HEMI68CHARGER Press Release #614 426 HEMI Charger 500 Restoration

[gtx6970]

And I ALMOST opened my mouth and said you gotta put the grille in the frame / carrier before you put the carrier in the car.

[maxwellwedge]

What's the trick to not getting over spray on everything around it?

The trick is to have a few beers, spray and let the overspray happen randomly

[hemi68charger]

What's the trick to not getting over spray on everything around it?

The trick is to have a few beers, spray and let the overspray happen randomly

... then have some more beers.........

[maxwellwedge]

What's the trick to not getting over spray on everything around it?

The trick is to have a few beers, spray and let the overspray happen randomly

... then have some more beers.........

Thank you AB - Great suggestion 

[hemi68charger]

While studying the Bud Linderman 1969 Dodge Charger 500 426 Hemi video to get any nuisances about my 500 I discovered for the 1st time, and I have watched it many times, but the negative battery cable engine connection isn't at the head like it is most widely seen, but to the water pump...... mmmmmmmm 

hate to do it like that, but it is clear as clean tap water

[hemi68charger]

Here are the unique headlamp buckets installed to facilitate the 68 Coronet grille

[70 sublime]

Are those head light buckets just the part out of the Coronet fenders so the grill matches ?

[hemi68charger]

Are those head light buckets just the part out of the Coronet fenders so the grill matches ?

I think that is the starting point.. To make them work for the 500, they added it seems the top and bottom mount taps to attach it to the top and bottom parts of the original grille header.  On my 2nd Charger 500 I got from Pete, it was missing an original headlamp bucket. So, I found someone with a rusty 68 Coronet fender and had them cut the headlamp bucket section out.. There ya go.. Make the mounting tabs, attach them and you have a Charger 500 bucket within reason.

[maxwellwedge]

I'm thinking that engine was "breathed on" by Chrysler after assembly....as were many (all?) production cars that went to the media for testing.
That's my guess on the incorrect battery cable mounting.

[hemi68charger]

I'm thinking that engine was "breathed on" by Chrysler after assembly....as were many (all?) production cars that went to the media for testing.
That's my guess on the incorrect battery cable mounting.

Question.. Put it back as seen in the video (obvious how it was delivered from Creative) or do it the proper production way.. Mmmmmmm?

[Ghoste]

I say the way the evidence points to it being fromCreative. 

[hemi68charger]

I say the way the evidence points to it being fromCreative. 

There doesn't seem to be any evidence in those images that the negative cable was ever bolted to the head, the area is all painted.........

[maxwellwedge]

I say the way the evidence points to it being fromCreative. 

There doesn't seem to be any evidence in those images that the negative cable was ever bolted to the head, the area is all painted.........

I noticed that. I still say that engine....at the least was dyno tuned....if not all out blueprinted. Manufacturers wanted to be sure the media got good performance numbers. Tough call. It wasn't the first Hemi built - and they all had the negative bolted to be where they should be.
I would go with the "as tested" video. You have the proof....stir it up a little!

[Ghoste]

Exactly.   

[hemi68charger]

rear bumper and harness..
Thanks to Jaime at Mega Parts, the rear taillamp harness came in.. Nice, so I was able to install it and get the bumper on.. Man,  nice touch of new chrome..

[hemi68charger]

Operation Hemi C500; front fender fillers.
Yesterday I continued with the mock up of the grille assembly on my 500. This is focused on the unique front fender fillers that were used to cover up the gap left behind with the switching of the production 69 Charger grille with the 68 Coronet. I still need to paint the bezel, it is supposed to be solid black on a 500, not with the hash marks. Also, the leading edge is supposed to have a rubber push-on, just not on right now. Still need to paint the fillers.

If someone has extra original rubber strips they would be willing to let go would like an opportunity..

[nascarxx29]

Maybe a source for 500 bezel t shape rubber filler need dimensions to look up
https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.alibaba.com/amp/product/60350519613.html

https://www.minorrubber.com/extruded-rubber-profile-tubing.html

[hemi68charger]

Maybe a source for 500 bezel t shape rubber filler need dimensions to look up
https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.alibaba.com/amp/product/60350519613.html

https://www.minorrubber.com/extruded-rubber-profile-tubing.html

Thanks David.. Those are good alternative sites.. Maybe that's were Mike got his..... I have a pair of them already, just didn't have them installed. The originals or sort of like the oval shaped ones from the minorrubber site. The distinctive physical thing about the original rubber strips was they have ribs in the rubber, similar to the wiper hoses on our vintage mopars....... Maybe Danny can post an original?

[RallyeMike]

Mirror rubber's oval U-channel's are the best alternative I was able to find too, but the originals, besides the ridges, are also quite flat and not really an oval shaped.

https://www.minorrubber.com/oval-shaped-u-channel.html

[hemi68charger]

Mirror rubber's oval U-channel's are the best alternative I was able to find too, but the originals, besides the ridges, are also quite flat and not really an oval shaped.

https://www.minorrubber.com/oval-shaped-u-channel.html

Mike, which model did you get?

[RallyeMike]

I used one that was too large, not having an example to measure by. At the time, I was settling for anything close hoping to come across NOS someday.

I believe that 19877 (1/8x 3/8) is the closest dimensionally to original size (about 1/8 x 5/16). The shape is all wrong, but I could not find anything close to the originals that look like this:

[gtx6970]

Oh Troy,

Not mine or do I know the seller.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-68-69-70-71-DODGE-A-100-PICKUP-CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH-HUBCAPS-WHEEL-COVERS-MOPAR-/193139297867

[hemi68charger]

Oh Troy,

Not mine or do I know the seller.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-68-69-70-71-DODGE-A-100-PICKUP-CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH-HUBCAPS-WHEEL-COVERS-MOPAR-/193139297867

Thanks Bud, but the Press Release car, for those 5 of 6 I believe, got the Monoco/Polara full wheel covers... I have one NOS version, looking for 3 more.. I have some nice older used ones.... But, would like 3 more NOS

[gtx6970]

I sold a full set of 4 of those to Ron Adair many years ago.  All 4 were nos still in brown paper wrappers / bags

You might just try Greg and see if by some weird chance he still has them.
never know , you just might get lucky

[hemi68charger]

Messed with the grille, fender fillers, door and grille emblem attachment.
The fender fillers are sanded, primed and painted them installed with the rubber edge on one side. Then I reinstalled the replated door latches and strikers. Julius and I took our stuff to a local guy.. Did ok, not stellar. Then messed with the Charger and 500 script on the grille. Very unique way of installing. Take the emblem, shove an aluminum tube on it to give the peg extra length to go through the grille and have the ability to install push-on retaining nuts from the backside. Here's my car in the Bud Linderman video for reference. Thanks to Tom Race
at R/T Specialties for having the kit for the 2 emblems.. Unfortunately has to drill out the aluminum extensions to fit over the emblem bag and one didn't survive the drilling. Luckily, brake tubing is pretty much the same diameter. I had some old brake lines just laying around. The steel may be too hard for the push-on nuts, but I will try. May have to go get some aluminum tubing to do it right.