'69 Charger 500 update: Wipers.. 09 Mar

[hemi68charger]

Hey gang (more so C500 owners)...
I'm looking for some close up of the pictures I've posted here. I'm fitting the original C500 headlamp bucket onto the front. The front fenders were replaced by unmodified fenders, so I have to drill the holes that hold the headlamp pod on. I guess I need to know if the outside top triangular headlamp bucket portion needs to be lowered or if it is good where it is. Various angles along with straight ahead would be most appreciative... I have various picture from my Dana-days and seen thread here, but nothing has exactly what I'm looking for.........

Also, being that this piece is NOS, I'm assuming the hole drilled on the top mounting tab is correct. But, you can assume all the time (you know what they say)...  Anyways, anyone have pictures of their original headlamp bucket upper mounting tab and the hole?

Pictures of a latch tray would be nice too.. I'm trying to make sure I drill the 4 holes on top correctly and only once..... These are the 4 holes drilled to accommodate the C500 grille upper brackets.

Cheers,

[Highbanked Hauler]

Wheeeehooo without taking the headlight door off I think the top of the "bucket" is touching the welded edge of the fender. Like a 1/4 in. higher than you are right now. I am sure somebody else will have a better answer.

[hemi68charger]

Also, can someone give me the dimensions and hole placement of the one half way up the support bracket. I'm going to have to fabricate one since it isn't reproduced.. Also, anyone know where these plastic spacers can be found?

[C500]

My car is nowhere near me now, so can't get any shots sorry. A couple of pics here though http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,40377.60.html

I saw those spacers a while back. Might have been R/T specialties. Will post the link when I find it.

[C500]

http://rtspecialties.net/proddetail.asp?prod=0693299 

[hemi68charger]

My car is nowhere near me now, so can't get any shots sorry. A couple of pics here though http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,40377.60.html

I saw those spacers a while back. Might have been R/T specialties. Will post the link when I find it.

http://rtspecialties.net/proddetail.asp?prod=0693299 

Very nice.. Thanks... Thanks for the links to R/T and the spacers... That's just perfect... Now, next mission, part-wise, is to find the driver's side headlamp pod... Or, make one from a '68 Coronet fender..

[xs29j8Bullitt]

These pics help any?  Will upload more later...

http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/xs29j8/troyref/

[cdr]

hey troy i know you probably know this but before you drill holes, those fenders need to be shimmed & aligned ,

[XS29LA47V21]

 

by the way XX29Jbull..  I find your photo bucket of your blue car interesting in that the radiator support is not blacked out, was that painted at one time or original that way?

[moparstuart]

by the way XX29Jbull..  I find your photo bucket of your blue car interesting in that the radiator support is not blacked out, was that painted at one time or original that way?

   darker color maybe didnt need it   

[hemi68charger]

by the way XX29Jbull..  I find your photo bucket of your blue car interesting in that the radiator support is not blacked out, was that painted at one time or original that way?

   darker color maybe didnt need it   

I would suspect the car, in it's nearlly 44 years of existence was painted at one time and no particular attention was paid towards core support detail.

[hemi68charger]

by the way XX29Jbull..  I find your photo bucket of your blue car interesting in that the radiator support is not blacked out, was that painted at one time or original that way?

J,
Is there a way you can take the measurements of the height and width of the vertical support for the C500 headlamp pod/bucket?

Also, can any of you, J or Stu, take the measurements of the special holes on the top grille header which are the attach points of the upper grille support brackets? I'd appreciate it...... I'll figure out the bottom after the tops are in position....

Thanks in advance..
Troy

[hemi68charger]

Thanks guys.... OK,, I marked with white the possible position of the holes for the upper-outer grille brackets... Do these look correct or should they be positioned slightly forward (more centered to the oval holes)?

[69_500]

Troy how soon do you need the pics? I think I have some shots of these but not at the house right now

[hemi68charger]

Troy how soon do you need the pics? I think I have some shots of these but not at the house right now

No biggie at the moment.... I would tinker with it with the best appropriate shot/measurement. It will be a good starting point and then I can work from that... I appreciate it......

[moparstuart]

by the way XX29Jbull..  I find your photo bucket of your blue car interesting in that the radiator support is not blacked out, was that painted at one time or original that way?

   darker color maybe didnt need it   

I would suspect the car, in it's nearlly 44 years of existence was painted at one time and no particular attention was paid towards core support detail.

hasnt allen owned it since the early 80's though ?

hasnt allen owned it since the early 80's though ?   

[hemi68charger]

by the way XX29Jbull..  I find your photo bucket of your blue car interesting in that the radiator support is not blacked out, was that painted at one time or original that way?

   darker color maybe didnt need it   

I would suspect the car, in it's nearlly 44 years of existence was painted at one time and no particular attention was paid towards core support detail.

hasnt allen owned it since the early 80's though ?

hasnt allen owned it since the early 80's though ?   

Probably.. But there were plenty of cars repainted by then.... I'm not saying his wasn't painted, I just highly doubt it..

[hemi68charger]

These pics help any?  Will upload more later...

http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/xs29j8/troyref/

Thanks Allen.... 

[XS29LA47V21]

My B5 (RT) has the black out, which I have always thought that B5 would have the black out.  The F8 500 has the black out also as I recall.  Just thought it was interesting to note.


Hope these help.

[hemi68charger]

hey troy i know you probably know this but before you drill holes, those fenders need to be shimmed & aligned ,

hey Charles... Everything seems to be lined up.. Maybe one day you can swing by and put your body-eyes to work..... 

[richRTSE]

my 500 is in storage, but these picts are of the one going in my clone...I used the original one to layout all these holes, so I'd say there all within about 1/16" of where they were on my original...and the left and right sides are not equally spaced...

[richRTSE]

a few more...

[richRTSE]

support bracket...just a hair under 9-1/2" tall...

[hemi68charger]

Wonderful !!!!!     That will help tremendously....    Being that I have to be the "Daddy" Saturday for my daughter's big birthday party with all the little ones and Jacob's end-of-elementary-school celebration, the drilling will have to wait until Sunday...... But, then again, I have three more evenings before Sat. morning.... 

[cdr]

hey troy i know you probably know this but before you drill holes, those fenders need to be shimmed & aligned ,

hey Charles... Everything seems to be lined up.. Maybe one day you can swing by and put your body-eyes to work..... 

yep would enjoy coming by ,things have been crazy around here,mother in law lives with us & she is 73 & got real sick,has created extra work for me and wife,as for me had to take off work for a time,going to the gym trying to get feeling better,have gottin some done on charger but not where i wanted to be with it,this MS is kickin my a$$,but i am still pushing

[xs29j8Bullitt]

by the way XX29Jbull.. 

by the way XX29Jbull..  I find your photo bucket of your blue car interesting in that the radiator support is not blacked out, was that painted at one time or original that way?

   darker color maybe didnt need it   

I would suspect the car, in it's nearlly 44 years of existence was painted at one time and no particular attention was paid towards core support detail.

hasnt allen owned it since the early 80's though ?

hasnt allen owned it since the early 80's though ?   

Probably.. But there were plenty of cars repainted by then.... I'm not saying his wasn't painted, I just highly doubt it..

The 2nd previous owner removed the front end sheetmetal and repainted the engine bay and radiator core support in about 1982.  I purchased the car in August of 1986... pics below taken during dis-assembly (note lack of battery tray attachment holes).

[XS29LA47V21]

      some of us have certain details that just poke us in the eye, that is one of mine.


...other details go right past me and don't care that much.... )

[hemi68charger]

...
The 2nd previous owner removed the front end sheetmetal and repainted the engine bay and radiator core support in about 1982.  I purchased the car in August of 1986... pics below taken during dis-assembly (note lack of battery tray attachment holes).

   31 years of messing with these cars pays off ........

[hemi68charger]

Anyone have the measurement, or can take one, of the gap between the leading edge of the griller header and the top of the grille?     Looking to make sure my spacing of the grille is correct....

[69_500]

Troy, still looking through pictures for a measurement. If I do not find one, I'll pull the front of my grill off and take pictures for you.

[cdr]

i sent some pics on your email

[hemi68charger]

Troy, still looking through pictures for a measurement. If I do not find one, I'll pull the front of my grill off and take pictures for you.

Per my email reply to you from your pictures, I think a good reference dimension to start with would be that gap between the header and top of grille. It looks like 3/4 of an inch.....  

The grille's coming together. Everything's loose for it's not a perfect fit thus far. I have one bracket that's being a pill, but Mike's going to get me another one.. ( Thanks Mike   ).

The NOS headlamp bezel looks good in there. I have one question though, the placement of the hole in the top portion of the support bracket. I have placed a picture here.

Ok, I hope I haven't made anyone totally confused with this..

[moparstuart]

 

[hemi68charger]

It is sort of cool... The very car that Mike G. used to create his reproduction '69 Charger 500 grille attach kit ( 8 brackets and fender fillers ) is this very C500. The original front clip was sold when a later owner wanted to convert to a Daytona......

[hemi68charger]

Getting closer.. Now I just need to make the inboard support brackets and find a driver's side headlamp bucket or a '68 Coronet headlamp bucket out of a junked fender...

[hemi68charger]

Hey gang...
OK.. Something else.. My lucky day.. Went to find one of my extra nice headlamp bezels I have for the 500 and discovered the plastic spacers taped to it !!!! Wow..

Now, I know there are two I think that have extenders on them and one that's shaved down?

Here's what I have........

[hemi68charger]

 

Any measurements from original spacers? Two were extended, one shortened and I believe one is unmodified length?

[hemi68charger]

Update..
I went ahead and just modified the spacers since I didn't get any measurements. I think it came out pretty good. There was a lot of putting on, checking it out, taking off and tweeking here and there... But, ultimately, the passenger side is installed using all OEM parts and looks great and is rock solid. I even got the headlamps working on the passenger side. One step closer to making her road-worthy. I did get a reply looking for a passenger side '68 Coronet headlamp bucket. I'll take that and reproduce the special attach brackets from the NOS passenger headlamp bucket so I can install. Sooo, the grille's almost done..

[panhead]

looks like its comming along real good!!!

Curt   

[moparstuart]

Update..
I went ahead and just modified the spacers since I didn't get any measurements. I think it came out pretty good. There was a lot of putting on, checking it out, taking off and tweeking here and there... But, ultimately, the passenger side is installed using all OEM parts and looks great and is rock solid. I even got the headlamps working on the passenger side. One step closer to making her road-worthy. I did get a reply looking for a passenger side '68 Coronet headlamp bucket. I'll take that and reproduce the special attach brackets from the NOS passenger headlamp bucket so I can install. Sooo, the grille's almost done..

[hemi68charger]

Now I'm working on a "clone" mirror image of the NOS headlamp bucket for the passenger side. I was able to acquire a '68 Coronet headlamp bucket cut out of a fender. It is exactly what I was looking for. I have cut away most of the unusable metal from the '68 Coronet bucket using the original piece as a template. Today also duplicated the inner attach bracket by placing tape over the original and outlining it. I place the tape on a piece of spare sheetmetal and cut away... Came out pretty good if I say so.. I wish I had a pinch welder for I would have done that. But, I just went ahead and fastened it with sheetmetal screws for now.. It'll work and is hidden...

1. right is original C500 headlamp bucket
2. you can see the bracket I'm duplicating
3. taping her up
4. bracket fastened.

I'll eventually paint the complete unit gray like the original

[hemi68charger]

Got an early present today; new fuel lines for the 500.   

[hemi68charger]

Old and new..... Probably put them in when I get off work next...  One step closer to road-worthy independence..

[hemi68charger]

Well, I think I have the brakes straightened out..

Things I've done:
All new brake lines (OEM from Finelines)
disassembled safety and proporationing valve and cleaned.
rebuilt both rear wheel cylinders, new drum hardware
rebuilt both front 4-pistion calipers with new pads (thanks Doug)
new master cylinder - booster seems to be fine.

-I had my son help me bleed the brakes.. Nice that he's tall enough now to reach the pedals.. 

-Everything seemed fine. Car is on jacks. Put rear wheels/tires back on and tested it.. Didn't have the booster connected (something I quickly learned needed to be done for power brakes)

-after connecting booster to intake vacuum source, rear wheels stop very nice while in drive spinning... Good news.. 

- now I'll reconnect the driver's tie-rod to the pitman arm and reinstall front wheels/tires.. Lower her and try backing her out into the driveway and try multiple back and forth stopping...

[cdr]

very good,now you can bring it to my house

[hemi68charger]

very good,now you can bring it to my house

Thanks to you confirming my gut prior to your phone call.. Had lunch, with the battery charger on, came back out, hooked up the hose to vacuum nipple on the back of the intake, fired up on the first crank, put in gear, rear wheels starting turning as they should and viola !!!! they stopped with an effortless push of the brake pedal.. Once I get the floor pan fixed, she'll be basically road-worthy.. (I'll have to see how healthy that front suspension is though)...........

I'll take a video tomorrow.. Pictures won't tell the whole story...

[cdr]

do you need help on the floor pan

[hemi68charger]

do you need help on the floor pan

Thanks for the offer. I may need some mentoring when I eventually tackle the rest of the car at a later date... Have someone doing it for free (owes me).. I just need to save up for a AMD pan.. If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it completely...

[cdr]

thats a good thing,4 speed ??

[hemi68charger]

thats a good thing,4 speed ??

I'll eventually do that, but for now, I'm just going to get her road-worthy independent..

Here's Jacob and I this morning....

http://youtu.be/e1KHme51eeg

[cdr]

thats a good thing,4 speed ??

I'll eventually do that, but for now, I'm just going to get her road-worthy independent..

Here's Jacob and I this morning....

http://youtu.be/e1KHme51eeg

very good,you better look out,jacob looks like he can handle that c500 off the jack stands

[hemi68charger]

She lives !!! well, up and down the driveway for now.... 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7AAcxB0VvY&feature=player_embedded

[tan top]

       

[moparchris]

Troy,
Keep up the good work.  I sent you a PM.
Thanks,
Chris

[hemi68charger]

Hey gang.... Got my new floor pan from AMD.. 1st purchase with the money I earned putting together the '71 six pack Challenger R/T I have at the house...    Now, I have another friend who's going to put it in for me for free....  Looking forward to that.......

Cheers,,
Troy

[C500]

Nice looking floor pan  Didnt know the car needed a new floor though 

[Ghoste]

It's better than Christmas huh Troy?

[Highbanked Hauler]

Hey gang.... Got my new floor pan from AMD.. 1st purchase with the money I earned putting together the '71 six pack Challenger R/T I have at the house...    Now, I have another friend who's going to put it in for me for free....  Looking forward to that.......

Cheers,,
Troy

   Aw hell,Troy just put a few rivets in to hold it in place, nobody will know

[hemi68charger]

Nice looking floor pan  Didnt know the car needed a new floor though 

It really doesn't need a complete pan, but the driver's side front as a huge hole in it and the tranny hump around the shifter area is all cut up from the former owner's future plan on installing a 4-speed hump... I don't want things patched together everywhere.. Soooooo, I'm just going to go from seam to seam on this one... It'll all be new and in great shape..........

   Aw hell,Troy just put a few rivets in to hold it in place, nobody will know

Well, with this car, not to belittle it any, I'm not going to be super anal as I am with the Daytona. And, the fact there are no external body panels to have to worry about relating to waves or paint makes it better.... My Joe-Dirt 500........

[BigBlockSam]

It's better than Christmas huh Troy?

   

[hemi68charger]

Update today.. A very good day out in the garage.. As been updated, been working on the grille and naturally the headlamps are part of it. Then, I went to the parking lights and while I was on a roll, I tackled the hood indicators.. 

Came out pretty good... So, electrically, it's getting better... 

http://youtu.be/XzNQ7tdk738

[rob-dirt]

Nice looking floor pan  Didnt know the car needed a new floor though 

It really doesn't need a complete pan, but the driver's side front as a huge hole in it and the tranny hump around the shifter area is all cut up from the former owner's future plan on installing a 4-speed hump... I don't want things patched together everywhere.. Soooooo, I'm just going to go from seam to seam on this one... It'll all be new and in great shape..........

   Aw hell,Troy just put a few rivets in to hold it in place, nobody will know

Well, with this car, not to belittle it any, I'm not going to be super anal as I am with the Daytona. And, the fact there are no external body panels to have to worry about relating to waves or paint makes it better.... My Joe-Dirt 500........

   DANG - Joe Dirt 500  i like it 

[Kowal]

So a quick question.   My C500 is missing the two thin rubber seals on either side of the grill, on the outer, black, filler pieces.   I used one of your fine pictures of your effort to show what I am talking about.   Can someone help me with where to find these or a clever fascimile?

[nascarxx29]

I think your refering to the T shaped rubber filler material.My fiend has a 500 where you find that rubber material? .Maybe Dave @PCG

[moparchris]

Troy,
I 've never had mine off to really examine the rubber, but could you find small diameter vacuum line and slice it lengthwise?
Chris

[moparstuart]

So a quick question.   My C500 is missing the two thin rubber seals on either side of the grill, on the outer, black, filler pieces.   I used one of your fine pictures of your effort to show what I am talking about.   Can someone help me with where to find these or a clever fascimile?

Mike from dayclona  make a kit

[hemi68charger]

So a quick question.   My C500 is missing the two thin rubber seals on either side of the grill, on the outer, black, filler pieces.   I used one of your fine pictures of your effort to show what I am talking about.   Can someone help me with where to find these or a clever fascimile?

I can email Mike to see if he has some. He mentioned he wasn't running another 500 grille kit again. But, he may have extra material.....

Troy,
I 've never had mine off to really examine the rubber, but could you find small diameter vacuum line and slice it lengthwise?
Chris

I don't think it would stay on properly. The original had grooves/ridges on them that ran the length of the rubber piece. Mike's are smooth. So, they are not 100% accurate, but better than nothing. Now, maybe, using Chris' idea, take OEM correct wiper washer hose and slice it length-wise making dang sure you used a REALLY good adhesive.....

[Kowal]

Here is a cross sectional pic of an original rubber trim piece for the headlight/grill shield.   My fingers holding it, unfortunately the person showing me only had about a three inch piece left!

[moparstuart]

Here is a cross sectional pic of an original rubber trim piece for the headlight/grill shield.   My fingers holding it, unfortunately the person showing me only had about a three inch piece left!

contact sean machado he has a big roll of the original stuff , or he did  ?

                                          Sean Machado(smachado@dc.rr.com)

[tan top]

Update today.. A very good day out in the garage.. As been updated, been working on the grille and naturally the headlamps are part of it. Then, I went to the parking lights and while I was on a roll, I tackled the hood indicators.. 

Came out pretty good... So, electrically, it's getting better... 

http://youtu.be/XzNQ7tdk738

[hemi68charger]

Today worked on the wipers... It is definitely something that needs to be corrected from a safety point of view and has to work for inspection. The original driver's side pivot was seized solid, hence causing the wipers not to work. But, they work now !!   

http://youtu.be/O58t4Cr4y7A

[JB400]

Did you replace the pivot or did you manage to get it broken loose?  I ask because both of mine are siezed, and am looking for replacements.


What do you do, get in the car and watch tv?  Cheap drive in theater?  Cool either way

[hemi68charger]

Did you replace the pivot or did you manage to get it broken loose?  I ask because both of mine are siezed, and am looking for replacements.


What do you do, get in the car and watch tv?  Cheap drive in theater?  Cool either way

Yeap, watch Graveyard Carz in my 500 or Daytona, which ever one is in the back of the garage by the TV.... Very comfortable...... 

Seriously, I found a complete setup on moparts. They are the exact same thing with the same stampings and all as that which was on the 500. One of my former pivots is fine. Maybe I can work out the other and send them your way.......

[JB400]

Sounds like a winner Keep me in mind if you do get it broke free.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Anyone else see that bat flying around in the video ?     

Great progress Troy

[moparstuart]

troys got bats in his belfree

[tan top]

 

[hemi68charger]

Anyone else see that bat flying around in the video ?     

Great progress Troy

Bats !!?? Where??!!... It's my Mopar-man cave, not the bat-cave..........