Run on HeavyFuel (Resto)

[HeavyFuel]

I think the only casualty in the whole process was when I banged the handle of the floor jack into the fender, near the side blinker.  A small chip.......first battle scar of the whole re-assembly process so far....no biggy.

[tan top]

 engine bay looks good     ,

[JB400]

 

[HeavyFuel]

Original driveshaft (new yokes) and torsion bars went in yesterday.

Factory markings on the torsion bars.

[HeavyFuel]

Nothing major in the last couple weeks....tranny cool lines, misc buttoning up under the hood.

I ordered some belts from Rockauto that were on "wholesale closeout"  or something like that....watch out for those.  I'm going for the factory fresh look, but I don't want belts from 20 years ago!  These things were faded, and stiff as a wedding pecker.

[JB400]

Looks great.  Looking forward to the final results

[HeavyFuel]

Thanks.....me, too!   

[PocketThunder]

   Holy Crap, that is some engineering right there... 

[HeavyFuel]

Made a bit more progress over the weekend, with the installation of the grill, bumper and valance.

The grill has been rebuilt for a while and has been waiting on the shelf for the right time to put it in. 

(1) It's interesting that the doors had different shades of base plastic before they were originally painted.  Maybe the brown one was a replacement door at some time?

(2) It's obvious on inspection that the black went on first, then the silver.

(3)  I found a silver that was spot on match for the original color, with the right size flake.

[HeavyFuel]

(1) I was able to re-use original bumper bolts for the rear bumper, but couldn't salvage enough for the front, so I went with re-popped SS capped new ones.  They looked pretty good after a polish, and had the right head shape to match the originals.

(2) Some JB Weld and aluminum patched up some areas of plastic that had cracked.

(3)  I re-enforced this area because a stress crack was appearing on the front side.  Hopefully with will keep things from getting worse.

[HeavyFuel]

(1-2)  The plastic spacers under the grill had a rubber-like gasket, so I constructed a replacement that should  provide some buffer.

(3) I re-used all of the original support pieces, and you can see that after a clean-up and paint, they look great.

[HeavyFuel]

(1)  The panel above the grill actually looked pretty good, all things considered, and I thought about leaving it alone and putting it back in the car, chips and all....

(2)  .....but I thought better of that, and gave it a quick sand job and a shot of black.  The original runs remain, covered with a fresh coat of paint.  (not sure if I'm gonna regret that later...we'll see)

(3-4) All original parts except the harness.....that black paint is factory after a good clean up.

[HeavyFuel]

(1)  Before disassembly.....I was lucky, and my grill was in good condition.

(2)  The factory "Charger" emblem was able to be re-used.

(3)  The door is misaligned......you can see it is in the 'before' shot as well.  I'm not sure if there is anything I can do about that.

[HeavyFuel]

For those of you that have done this install before....you know that is it both nerve wracking and satisfying.  The reward is worth it....instant gratification in a few hours by transforming  the cars looks from nothing to legendary.

Summary:
1. Put grill support (black metal skeleton) in position on car.....just a few bolts, this is temporary.
2. Place grill assembly (plastic structure with doors) in grill support.  Install screws, just snug, and adjust grill side to side.
3. Remove grill support/assembly from car, and place it upside down on work table.  Install wiring harness and headlight door operator assemblies.
4. Put J-nuts for valance and bumper attach points in position on car.
5. Put grill support/grill/harness/ assembly in position on car.  A couple helpers come in handy now, to help guide everything,  especially the 4 bolts that go through the wheel well.  Install bolts.
6. Perform another adjustment side to side on grill.  Tighten grill screws....but not too tight.
7. Install bumper supports on frame, finger tight the bolts.
8. Lift bumper into place, and see if you can slip on the top bumper bolt on each side.  If not, the bumper supports need to be adjusted.   This is a trial and error process, and took me quite a while to get it done.  In fact, I had to press pretty hard on one side to get the bumper bolts to go in.  (Apparently my bumper is a little twisted, even after it was re-pressed on a jig before it was re-chromed.)  Install all other bumper bolts, do final adjusting for alignment, and tighten down everything.
9. Lift valance (with running lights installed) into position, and attach 2 center support bolts that hold up the middle of the valance.  This will hold it in place while you go around and place the rest of the bolts.  Check for fitment, and tighten up.
10. Position bumper guards and bolt into place.  

[JB400]

Looks great and thanks for the tips.  They will definitely come in handy.

[tan top]

   awesome job 

[Ryan]

Looks great

[Homerr]

Awesome!

Looks like a starship ready to take off.

[RIDELIKEHELL]

Really great work!

[HeavyFuel]

Thanks, guys.  

My wife's been on the warpath lately 'cause I've been thinking about the car all the time.    

Might have to take a break for a while.  


I seriously think she'd be less pissed off if I had another woman on the side.

[Back N Black]

Very nice!!! Its all about the details. 

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Awesome work! Looks Great!     What paint did you use on the grill support? I like the gloss look, I used a semi flat on mine and am thinking about redoing it.   

[Indygenerallee]

Looks great Back N Black!!! 

[Charger-Bodie]

Maybe I missed it,but what made you decide not to paint the grilled slats silver?

[bill440rt]

Nice work!