1969 Dodge Charger R/T restoration thread.

[1970gator]

Next on the agenda was the quarter panels.  Unfortunately, AMD was out of stock on any full '69 Charger quarters until the late June/July timeframe.  That was fine though really.  I just need a full quarter for the driver's side and the three quarter skin for the passenger side.  Luckily, they had '70 model full driver's side quarter panels in stock though.  So, the driver's side has a '70 panel installed that I will just graph in the parking light area from the original skin that I removed.

Passenger (right) side quarter panel fitment and installation.  I prefer a flange weld rather than a butt weld where possible.  So, the area where the three quarter skin was welded to the new panel was flanged with a flanging tool prior to installation and weld thru primer was applied to prevent future corrosion.

[1970gator]

Driver's (left) side quarter panel fitment and installation.

[1970gator]

These pics show the installation of the rear valance, corners and the graphing of a right side tail panel portion on from a parts car that I had to repair the rust on the taillight panel.

[1970gator]

These last couple posts show the prep for priming and its current condition.  Next weekend I'll begin the body work on the chassis.  Once I get the body work completed on the chassis, I'm going to bedline the undercarriage, paint the engine bay and drop my 500 cu. in. stroker motor and Hemi 4-speed trans in it.

[1970gator]

Epoxy DTM primer.

[keepat]

Good progress and great work!
Pat 

[JB400]

Looks good.

[tan top]

nice work ,  looking good 

[71_Charger_R/T]

Sweet!   

[72Charger-SE]

Very impressive work and attention to detail!  Great Job!   

[jessejames]

Dang!! Looks good!! You mig those quarters?

[1970gator]

Dang!! Looks good!! You mig those quarters?

Yes sir, it's just a slow process in order to make sure you don't warp the panels.

[1970gator]

It's been a while since I've had a chance to update this thread.  I finally got my drivetrain assembled and ready to drop in the car.  Here is a little video of it running and a pic.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6iIuMzKAis

[hemi-hampton]

Nice Job, looks good. LEON.

[mopar4don]

Owwww HEMI   

[lukedukem]

so when you screwed the panels on the car, are you using something to make the panels overlap together?

Luke

[1970gator]

so when you screwed the panels on the car, are you using something to make the panels overlap together?

Luke

Everyone seems to have their own preference as to whether they butt weld or overlap.  Personally, I believe the overlap is a much stronger union than a butt weld. The flange provides added strength to the panel and you have twice the depth of metal to burn into when you weld.  I use a pneumatic flange tool like the one below to offset the metal so that the panels meet properly.


http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200658740_200658740


You can see the flange in the photograph below.

[lukedukem]

cool, thanks for the reply. 

Luke

[DixieRestoParts]

It's been a while since I've had a chance to update this thread.  I finally got my drivetrain assembled and ready to drop in the car.  Here is a little video of it running and a pic.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6iIuMzKAis

Sounds sweet!!

[hemi-hampton]

I usually use the Flange tool also. As Rick Hunter would say "WORKS FOR ME" LEON.

[moparnation74]

Beautiful work!

[G-man]

Wow. First pic of car on trailer, i thought that was the completed car... looked good!... still does

[lukedukem]

i just realized you decided to go with a hemi instead of the 500. 

Luke

[1970gator]

i just realized you decided to go with a hemi instead of the 500. 

Luke

I decided to put the 500 cu. in. stroker in my '69 R/T SE.  It has a nice non-numbers matching 440 in it now....but, the stroker motor will be a lot more fun!  The stroker has a fully CNC ported set of aluminum heads that should help it make somewhere in the 650 HP range.  Getting that in the R/T SE and the Hemi in the 4-speed R/T will be my two big winter projects.