68 R/T Restoration

[xs29bb1]

I've got a few more on the way...

[xs29bb1]

Gas tank going in.  Last one is one of the side markers

[xs29bb1]

Here's the rear end, gas tank, and leaf springs all in.

[MxRacer855]

Absolutely beautiful!  I can't wait to get to this stage with mine! Keep the pics coming!

Jeff

[hydroforce2]

VERY IMPRESSIVE! great job!

[cdr]

looks awesome,,are those axle bearings pressed all the way on?  looks like the axles are out way to far.put a drum on & see if its just my eyes.

[MxRacer855]

looks awesome,,are those axle bearings pressed all the way on?  looks like the axles are out way to far.put a drum on & see if its just my eyes.

It does look like that, doesn't it? Maybe some super wide aftermarket drums?

[xs29bb1]

It does look like that, doesn't it? Maybe some super wide aftermarket drums?

No, it's just the way it looks in the photos.  We're putting the standard drums on there.  What do you think of the look of the leaf springs?  They were clear coated before they were put on to keep that look for a longer period of time.

And here's an "after" photo of the spark plug wire brackets. 

[MxRacer855]

I think that raw metal look you have going on those leaf springs is sharp! I'm a huge fan of clean raw metal, but rarely ever run it because it's so hard to keep clean and rust free. The clear coat was definitely a nice touch! the car looks great!

Jeff

[xs29bb1]

Thanks Jeff -

My understanding is that that look was the way it came from the factory.  We wanted to have that look, but preserve it.  Several touches were put in to accomplish that - for example the straps on the gas tank were powder coated to keep them from rusting.  In fact, the total amount of powder coating was a lot more than I was expecting when this thing started.  

Honestly, what I'm going for is a straight stock look, but putting in the "embellishments" that will hopefully keep that look for years and years.  

[MxRacer855]

You're welcome!  I dig the stock look! I love the black too.
I'm actually working on my fuel tank right now. Specifically searching for a new filler neck, sending unit, vent line, and tank straps with "J" bolts as we speak! So the straps you have were powder coated clear as well? Powder coating definitely adds up. I used to get a lot of stuff done on my dirtbikes before we started getting anodized parts. It's expensive! You could drop off a few little parts and easily run the bill over a hundred bucks (well worth it though for the longevity).

I need to get some replacement leafs... what are you running for those?

Jeff

[MxRacer855]

Oh, and another quick question for you. When I removed my tank, there was nylon padding/foam (like shipping material) serving as a buffer between my tank and trunk floor pan. It looks like someone just slapped it on. Do you have anything between your tank and floor pan, or should I just eliminate it all together?


Jeff

[xs29bb1]

Oh, and another quick question for you. When I removed my tank, there was nylon padding/foam (like shipping material) serving as a buffer between my tank and trunk floor pan. It looks like someone just slapped it on. Do you have anything between your tank and floor pan, or should I just eliminate it all together?


Jeff

I'm not the expert on this, but I do not have any padding in there.

For the leaf springs, I've got parts from Year One - the part number is 363SBEM.  They're essentially what the R/T's had back in the day as far as I know.  They're a bit heavier on the passenger side.  And in fact, they're manufactured in Detroit from the same place that made the original ones back in 68.  (so I'm told - experts please correct if that's wrong)   

[xs29bb1]

Here's a few pics of the engine/tranny right before she goes in.

[tan top]

   looks good !! nice work 

[bill440rt]

Looking great! Nice attention to detail.
What kind of clear did you use on the springs?

Wire looms would be painted after the dip along with the engine assembly and be all engine color. Not sure if that's an oversight or just the look you're going after. 

[cdr]

yes there should be a liner between the tank & car.

http://store.yahoo.com/chucker54/gastankpads.html

[XS29L9B2]

very nice work

[MxRacer855]

yes there should be a liner between the tank & car.

http://store.yahoo.com/chucker54/gastankpads.html

Thank you! That's what I was curious about.

[xs29bb1]

Wire looms would be painted after the dip along with the engine assembly and be all engine color. Not sure if that's an oversight or just the look you're going after.  

Thanks.  This was a conscious choice.  In most instances where something was originally shot w/ overspray or done in such a way where it didn't look real clean, I've opted to do it differently to give a cleaner look.

I realize that this takes away a bit from an original looking car, but I think this is the only type of situation where I'm doing so.  (at least I hope)  I'll have date coded parts (hoses, glass, etc) where possible and we're building the car back to the Fender tag exactly.  I don't have the build sheet, but we could also see some non-Fender tag options the car had when we first got it and we're keeping all of those as well.  (they would include 3-speed wipers, headrests, light package)

I was able to track down and contact the father of the 2nd owner who got the car in 1971 as there are 2 options (which steering wheel it originally had, and whether or not it came w/ road wheels or not) that obviously aren't on the fender tag and it was unable to know based on the car itself.  He said he'd give his son my name and number and have him call me back, but wasn't sure if he'd even remember that info or if those components were the original ones when he received the car.  

Anyway, the guy never called me back and I didn't want to go bug the old guy again, so I've simply opted to put in the wood grain wheel and go Mag 500s for the only two options we're not confident about.  

Sorry for the long winded answer - figured I'd give you guys the deal on the look I'm going for.  Basically I want it to look 98% how it rolled out of the factory - all options matching what was original to the car, original color combo, most everything date coded, etc.  The only "embellishments" will be the paint and body work, tires (I plan to go w/ redlines as it came originally, but they'll be radials w/ 235s up front and 275s in the rear), and touches such as these where we try to get a little cleaner look than what came out of the factory.  Oh, and the carburetor - it's a 750 Edelbrock

I'll check which clear was used on the springs...

[xs29bb1]

Also, it was mentioned on a very early post on this thread, but I'll state it again - I'm not personally doing the work on the car.  I actually found the guys to do the car before I got the car itself.  They've done about a half dozen 68 Chargers in the past and have put out some stunning cars. 

If you've seen the article on the "Rats to Riches" Roadrunner.... they did that car. 

We put the plan together on the car about last year this time, and as I mentioned above the goal is to have what's very close to a straight stock looking triple black R/T.  I'm trying to get as many date coded parts as possible unless they're really over the top on price.

I really appreciate all the feedback from this site - the group of guys here are great.  So please, if you see me doing something on the car that looks like it's not right, or doesn't fit what I'm going for - please do not hesitate to call it out!  Believe me I won't get offended, I'm here to learn as much as possible - and anything that makes my car better is, well better.

[xs29bb1]

A few more

[xs29bb1]

Wire looms would be painted after the dip along with the engine assembly and be all engine color. Not sure if that's an oversight or just the look you're going after.  

Bill - I was told that as you say they were painted the engine color after being put on, however I was told that they were often sprayed in such a way that they did not come out entirely the engine color and that they would have a sloppy overspray look. Is this incorrect?  Were they 100% engine color?

I didn't want to have a shoddy overspray look so that's why we did what we did. If however they were 100% engine color then that changes things.

[Hard Charger]

xs129bb1

enjoy your threads here.

you are restoring your 68 just as I am doing mine. same engine detailing and I will be putting the rear suspension in next weekend.

saw your engine detailing. I did my plug wire looms the same way, they look great done that way.

I did notice you were missing the plug heat shield. there is only a couple. Mega Parts has them.

[MxRacer855]