Burnt out on my charger project.

[440]

I'm burnt out on my Charger project mainly due the difficulty of obtaining parts/materials to continue working on it here in Australia.

The thing that really kicked off the downward spiral is R/T Specialties. I've bought stuff from Tom in the past without any issues but this last one really took the wind out of my sails. I placed an order before Christmas which never arrived, so I rang up after Cristmas to ask about it. I figured since my card was never charged I'd place an order again. Well, it too never arrived so I ring back to ask about it and he says it's been sent. So I wait and wait and still nothing. I ring up again and am advised it should of been here by then and will re-send it again. It's been a while, still nothing and my card has never been charged so I give up with them.

This issue coupled with my car still not being started in the panel shop, and a few other issues has really put me off it.

I've recently ordered most things I've wanted from R/T Specialties through MegaParts so when they arrive hopefully it will spark some intrest back in the charger.

In saying that anyone know where to get small fiddly things like the ash tray rubber bumpers, correct speed nuts, and blower motor rubber vibration insulators other than R/T Specialties.

[Dino]

Forget about R/T specialties, obviously that's not going to work out.  I'm pretty sure someone here will be able to help you out with the parts you need. 

Get your car out of the shop.  I'm guessing it's a collision shop, they will not touch your car until they run out of insurance claim work, which may never happen.  Find a shop that specializes in restos, not collision.

You'll get out of this frame of mind once things are happening, right now it's just a drain on you.  But don't let it get to you too much, these things happen and it's easy to lose interest and perspective.  It WILL turn around again for the better.

[Ghoste]

And burn out is a common malady, you have to just keep the faith and work through it.  Sometimes a little break from the car doesn't hurt either.

[redmist]

Take smaller chunks of work, and do the fun stuff now. I purchased parts for my engine and built that when I was burnt out working on the car itself. Had a blast!

[440]

I have a pretty big pile of parts here ready to go on the car pending small loose ends that I can't tie up.  I'm not trying to bag R/T specialties but it's extremely dissapointing when they have the market cornered and you cant buy from them.

How long have I been working on the dash/interior Dino? Too long. The heater box has been ongoing for 6 months which is rediculous, it should have been done and installed in the car ages ago.

It's a crash/resto type shop which is fine except he's slowed way down on the resto work. He's done many classics but is starting to steer away from that side of the business.

I find the lack of knowledge, availability, and types of products available here extremely annoying. It took 2 weeks to finally find the 3M adhesive I was after.

[Dino]

I have a pretty big pile of parts here ready to go on the car pending small loose ends that I can't tie up.  I'm not trying to bag R/T specialties but it's extremely dissapointing when they have the market cornered and you cant buy from them.

How long have I been working on the dash/interior Dino? Too long. The heater box has been ongoing for 6 months which is rediculous, it should have been done and installed in the car ages ago.

It's a crash/resto type shop which is fine except he's slowed way down on the resto work. He's done many classics but is starting to steer away from that side of the business.

I find the lack of knowledge, availability, and types of products available here extremely annoying. It took 2 weeks to finally find the 3M adhesive I was after.

I feel your frustration.  When I was in Europe I had the same problems.

I would talk to the shop owner and tell him that you understand what he's trying to do with his business, but it puts you in an akward position and you will have to take the car back.  Either he agrees with that or he moves your car to the top of the list.  I honestly wouldn't count on the latter.

Yeah it's been a long time for those parts and that gets really annoying.  What shape is the car in right now?  What needs to be done to it to make it a driver?  Working on the little things is much more pleasant when you can say screw it and hop in to take a trip and forget about your worries for a while.

[daytona71]

440
Try Metro for small rubber parts.  http://www.metrommp.com
For small rubber parts and foam gaskets try  http://www.detroitmuscletechnologies.com

[Cooter]

I find it funny that a resto project that sits at a bodyshop for 3 years is unacceptable, yet one that sits outside our houses for sometimes as many as 7 years is totally ok...Work through it, as that's how the rest of us get by.

My poor Challenger has been put on back burner for over 3 years now doing my cousin's Camaro and my boy's '66 plymouth. Your money spends just like anybody elses, find another place to buy, and you'll be back in business.

[Dans 68]

Yep, work through it. My '68 had fender bender last year and is still not fixed. I have been way too busy with work and family to even look at it. It will still be there when I get the time and/or energy to attack it again. Small steps will also help in getting the wrenches out. In my case Scott at Harms is rebuilding a carb for it. Once I get that in my hands I will be inspired/motivated/guilted to get it installed, which will start the dominoes falling. Pick your poison....  

Dan

[roger440]

Im in the UK too, and getting parts, especially the right parts is real hard sometimes. You think you have everything covered, try to do the job, find you need something, then wait for weeks for it to turn up! Assuming you can get it.

Guess thats why im at 12 years so far 

But thats restoration if yiou want to do it right.  Its a big undertaking for sure. Next car im buying is done already. My life is too short. alwys sounds expensive, but when i look at what ive spent.................................................

[383_68charger]

Look up national moparts in Beverton Ontario Canada,they know what they are talking about.I don't know about shipping to over there but it won't hurt to check it out.They can get me every rubber gasket ,bumpers,window seals,wiskers everthing from front to back in a kit including plugs ,every thing for around 875$ can.I could find a better price but they know what they are doing and they know witchs seal etc are the better ones some don't fit properly.You get what you pay for lol.

[TUFCAT]

Heck, I've been burned it with improving my car in the past two years.  I'll never sell it though.

[bordin34]

I was burnt out a bit on my Charger so...
I bought this

Then sold the Valiant and bought this

[TUFCAT]

Nice Porsche...was year 944 is that?

[bordin34]

1986, it handles like its on rails. It came from the factory with forged wheels and the sport suspension. Only 150hp but lots of fun.

[440]

Dino - The car is pretty well complete with the exception of the dash/heater box being out, and the tail stripped for a new tail panel and valance.

Daytona71 - There's a few things there I'm after. Thanks.

Roger440 - Your bang on the money..... Or buy a chevy/ford.

383_68Charger - Thanks, I'll give them a try.

[Darkman]

Just convert it into a General Lee........oh wait.........

Maybe you should just try living in the US........oh wait...... 

Seriously though, here's some motivation for ya!





Just think, you're a lot closer to menacing the streets than I am

[440]

Well, concidering it was menacing the streets before I decided to pull the dash out for a quick freshen up, how wrong was I. Should have left it alone. They say take your budget and double it, I'd say more like quadruple it.   

Seeing your pics cheers me up though    although at this rate you'll finish yours first. You're making great progress on yours and I look forward to seeing it come together.

I know once the smaller fiddly things come together progress will start to take shape quite quickly.

[aussiemuscle]

I'm burnt out on my Charger project mainly due the difficulty of obtaining parts/materials to continue working on it here in Australia.

so, what are you selling it for 
i've had an american car and feel your pain. (Pontiac Firebird ftw)

You getting anything shipped, make sure he puts tracking on it. 80% gets through fine, the other 20% goes missing.

[Fred]

I find it funny that a resto project that sits at a bodyshop for 3 years is unacceptable, yet one that sits outside our houses for sometimes as many as 7 years is totally ok...Work through it, as that's how the rest of us get by.

My poor Challenger has been put on back burner for over 3 years now doing my cousin's Camaro and my boy's '66 plymouth. Your money spends just like anybody elses, find another place to buy, and you'll be back in business.

That's because generally when they're sitting away from home you're paying someone to do the work so you want it done.
You want the car back as soon as possible so that it can sit at home instead.   

[Fred]

440
Try Metro for small rubber parts.  http://www.metrommp.com
For small rubber parts and foam gaskets try  http://www.detroitmuscletechnologies.com

I got a lot of my bits and pieces from detroitmuscletechnologies too. Had no problems. Most of what I ordered from USA (whatever  company) always arrived very quickly.

[440]

Detroit Muscle Technologies has been above and beyond excellent, you couldn't find nicer people.

Most companies have been great. I just don't like it when someone keeps leading you on. If you have no intention of sending something tell me so I don't waste my time.

Maybe I should just steal Freds car for a couple of hours.....

[Fred]

Detroit Muscle Technologies has been above and beyond excellent, you couldn't find nicer people.

Most companies have been great. I just don't like it when someone keeps leading you on. If you have no intention of sending something tell me so I don't waste my time.

Maybe I should just steal Freds car for a couple of hours.....

That's very funny. What part of the country are you in................do I need to worry?

[440]

We're heading over to Victoria this weekend   

[bull]

I would be very surprised if you have any trouble with megaparts. Although many of these places are only as good as the businesses that deliver for them. Megaparts has had probably 90% of the stuff I have needed but they can be slow to get back to you once your online  order has been placed so once I make my orders I call the next day to get it going. The reason they can be slow is because they figure exact shipping rather than do an automated charge so your total is figured manually based on your address and then they contact you with the total. It's good and bad doing it that way but I don't mind since it's more hands on and I'm saving on shipping.

[Fred]

We're heading over to Victoria this weekend   

Well you're very welcome to come and look and admire................but don't touch!

[DREDILSKI]

I think what your feeling is contagious. It's starting to warm up outside and I would love to be  or just  (cruising). For the sake of wanting to get the body work done right, I stripped the car down completely. Thinking this was necessary for media blasting the entire car which I was told later the entire car may not need to be blasted. Some how my project transformed into a full resto overnight. Anyway, oh well, knowing that the  car is rust free and solid will make me a lot happier when I'm peeling tires. I'm looking for a shop to do the work right now but the idea that I probably won't have the funds to get the car back on the road for another year or two, probably longer, just sucks  .  I find myself surfing ebay a lot window shopping and find 73's that look ok/good and cost what my bodywork and paint will cost me. It's temping and I have been trying to fool myself into using some of my project dough on something driving now but I'm being patience and hopefully something will be  available when I can.

I've been using the vision in my head of what I want the car to look like to help my keep moving forward. Sound like yours is not as extensive as mine currently is but you'll be back on the road well before me, I'm sure.

[charger Downunder]

I learn't a long time ago you have to learn how to do the work yourself and only buy a car if it needs the work that you feel comfortable doing. Buying parts is another story for international buyers.
This is a must for you to ask before paying.
Do you post to a Po Box and tracking is a must.
Do you have the parts in stock or have to order them in from a third party.
Do you check the condition of parts before posting i don't want you to send me another persons return faulty part thinking you can pass it off to an overseas buyer.
If you stuff up the order at your end and send the wrong parts or faulty parts will you post out the correct parts at no cost to me and not require the wrong parts back unless you are going to pay for the return postage from overseas.
I hate being stuffed around there is nothing worse. mega parts are good to deal with had no problems with them.

[69finder]

There's no major Mopar importer in Aus?  There must be someone who has all that stuff sorted out consider the massive mopar following down under.  If not, I sense an opportunity

If you're bored/burned out, I say take a break.   This is supposed to be fun!  Watch some Charger movies, take a ride in a buddies Charger.  Do the stuff that gets you pumped about Chargers then get back to the car.

I personally just like taking cars that don't run and making them drive.  And welding.  What's your interest in the car??  Find what drove you to the car in the first place and go from there. 

(Ordering parts and waiting for them, NOT fun). 

[Darkman]

There's no major Mopar importer in Aus?  There must be someone who has all that stuff sorted out consider the massive mopar following down under.  If not, I sense an opportunity

There are a couple but they "Charge" the earth.

If you're willing to set something up, then I'll be more than happy to buy from you!

[69finder]

There's no major Mopar importer in Aus?  There must be someone who has all that stuff sorted out consider the massive mopar following down under.  If not, I sense an opportunity

There are a couple but they "Charge" the earth.

If you're willing to set something up, then I'll be more than happy to buy from you!

I have a container headed to Melbourne anytime this (year!)   If you need parts shipped, they can be included.  What do you need for your car?  PM me and we can try to work something out. 

Also, shipping from North America isn't that expensive, the containers are actually pretty cheap.  I think things (car wise) are super marked up in Australia (correct me if I'm wrong!).

[dodgey68]

hey sorry to hear you problem ,
i did rear boot floor d/s floor and some of the rust and paneljobs,,i had my best mate do my panel work,  did it quickly to a point it sat not touched for 7 months,  which i wasnt happy about, but while that was happening i did dash,brakes front end and the other stuff, and when he got back into it, (brilliant panel job) then  i got the car back it didnt take long to put together,
try, moparmarket.com      its an australian mopar site??in case ya didnt know

there is a mopar parts dealer in melbourne, elko performance, he is exspencive, but if he has the parts you need its easier to get them posted in aus, also a bloke in sydney mick  i used  him a few times specially on the heater box seals and weid shit like that,  no issues at all,good bloke, and im in country victoria, if ya need any info or help just ask, also there are a few other members on here doing 68 chargers in aus, i have a some spares/doubled upon heater box  seals things, your welcome to them i have no need for them now, (not till i get another b-body)
dodgey

[Fred]

hey sorry to hear you problem ,
i did rear boot floor d/s floor and some of the rust and paneljobs,,i had my best mate do my panel work,  did it quickly to a point it sat not touched for 7 months,  which i wasnt happy about, but while that was happening i did dash,brakes front end and the other stuff, and when he got back into it, (brilliant panel job) then  i got the car back it didnt take long to put together,
try, moparmarket.com      its an australian mopar site??in case ya didnt know

there is a mopar parts dealer in melbourne, elko performance, he is exspencive, but if he has the parts you need its easier to get them posted in aus, also a bloke in sydney mick  i used  him a few times specially on the heater box seals and weid shit like that,  no issues at all,good bloke, and im in country victoria, if ya need any info or help just ask, also there are a few other members on here doing 68 chargers in aus, i have a some spares/doubled upon heater box  seals things, your welcome to them i have no need for them now, (not till i get another b-body)
dodgey

I've used Mick many times myself. He's great and you don't have to wait long for the parts. I recommend him no worries.
If you haven't already got it, he's phone # is...........0402118469

[440]

I think I've seen a ghost... My order showed up today from R/T Specialties. This was placed before Christmas and I had given up and ordered elsewhere. Unfortunately now I have two of most things I didn't need anymore which isn't the end of the world. I have mixed feelings about this whole deal but thanks for sending my stuff.

[440]

Elko seems to have most things except fasteners. I've bought a few things from them but you have to stay on top of them. They say they'll call you back but never do.

I think I have most parts I need now except for a few screws, bolts etc to tie everything together. I do need the front bumper bracket cross brace if anyone has a spare laying around.

I also need the heater box springs (at least the one that looks like a distributors mechanical advance spring) as the plater lost mine while having my hardware replated.

Other than finishing the heater box and waiting on the body guy the car is pretty much ready to go back together

[Fred]

Elko seems to have most things except fasteners. I've bought a few things from them but you have to stay on top of them. They say they'll call you back but never do.

Been there, done that! 

Good to hear that it's all coming together for you. 

[dodgey68]

hey darkman or 440 i have some spare new parts like a white headlining, headlight vacuum hose kit, and a few others if ya need them and a few others, can send or meet at the midstate mopars if ya want?? make  an offer

[440]

Thanks dodgey, is it the full kit? My vacuum harness is in fair shape but the firewall grommet is pretty trashed. Cash is really tight at the moment as I've been off work for the last three weeks, but send me a pm with what you want for it and I'll see if I can dig up the cash. Thanks.

[472 R/T SE]

Wow, off work for 3 weeks & you're having a car restored?   

Member (gtx6970) Bill Allphin owns A & M Hightech Automotive.  He's fabulous to work with.  If he doesn't have what you need, he knows someone who may.  I know he buys a lot from R/T Specialties as well.


I think if I were overseas & had so many problems getting big stuff, it'd be wise to coordinate with several like minded mates & stuff a container.   

[440]

I can attest to Bill being excellent. I ordered everything to rebuild my steering column from him, his knowledge and parts quality is second to none.

Yeah, being off work for 3 weeks makes things hard as the charger is constantly demanding money. In the long run though over the past year it's not really that long.

Luckily I don't need any big items, tracking down the tiny items to finish everything off like bolts, screws etc is turning out to be the real pain though.

I'm starting to get excited about working on the car again. I've gone through and organized parts/hardware and made a list of what I still need, which isn't very much.

[six-tee-nine]

I think if I were overseas & had so many problems getting big stuff, it'd be wise to coordinate with several like minded mates & stuff a container.   

Thats absoluteley true, otherwise it is totally not affordable to restore a car over here...... most important thing about stuffing that container is to let the invoices dissapear so the guys at customs have no clue how much money they have in front of them when they open it up and have to estimate the import tax fees....

About the burnout thing, I bought my Charger in '06. Sadly I had no shop to put it in and get working on it until last fall. However I guess it will take a while to get this car restored simply because it demands some serious coin if you want it done perfect (damn Hemi dream).....
I bought a second project (off roader) that I can wrench on and enjoy driving meanwhile...

[Fred]

I think if I were overseas & had so many problems getting big stuff, it'd be wise to coordinate with several like minded mates & stuff a container.   

Thats absoluteley true, otherwise it is totally not affordable to restore a car over here...... most important thing about stuffing that container is to let the invoices dissapear so the guys at customs have no clue how much money they have in front of them when they open it up and have to estimate the import tax fees....

About the burnout thing, I bought my Charger in '06. Sadly I had no shop to put it in and get working on it until last fall. However I guess it will take a while to get this car restored simply because it demands some serious coin if you want it done perfect (damn Hemi dream).....
I bought a second project (off roader) that I can wrench on and enjoy driving meanwhile...

And it has to be done perfect...........don't compromise or you'll never be truely happy. 

[472 R/T SE]

Luckily I don't need any big items, tracking down the tiny items to finish everything off like bolts, screws etc is turning out to be the real pain though.

I can't physically go to the junkyards anymore so that's a real bummer.  So as I browse ebay auctions I'll look for people who have parted out '68-'71 stuff & ask them if they'd send me all the bolts that they didn't know went to.

I have this bolt book that makes distinguishing them all that much easier.
http://www.mmcdetroit.com/Market_Place/

[Bob T]

Hey 440, I've got a new 2 year old unused Dave Patik 68 R/T stripe in White if you're interested, still in the box, I accidentally ordered 2 when I placed the order for my old Charger.
This car is a stripe delete so its not going to be needed, I can dig out the reciept and knock some off if you want it

[440]

Hey Bob, thanks for the offer but I'm not going with a tail stripe.

Well things have really turned around and something lit a fire under my butt. I got some good news finally from the body shop that my car will be worked on soon. Things have slowed down slightly and the car that was preventing him from tackling mine is being pulled out till later in the year.

I finally picked up and finished restoring the heater box tubes which was preventing me from finishing the heater box. Now I can finish putting it together. I also tore into my steering column and getting it ready for paint, so with a bit of luck the dash frame and column should be painted in a few weeks. Same with the tail light housing, which I'll finally be able to put the tail light assemblies back together.

I cut off a home made bracket that was welded to the battery tray and you'd never know it was there. I also finally reinstalled the alternator which was sitting in my garage for a year.

I pulled out the bulkhead connector, wire harness  and removed everything from the firewall to prep it for rust prevention and paint.

Once all that's done it's just a matter of assembling the car, then vrooooom.  

Due to the effort I've gone through so far I really wanted to replace the wiper motor with a restored unit from Kim while the dash was out, but I'm finding it hard to justify $350 to replace mine.

[charger Downunder]

Putting it all back together is the fun part and turning the key well you will find out what that's like.