Mopar Muscle Association UK

My plan is to try and keep her on the road for the next couple of years while I collect all the bits necessary for a full restoration. It all started ok as I renewed the brakes, rear wheel bearings and seals, exhaust header gaskets, changed the trans fluid and filter, and did a bit of general tinkering. Got a pair of nearly new leaf springs from Darran in Wales. Got a new headlining of esccossie. Got a '70 Charger 500 interior from TonyO (wanted to ditch the original buckets for highbacks), plus a couple more odds and sods including trunk floors. New door cards from Martin in Swindon (chargeruk). It was all going ok...

Then, after getting her fired up again after a six week stint doing the brakes/wheel bearings etc, took her for a spin. My heart sank as I watched the oil pressure get lower and lower. Turns out it wasn't just trans fluid dripping on to the garage floor. What a muppet. I should have checked the oil level after leaving it for that amount of time. What a novice mistake.

Not all bad though. Had a chat to my mate Mike Jones, and it turns out that a bloke from his work knows someone who is selling a 440 six pak motor. Knocking bottom end, but only £800. Worth a call I thought, especially as I intended on going for a 440 six pak when the rest of the car was done. So I ring the guy (Mark), very nice bloke, selling the whole motor (headers, alternator, water pump, lumpy cam, the lot), but minus the carb. I say 'How much?' He says, '£500'. I say, 'When can I pick it up?'

So, I might not make a few shows/runs, but once the new motor is installed (which I hope will be by the Nats), we should be cooking on gas again. In the mean time, I'll carry on looking for bargains in the Parts section...

Seems too many of these motors are of the road longer than they should be , seems a great idea to gather up all the neccessary parts , getting it back on the road in a shorter time , as oposed to stripping it then having to source/finance parts.

At least when it is all done, it will be an awesome car

Brutus wrote:seems a great idea to gather up all the neccessary parts , getting it back on the road in a shorter time , as oposed to stripping it then having to source/finance parts.

very for now though.

Cheers chaps. Always wanted a 440 6 pak, breathed on. Just didn't expect to have to get one so soon. Still, not complaining...

far better with then wheels on mate

Pete_bedford wrote:far better with then wheels on mate

Cheers Pete, I think so. Probably won't keep them though. Always liked Torq Thrust D's...

I purposely bought a car that wasn't original because I want to personalise it. I would like to change the k member for a more modern set up, maybe with coils, rack and pinion, and discs. Frame connectors, hi stall convertor, 3.55 rear end, etc. Priority is getting the bodywork restored though. Planning on ditching the vinyl roof and going with a subtle custom paint. Will look cool but different (not black or orange!). I like the sixties race car look, so might incorporate some of that into the look of the car...

Still looking for bargains, but I'm mainly on the search for new body panels now. Rear quarters, tail light panel, rear inner arches, front and rear floors, filler panel, scuttle. It's gonna be a big job...

Picked up the 'new' motor from JPC's today. A guy called Mark Stevens had it in his '68, but the bottom end started knocking so needs a rebuild. He did an absolutely stonking deal though. The motor is a genuine 440 6 pak, and is virtually complete bar the carb, so that includes alternator, distributor, inlet manifold, headers, water pump and pulleys, etc. Sold the lot for £500. Well chuffed, as it's what I wanted anyway. Gonna try to keep the old 383 running and save the 440 for after the restoration.

Sounds like a good deal matey! Yes, definitely the best way to do things - a year looking on ebay while the car's still on the road.

Finally got my indicators and washers sorted. There still seems to be a problem with the indicator switch on the column though, and had to fit a washer switch from Halfords for now as the original switch is burnt out. Getting ready for the MoT which is due by 6th july. Got a friendly local testing station that will get it up on the ramps and do a pre-MoT check, and allow me to have a look underneath as well.
Still got oil pressure issues, so to make it to the Nats, I'm gonna drop the sump, crack off a bearing cap, and inspect the shells. If they're knackered, gonna try and replace the shells with the crank in situ for now.
I've replaced the front wheel bearings recently, but keep getting a rattling noise when turning. Anyone got a clue?

MoT failure. Off the road until I decide what to do next.

What'd she fail on? bad or bad?

Bad.