Self Inflicted Pain and Suffering

[fatboy]

I took my car apart to get it painted. The body shop said since it didn't need much bodywork they would have it done in about a month. With me thinking that my memory was great I didn't bag and tag anything because I could easily put it back together after only a month, right?
Well, two and a half years later when I got my car back I couldn't remember anything...... Oh yeah, I also moved twice during that time.  Now it has been another year and a half and I am still looking at my car sitting in my shop. OK, my New Years Resolution is to put the car back together but I am now not sure where to begin. Do the shop manuals show you every detail of reassembly? Should I start with under the hood and the drivetrain or is it best to start with the inside or the bumpers and such? Any wisdom is surely appreciated.
Thanks

[Chatt69chgr]

How about buying a late 60's 4 door b-body and hauling it to your place to use as a guide.  Should be able to get one of those a lot cheaper than a 2 door body.  After you get done with it, have it hauled off for scrap (after you save any potentially useful parts).  Otherwise, maybe someone else in your area is building a charger.  If so, maybe you could take lots and lots of digital pictures and use these as a guide to rebuild your car.

[PocketThunder]

Just start picking up parts and posting pictures of them here.  Someone, if not multiple people will be able to tell you exactly where every part goes.  It will be like a little fun trivia game for us who are posting at work with nothing to do right now...   

[tan top]

Just start picking up parts and posting pictures of them here.  Someone, if not multiple people will be able to tell you exactly where every part goes.  It will be like a little fun trivia game for us who are posting at work with nothing to do right now...   

   

[69*F5*SE]

 

[vancamp]

whats this and wheres it go trivia sounds fun.

[fatboy]

OK guys,
I'm going to give this a try. As you can see from my sig picture the glass is out, all chrome, bumpers, trim, lights, etc are off the car. The interior is al gone except for the dash board and two front buckets. Everything under the hood has been removed and the engine is still completely assembled on an engine stand. It just needs to be cleaned and fresh gaskets and valve stem seals installed and then painted. A black vinyl top is also going back on the car. I guess I should also mention that the only metal changed on the car is the panel between the rear glass and the trunk lid. I hope the back glass fits correctly.
So I guess my first dilemna is............what do I need to do first???

[vancamp]

try doing the wiring and dash,then you can start attatching parts to it,suspension if it hasnt been done, trim,interior,motor and voila your done.

[purple charger]

It depends on your mood, You mention the motor needs gaskets start there get that part done along with the transmission.  While your waiting for things you didn't think about get all the interior done.  the glass is the last item to get done.  Springs coming some time soon; some where. Not here got three feet of snow and neighbor is promising to get my car painted, Motor has been rebuilt twice, first time did't;t make enough HP mine is just waiting to get assembled

[tan top]

yep start with the wiring  ,any chance of a bigger picture of the interior / underhood   

[1969chargerrtse]

   Bring it on.

[jerry]

number 1 .  buy a parts car......

[fatboy]

OK, I have posted some more and better pictures of what I'm working with at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatboy1026/

Check them out and then we'll talk......You'll probably notice that my painter sprayed my bulkhead electrical connector. Anyone have any idea on how to clean it?

[PocketThunder]

OK, I have posted some more and better pictures of what I'm working with at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatboy1026/

Check them out and then we'll talk......You'll probably notice that my painter sprayed my bulkhead electrical connector. Anyone have any idea on how to clean it?

Ok, DCS_0254 and 0255 are the engine.. Does that help?      

[Doright]

Holly sh-t
They had your car for 2 years and they didnt even paint the interior? and ony replace the dutchman panel?
Talk about Body shop jail.

Pick an area to start with and start taking pics of parts you dont know were goes we can do this!

[Arizona Dave]

Holly sh-t
They had your car for 2 years and they didnt even paint the interior? and ony replace the dutchman panel?
Talk about Body shop jail.

Pick an area to start with and start taking pics of parts you dont know were goes we can do this!

I've been there.  I met a great guy, "Pete the bodyman" that works out of a barn next to his house way out in the desert.  He came very highly recommended.  I saw 2 cars he'd painted, and they looked sharp.  He also showed me multiple photos of customer cars that received Best-of-Show-Paint awards.  His price was good.  He told me to bring over my Charger, and he'd start it in about 2 weeks when he finished a GTO.  That sounded good to me.   
Well, I soon discovered "Pete the bodyman" was also known as "Pete the Stoner".  He made body panels look like glass and the GTO was flawless, though fast he wasn't.  He'd spend a whole day sanding a fender and smokin' every half hour.  The guy would float off into Alice's Wonderland, and just spend the day groovin' as he massaged body panels.
I visited him weekly, and no work to speak of was getting done on my Charger.  After 6 months of nothing I'd had enough, so I brought her back home. 
I have since painted it myself, and it turned out great! ...and I'm not even a stoner.
Dave       

[Doright]

OK, I have posted some more and better pictures of what I'm working with at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatboy1026/

Check them out and then we'll talk......You'll probably notice that my painter sprayed my bulkhead electrical connector. Anyone have any idea on how to clean it?

Fatboy
Take the connector off fire wall from inside under dash dip in can of some type with MEK or Acetone in it and let it sit for a while, while your letting it sit take an Acid brush and cut about half the hair off too make bristles stiffer remove connector and start brushing paint off re soak as necessary.

Could also try Oven cleaner and the brush may be better and rinse with water and clean with contact cleaner. 

Cant believe they didn't even mask stuff off what a bunch of hacks

[tan top]

laqure thinner will work , but be carefull it will melt the plastic

[hemi-hampton]

Looks like they painted much more then bulkhead that should not of been painted. Hope you did not pay to much. No Insult intended. LEON.