Iam back.....and i really need you pro"s to help me

[charger lover74]

I've been a member for a while here but I really haven't had anything to talk about considering that my charger has been sitting around in the garage for sometime but now its time to get her going. Life, the wife , the kids and work always seem to get in the way but I have been itching for sometime now considering that I read a lot of your posts with a lot of envy and jealousy (in a good way). I am, by no means, a motorhead.....which really bothers me because I really wish I was. Now on the other hand ask me to design and build you a house from scratch is another thing. What I really need from you guys is advise, tips and knowledge when it comes to restoring my 69 charger. The last thing I want to do is impose or bother you with stupid questions. Well....my car was born in 1969 with a 318, turquoise with a white hat and white interior, ac, and spent most of its life in sunny California. It was purchased original by a lady who sold it locally then was sold to the guy I bought it from. He was going to turn it into a gl but before he got to the paint stage he stopped and decided to sell it. Body wise it was rust free which is a major bonus. It came primed, with the 318 (not installed) and lot of parts so basically it was a rolling shell. I originally wanted to buy something I could drive right away and work on slowly but I found a lot of them way overpriced and I was always afraid I was going to get a car with a lot of "surprises" underneath or a bondo baby. So here I am, restoring one....not that iam complaining but I know that its going to be done right in my heart of hearts. The only thing that sucks is how much it costs...WOW! hence the very very slow restoration! The body work is done and painted ( its black which I always loved on this car but metallic blue was my second choice). Now comes the hard decisions.....should I put a 440 (definitely fuel infected)? Should I go crate? Or build from scratch? If I go crate who is the best to purchase from without busting the bank account? Will the 440 fit into a car which originally had a 318 in it? If so do I need to do modifications to it to make it fit? I also need a 8 3/4 rear end...who is the best to purchase those from? Up here in Canada (Ontario) there aren't as many shops like south of the border (I envy you guys!) These are the questions that am throwing at you guys. Any advise or tips would really help.

I plan to post some pic .....as soon as I get a handle on how to do it! 2x4 and 2x6's are my forte not computers!

Leo the Italian

[comet_666]

Hi Leo!
To post pics open them in ms paint (right click on pic and select open with paint) Select "resize" and select the "pixels" option. Goal is to get it down to under 200kb, generally I change it to 700 horizontal and its fine, save it wherever you can find it and the post it.
First, what do you want out of the Charger? Factory resto? Racer? cruiser?
And welcome and gl with the build!!!!   

[70 sublime]

Hey Leo

Where is home ?
I am in Port Hope

As for your motor choice it still comes down to budget
Do you want to spend lots on the motor which means it will take you longer to get the rest of $$ for the rest of the car done to the point of getting it on the road or would the 318 be better to get it going sooner than later ?

8 3/4 rear end  depends where you are located I might know someone with an extra one (not me)

David

[moparnation74]

First question is, whats your budget? 

It will help members here to guide you in the right direction.

[Homerr]

Hi Leo,

If you don't want to screw around with resizing pics just start an Imgur account, or Photobucket, or use Dropbox.  There are a ton of free pic hosting sites.  They'll give you preformatted URL's for posting in forums.  Then you don't need to screw around with size and creating a unique name (unique to every photo anyone has ever uploaded to dodgecharger.com).

As for the car - If I were in your position I'd get the 318 running and put it in as a placeholder while I sort out the car. Meanwhile you can gather the parts needed for a proper upgrade: the rear axle, BB transmission, driveshaft, probably upgraded brakes, K-frame, torsion bars, larger fuel line, radiator, etc...  BB swaps can be done and have been many times but it's more than just dropping in the motor.

I think if you try to go 440 immediately you're gonna hit a wall on all the minutia of the conversion, as well as a lot more $.

[bull]

Where in Canada are you? If I were you I would start searching craigslist (assuming that site is as active up there as it is here) for a 440. A 440 that is as complete as possible meaning you get all the brackets and tin because you will need it. Try to get one that is year-correct and have it rebuilt.

Another thing you're going to need is a big block k-frame if I remember correctly. Don't believe a 440 will connect to a small block k-frame. Check the ads for old Chryslers that still have their drivetrains and you will get a rear end too. What transmission do you have?

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/cto/4805448031.html

[69wannabe]

The K frame is the same for a 318 to a 440. The slant 6 k frame is different and the hemi K frame is different. A 440 will bolt right in where the 318 came out you just have to have the big block motor mount brackets and mount's. The transmission will not work from the 318 so that will be another expense. Alot of other small changes will have to be made but the tranny is the biggest expense. Coming up with a 440 may be another decent expense but building a 318 is just as expensive as building a big block so depending on your budget I would go big block if you can afford to do the tranny and other things that have to be swapped around or altered such as front engine brackets and pulleys and wiring and possibly a bigger radiator and etc...

[myk]

I plan to post some pic .....as soon as I get a handle on how to do it! 2x4 and 2x6's are my forte not computers!

Thanks for sharing your tale.  As for pictures, you don't have to be a computer genius to share your pictures.  Just sign up with photobucket.com, a free service, upload your pictures, copy and paste the image link into your post:

[charger lover74]

Thanks guys! Its good to know that there are good people out there willing to help newbies like me. Basically the 440 crate route is what I am leaning to. Fixing up the tired 318 probably would cost me the same. I am not into the high horsepower range because over here getting caught 40 clicks over the speed limit gets you a "stunt driving" ticket which comes with a heavy fine and car impoundment. I am looking for 400-475 hp because the car is heavy and I still want some "kick". Looking around I really cant fine anything under 10k and most are in the 10-15k range so I might have to stick to the 10-15k. Any recommendations on who is a reliable dealer/seller of crate engines without braking the bank? I already secured a tranny (727) and now looking for a rear end.

PS....over "here" is Ottawa, Ontario.....David...If you have a lead on a rear end don't be shy to pass it on...lol. One day when this build is done (hopefully before I take the dirty nap) I can meet you guys.

[66chargertoy]

Welcome aboard Leo Where in Ottawa do you call home? I live in Beacon Hill North. A lot of members here are going to be very jealous of you because you will be able to have direct access to Ron from this site. If you want sometime in the near future, I'm sure Ron will chime in and we can get together and discuss want you want out of your charger. Between both of us and our contacts, we can probably find you a decent motor in the area.
Denis

[66chargertoy]

Oops, forgot about ottawamerc, aka Scott. He is also from the area. I'm sure that he would also be very helpful in your quest.

[70 sublime]

If you have no motor this might be worth getting just for all the little bits
Depends how stuck it is it might be worth just getting rebuilt


http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/brockville/67-chrysler-imperial/1042247653

The guy that might have 8 3/4 is out around the Toronto airport so kind of the wrong direction for you

Not sure if the rear end would be too wide for the Charger that is in the 67 Imperial

[70 sublime]

Dreamcar (Andrew) is also just east of Ottawa in Orleans
He is working on a 69 Charger that I dragged all the way from Port Hope to Orleans for him
He might know where some more bits are in your neck of the woods  

I think his car is the same colours as yours too

[Yatzee]

If you are seriously interested, I have a BB 383/ 425HP motor rebuilt with about
1000 miles on it. Works perfect with no issues whatsoever. My son is building
a 513 stroker for my car ( which will eventually be his) and I will be selling the
383. No cheap parts on this engine - aluminum heads and intake, quality cam
and timing set, no China shit. Cars currently in storage but comes out the end
of March for the 513 install. I'm in London, Ontario.  rootyf@gmail.com

[TUFCAT]

There's lots of guys from Ontario on here that can help you with needed information, and there's also us guys here in "The D"..... Welcome aboard.

[Mopar Nut]

Welcome back!

[Back N Black]

There is a guy about 40 minutes north of Ottawa in Shawville Quebec, that has Mopar parts, engines, transmissions and 8 3/4 rear. It was a few years ago since i bought parts from him, i can dig up his number if your interested. Last time i was at his place, he had 3 barns full of Mopars( Challengers,Chargers,Roadrunners and plymouth GTX etc..) and a barn full of parts.

[charger lover74]

Orleans? My inlaws live there. I would love to pick Andrews brain a bit about my build. That's great! I am in Manotick. Its great to know there are more of you guys around me and my surrounding area. As for the offer from Yatzee....I am more leaning on a 440 but thank you very much for the offer and the lead. Much appreciated! Back in black......if you can dig up his number i'll give him a ring. Doesn't hurt to see what he's got. Thanks!

[70 sublime]

Well now you can look forward to visiting the in laws 

Just drop the wife off and tell her you need to go get some gas
You might have to drive around for awhile to find some cheap stuff though 

[jww426]

I like the 383, with alloy heads idea, its a good one.
The journey to Nirvana is what's important here...not just the driving of a Charger.
Remember, cars are art, sculpture, so enjoy it in the garage too.
Think bronze!

Best of luck.

JWW

[hollywood1336]

I have a tendency to agree here, a 383 425 horse motor is going to get your car down the road prenty fast. This sounds like a pretty expensive build, aluminum heads aren't cheap and at the right price will make things easier on your budget.