72 Charger Build

[chargd72]

I thought it was about time to start sharing my build.  I picked up this practically rust free 72 SE in Houston in August of '09.  At that time, I couldn't even accurately point to a carburetor.  The Charger sat in this single car garage for 6 months while I read everything and anything I could get my hands on.  This site was/is a great resource.   
I've done some things that will probably get a  from people here, but keep in mind, this is my first project car and I'm just trying to build a nice solid driver.
Some of these pics have been posted before.  Here it is the first time I brought him home.  Enjoy.

[chargd72]

I started with the engine because I'm putting off some much needed bodywork on the driprails.

Taking some meat out to the runners to match new intake and exhaust.  I've smoothed them out more after these pics were taken.

[chargd72]

Enlarged valves to 1.88/1.60.  Put in new matched 340 cam springs.  Painted heads.  Krinkle paint on valve covers.

[chargd72]

New engine specs.  318 punched out .030 over, Eddy 600 carb, HVH spacer, Air gap manifold, cast 302 closed chamber heads with 1.88/1.60 valves (port matched), 340 resto cam with new lifters, Sealed power pistons, Hedman Headers 1 5/8 primaries, 2.5 inch flowmaster exhaust.

Link to the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysHqWhcA3Ss

H-pipe is installed.  Kind of missed the exhaust reliefs in the fram but headers sit lower anyway so should be

[chargd72]

Did the rims and tires.  The black came out a little too shiny but they look pretty good.

[chargd72]

Took out the column shifter and replaced it with one on the floor.

[chargd72]

Rear Bump

[chargd72]

Front Bump

[chargd72]

A little trim work.  Silver paint marker did the job.  The cluster had a small corner broken off by the steering column gap.  Instead of replacing the whole thing, I smoothed it out and put a black piece of trim on it.  Looks a little more natural now.

[bobs66440]

Looking good so far! 

[defiance]

I don't see anything you should get rolleyed for, that all looks great to me!  The trim on the cluster looks a little off, but it probably won't be noticeable once you've got it all together, and if you decide you don't like it, you didn't hurt anything trying ... except maybe some time getting the cluster in/out, that is a *PAIN* - I know because I've moved my own cluster in/out about 10 times for various reasons, and I think I'd almost rather take the engine out now than the cluster!

Are you dropping the center console altogether, or are you going to try to integrate the new shifter?

[klutch]

Looking good!

[chargd72]

Thanks guys, I have some more pics coming. Takes forever to upload all these.

Are you dropping the center console altogether, or are you going to try to integrate the new shifter?

I definitely want a center console. I was thinking about building one myself.

[CDN72SE]

Nice to see your progress Ryan, keep up the good work.

[NHCharger]

For someone who couldn't tell a carb from a crank shaft you are doing a very nice job.

[Wicked72]

lookin good!

[FlatbackFanatic]

 

[chargd72]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the feedback!

I finished the headlight bezels with the help of CDN72SE.  He sent me the missing screws and tabs I needed.  Thanks Alan     I should have taken a before pic of these.  They were pretty nasty but cleaned up quite well.

[CDN72SE]

Good job Ryan, glad I could help out in a small way.

[chargd72]

I recently had to take out the ignition cylinder to get a key made so I might as well work on the column while it was all apart.  Here's what I started with.  I had to get rid of the column shift lever since I put the shifter on the floor.

[chargd72]

I wanted to make use out of that knob sticking out the side so I did a little fabrication to my tac mount.  It covered up alright.

[chargd72]

Final product.

[chargd72]

Stripped and painted dash.  Starting to reassemble. 

[Matthan]

very nice

[CDN72SE]

Ryan, what did you use in way of paint for your dash frame? Looks good.