Wrenchin on a Sweet first gen Charger !

[firefighter3931]

Guys, check out this nice ride ; it belongs to a new member and just came out of the paint booth. Denis is a fellow fireman and works on the same department as me and of course i had to help out because it is afterall a sweet Charger and Denis is a great guy. 

The story behind the car ; another firefighter purchased it a few years back in a large salvage operation and this car was one of the lot. The body and substructure is amazingly clean for a Canadian car and didn't require any metalwork ! The paint was badly faded and the brightwork needs some attention but overall it's in excellent shape. It came with a late model 440 that wasn't in very good mechanical shape, unfortunately.

Denis stumbled upon a fresh 440 and made a deal that was too good to pass up. The seller didn't know much about the engine other than it was freshly rebuilt and wasn't even sure if the engine had even been fired. Well, today we fired that badboy up and it was broken in just like it was fresh out of the machineshop. Lots of cam lube, Rotella and EOS and a 30 min breakin cycle at 2500 rpm. 

Overall it went quite well....just a few minor glitches that were easily addressed. After the breakin we pulled the valvecovers and tightened up the pre-load because the valvetrain was noisy. It has a hydraulic flat tappet cam with adjustable rockers and they were slighty loose after the engine warmed up to operating temp. It's idling real nice now but needs some more fine tuning in the spring. Plans are to ditch the stock log manifolds and install a set of headers and 2.5in duals with some good mufflers. 

I'm sure we'll be seeing more of Denis around here and i'm sure he'll have lots of questions for you first gen guys.


I know you guys like pics....so here are a few 



Ron

[69bronzeT5]

Nice! Can I send my car to you to do?

[Hemidog]

Man, there's just something about a red 1st gen! 

[FlatbackFanatic]

Oh ya! very nice!

[Ghoste]

Very nice, it looks to be a 66, what was the original drivetrain in it?

[Charger-Bodie]

Great stuff Ron!.......He's could have his Charger site handle be "Fire Chief" as red as that baby is!! 

[dukeboy_318]

 :drool5

[TeeWJay426]

 

Red 1st gen with white interior and a 440 under the hood.... doesn't get much better than that! Nice ride- keep the update pics coming, Ron!

[firefighter3931]

Very nice, it looks to be a 66, what was the original drivetrain in it?

I think the vin has a J in it somewhere  not sure what that means ? 




Just kidding....it's a poly 318 car originally. 




Ron

[firefighter3931]

Great stuff Ron!.......He's could have his Charger site handle be "Fire Chief" as red as that baby is!! 

Yep, it's RED....very RED  What else would you expect from a Fireman, Brian 


My 70 r/t is almost the same color.....ya i like red too. 



Ron

[firefighter3931]

Nice ride- keep the update pics coming, Ron!

Will do Tom....it's going to be a gorgous car once Denis finishes all the detail work ! 

It does need some suspension and brake upgrades....the stock leafs are pretty much flat and that single reservoir master cylinder is not one of my favorites. 

Still lots of work to do but he's got it going in the right direction....and now it has 440 power under the hood. 



Ron

[SFRT]

nice clean start!

[Brock Samson]

 NICE!- Fire Chief would be a great handle,.. congrats to Dennis, welcome aboard, she looks well on it's way to being a totally awesome first gen ambassador... with Ron's help of course.. 

[tan top]

looks nice    ...........

[69*F5*SE]

Nice looking ride.

[Todd Wilson]

I love the wheels! They really make the car!     



Todd

[moparstuart]

I love the wheels! They really make the car!     


    not the wheels it's the red tires 
/quote]

[Steve P.]

Very sweeeeeeet...  Love the car and the color. Now for some nice wheels and a set of M/T drag rad.s and she'll be all set...


Welcome to your new family Dennis. You've come to the right place.. Now I know you don't know me yet, but trust me, you WILL be building something nasty to put under that hook if you keep hanging around with Ron..    We'll be watching........

[R2]

NICE,,,,,,,,,,,,

[BlaineKaiser450]

if i had a first gen, it would be that color! with matching interior 

[Big Sugar]

Really Nice Ron...is he going to finish painting the tires ?
Nice set of rims and tires should really set that 1st gen off .
Maybe a grill as well 


Ron

[bzabodyn]

Damn, that thing is RED!  Looks amazing!  Do me one favor though - no Magnum 500's...

BZ

[Mefirst]

  Nice looking ride and also -Welcome to the forum Dennis

/Tom

[71_deputy]

Looking good there Ron!!!!!  yup- lose that single brake setup!!!!!

John Mac

[66chargertoy]

:cheers:Just to start right away, a big thanks to Ron in helping me make sure the engine was broken in the right way. I quess I should feel very lucky to be in the same city and profession as Ron. For the couple of times that we chatted about these beasts, I have come to understand very quickly the amount of knowledge my fellow firefighter brother Ron has. Like he had mentioned in the previous posts, most of the big items are done, now it's the small things that will probably take the longest. As many of you readers are aware of, 1rst generations are unique and also come with the unique challenges,(dash lights, rotating headlights and interior). Will look for a good set of Cragers to set it of properly. But for now, she is going into storage at another firefighter's property till spring (my  wife thinks it takes up to much room in the garage for the winter; havent' figured how to store it into the bedroom yet!!!).
Denis

[firefighter3931]

Denis, you're more than welcome brother ! 

Looking forward to the spring when we can get back to work on your beast....some good exhaust and engine dress-up goodies are on the way. 



Ron

[Charger-Bodie]

Denis, you're more than welcome brother ! 

Looking forward to the spring when we can get back to work on your beast....some good exhaust and engine dress-up goodies are on the way. 



Ron

Engine dress-up ...Ah man! 

[firefighter3931]

Denis, you're more than welcome brother ! 

Looking forward to the spring when we can get back to work on your beast....some good exhaust and engine dress-up goodies are on the way. 



Ron

Engine dress-up ...Ah man! 

Relax Brian !  It's not the end of the world 


We're just talking headers and a nice set of MP cast aluminum valvecovers. 

The stock VC's are pretty banged up.....the DS cover is caved in 1/2in deep at the rear of the engine. 



Ron

[Charger-Bodie]

Denis, you're more than welcome brother ! 

Looking forward to the spring when we can get back to work on your beast....some good exhaust and engine dress-up goodies are on the way. 



Ron

Engine dress-up ...Ah man! 

Relax Brian !  It's not the end of the world 


We're just talking headers and a nice set of MP cast aluminum valvecovers. 

The stock VC's are pretty banged up.....the DS cover is caved in 1/2in deep at the rear of the engine. 



Ron

I was really only kiddin Ron....But, you know me Always like the steathy stock look.

[66chargertoy]

One of the problems Ron and I had while breaking the motor in was that the new power steering pump failled. Well, failled would be an understatement. It downright fried!!!!! Shaft had excessive play and the fluid inside was boilling It even melted the plastic dipstick. Go figure. Had a spare old one lying around, slap it in and works great for now. E-mailed my concerns to the company that I purchased it from, so waiting for an answer.
Denis

[R2]

Welcome Denis,,,,Ron is the man........you will have to make the trip to Norwalk this year,,,and hang out with us,,,,,,

I found some pics' on the internet of some red chargers,,,,,,, your car looks great,,,,, Doug

[firefighter3931]

I was really only kiddin Ron....But, you know me Always like the steathy stock look.

Ya, i knew you were only kidding....that's why i added the  smiley

I just enjoy yanking your "stock appearing/stealth looking" chain 

One of the problems Ron and I had while breaking the motor in was that the new power steering pump failled. Well, failled would be an understatement. It downright fried!!!!! Shaft had excessive play and the fluid inside was boilling It even melted the plastic dipstick. Go figure. Had a spare old one lying around, slap it in and works great for now. E-mailed my concerns to the company that I purchased it from, so waiting for an answer.
Denis

Yep, that was a new one for me too Denis....never seen a PS pump do that before !  Keep us up to date on your progress regarding the supplier. These's absolutely no reason why this pump should not be exchanged. It was not assembled properly, period ! 


Thanks for the Keiths !   

Welcome Denis,,,,Ron is the man........you will have to make the trip to Norwalk this year,,,and hang out with us,,,,,,

I found some pics' on the internet of some red chargers,,,,,,, your car looks great,,,,, Doug

Thanks for the pics Doug. Those TT's look great.  I'm wondering what a set of Tork thrust D's with the dark centers would look like on this car ?  We need DS440 to work some photochop magic   


Doug, we can't bring Denis to Norwalk....he'll be corrupted forever.  Next thing ya know a rollbar and slicks will go on the car then the downward spiral will begin ! 



Ron

[Steve P.]

Oh boy!!!  I smell a 572 in the near future........   ""SNIFF SNIFF"" Is that a 605" I'm smelling???   


I think I have a Dana sitting around here too.....   

[kamkuda]

Doug, we can't bring Denis to Norwalk....he'll be corrupted forever.  Next thing ya know a rollbar and slicks will go on the car then the downward spiral will begin ! 



Ron

Ain't that the truth.
Looks like an awesome car.  I love those 1st Gens

[firefighter3931]

Some updated photochop pics from our resident expert/wizard DS440....thanks Dave !!! 

Whatchya think Denis ?    Personally, i like the tork thrust D's with the dark spokes. 


Ron

[Steve P.]

I like all three but I like direct bolt patterns, not uni-lug.  Cragar needs to get back in the business of WHEELS.... 

A set of Billit Specialties, STREET LITE's would be awesome on that car....



Just my .02

[Blown68Coronet]

hey whats wrong with a 10 pt cage and slicks? A set of 31x16.5's under there would look killer!

How about blasting them rims then puttin on a splash of body color and some period correct dog dishes

I'll see ya at the cruise nights Denis.

[nh_mopar_fan]

 

[Charger-Bodie]

Some updated photochop pics from our resident expert/wizard DS440....thanks Dave !!! 

Whatchya think Denis ?    Personally, i like the tork thrust D's with the dark spokes. 


Ron

Torq-Thrust D's All the way!!! That looks excellente'

[66chargertoy]

Holy Crap!!!!! What a difference a slick pair of rims does to a car. They look all great Ron, but I'm leaning towards the wheels in the second shot. I just put her away today then off to work which is where I am right now. Thanks for seting this up.
Denis

[Dodge Don]

Denis, looks great. Another car for MoparFest!!

[tan top]

Some updated photochop pics from our resident expert/wizard DS440....thanks Dave !!! 

Whatchya think Denis ?    Personally, i like the tork thrust D's with the dark spokes. 


Ron

  dark gray torque thrust 2s look real good 

[vancamp]

Some updated photochop pics from our resident expert/wizard DS440....thanks Dave !!! 

Whatchya think Denis ?    Personally, i like the tork thrust D's with the dark spokes. 


Ron

  dark gray torque thrust 2s look real good 

[kamkuda]

Holy Crap!!!!! What a difference a slick pair of rims does to a car. They look all great Ron, but I'm leaning towards the wheels in the second shot. I just put her away today then off to work which is where I am right now. Thanks for seting this up.
Denis

I agree I like the second shot,  But I also like the 10 point cage and slicks.
I was planning on the Torq Thrusts but went with the Center Line Billets when they had a special  There was a SIGNIFICANT improvement in handling