Bull's 68 Charger restoration thread

[A383Wing]

I don't know..but I like yours

Bryan

[tan top]

   nice job on the grill   , had to do similar to mine  
chargers looking awesome  

[bull]

Thanks. Right now I'm trying to squirrel away enough cash to get a spacer kit and new trim for the grill. Those two items will end up costing me around $300 alone. When I saw the price of the grill trim fastener kits ($55 plus $20 shipping) I suddenly got the urge to carefully save every piece of them I could find. I also plan to reuse the headlight mounting/aiming fasteners, although they aren't nearly as expensive.

One cool thing that happened is that I managed to get my grill frame repaired and blasted on Monday. Over the phone the blaster guy told me he would charge $50 to blast it but when he saw it he lowered the price to $40. Then, just as they were finishing up and I was starting to write the check he suddenly dropped another $10 off and told me to make it $30. I paid up and then ran home with it as fast as I could, cleaned it up and put a thin coat of primer on it because we had rain in the forecast for Tuesday. On Monday it was sunny and 75 but today it poured rain and the temp never got higher than 48. Whew, dodged that bullet.

[8WHEELER]

Are you getting the correct 68 set of spacers, that have the correct steel inserts, the 69's don't have them, they cost a bit more.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-Charger-OEM-Correct-Grill-Grille-Set-/380647124416?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58a0562dc0&vxp=mtr

Dan

[bull]

Are you getting the correct 68 set of spacers, that have the correct steel inserts, the 69's don't have them, they cost a bit more.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-Charger-OEM-Correct-Grill-Grille-Set-/380647124416?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58a0562dc0&vxp=mtr

Dan

A few days ago I asked that question of a seller but didn't get a for sure answer. Actually the guy I talked to is more of a middle man so I need to go to the source to find out for sure. His source is Gunslinger and their website describes them as "concourse correct spacers to fit the 68 Charger." But yes, that's the kind of set I want.

[skip68]

Are you going to black out the grill?    I think it looks awesome all blacked out.   

[projectanimal]

Great job with grill and the engine bay looks beautiful!! 
Last year I worked on our grill with several breaks... I used the loctite as well and was very happy with its performance and sanding after it was hard.  It seemed to almost melt the old plastic a little to help bond! 

Keep up the great progress! 

[HeavyFuel]

Looking at your grill makes me appraciate the condition of mine even more.  I had to make a few repairs, but nothing like what you've had to do.  Nice job.

[Homerr]

Bull, the progress looks great.  And thanks for posting some pics and thoughts on the plastic repair.  I'm learning a lot watching this thread.   

[bull]

Are you going to black out the grill?    I think it looks awesome all blacked out.   

No, sorry. I like the stock silver and black.

Great job with grill and the engine bay looks beautiful!! 
Last year I worked on our grill with several breaks... I used the loctite as well and was very happy with its performance and sanding after it was hard.  It seemed to almost melt the old plastic a little to help bond! 

Keep up the great progress! 

You're right. That's a good way to describe it. Loctite really seems to get down into the cracks and bond. I'll be using it again on some other spots but I just wish they'd figure out a way to make both sides flow equally when dispensed. It's annoying.

Bull, the progress looks great.  And thanks for posting some pics and thoughts on the plastic repair.  I'm learning a lot watching this thread.   

Looking at your grill makes me appraciate the condition of mine even more.  I had to make a few repairs, but nothing like what you've had to do.  Nice job.

Thanks.

[8WHEELER]

Are you getting the correct 68 set of spacers, that have the correct steel inserts, the 69's don't have them, they cost a bit more.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-Charger-OEM-Correct-Grill-Grille-Set-/380647124416?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58a0562dc0&vxp=mtr

Dan

A few days ago I asked that question of a seller but didn't get a for sure answer. Actually the guy I talked to is more of a middle man so I need to go to the source to find out for sure. His source is Gunslinger and their website describes them as "concourse correct spacers to fit the 68 Charger." But yes, that's the kind of set I want.

OK, just checking, I bought the cheap plastic type from a vendor, he said correct for 68 and 69. Then I received
them, and they were the cheaper plastic ones used on the 69's, I don't mean that in a bad way, but the correct
68 type are a thicker more solid material, and don't have a raised portion where the bolt head and washer hit.
Like these, correct for a 69, but he will not change his add period, because they will FIT a 68. Infact he added the
comments at the bottom because of me   
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GRILLE-HARDWARE-KIT-70-CUDA-CHARGER-68-69-GRILL-MOUNT-HW-/130900250567?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1968%7CMake%3ADodge%7CModel%3ACharger&hash=item1e7a434fc7&vxp=mtr

Dan

[68blue]

Grill looks great!  Had similar issues with mine.

[bull]

Are you getting the correct 68 set of spacers, that have the correct steel inserts, the 69's don't have them, they cost a bit more.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Dodge-Charger-OEM-Correct-Grill-Grille-Set-/380647124416?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58a0562dc0&vxp=mtr

Dan

A few days ago I asked that question of a seller but didn't get a for sure answer. Actually the guy I talked to is more of a middle man so I need to go to the source to find out for sure. His source is Gunslinger and their website describes them as "concourse correct spacers to fit the 68 Charger." But yes, that's the kind of set I want.

OK, just checking, I bought the cheap plastic type from a vendor, he said correct for 68 and 69. Then I received
them, and they were the cheaper plastic ones used on the 69's, I don't mean that in a bad way, but the correct
68 type are a thicker more solid material, and don't have a raised portion where the bolt head and washer hit.
Like these, correct for a 69, but he will not change his add period, because they will FIT a 68. Infact he added the
comments at the bottom because of me   
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GRILLE-HARDWARE-KIT-70-CUDA-CHARGER-68-69-GRILL-MOUNT-HW-/130900250567?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1968%7CMake%3ADodge%7CModel%3ACharger&hash=item1e7a434fc7&vxp=mtr

Dan

I called Gunslinger today and he confirmed that his sets are OE correct but different for each year, 68, 69 and 70. He said his 68 kit has a four-part spacer rather than a two-part spacer like the 69 kit.

Grill looks great!  Had similar issues with mine.

Did you also use epoxy?

[bull]

Got the surrounds repaired, sanded and painted. Now to paint the center grill, doors, frame and a bunch of other stuff.

[resq302]

looks really nice!   

[Daytona Guy]

Great work BULL

Dane

[tan top]

    nice job 

[Charger-Bodie]

You really are doing a beautiful job Curtis. She's gonna be really nice!

[bull]

Thanks guys.

Was trying to find a new place to get some plating done today since the go-to business jacked their rates up on me for electroless nickel. It was on the cusp of being too spendy before and now that they've raised it I'm pretty much done with them I think.

[A383Wing]

you commin' up to show on Sunday?

Bryan

[bull]

you commin' up to show on Sunday?

Bryan

Spring Roundup? I work weekends so I'm always having to plan in advance for things like this and take vacation time. But you never know. Is it supposed to piss rain that day?

[A383Wing]

nope..so far they are saying sunny & maybe 70 this weekend...but that could change by Saturday morning....

I may go..depends on how I feel Sunday morning....I never know how things are gonna go until an hour or so after I get up

Bryan

[bull]

  It'd be more fun with a Charger to show...

[472 R/T SE]

I haven't decided.  I was thinking about taking the wife's truck for something different or for that matter I could take my Magnum.

[slash19]

Great job Bull. You will have yourself a fine machine soon. I live in Oregon. So if you ever come through Salem. Give me a holler.