72 Charger - Long Awaited Update...

[72Charger-SE]

'71 Quarter panel on a '72 ?  

Are you planning on changing the front marker lights to match?

I am blocking out the marker lights on all corners. Also, I was only able to get a 71 quarter from AMD.  I waited six plus months as they had to run a mold when demand was high enough. A 72 quarter I would probably still be waiting for.

[72Charger-SE]

Good to see you back on it!  Make sure to melt that lead off the roof skin at the seam point or you will have a beggar of a time welding the seam.   

Thanks for the heads up.  Just use a torch and melt it off??  I am not sure of the best way to remove the lead. 

[Daytona R/T SE]

'71 Quarter panel on a '72 ?  

Are you planning on changing the front marker lights to match?

I am blocking out the market lights on all corners. Also, I was only able to get a 71 quarter from AMD.  I waited six plus months as they had to run a mold when demand was high enough. A 72 quarter I would probably still be waiting for.

[71_Charger_R/T]

Good to see you back on it!  Make sure to melt that lead off the roof skin at the seam point or you will have a beggar of a time welding the seam.   

Thanks for the heads up.  Just use a torch and melt it off??  I am not sure of the best way to remove the lead. 

Yes, A propane torch is sufficient (you don't want excessive heat that will warp things) along with a wire brush to whisk away the lead while its hot.

[72Charger-SE]

I didn't like the look of the shift selector on top of the column so I cut it off with a band saw, ground it down, sanded it and used filler to finish up the column.  I decided to keep the 'column shifter mounting bracket' to eventually mount my tach.  I like the new look and paint color (it was green as you can see in the photo).  I keep thinking I should 'move faster' on my car but I really enjoy the detail work such as this.  Sadly the detail work took me several days to complete.  The steering wheel is painted black and once I get a new 'blinker' arm with cruise control I will mount is and complete this item on the car.

[72Charger-SE]

Out with the old radiator and in with the new aluminum four core.

[ACUDANUT]

Looking good   

[72Charger-SE]

Just under four years ago the motor project was started.  Today the circle was completed and the 440 is back home again.  Praise the LORD!

[72Charger-SE]

Motor is in...   Trans all bolted up and every lined up perfectly.   I do have a small issue with header clearance along the steering column box.  Might need to 'dent' the headers to clear all around.  We shall see...

[Charger-Bodie]

That's a milestone!

[charger chris]

Nice   

[ACUDANUT]

'71 Quarter panel on a '72 ?  

Are you planning on changing the front marker lights to match?

I am blocking out the marker lights on all corners. Also, I was only able to get a 71 quarter from AMD.  I waited six plus months as they had to run a mold when demand was high enough. A 72 quarter I would probably still be waiting for.

I am blocking out the marker lights on all corners Is that legal in Iowa ?

[72Charger-SE]

Hopefully not an issue...   

'71 Quarter panel on a '72 ?  

Are you planning on changing the front marker lights to match?

I am blocking out the marker lights on all corners. Also, I was only able to get a 71 quarter from AMD.  I waited six plus months as they had to run a mold when demand was high enough. A 72 quarter I would probably still be waiting for.

I am blocking out the marker lights on all corners Is that legal in Iowa ?

[72Charger-SE]

Over the past several days I was able to spend a few hours in the garage working on the Charger.

I installed the Firecore distributor, plugs, plug wires, Edelbrock 750 Carb (no linkage yet), new alternator, cleaned and repainted power steering pump, added more exhaust posts for the headers to properly seat and seal, installed the new front to back 3/8" fuel line and 1/4" return line, and ordered the mini starter to be installed later this week.  Overall it was a good week for Charger progress..

I also learned that a water pump pulley for AC and non-AC cars is different.     Always good to learn new things...

Thanks & GOD Bless!

[Charger-Bodie]

 

[72Charger-SE]

All, it's been a long time since I updated...   Here is a brief synopsis of what has happened over the past several years...

First, my wife and I sold everything we owned back in 2019 and moved into our Motorhome for her health reasons.  Yes, this included selling the Charger, all parts, and all my tools.
Fast forward to 2020 and we have moved to Georgia with a job change, healthier wife (Praise the LORD) purchased a new home and dealt with Covid-19 quarantine, like the rest of you.
In 2021, we have been through a difficult personal battle with Covid-19 and are currently recovering.

Now, the real reason I am posting here... I am buying my Charger back!    :2thumbs:Stay tuned for more updates around June/July.  

Here are a couple photos of it the last time I saw it...  April 13, 2019...

[ACUDANUT]

 Isn't life just a ball of fun. Welcome back.

[AKcharger]

Good news!

[CDN72SE]

Getting the Charger back will just be a bonus as far as your health and well-being is concerned.

I will be watching. 

[72Charger-SE]

Oh..   this is funny...   

For those of you that know Brian Bodensteiner, he was my High School classmate so we go way back.  He asked me question on March 1, 2011...  Ten years ago today...   

I only missed it by at least five, probably six years.   LOL

[70 sublime]

Did the other owner do anything to the car when they had it or is it going to look the same as when you sold it ?

[72Charger-SE]

Did the other owner do anything to the car when they had it or is it going to look the same as when you sold it ?

Good question...  As of today the car is in the same condition it was back in 2019 with the two exceptions the wiring is complete and the motor is running.  

You may or may not recall but I built a rotisserie many years back and offered it up for rent to restorers.  I ended up bartering my rotisserie several years ago to a Mopar enthusiast who restores a couple cars each year for the finish body work, paint, and interior work on the car.  The LORD worked it out that the same person whom I bartered the rotisserie to also bought my Charger and all extra parts back in 2019.  The original agreement was for him to complete all body work, paint, and interior and I would finish up the car from that point.  He and I have been talking and since I sold all of my tools, don't have my garage to work on the car, and really have no easy way to complete the car he is going to finish it so I can drive it back to Georgia from Iowa.  As with anything there will probably be small details left to finish up but he is going to make it road worthy and able to drive 1000 miles.   To summarize I simply don't have the tools nor the space to work on the car here in Georgia and he is blessing me by completing the car.  I truly am humbled & so grateful that he is willing to do the work and allow me buy the car back finished.   That's the plan as of today...  

[72Charger-SE]

So.... It has been a few years and I finally was able to put my hands on the car and wrench on it for a day, while back home in Iowa for Thanksgiving. 

The wiring, originally thought to be complete, and the engine, originally thought to br running, were not accurate in 2021....

Yesterday I helped finish up a few wiring items and installed the water temp & oil pressure gauges.

I was excited to pull the light knob & have the lights work and dash light up without blowing fuses.

We were ready to fire the engine for the first time when we noticed there was no gasket between the block and the water pump housing.

So, with all fluids in, except fuel, we turned over the motor for the first time in 13 years with the ignition key. 

It was great to see and as much as could be done since the gasket was missing. 

Gasket is ordered but I have to head back home to Georgia so Mike will hopefully get the gasket tomorrow & be able to fire it up! 

For those of you, like me, almost 15 years in the restoration, keep the faith & celebrate the little victories.  👍

[Charger-Bodie]

 

[72Charger-SE]

So... Here are some photos from working on the car:

First Photo:  mounted temporary oil pressure & temp gauges, confirmed as working.  Not sure we want to trust the factory gauges when firing up the engine the first time, although I do believe they work. We shall see.

Second Photo:  For those who have rewired a classic car, the amount of wires you start with could easily wrap around the car 10X.  As you can see we are down to a few wires, dimmer switch being one of them, that are not yet installed.  The door & rear wiring harnesses need to be ran & installed.  Darn close!

Third Photo:  Happy Chad (wrenching on the Charger for the first time since 2019).

Fourth Photo:  Hooked up the battery (no sparks) & turned on the headlights & dash lights.  The hi/low switch worked & the dimmer for the dash lights work as well. 

UPDATE:  I am making a bonzai trip back to work on the Charger for the week of Christmas.  The goals are: completing the wiring, getting the car running & moving with the transmission & stopping with the brakes.   Once this is done, delivering it to the guy for the finish body work, paint & final assembly.