believe he is, in the picture I posted, the back of the headliner there are 2 pieces of trim.  On mine they are black with a connector in-between.  I think that is it.

The white interior is amazing.  I don't know how you keep it so clean.  Thanks for posting it!

[Delta 4 Wheel]

yes, at the rear of headliner, ans top of window..there are 2 pieces plus the connector middle piece...I probably got what pieces you are missing

thanks, I'll probably take you up on that if I can't find it.  I may be missing the center piece also. 

[Delta 4 Wheel]

yes, at the rear of headliner, ans top of window..there are 2 pieces plus the connector middle piece...I probably got what pieces you are missing

I found the matching piece, but it looks like I'm missing the center piece.  Do you have an extra?

ALSO, Do you guys know of any success stories of a door panel home restoration?  I was thinking if I stripped the vinyl and padding why couldn't I successfully glue the thin padding, then glue new matching texture vinyl, then SEM color match it.  The chrome and carpet is easy.  What are dashes only doing that a crafty car guy can't do?  This is only if, of course, the door panels aren't vacuum formed, molded, etc.  I'm trying to save my uncle money wherever I can without sacrificing most of the quality.   

Thanks again.

[Ghoste]

I think they are vacuum formed, might be wrong but I don't know of anyone who has redone them that way.

[ODZKing]

ALSO, Do you guys know of any success stories of a door panel home restoration?  I was thinking if I stripped the vinyl and padding why couldn't I successfully glue the thin padding, then glue new matching texture vinyl, then SEM color match it.  The chrome and carpet is easy.  What are dashes only doing that a crafty car guy can't do?  This is only if, of course, the door panels aren't vacuum formed, molded, etc.  I'm trying to save my uncle money wherever I can without sacrificing most of the quality.   

Thanks again.

There is/was a fellow locally who redid his panels but glued a thin layer of vinyl over the old after he filled the cracks with something resembling RTV or something like that. Thye came out great!
The color vinyl should be fairly easy to find. Then as you say, trim and carpet, piece of cake.
He has been MIA for a few years now, I've tried calling him and emailing.  Short of going to his home, he may have health issues, dunno.

[Delta 4 Wheel]

ALSO, Do you guys know of any success stories of a door panel home restoration?  I was thinking if I stripped the vinyl and padding why couldn't I successfully glue the thin padding, then glue new matching texture vinyl, then SEM color match it.  The chrome and carpet is easy.  What are dashes only doing that a crafty car guy can't do?  This is only if, of course, the door panels aren't vacuum formed, molded, etc.  I'm trying to save my uncle money wherever I can without sacrificing most of the quality.   

Thanks again.

There is/was a fellow locally who redid his panels but glued a thin layer of vinyl over the old after he filled the cracks with something resembling RTV or something like that. Thye came out great!
The color vinyl should be fairly easy to find. Then as you say, trim and carpet, piece of cake.
He has been MIA for a few years now, I've tried calling him and emailing.  Short of going to his home, he may have health issues, dunno.

That's what I was hoping for.  I didn't think of an overlay.  I'm thinking though, unless the vinyl is very thin it might not look right.   Do you suggest just taking the panel to a local upholstery shop to match?

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Legendary said they will sell extra vinyl that matches the seat covers.  The door panels don't look like the same texture though.  They look a lot smoother than the seats.  Would it look too far off if I covered the door panels with seat vinyl?

[Ghoste]

I think it would but thats just a personal opinion.

[Delta 4 Wheel]

I think it would but thats just a personal opinion.

That's kind of what I am thinking.  The seats just have a much more pronounced pattern.  I may be better suited to get a darker vinyl that matches the original door and color it.  Or, maybe just buck up and spend the 2000+ to have them restored.  I will try to repair and in worst case if they look like crap and can send to Dashes Only.