jaak's 73 Rallye update..... 9/10/09

[jaak]

As you guys know I picked up a sweet 73 Rallye last week for a driver. Well I have been a busy bee the last 3 evenings (and all day today, took off work) Installing new interior. I began by taking the dash apart, sanded and painted the steering column then the dash frame, and various parts. Then I ordered a dash cap and installed it. I also installed a couple of Autometer gauges, I still have a few bugs to work out (I think my fuel sender is bad). While the cluster was out I cleaned it up real good and used a silver paint pen on all the dash accents (I know it isn't chrome, but looks pretty good for a driver). Next was the headliner, this was my first attempt (I used the mopar muscle article as a guide) I am pretty happy with it, being my first try, it does still have some wrinkles, but the article says a few days out in the sun and it'll work out. After that I installed the carpet...it went well but ALOT of trimming. I had a utility knife, but it sucked, razor blade and sissors worked better than anything, just took along time and my fingers are sore, lol. Then finally wrapped it all up by installing trim, kick panels, seats, and door panels. Well any ways a couple of days hardwork and I am thrilled with the results.....here are some pics..before, during and after.

Later,
Jason

[jaak]

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[jaak]

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[jaak]

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[jaak]

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[69bronzeT5]

Wow Jason, the interior looks GREAT!!!

[devilgear]

Looks great...How did you get the door panels that were wood grain white? Did you just paint them or did you make a new part for it?

[jaak]

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[jaak]

Wow Jason, the interior looks GREAT!!!

Thanks Cody.

Looks great...How did you get the door panels that were wood grain white? Did you just paint them or did you make a new part for it?

The Door panels were re-covered and came with the car, The guy that did them just covered everything in vinyl ( I guess he just covered over the wood-grain part.

Jason

[devilgear]

Cool, thanks...

[Nacho-RT74]

everything great but CAN I SUGGEST get tyhe headliner more stretched to the sides ? that will give you a headliners without wrinkles

[NYRaider]

Where did you get that dash cap? I'm investigating buying one.
Thanks

[jaak]

Where did you get that dash cap? I'm investigating buying one.
Thanks

Got it here... http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Dash_Pad_Cover/Dodge/Charger

Jason

[Foreman72]

jaak that interior looks awesome...can't wait to chip away @ mine...good luck keeping it clean

what did you end up doing with all the old interior parts? where they too bad to resell and pick up some extra $$

[69*F5*SE]

Wow man, you're really doing a number on that baby aren't you.  She's looking great.   

[jaak]

jaak that interior looks awesome...can't wait to chip away @ mine...good luck keeping it clean

what did you end up doing with all the old interior parts? where they too bad to resell and pick up some extra $$

Those are the old interior parts. They guy I bought the car from had taken the interior to an upholstery shop, had the seats and door panels recovered, and had all the plastic trim dyed. It was done, but he couldn't pick it up yet, due to cash flow. When I bought the car, I went to the upholstery shop, and paid that dude what he was owed and picked up all the interior, I put it in myself because 1.The place was about 120 miles from my house and 2. It saved me some $$$$.

Later

Wow man, you're really doing a number on that baby aren't you.  She's looking great.  

Thanks man.

[Charger-73]

Where did you get that dash cap? I'm investigating buying one.
Thanks

Got it here... http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Dash_Pad_Cover/Dodge/Charger

Jason

Hello,

How big is the dash pad package? Just thinking how much it will cost to ship it outside USA.

Keep up the good work!

Pekka

[FlatbackFanatic]

Good job! Looks great!

[mopar73]

cool ride I only wish mine came with the 4 speed to begin with

[royt440]

What a difference

Thanks for the pics.  That kind of progress gives us all a little more inspiration.

I really liked that apparatus to put pressure on the dash pad

[jaak]

What a difference

Thanks for the pics.  That kind of progress gives us all a little more inspiration.

I really liked that apparatus to put pressure on the dash pad

Thanks alot! about the dash, that apparatus also comes in handy when you gotta "take the browns to the super bowl"! 

Later,
Jason

[Silver R/T]

Nice Charger, doing good on project

[73 charger]

Looks great! 

[jaak]

After having the '73 for a few weeks, the clutch got hard to push in, then got to where it wouldn't shift into any gear. So I had to tear into it to find the problem. Come to find out the clutch disc broke causing a spring to pop out.  I also noticed the driver side motor mount  bracket was missing 2 of its 3 bolts. There is a reason I haven't posted any engine shots of the '73 yet, basically because it looked like shit.... Green paint on engine, black spray bombed compartment, and just real dirty. So I made the decision, to go ahead  and pull the engine, do some cleaning/painting, and fix the clutch. This car is a driver so I wanted to make everything look a little more presentable, and try to stay on a budget. I know this isn't a restoration, but want to make it look better.

Of course you find other problems along the way, found I had a cracked bell housing, so I had to get it welded. My transmission leaked gear oil everywhere, so I bought a seal/gasket set for it.... While breaking it down I found the interlock lever for 3-4 was broke. While cleaning the engine I also replaced leaking valve cover, and oil pan gaskets.

Here are some pics and descriptions.........


Here is the engine and compartment before....like I said, black spray bombed, with a lime green engine... Yuck!




Here is the culprit to all my problems....


Also found my bell housing had a crack in it.



I wound up disassembling the trans for an inspection and replace all gaskets and seals (leaked gear oil everywhere) I found that the 1-2 interlock lever on the backside of the side cover was broke. I had to place and order with Brewer's Performance to get a new one.



Here's a before/ after of the engine paint. I tried something new with this, it was late on a Saturday evening , paint stores closed....I stopped by Tractor Supply and bought a quart of tractor enamel and a half pint of hardener. 9.99 for the paint and 12.99 for the hardener (which is enough to harden 4 quarts). I thought it turned out great. I figured if it was durable enough for tractors and implements should be durable enough for and engine.



Heres a pic of the engine compartment with everything removed, getting ready for paint. And here is a pic of my header, Hi temp exhaust paint is expensive...Someone on the net recommended Krylon's BBQ and Stove paint (up to 1200*) so I thought I would give it a shot...plus its cheap....less than 5 bucks a can!


Here's a pic of the engine bay after I shot it. I used a pre-packaged single stage urethane. I will admit, I should have put more time in the prep work...but it looks a thousand times better than the spraybomb black.


Engine Bay with wiring and parts re-installed.


Engine Re-installed!!!!!


Bellhousing welded


Bellhousing painted


Flywheel resurfaced



Everything Installed and put back together....time for a test drive!!

Before and After Pic.....




Like I said, Its no top quality restoration... but looks a hell of alot better with alittle time and a little money.
I still need to paint the underside of the hood, and the braces that run from the firewall to the fenders, then installed them (will post pics when I do it).

Jason

[mopar73]

Cleaned up really nice   You have been a busy man lately

[Foreman72]

HOLY CRAP what a difference!! that looks awesome

[oldrock]

looking great man! PIcs were very helpful and we will try to do the same with my son's 72 when we get a little further along in his restoration.

[jaak]

Thanks guys.

Next I need to replace the fuel sender.....I ran out of gas yesterday, thats the second time thats happened since I got this car.

Jason

[73 charger]

I changed mine from 5/16 to 3/8 line.  I bought everything from gastanks.com.   I went with the stainless steel stuff....j-bolts straps etc...

[tab73]

Thanks for the post I am just starting on my car and this gets me so excited to get it going!

[jaak]

Thanks for the post I am just starting on my car and this gets me so excited to get it going!

Appreciate it, man! Good luck with your project and keep us updated on it!

Jason

[mikesbbody]

Jason, your Charger has come a long way is such a short time! 

[HDCharger]

Man Jason, she is looking good.  Can't wait to see it in person when I get back home.  Dave

[tan top]

nice work  under the hood    looks great

[tab73]

Hey what did you use to spray the dash with? My interior was some shade of cream white gold lol kind of hard to be sure now. I think I am going to go with the same black dash cap you ordered. Just not sure what to paint the rest with.

[69chargerboy]

Lookin' great! keep it going! 

[Bob]

Man jaak, that is AWESOME. 4 speed 
keep up the good work . It's an inspiration.
Bob

[jaak]

Well finally got time today to get the bottom side of the hood painted.....maybe I can get my Pops or a friend to come by after work tomorrow to help me install/align it.

Jason

[Nitrox]

I hate to come across like an asshole. But, your headliner is so wrinkled. Cant you pull it taut or iron it or something?

[mopar73]

Looks like the paint came out really nice   Keep pluggin along.
Scott

[73 charger]

Looking good!  I have my 73 in the shop now getting soda blasted....doors, trunk, hood, fenders off!  Quarters have some new metal!  Rear window needs the glass guy to remove and repair a leak!  I go to the shop tomorrow and will take pix!

Mike

[jaak]

  Cool! Be sure to post 'em!

Later,
Jason

[BMOTOXSTAR]

Nice man.

[Charger440RDN]

Nice work on the Charger 

[CDN72SE]

Looking good, nice work. 

[Hemidog]

Looks a LOT better! 

Tranny still yellow? 

[jaak]

Looks a LOT better! 

Tranny still yellow? 

Yeah...LOL, I decided not to clean or paint anything underneath, because its a driver. I was discussing this in another post....Its the numbers matching trans, I guess the last person that had it out, thought it would look better yellow 

Jason

[Charger-Bodie]

Looks a gizilion times better!! How does it run?

[jaak]

Looks a gizilion times better!! How does it run?

Thanks Brian, It runs pretty good for a small block in such a big car...I dont know if you seen my post in the engine section, but it was running a little rough, found out the coil was the culprit, after replacing it, it really woke the car up. Its pretty much a stock rebuilt (Before I purchased it) ...but it will burnout pretty good  .



MORE PICS....
My Pops came by after I got off work today to help me re-install the hood. I was dreading it, but we got it on pretty quick with out a hitch....didn't take that much adjusting to get the gaps even.

[jaak]

I hate to come across like an asshole. But, your headliner is so wrinkled. Cant you pull it taut or iron it or something?

Yep, first time + hurry = wrinkles. I have since pulled it a little tighter, and the heat of the summer time has removed alot of the fold wrinkles from where it was in the box. Still not perfect, but good enough for a driver. I plan on taking my time and doing a better job on the '69.
You're welcome to post pics of your headliner.

Jason

[73 charger]

        Fresh photos...fenders line up better!  Soda blast starts soon!  New medal placed...rear window to be pulled to ensure no leaks!  Amazing how fast things are moving along!   

[mopar73]

One piece at a time jaak

[mopar73]

        Fresh photos...fenders line up better!  Soda blast starts soon!  New medal placed...rear window to be pulled to ensure no leaks!  Amazing how fast things are moving along!   

Looks like your doing great work
Scott

[jaak]

        Fresh photos...fenders line up better!  Soda blast starts soon!  New medal placed...rear window to be pulled to ensure no leaks!  Amazing how fast things are moving along!   

Good job!!!

Jason

[73 charger]

Jason,

    You are doing an outstanding job!   This 3rd Gen Charger is a blast!  Paid 4k 6 years ago from the original owner.  Have put over 20k into it!  Amazing how much we spend!!!  i could of lost that much investing...so i am spending my children's/grand kid's  inheritance!!! 

Mike

[jaak]

Oh I almost forgot.... I scored a nice left grille on eBay for 45 bucks, should be here by the end of the week. I have been keeping my eye out for one, most of the when they would show up on ebay, it would be the SE grille, or they  would be priced anywhere from 75-125, so I thought this one was a good deal.

Here is a pic from the eBay ad.

Jason

[jaak]

Not a big update, but I got my grille in I bought off ebay. Installed it today.

Jason

[472 R/T SE]

Years ago I did an engine bay resto.  Like yours it turned out great.  My buddy wanted me to do his but wouldn't pull the motor so I never did it.  If my name was gonna be associated with it I wanted to do it my way.

You're doing a great job.  Nice work. 

[Beer]

Great to see third Gens in Work! LOL now I can get pics of how mine is supposed to be put back together! I will update my progress Monday

[chargd72]

Are you selling the '73??  Photos look familiar.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-Dodge-Charger-Rallye-360-4-Speed-/260816748571?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3cb9e3c01b

[Troy]

Are you selling the '73??  Photos look familiar.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-Dodge-Charger-Rallye-360-4-Speed-/260816748571?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3cb9e3c01b

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,82758.0.html

Troy

[jaak]

Are you selling the '73??  Photos look familiar.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-Dodge-Charger-Rallye-360-4-Speed-/260816748571?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3cb9e3c01b

Yes, I'm giving it a shot. I want to finish up my 69, and maybe look around for another project. If it don't reach the reserve, I'll just keep it.

Jason