Black 500 red stripe-int to repaint or not

[XS29LA47V21]

Of all of the 500's I have seen I can count on both my hands the ones that are still wearing their original paint. My vote goes for leaving the car the way it is now and enjoying it. Get it road worthy but leave the exterior alone. I would rather look at the car the way it is than once it is restored but I think I'm an odd ball.

I've probably seen about 150 500's over the years and I can only think of 9 that were still in their original paint when I saw them. Well that I know were still in their original paint. Others there are a few questions about.

In 20+ yrs of looking for 500s, I can only recall 3, if you include mine which has some repaint and a red one in a state NE of me (guy on this site).  Cool, I will stand down my wondering thoughts and remain focused  So, any chance you are going to El Darodo next wk, if so I would like to visit while we are there

[69_500]

Sorry to say but I will not be at El Dorado next week. Its a bit too far to go at the moment being that we are in Indiana. JR's car is a very nice one for original paint I'll say that. I have seen more HEMI 500's that are in their original paint than 440 powered cars though. I did see a very nice 500 SE that was unrestored a few years back but that car is no undergoing a restoration. Which in my opinion it did not need.

[XS29LA47V21]

 
Recently pulled these off my 500, never really in the past cared that much about certain small details like exhaust regarding originality that much anyway (with the exception of factory tips & H-pipe).  In this case I do care a little more and interested in if anyone knows if the front half of this exhaust is "factory original".  The manifold collectors are welded on and appear nice quality compared to the glass packs clearly added later in the cars life with very sloppy welds. 

Also, what do think is a better exhaust for this car?
Option A - get my local muffler shop do a nice job which they are capable of using my old pcs?
Option B - order some repro "factory correct 69 exhaust" from someone and if so who's are the best for original cars to order?

After additional inspection the motor was in no condition to be driven and is out of the car on the way to machine shop & trans has been rebuilt and with the help of a friend I am hoping to make a show or two with it later in the summer.

[moparstuart]

Recently pulled these off my 500, never really in the past cared that much about certain small details like exhaust regarding originality that much anyway (with the exception of factory tips & H-pipe).  In this case I do care a little more and interested in if anyone knows if the front half of this exhaust is "factory original".  The manifold collectors are welded on and appear nice quality compared to the glass packs clearly added later in the cars life with very sloppy welds.  

Also, what do think is a better exhaust for this car?
Option A - get my local muffler shop do a nice job which they are capable of using my old pcs?
Option B - order some repro "factory correct 69 exhaust" from someone and if so who's are the best for original cars to order?

After additional inspection the motor was in no condition to be driven and is out of the car on the way to machine shop & trans has been rebuilt and with the help of a friend I am hoping to make a show or two with it later in the summer.

hopefully , charger fever or ottawa       sorry to hear about your drive train 

[pettybird]

the stuff from accurate exhaust fits pretty well.

Gardner Exhaust has the nicest stuff for the highest price...

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I am running Accurate LTD's exhaust...H-pipe & tails fit perfectly

[XS29LA47V21]

  hopefully , charger fever or ottawa       sorry to hear about your drive train 
[/quote]

That is the side goal to chase a show or two with it this summer or fall.  Regarding the drive line, no worries man - way predicable to me, the car was never "driving" in the 25yrs of previous owner and likely most of the 10 before that it seems to me, 1970s inspection sticker & tag and my previous midlife cynical experience seeing the add/photos, I gave the motor a <10% chance of when I got it home I could do a all soft parts, old carb and external etc details and actually have a reliable motor/trans to drive, I figured it would need some money thrown it's way for sure.

So does it look like an original stick of exhaust pipe to anyone?

[65post]

i got confused (again, i know i know), the link is for a 4spd car being sold but the pics end up being of an automatic car, and i'm guessing that you actually bought it at the end of the auctioin???

Couple of those topics bounce some on black 500s, the one I bought was this one out of FLA, Factory Blk, red int, red stripe, 440 auto and stack of options.  I was appearant low bidder as they say.

Love the hub caps on this car.The red centers just pop on a black car.Don`t see them to often on a aero car.

[RallyeMike]

I didnt think welded flanges were stock? It's been a long time since I've seen stock pipes though....

**EDIT** Crawled under mine and they awfully similar.

[XS29LA47V21]

 

Progress has been slow and steady sorta.  With the help of a friend, couple friends actually... it looks like we will be putting the motor-trans back in the car after being rebuilt, likely this wkend.  I could not get myself to completely put 40yr old crusty... not cleaned up parts back in the hole, so there is a blend of painted and old.  At the moment is still feels cumbersome, but after a yr or two of driving I hope that will tone down and not be as noticeable.

Any noticeable eye popping mistakes you guys see on the motor?  Mr. Bur big beard seems to have a good eye..

See anything worthy?

[hemi68charger]

If you haven't done so already or plan to:

1. install starter
2. install steering gear box
3. get spark plug wire brackets to front of exhaust manifold
4. put the heater hose nipples in water pump housing
5. Thermostat with cover and spark plug wire support bracket

[pettybird]

A couple dumb detail things--get an Accel distributor cap (your parts store should have or easily get one) as it's tan and good looking.  Also paint your alternator pulley black. 

Or, disregard that and have fun driving the car 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

69 440 should have dipstick & tube outside exh manifolds

[hemi68charger]

69 440 should have dipstick & tube outside exh manifolds

Good eye Chris !!!  

Also, to be as close to an original looking power plant, swap out the bottom outer valve cover fasteners for the correct stud/nut combination. It would be something I would see all the time. You don't even have to remove the cover.. I would just remove the fasteners ( again, the bottom end ones ), maybe paint the stud with a light orange and then install the nut, again softly spraying it with orange paint to make it look like it was always there......

You can see in this picture the stub/nut combination on the forward-most bottom valve cover position.

[johntpr]

Dipstick handle should be black

[Ghoste]

Purely black or black with overspray?

[Bug shield C500]

I would love to see that car at a show as it looks today. All the dings and dents tell a story. Make the interior comfortable to drive and redoing the engine and transmission makes it safe to drive. Leaving the body the way it is makes it a great show piece and something interesting to look at.  Gets the car back out there sooner. 
Unfortunately I am one to talk. bugshield has been sitting in my garage for the last 5 years and I am just now starting to work on her. 

[XS29LA47V21]

69 440 should have dipstick & tube outside exh manifolds

Thanks Chris.  That was hard to swallow there, as there are so many cars with it between the exhaust man and heads.  From most others I would not agreed (I have not moved it yet), but did starting thinking of my HS car which I think was on the outside now that you mention it. 

Dip stick color, I thought, although most seem to be orange when you sure around on the net, I thought they were bare, with tube black.  The existing had remains of black tube but the handle itself was ...rust.

Again with a friends help, went in yesterday, this was the first time I have came in from the bottom side   with the proper equipment (which I have) that was unbelievably easy, I bet from lifting car to motor-trans bolted in and back on jack stands was likely not more than 15 min.  Which made it quite nice working on the motor trans before that nearly complete on a pallet jack and rolling chair.

I did ...off and on struggle with how much to clean up and paint and such, some hard lines to draw. Had several friend promote restoring the engine compartment which I felt that continues that path of restoration Pandora box and so I did not go that route.  However I did for nice driving.. nearly everything suspension wise is new or blasted-coated (man that bendix disc stuff is expensive).

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

69 440 should have dipstick & tube outside exh manifolds

Thanks Chris.  That was hard to swallow there, as there are so many cars with it between the exhaust man and heads.  From most others I would not agreed (I have not moved it yet), but did starting thinking of my HS car which I think was on the outside now that you mention it.  

Dip stick color, I thought, although most seem to be orange when you sure around on the net, I thought they were bare, with tube black.  The existing had remains of black tube but the handle itself was ...rust.

Again with a friends help, went in yesterday, this was the first time I have came in from the bottom side  with the proper equipment (which I have) that was unbelievably easy, I bet from lifting car to motor-trans bolted in and back on jack stands was likely not more than 15 min.  Which made it quite nice working on the motor trans before that nearly complete on a pallet jack and rolling chair.

I did ...off and on struggle with how much to clean up and paint and such, some hard lines to draw. Had several friend promote restoring the engine compartment which I felt that continues that path of restoration Pandora box and so I did not go that route.  However I did for nice driving.. nearly everything suspension wise is new or blasted-coated (man that bendix disc stuff is expensive).

If you look at the pic that was posted in this thread about the eBay auction back in 2011, you'll see that the tube was outside the manifold.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,77912.0.html

Also the tube is natural.....the dipstick itself should be black as Johntpr already said    usually a light fogging of color hence the rust apparent on the original

[tan top]

 

[XS29LA47V21]

69 440 should have dipstick & tube outside exh manifolds

Thanks Chris.  That was hard to swallow there, as there are so many cars with it between the exhaust man and heads.  From most others I would not agreed (I have not moved it yet), but did starting thinking of my HS car which I think was on the outside now that you mention it.  

Dip stick color, I thought, although most seem to be orange when you sure around on the net, I thought they were bare, with tube black.  The existing had remains of black tube but the handle itself was ...rust.

Again with a friends help, went in yesterday, this was the first time I have came in from the bottom side  with the proper equipment (which I have) that was unbelievably easy, I bet from lifting car to motor-trans bolted in and back on jack stands was likely not more than 15 min.  Which made it quite nice working on the motor trans before that nearly complete on a pallet jack and rolling chair.

I did ...off and on struggle with how much to clean up and paint and such, some hard lines to draw. Had several friend promote restoring the engine compartment which I felt that continues that path of restoration Pandora box and so I did not go that route.  However I did for nice driving.. nearly everything suspension wise is new or blasted-coated (man that bendix disc stuff is expensive).

If you look at the pic that was posted in this thread about the eBay auction back in 2011, you'll see that the tube was outside the manifold.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,77912.0.html

Also the tube is natural.....the dipstick itself should be black as Johntpr already said   usually a light fogging of color hence the rust apparent on the original

  hey that looks like my engine compartment.... Cool thanks.

I chose to just blast and leave bare the exhaust manifolds.  What about the AC compressor any ref to where to have them rebuilt &/or can they be converted?

[XS29LA47V21]

Well finally moving and stopping under it's own power,  first time I assume based on inspection sticker and tag .....1978...

Made a mopar show, dat was fun, not many short deck lid 69 Chargers out there...   Made successful 40 mile loop with no (added) issues.  Plenty of details to chase, including the dreaded PW, cruz & AC (to me).  Not sure how long I will run the old "Ansen Sprints" which was amazing I found the inserts for them thanks to a member here (another thread, thanks again) but I like the old look for this car and the time being. 

[Ghoste]

Thats all good news.  I love that photo you just added of it, great background choice.

[tan top]

  good to hear     , love the  look with slot mags 

[69_500]

Glad to hear you got it up and running. Very glad that you have not stripped the car down and restored it. I enjoy seeing them like this so much more.