F8 Hemi Charger 500 reassembly

[Magnumcharger]

Last weekend, since I was on my way back from Montana after picking up my new (?)(1968) Dodge truck at the border, I took the opportunity to drop by my friend Kori's shop, to see how the Hemi 500 was progressing.
The plan is for the car to make it's grand debut at the Las Vegas MATS show, so things are hustling right along.
Seeing as how any Charger 500 is a rare sight, a Hemi-powered version is that much more so. And how often does a regular schmuck like myself get the chance to basically crawl all through one, snapping pictures? Not very often! And to be INVITED to do so...well, that's a situation I had to capitalize on!
As soon as I was in the door, Kori insisted that I crawl underneath to check out some of the very clean assemblies being installed...so that's where I'll begin.

Keeping in mind, it's a work in progress...and it's definately not close to being finished!

[Magnumcharger]

I thought a few shots of the Hemi-specific body parts might be in order.

[Magnumcharger]

Here's something you might not often see, those lower control arms are actually coated in cosmoline.
And apparently, cosmoline is very sticky stuff.
And no, I didn't poke my finger in it to find out!
(Kori wouldn't let me!!) 

[Magnumcharger]

Inside the trunk area is a lot of interesting details.
Now, for you guys who actually own one of these cars, there poses a question....
How in hell do you get a full sized spare tire in and out of there? Holy crap that's tight!!
And how do you get the jack plate in place on top of the spare? You must have VERY long arms!

[Magnumcharger]

Back to the underside for a shot of the Dana and exhaust.
Then back into the trunk again.

[Magnumcharger]

A few more shots of the trunk, then onward to other spots.
As we were viewing the trunk area, Kori remarked about how much the trunk arms receed into the usable area of the trunk, which seemed to be a lot more than what you'd expect.
Given that the arms are considerably longer than the average Chargers', it's one of those strange idioscyncracies that come along with 500's and Daytonas.

[Magnumcharger]

The Charger 500 trunklid is normally a true representation of how these cars were assembled. The was no doubt that everything associated with the conversion to 500 or Daytona status was done with time being the biggest criterion.
Notice the welds on the arm supports on the trunklid. These are the nicest factory welds of this kind I've ever seen!
Offhand, I'd say normally they were done with a oxy-acetelyene torch and a steel rod. And probably by an apprentice.

The headliner was laid out and ready for installation when I was there, so there was insulation batting positioned between the roof supports in preparation for that activity.
Precautions were also taken (after this picture) to ensure that the new headliner would not be inadvertantly torn on the edge of the previous rear window frame, which was still very sharp!

[Magnumcharger]

Once out of the trunk, the next logical area to notice was the tailight panel. This one had a fresh coat of the special semi-flat black paint called ORGANOSOL. I have no idea how they came up with a name like that, other than to say when it's done right, it looks fabulous!
Here is the tail panel, and a couple of shots of the rear of the car as it sits.

[hemi68charger]

Man oh Man... That sucker looks great !!!!!!!

Troy

[tan top]

 wow  ............  thanks for posting the pictures

[Hemidog]

wow  ............  thanks for posting the pictures

that reinforcement on the rear shackle for the leaf springs, is that original on 500s?

[hemigeno]

that reinforcement on the rear shackle for the leaf springs, is that original on 500s?

Do you mean this one?  If so, that is standard on Hemicars - had nothing to do with the cars' status as a C500.

Nice pics Robin, keep 'em coming!

[PocketThunder]

Holy Moly thats a lot of money..

[moparstuart]

that reinforcement on the rear shackle for the leaf springs, is that original on 500s?

Do you mean this one?  If so, that is standard on Hemicars - had nothing to do with the cars' status as a C500.

Nice pics Robin, keep 'em coming! 

color looks great now robin

gene do they put those  standard on convertibles too ? like the torq boxes ? or just hemi cars ?

[Hemidog]

that reinforcement on the rear shackle for the leaf springs, is that original on 500s?

Do you mean this one?  If so, that is standard on Hemicars - had nothing to do with the cars' status as a C500.

Nice pics Robin, keep 'em coming!

who need school, this forum is all you need 

[hemigeno]

that reinforcement on the rear shackle for the leaf springs, is that original on 500s?

Do you mean this one?  If so, that is standard on Hemicars - had nothing to do with the cars' status as a C500.

Nice pics Robin, keep 'em coming!

gene do they put those  standard on convertibles too ? like the torq boxes ? or just hemi cars ?

Good question, and I honestly don't know the answer.  I knew the 'verts had torque boxes, but there are several reinforcements on Hemi's that might or might not have been carried over to droptops as well.

[69_500]

Looks like everything is coming along very nicely. What is he planning on doing about covering the original teeth for the headliner? 2 cars that I looked at, had a partial piece of the original interior window trim cut and placed over these teeth to keep them from tearing anything on the new headliner. Although it wasn't necessarily something that was done on all of them. Just something to ponder over.

As far as to what bumpers are on the trunk lid, I think that they are the same ones as on a regular charger trunk lid. I'll try to remember to look that up tonight when I get home, and when I'm off of work.

[hemi68charger]

that reinforcement on the rear shackle for the leaf springs, is that original on 500s?

Do you mean this one?  If so, that is standard on Hemicars - had nothing to do with the cars' status as a C500.

Nice pics Robin, keep 'em coming!

gene do they put those  standard on convertibles too ? like the torq boxes ? or just hemi cars ?

Good question, and I honestly don't know the answer.  I knew the 'verts had torque boxes, but there are several reinforcements on Hemi's that might or might not have been carried over to droptops as well.

If it's the rear framerail gussets, I think not..  Think ragtops only get the torque boxes..... I'll see.. I have a friend with a convert. '68 GTX...  Hemi's get the T.B, rear gussets and pinion snubber reenforcement plate....

Troy

Troy

[Magnumcharger]

that reinforcement on the rear shackle for the leaf springs, is that original on 500s?

Do you mean this one?  If so, that is standard on Hemicars - had nothing to do with the cars' status as a C500.

Nice pics Robin, keep 'em coming!

gene do they put those  standard on convertibles too ? like the torq boxes ? or just hemi cars ?

Good question, and I honestly don't know the answer.  I knew the 'verts had torque boxes, but there are several reinforcements on Hemi's that might or might not have been carried over to droptops as well.

If it's the rear framerail gussets, I think not..  Think ragtops only get the torque boxes..... I'll see.. I have a friend with a convert. '68 GTX...  Hemi's get the T.B, rear gussets and pinion snubber reenforcement plate....

Troy

Troy

Funny how you should ask that question.
Right beside the 500 is a big block '70 Coronet convertible, up on the lift. I was comparing the torques boxes between the two cars, and noticed that the rear spring support wasn't on the convertible.
Is that an answer?

[moparstuart]

that reinforcement on the rear shackle for the leaf springs, is that original on 500s?

Do you mean this one?  If so, that is standard on Hemicars - had nothing to do with the cars' status as a C500.

Nice pics Robin, keep 'em coming!

gene do they put those  standard on convertibles too ? like the torq boxes ? or just hemi cars ?

Good question, and I honestly don't know the answer.  I knew the 'verts had torque boxes, but there are several reinforcements on Hemi's that might or might not have been carried over to droptops as well.

If it's the rear framerail gussets, I think not..  Think ragtops only get the torque boxes..... I'll see.. I have a friend with a convert. '68 GTX...  Hemi's get the T.B, rear gussets and pinion snubber reenforcement plate....

Troy

Troy

Funny how you should ask that question.
Right beside the 500 is a big block '70 Coronet convertible, up on the lift. I was comparing the torques boxes between the two cars, and noticed that the rear spring support wasn't on the convertible.
Is that an answer?

  wow great timing i guess on my question , thanks for the answer !
I have alway planned on putting a hemi and and od automatic trans in my convertible when i can afford it thats why i asked .   

[Magnumcharger]

Here's another point to note:

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Man, always great to see Kori's work.  Tell him we said hi  

[BigBlockSam]

wow! thanks for the pics. keep em coming there great 

[Magnumcharger]

You know, I really could have spent a lot longer time at Show and Go, taking pictures of this car and the others, but I was facing a seven hour drive home that night.
I really had to hustle to get what shots I could! Then I HAD to go out for steak at the Keg....

A few pictures of the engine have already been posted, but I felt drawn to it....repeatedly! The detailing was remarkable. And there's always new things to find out about how these cars were constructed.With that being said, here's a few shots of the great beast between the fenders.

[Magnumcharger]

And a few more shots of the mill.
I tried shooting with and without flash, to see which looked better. I think "with" is the winner.