First "Drive" Since 1988!

[Kevin68N71]

Man how time flies.

When I first joined here a few months ago, I detailed getting my 1968 Charger back up and running.  It hadn't started for at least 10 years, and when I did that, it was a popping, backfiring nightmare.  I posted a video a while back, having got the car running and trying to tune it back to some drivable state.  It had not been driven and registered since 1988.

Over the last week, decided to get working on getting the Goodmark gas tank I bought, OVER A YEAR AGO, installed.  I can't believe it has been that long, the box in my garage was filthy.

First, I had to tend to the trunk.  There were a very rust pinholes which I took care of.  It was not enough to replace the pan, and the pan is really strong.  I treated the metal after the repairs and resprayed it.  It's not that great, but, in the future I can do better.

Finally today I put the tank in.  Damn, I forgot what a pain.  No, you really can't just muscle it in without a jack.  I had bought an all new sending unit, gasket, j bolts, nuts. Finally got it in without any damage or bad scraping.  Geez.

New rubber fuel lines, blew out the old metal ones.  New filter and fired it up, it started instantly, no leaks.  So, decided to take it for a drive, which is limited to about 40 feet of driveway, up and back.  I did it about 20 times!

Good thing I didn't take it out.  The right rear hub locked up a few times...as it did once when I just tried to roll it out of the garage.  The brakes are all screwed up.  Aside from that, seemed like the car groaned a bit driving, and was a bit shaky, but the more I did it, it smoothed out, and sounded and felt like I remembered it.

Now, this is not a good test out on the street to put a decent load on it, but it looks promising.

Problems to take care of: 

Totally go through brakes, rebuild all wheel cylinders, blow out lines, bleed and tighten.

Pull and have the radiator gone through.  It's as leaky as a 60 year old rowboat.

Update the accelerator linkage and hook up the throttle rod

Dump the transmission fluid and filter

Of course, the tires are trash, even though they still look awesome.

The alternator is not putting out anymore, just running off the battery.  I have a very nice specialist only 5 miles from me that actually rebuilds starters, generators and alternators.  No more Pimp Boys rebuilt cr@p.

So, as you can see, nothing apparently really bad wrong.  I think the worst is over.  I can't believe it is running and "driving" again.

[Silver R/T]

looks like a clean driver

[jdiesel33]

Interesting Color Combo. I like it.

[Kevin68N71]

Thanks guys....

It is originally a dark green car.  After some research, I found that green to be a 70s color that you sometimes see on Satellites.  It is a white interior car, dark green carpet, console automatic.  I have no idea why the original owner, from who I bought the car, elected to repaint the car that color.  Many people do not like the color at all, but it does show the lines of the car.  I am just so used to it, I can't imagine it dark green.  I do not know if it had bumble bee stripes originally.

While the tank was out, I also managed to 1/2 assed bang out that obnoxious dent on the lower fascia, and I straightened my ancient plate.  Not perfect, but much better than it was.  There is a convenient hole that is uncovered without the tank there that I managed to get a piece of wood and a bending bar in to push it back into shape.  I had that dent from some a-hole in a parking lot since 1983, and now I don't have to look at it any more!

[JoeyGowdy]

Last inspected in 1988 eh?  My '68 Charger was last inspected in 1981... was full of moths and rust when I got it in Aug 2007 but now fully restored to a General Lee Replica.  By any chance did you have to cut out your butterfly valves in your exhaust headers?  Mine were rusted shut so I had to fire up the torch and cut them out:

[Kevin68N71]

Ouch! No sir, I took the original manifolds off in 1979 (high school senior year) and replaced them with Hedman Hedders.  Made a major difference.  I still have my original manifolds, as well as the air conditioning compressor and all the parts to the system.

[69*F5*SE]

Very Cool that you got it out and running. Can't wait to get there myself.  Nice car by the way 

[Dave22443]

You know, I really like that color combo.  The white top really makes it pop.  Nice '68!  You should be proud 

[Kevin68N71]

You know, I really like that color combo.  The white top really makes it pop.  Nice '68!  You should be proud 

Thanks!  Your's is pretty awesome too.  I have had mine since I was 16.

[tan top]

nice looking 68  ............. 

[Big Lebowski]

  The Charger must love having fresh gas running through it again, that's cool.

[royt440]

Luv it.  Sounds like you're having a blast.  Keep it up and maybe you'll get to drive it on an official road But even 40 feet of driveway must be fun.

My '74 died in 1991 but it looks like several have me beat on this thread.  It "might" be ready in '08?

Roy