Re: Restoration of my B5 Blue 4Spd Charger 500... Blue Thunder debuts...Finally!

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Man! those recalls sure look good on an aero car.

Did you see the Charger 500 with recalls on Reply 1053 (Page 53)...  ?   

[C500]

Man! those recalls sure look good on an aero car.

Did you see the Charger 500 with recalls on Reply 1053 (Page 53)...  ?   

Yes, very very nice. I will look at getting a set in a year or two. Once I've finished my car and the dust has settled on all the spending. 

[brianz426]

I got springs from Laura at ESPO $300.00 for 1 in over stock height back when I got them .They went up that much $600

Eaton was over $600.00 , ESPO was 288 and change so I guess they haven't gone up.

[brianz426]

I have had ESPO on my Daytona for about 6 years and they are doing great.  I had a set on my SuperBird before that.  They are great to work with too, excellent customer service.

I had put the Mopar Performance ones on a '67 Coronet and always thought they sat too low from day one.

Thanks for the input Dave...  I am starting to lean toward getting ESPO springs... 

I'm leaning toward ESPO also Allen. Next week I will stop at the local spring rebuilder here in Baltimore. If they are close to the price of ESPO (within a $100) then I will go with new ESPO. I'll let you know what I find out.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

pictures of the wheels   

Maybe by the weekend Stuart...  It was all that I could do to carry the 10 boxes into the garage so the neighborhood militia would not have to continue guarding them... 

A picture of the 10 boxes...       

OK, some friends came over and made me open one box...  ...wheel looks great! 

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I'm leaning toward ESPO also Allen. Next week I will stop at the local spring rebuilder here in Baltimore. If they are close to the price of ESPO (within a $100) then I will go with new ESPO. I'll let you know what I find out.

Please do...   

[pettybird]

what's with the fascination with buying new springs?  I have the MP ones on the 'bird for the last six years and they're fine. 

also, are they going to LOOK like original?  you're going to great lengths with this car--I can't imagine not using the original springs on such a project.  did the car sit really low before, or are they just normal-flat?  best of show had the springs re-arched for the Hemi GTX I put together and the car sat right and had the correct part numbers. 

[69_500]

Let me know what leaf springs you go with on the car Allen. The rear leafs on my car are the pretty much shot. I guess that is to be expected when they are nearly 40 years old though right?

[The70RT]

MoPar replacements are like $200.....I haven't hears much bad about them?

[hemi68charger]

Allen...
I was looking through the thread here and noticed something.. The shop didn't fill in the rear valance seam/junction between the end cap and the rear lower valance? Here's the picture I'm referring to. You can see the white body sealer that should be there for the end cap-to-quarter junction and up onto the taillamp panel. But, it should end there and not go down the rear valance again.. Or, did you want that?

Troy

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I got E body rear leaf springs in for my Charger (newbie in shipping) luckily as soon as I found out they shipped correct ones without waiting for wrong ones to return. So your not concerned about correct part # on rear springs for Blue Thunder?

I am not sure what your question is, but I have not ordered rear springs yet.  If your question is about originality, I will probably go with aftermarket new springs instead of originals that need to be re-curved every 3-5 years.  I will save the originals tho...  Bolt on parts are an easy swap, and my C500 is not a totally correct concours restoration...  I will try to buy correct appearing repros if possible.

what's with the fascination with buying new springs?  I have the MP ones on the 'bird for the last six years and they're fine. 

also, are they going to LOOK like original?  you're going to great lengths with this car--I can't imagine not using the original springs on such a project.  did the car sit really low before, or are they just normal-flat?  best of show had the springs re-arched for the Hemi GTX I put together and the car sat right and had the correct part numbers. 

Doug - A lot of friends in the local area have had problems with re-arched springs, mostly sagging after a few years... but one guy claimed a re-arched spring broke near the forward attach point during a launch.  I still have not made a decision... could still decide to rebuild the originals... 

Let me know what leaf springs you go with on the car Allen. The rear leafs on my car are the pretty much shot. I guess that is to be expected when they are nearly 40 years old though right?

Will do Danny...

[Charger-Bodie]

Allen, Ive used the Mopar repop springs many times now. I have never had a problem, and they cost far less than the others too......I use thier t-bars too.

[hemi68charger]

Allen, Ive used the Mopar repop springs many times now. I have never had a problem, and they cost far less than the others too......I use thier t-bars too.

These springs don't leave the car's rear too high? I remember a friend bought some new springs for his R/T and they just didn't look correct...

Troy

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Allen...
I was looking through the thread here and noticed something.. The shop didn't fill in the rear valance seam/junction between the end cap and the rear lower valance? Here's the picture I'm referring to. You can see the white body sealer that should be there for the end cap-to-quarter junction and up onto the taillamp panel. But, it should end there and not go down the rear valance again.. Or, did you want that?

Troy

Davtona had called me about it earlier, and I have discussed with Greg.  Detailed pictures are being taken, and a decision will be made by me later...    Thanks for the heads-up Troy!  

Also, Greg has started leading the roof to the quarter panels...  pictures will be taken.

The Dutchman panel & inside areas of the sail panels will be painted prior to leading in the plug.  The bottom side of the plug will be covered by Rust Bullet instead of leaving bare metal...  Pictures when they are available...

Allen

[b5blue]

I've been looking for feedback on Rust Bullet and if they or you like it I will try some, my car is a prime candidate for such a product. 

[xs29j8Bullitt]

I've been looking for feedback on Rust Bullet and if they or you like it I will try some, my car is a prime candidate for such a product. 

So far I like it a lot, but will not use it under exterior paint... too many horror stories about the other products like POR-15...

Greg seems to like it also...

[The70RT]

I've been looking for feedback on Rust Bullet and if they or you like it I will try some, my car is a prime candidate for such a product. 

So far I like it a lot, but will not use it under exterior paint... too many horror stories about the other products like POR-15...

Greg seems to like it also...

I agree. It should only be used in and under a vehicle. Inside frame rails floors etc. where if it lifted then so what.

[b5blue]

That's what I mean, there are many EXTERIOR areas I was thinking of but after waiting this long for body repair I don't want to build in problems. Thanks!!!

[Charger-Bodie]

Allen, Ive used the Mopar repop springs many times now. I have never had a problem, and they cost far less than the others too......I use thier t-bars too.

These springs don't leave the car's rear too high? I remember a friend bought some new springs for his R/T and they just didn't look correct...

Troy

Ive never had that problem with the XHD springs....Maybe they mistakenly sent his super stock springs?

You have seen pics of my Gold Charger and My Black one , and they both have new XHD units from Mopar.

I have a set sitting here for My Daytona clone too.

[dads_69]

Looking good............

[moparstuart]

The GM part number is 9796696    wayne gave me the trim ring GM part  number 

[nascarxx29]

They appear to be 69 Z28 trim rings.Which if Im not mistaken 68-69 Z 28s had 15X6 rally wheels
http://www.camaros.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-96363.html
http://oepartsource.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.garden_flypage&product_id=1721220&category_id=3&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=3

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Allen, Ive used the Mopar repop springs many times now. I have never had a problem, and they cost far less than the others too......I use thier t-bars too.

These springs don't leave the car's rear too high? I remember a friend bought some new springs for his R/T and they just didn't look correct...

Troy

Ive never had that problem with the XHD springs....Maybe they mistakenly sent his super stock springs?

You have seen pics of my Gold Charger and My Black one , and they both have new XHD units from Mopar.

I have a set sitting here for My Daytona clone too.

Thanks for the input Brian...  I am still mulling over the options, might still decide to have an original set re-arched... or...

Looking good............

Thanks Mark!

The GM part number is 9796696    wayne gave me the trim ring GM part  number  

Stuart - Thanks for the picture & part number...  Are Wayne's wheels 6 inch or 7 inch width?

Allen

[moparstuart]

  not sure i will have to get over there and see them in person.  I will try to get better up close pictures also .

[xs29j8Bullitt]

  not sure i will have to get over there and see them in person.  I will try to get better up close pictures also .

Thanks Stuart!