68' Coronet 500 BB 4speed. What would you pay?

[68CoronetRT]

Hey Guys - Got a quick question about a 68 Coronet I'm thinking about picking up. I have 1 picture and lots of details and was wondering if I'm even in the ball park for price.

Quick run down:
Original 500 (318/auto) that now is sporting R/T badging(sp?).
383 BB with the 4 speed conversion, 23 spline manual.
8 3/4 rear end with the sure grip posi (3:51 gears?)
Paint was striped to bear metal and re painted professionally (Zero rust at all)
Brand new Vinyl top/Interior
Original 55k miles on chassis and California car.
Comes with a balanced/blueprinted 440 that needs to be de-tuned to run on the street(I think this is my selling point, just needs aluminum heads)
The 440 also comes with the distributor/flywheel for the manual trans.
Hotchkins(sp?) sway bars
Front Disk Brake conversion (Manual Brakes)

The car looks awesome! But does has some wiring issues in the cluster which does not seem too bad.
The guy is asking 15k for it. Drives nice down the street. Says he's never been let down by it.

So does that sound about right? I was thinking of putting the 440 in and clean up the wiring and have a solid running B body car for fairly cheap from what I'm comparing to on the inter web.

Essentially the car is not for sale and I kind of stumbled upon it at a tire shop in the corner. The owner is just 'over it' after working on it the last 12 years.

[kikgas01]

nice!

[skip68]

Hell yah!     Sounds like a great deal to me. 

[kikgas01]

Yep, I agree. I say go for it.

[68CoronetRT]

It also comes with the original build sheet and black plates! Was bought in Orange County and serviced at a Dodge dealer until the mid 80's. It was owned by an older lady that passed away and left it in a field to rot.

I think I'm going to call the guy up today and tell him we are good on the deal.

[hemi68charger]

If you like this body year and a street machine is what you are after, sounds like a rock solid deal. I would say "Go for it"..... 

[kikgas01]

Post plenty of pics. Nice deal an a grreat B-Body.

[Dino]

Looks like a nice car but I thought you were looking for a Charger?  There's nothing wrong with the deal pending I'm sure but you can buy a Charger for $15K as well.  Do you love both cars or are you settling for second best?

[68CoronetRT]

Thanks guys! You helped me make my decision!

I will post a bunch of pictures this weekend after I clean it all up.

[68CoronetRT]

Looks like a nice car but I thought you were looking for a Charger?  There's nothing wrong with the deal pending I'm sure but you can buy a Charger for $15K as well.  Do you love both cars or are you settling for second best?

I've wanted a Charger for almost 10 years now. This car is almost restored and although not my first choice it's a very close 2nd so I figure that the price point its worth it since I know for a fact I wont find a 2nd Gen Charger for this price in this condition.

Plus the 4 speed BB is huge for me! It seems very hard to find Chargers with that combo.

[Dino]

Looks like a nice car but I thought you were looking for a Charger?  There's nothing wrong with the deal pending I'm sure but you can buy a Charger for $15K as well.  Do you love both cars or are you settling for second best?

I've wanted a Charger for almost 10 years now. This car is almost restored and although not my first choice it's a very close 2nd so I figure that the price point its worth it since I know for a fact I wont find a 2nd Gen Charger for this price in this condition.

Plus the 4 speed BB is huge for me! It seems very hard to find Chargers with that combo.

It's true that you likely won't find a Charger THAT good for $15K.  4 speed Chargers would demand a bit more coin as well.  The fact that it's a very close 2nd makes me very happy, at least you are not settling! 

Go get that puppy and get those pics up here.   

[twodko]

Buy it!

[JB400]

I think enough people told you to buy it that I don't need to.   I'll chime in though so I can see pics when you post them.  Glad your getting a mopar

[tan top]

Buy it!

yeah  looks pretty good  !!

[F8-4life]

Id buy a charger if thats what you really want, 15k maybe wont get you one as nice as the coronet, but it will get you the car you actually want.

[68CoronetRT]

Id buy a charger if thats what you really want, 15k maybe wont get you one as nice as the coronet, but it will get you the car you actually want.

I hear ya, but this is really my first endeavor into a classic car and being that this car looks almost exactly like the Charger, I'm very happy.

I figure I buy it and fix up some stuff and maybe sell it for more down the road and upgrade to the 2nd gen if some sweet deal ever came around.

Plus the Wife fell in love at first sight! So I guess that's always a plus?

[JB400]

If the wife fell in love with it, that's a plus.  Only problem is now you have to find you another car.   I'm sure you'll both enjoy it, if she lets you drive.

[68CoronetRT]

If the wife fell in love with it, that's a plus.  Only problem is now you have to find you another car.   I'm sure you'll both enjoy it, if she lets you drive.

Very True! Luckily for me she refuses to learn stick shift! HA!!

Here is a youtube video the current owner put together from pictures he took over the years and how he found it etc...

The rims have got to go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVz5XES_RK0

[lisiecki1]

-in for pics.

Congrats!

[BB1]

One of my favorite MoPars  

That's what I would pay for it too.

[JB400]

If the wife fell in love with it, that's a plus.  Only problem is now you have to find you another car.  I'm sure you'll both enjoy it, if she lets you drive.

Very True! Luckily for me she refuses to learn stick shift! HA!!

Here is a youtube video the current owner put together from pictures he took over the years and how he found it etc...

The rims have got to go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVz5XES_RK0

Now that's being sneaky.

[DadsCharger00]

Thats a beauty. And for that price!!! score!

[1970Moparmann]

Good score!  I love the ass on a 68!

[7chargers]

Awesome! I love my number 1 MOPAR my Charger, but I also have and love my 68 Coronet! I maybe wrong but the popularity of these cars are starting to rise! Will never over take the Charger but the price on these things are starting to climb.. good score!

[68CoronetRT]

Awesome! I love my number 1 MOPAR my Charger, but I also have and love my 68 Coronet! I maybe wrong but the popularity of these cars are starting to rise! Will never over take the Charger but the price on these things are starting to climb.. good score!

Yea! It was hard to sleep last night!! up early this morning and going down in a few hours to pick her up! Needs a quick wash and I'll get some pics up later today!!

[Patronus]

 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

[F8-4life]

Lucky you, its a 500 so you get the cool RT rear trim. Makes for a big improvement of the tail panel I think.

[charlie45]

very nice. 68 Coronets are beauties, nice lines, cool front grill with lights. And you gotta love those rear lights on the 68 coronets.

Nice choice, and post some pics 

[1974dodgecharger]

WOW.....

[DadsCharger00]

Ill take two  ;)PICTURES!!!

[68CoronetRT]

Ok well. After a long day of fixing alot of issues, she is pretty road worthy.

I think it has some really old gas in it and it's running terrible! Very hard to drive stick shift with old gas + Timing issues + a carb that isnt adjusted properly. Fixed all of that except for the bad gas part. Going to go drive it around for a while on the highway to try and burn a bunch off.

For now here are some pics!

[JB400]

Looks pretty good. Glad your out enjoying it.   After you get it running right, what's your next upgrades?

[1974dodgecharger]

such a beauty man..look at all those normal cars next to yours man...sticks out like a beatuy queen.

[68CoronetRT]

Thanks! She's a real head turner goin down the main drag! And that was right when we picked it up. Not even washed yet!

Plans so far are possibly a TKO 600 swap, and some form of fuel injection. A friend of mine has a great idea! He can build an intake from scratch and we will do 2 4 barrel TBI throttle bodies and stagger them like the old factory duel quads and then run a Megasquirt computer and do a full of custom tune on it. Also run the old school air cleaners so it looks like true carbs but is fuel injection.

Rims are definitely at the top of my to do list as well. And fixing the wiring in the dash etc...

Also bought a new gas cap for it since the original one is leaking, bulbs for the corner markers which all work now.

I think that's it for now. I just want it to run right. It also has a good leak from the drivers side header. So I need to get that gasket tomorrow and work on that.

[cdr]

Ok well. After a long day of fixing alot of issues, she is pretty road worthy.

I think it has some really old gas in it and it's running terrible! Very hard to drive stick shift with old gas + Timing issues + a carb that isnt adjusted properly. Fixed all of that except for the bad gas part. Going to go drive it around for a while on the highway to try and burn a bunch off.

For now here are some pics!

IT'S A REAL bad idea to run it with old gas,,,it can damage the engine,it will gum up the valves & can make it stick a valve,it usually happens after u turn it off & the engine cools off,the shellac like substance dries like glue,it also gums up the rings & causes detonation .................drain the tank

[68CoronetRT]

Luckily I put about 10 gals in today of 91 and drove it around 100 miles tonight. Other than the vacuum secondaries lagging really bad at WOT and the exhaust leak on the drivers side it was fun!

Time for Mech secondary... What would you guys suggest for a 383 size wise?

[Bob T]

Good score buddy, a real sharp looking Coronet.
Take your time going over it and sorting out a few issues before the big road trip, remember it has been sitting for a while. Hows the brakes anyway?
Put up a few more pics and some interior shots when you get a chance

[68CoronetRT]

Good score buddy, a real sharp looking Coronet.
Take your time going over it and sorting out a few issues before the big road trip, remember it has been sitting for a while. Hows the brakes anyway?
Put up a few more pics and some interior shots when you get a chance

Ill post up more pics tomorrow. It sat for like 3 moths and before then it was on DD duty so I'm not too worried. Brakes are nice and you can lock up all 4 corners if you want with ease. For a 44 year old car it drives VERY nice on the street. Straight down the road with zero vibrations or shakes etc...

Definitely needs some things sorted out though. Day 2 starts tomorrow! lol   Too bad Christmas is Tuesday or else I would be placing a big order to Summit!

[Sublime/Sixpack]

I love '68 Coronets, especially with the 500/R/T tailights and rear panel treatment. Nice.

[1970Moparmann]

IT'S A REAL bad idea to run it with old gas,,,it can damage the engine,it will gum up the valves & can make it stick a valve,it usually happens after u turn it off & the engine cools off,the shellac like substance dries like glue,it also gums up the rings & causes detonation .................drain the tank
[/quote]

Agree! 

Glad the deal worked out for you.

[BB1]

Looks like Southern California 

[68CoronetRT]

Looks like Southern California 

Yup! Northern San Diego. I still need to get some interior pics. Ill work on that today.

[Hard Charger]

15k is the correct ball park.

[BB1]

I'm a So Cali guy myself, flying back there for my Nephew's High School Graduation in June.

Get in touch with you later then man.  

Looks like Southern California  

Yup! Northern San Diego. I still need to get some interior pics. Ill work on that today.

15k is the correct ball park.

good clone for 15k. Same for a Charger in the same condition. 

[Ghoste]

The stale gas stench just makes me want to puke, its the polar opposite of the race fuel smell.

[1974dodgecharger]

WHAT YOU JUST SAID....

I'm a So Cali guy myself, flying back there for my Nephew's High School Graduation in June.

Get in touch with you later then man.  

Looks like Southern California  

Yup! Northern San Diego. I still need to get some interior pics. Ill work on that today.

15k is the correct ball park.

good clone for 15k. Same for a Charger in the same condition. 

[68CoronetRT]

I need to get pics up... 

So I have a new question. I was driving the car tonight down to get gas and all of the sudden I hear a loud BANG come from the wheel well and I figure I ran over a rock. We as I'm cruising up to the stop sign and slowing down I try to grab first and the shifter just flops over to my lap. Very weird!!! So I jam it back in 3rd and keep the momentum up through the stop sign and continue driving at a very slow speed and I cant get it to go into 2nd at all. So at this point I know something is wrong and continue on in 3rd till I get home and park it.

So here I'am clueless as to what happened? the only symptoms are that I cant get it into 1st or 2nd or reverse. 3rd and 4th are fine. What fell off the trans!? It just flops over like its not grabbing anything?

Thanks!

[JB400]

Did you check to see if your trans linkage is still attached?  That would be my guess.  If the linkage is still attached, you probably broke the shifter.

[68CoronetRT]

Ding Ding Ding. Here is a pic after I removed the top bolt that was almost falling off. Bottom bolt is what I heard clunk under the car.

Amazing how the shifter feels now after putting new bolts in and tightening them down. I thought I had blown syncos but now she feels real tight...

[Rolling_Thunder]

Looks like a nice car...        383 with a 4-speed is a FUN combo...     EFI is easy these days - 

I'm up in Los Angeles - look forward to meeting up at some point with the white beasts   

[Hemidog]

Sweet ride! 

[68CoronetRT]

Thanks! We are thinking either (2) 4 Barrel TBI units or (3) 2 barrel TBI units all running on a megasquirt computer with custom tune. But that's for when the 440 goes in .

Another question. How do you adjust the parking brake? It works but you have to crank it to the floor for the car to hold. Just needs to be tightened up a little.

[JB400]

There should be a nut on the cable underneath where the cable attaches to the equalizer on the left side of the car.  The 2 cables that run from the brake drums also run into this.

[Cooter]

Thanks! We are thinking either (2) 4 Barrel TBI units or (3) 2 barrel TBI units all running on a megasquirt computer with custom tune. But that's for when the 440 goes in .

Another question. How do you adjust the parking brake? It works but you have to crank it to the floor for the car to hold. Just needs to be tightened up a little.

Set the rear shoes up, THEN go for the adjuster in the middle where cables meet. I see this done on cars that come in the shop and when you go to install new rear brake shoes, you cannot get the shoes to line up correctly because someone has used the middle adjuster to adjust the feel of the E-brake instead of setting the rear shoes up.

[68CoronetRT]

I might as well make this my question/build thread. HA!

So here is some more questions for everyone. First off I have bad leaking exhaust gaskets(See photo). What did I do wrong? I did not use RTV on them, they are paper, and I did not seal the bolts with RTV copper(for the water jackets). Maybe that was my problem? Also what is the torque sequence on these things? Hooker comp headers. And how can I avoid the blow out in the middle there?

Also what valve train is this? I believe they are 906 heads and the rocker arms move side to side when the valve is open. Is this bad?

[Dino]

I might as well make this my question/build thread. HA!

So here is some more questions for everyone. First off I have bad leaking exhaust gaskets(See photo). What did I do wrong? I did not use RTV on them, they are paper, and I did not seal the bolts with RTV copper(for the water jackets). Maybe that was my problem? Also what is the torque sequence on these things? Hooker comp headers. And how can I avoid the blow out in the middle there?

Also what valve train is this? I believe they are 906 heads and the rocker arms move side to side when the valve is open. Is this bad?

I had a blowout right in the middle of mine as well.  Get rid of the paper gasket and install a Percy seal-4-good # 66036.  Put ultra copper on the bolts and snug them up in a star pattern.  I let mine sit like that overnight and the next morning torqued them down.  After the next 3 trips I did the same but after the 2nd trip they wouldn't budge.  Haven't had an issue since.

[440mike]

Looks great!   Love the 68 B bodies and with a 4 speed you dodnt get much cooler!

[greenpigs]

I would go with a 650 double pumper.