My '68 Charger resto/build!

[MxRacer855]

Great work!
One thing that popped out for me was that I noticed that in the beginning this appears to be a factory console automatic car and if so (not sure if you have the tag or BS) looks like you have one of the versions that has the two-bolt clutch pedal bracket spot-welded on the firewall, next to the inner fender, by mistake right from the factory.
Of the three console autos I have, one also has this factory blunder.

Thanks FJMG!

To be really honest (I'll get shot for this one around here  ), I have no idea what the fender tag even says. I'll do the research when I get the car back from the body shop (which for some odd reason just keeps dragging out). Great catch though. Something I wouldn't even have a clue what to even look for.

When the previous owners purchased the car, it did have a column shifter.. I really don't know if that was from the factory or not because all of the linkage was hooked up to the floor shifter.

I don't really like the thought of a column shifter. I'm glad it's all on the floor. Now it will be a reverse manual with an overdrive gear added (727). I just really hope I can keep the stock center console. 

Jeff

[fy469rtse]

Yes I do like your choice of wheels  , they look great on these cars
Post your fender tag,
Let those in the know how your cars life started, keep going on the resto mod
Mines one too 
Geoff

[MxRacer855]

Yes I do like your choice of wheels  , they look great on these cars
Post your fender tag,
Let those in the know how your cars life started, keep going on the resto mod
Mines one too 
Geoff

Will do Geoff!
I'll post the tag, but will need some help deciphering it. 

[keepat]

Yes great choice on the wheels! What size tires are you planning on?
Thanks
Pat

[MxRacer855]

Thanks Pat! 

Honestly... I don't know. I want the most tire I could possibly fit on a rim and still fit in the stock wheel housing (NOT tubbed).

Again, wheel sizes will be:

17x10" Rear
17x8"   Front

I also want to put on high performance/speed rated tires that will grab the ground. So semi-slicks.
Any recommendations on sizes or tires?

That's the next step. 

[keepat]

Thanks Pat! 

Honestly... I don't know. I want the most tire I could possibly fit on a rim and still fit in the stock wheel housing (NOT tubbed).

Again, wheel sizes will be:

17x10" Rear
17x8"   Front

I also want to put on high performance/speed rated tires that will grab the ground. So semi-slicks.
Any recommendations on sizes or tires?

That's the next step. 

With a 17" wheel there are not a lot of tire option taller then 26" that said the following would fit, work, and look good!
Front-255/45-17 will work on a 8" rim and it would be about 26" tall with a 10" overall width (note wheel needs a 4 1/2" back spacing)
Rear-285/40-17 on a 10" rim would be 26" tall with a 11.4" overall width (note wheel needs a 5 1/2" back spacing if you have the 60" rear)

If you would like a taller tire you may need to go to an 18" wheel (note the rear has room for a taller tire but the front gets tight if larger then 27" at the front lower corner of the fender)

Good luck!
Pat

[MxRacer855]

Thanks Pat!   

That information that you gave me was very helpful. You're right about the options being somewhat limited for a 17" rim. It seems like the door really opens up for 18" ones.

I see a lot more 275/40-17 tires then 285/40-17...

Is that a big difference on a 17x10" rear rim?

Jeff

[MxRacer855]

I would like to run somewhat of a DOT Street/Drag tire on the rear.

Mickey Thompson makes the ET Street Radial, but the size they offer that's closest to what you gave me (285/40-17) is 275/40-17.


Here's the specifics that Jegs has listed for the tire.
Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial Tire• P275/40R17 (26'' x 11.5'' - 17'')

Since the wheel I want from Billet Specialties ("Classic") only has sizes of 17x9.5 and 17x11, I'm assuming I should stick with the 9.5" width to avoid clearance issues, right?
And if so, How would that ET Street Radial size that I listed work with that rim?

Thanks

Jeff

[fy469rtse]

before you get too far with paint,
do you mini tub it now ? resto mod anyway, so not too invasive, most wouldnt notice if done properly

[MxRacer855]

before you get too far with paint,
do you mini tub it now ? resto mod anyway, so not too invasive, most wouldnt notice if done properly

It's already past that point... 

Both interior and exterior was sprayed on Friday. Obviously there is a lot more spraying to be done, but I'm sure I can jam a good amount of rubber in there with stock dimensions, right?

[fy469rtse]

yes you can,  ,
depends on how wild engine drive train gets , worst will be shit 60 foot times

[MxRacer855]

If I can pull off 11" of tread width, that would be great! 

[fy469rtse]

You can move the springs over too Jeff, off set rear shackles and front, only bad part is you have to cut saddles off diff housing and re weld them back on,
This will gain you a little more room inwards, from half an inch to 3/4 extra room,
I think you would get 11 's in ,
I've had 295 60's 15 inch and cleared easily

[MxRacer855]

You can move the springs over too Jeff, off set rear shackles and front, only bad part is you have to cut saddles off diff housing and re weld them back on,
This will gain you a little more room inwards, from half an inch to 3/4 extra room,
I think you would get 11 's in ,
I've had 295 60's 15 inch and cleared easily

Technically, already done! 

Full Reilly Motorsports 4 link coil over system on the car. Bye bye leaf springs!

Excited about that one. Should change the ride quality tenfold.

We haven't put it on yet, but I'm assuming the only thing I'm limited to is the wheel well space. 

Jeff

[Bob T]

Hey, good thread! How'd I miss this, late to the party as usual....

Looks like its progressing well, the Billet Specialities wheels will look good.
Good plan to start buying more parts and bits and pieces like wheels now, takes the sting of all at once out of it, just keep chipping away at it 

[keepat]

I would like to run somewhat of a DOT Street/Drag tire on the rear.

Mickey Thompson makes the ET Street Radial, but the size they offer that's closest to what you gave me (285/40-17) is 275/40-17.


Here's the specifics that Jegs has listed for the tire.
Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial Tire• P275/40R17 (26'' x 11.5'' - 17'')

Since the wheel I want from Billet Specialties ("Classic") only has sizes of 17x9.5 and 17x11, I'm assuming I should stick with the 9.5" width to avoid clearance issues, right?
And if so, How would that ET Street Radial size that I listed work with that rim?

Thanks

Jeff

Jeff,
With just the right back spacing on the wheels and if you used an 18x10 or 18x11 rear wheel you can fit a Nitto NT555R 305/40-18 drag radial with no modification and no rubbing. It is 27.7" tall and 12.13" wide. For the front you can still use the 17x8 wheels with a Nitto NT555 255/45-17. This tire is 26" tall and its side wall is only about a ¼" smaller than the rear tires.
Pat

[MxRacer855]

Hey, good thread! How'd I miss this, late to the party as usual....

Looks like its progressing well, the Billet Specialities wheels will look good.
Good plan to start buying more parts and bits and pieces like wheels now, takes the sting of all at once out of it, just keep chipping away at it 

Thanks Bob! A lot of really exciting stuff to come very soon! 

That's exactly what I've been trying to do. Since the car has been gone... 6 months now, I've been restoring and rebuilding everything else. From interior to anything exterior. Hopefully I can just start bolting big chunks of things on at once! 



Jeff

[MxRacer855]

I would like to run somewhat of a DOT Street/Drag tire on the rear.

Mickey Thompson makes the ET Street Radial, but the size they offer that's closest to what you gave me (285/40-17) is 275/40-17.


Here's the specifics that Jegs has listed for the tire.
Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial Tire• P275/40R17 (26'' x 11.5'' - 17'')

Since the wheel I want from Billet Specialties ("Classic") only has sizes of 17x9.5 and 17x11, I'm assuming I should stick with the 9.5" width to avoid clearance issues, right?
And if so, How would that ET Street Radial size that I listed work with that rim?

Thanks

Jeff

Jeff,
With just the right back spacing on the wheels and if you used an 18x10 or 18x11 rear wheel you can fit a Nitto NT555R 305/40-18 drag radial with no modification and no rubbing. It is 27.7" tall and 12.13" wide. For the front you can still use the 17x8 wheels with a Nitto NT555 255/45-17. This tire is 26" tall and its side wall is only about a ¼" smaller than the rear tires.
Pat

Again, thank you Pat!

For some reason wheels (backspacing, diameter, and width) along with tire sizes have always been something of a mystery to me.

I need to learn how to tackle that so I can get on it.

So what you're really saying is, to keep that 10" width on the rear wheels... I really need to jump up to an 18"?

[MxRacer855]

Hey guys!

Just got the brake pedal Assembly back together. The powdercoat came out more glossy than I wanted, but that's okay. 

[MxRacer855]

Pieces...

[MxRacer855]

All together. 

[MxRacer855]

I just got my full Reilly Motorsports AlterKation kit with 12.19" Wilwood drilled and slotted brakes in the mail! 

[MxRacer855]

Control arms, etc.

[MxRacer855]

Coil overs.

[MxRacer855]

Engine mounts (Wedge).