When you mentioned the Duramax intercooler having a new home in the first post.....I was thinking a diesel charger sure would be cool.
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The Willomet Charger
- Thread starter AgDieseler
- Start date
A desecration to Mopar nuts everywhere, this is my protouring, LS-powered, 1970 Dodge Charger; built at my shop, Willomet Motor & Fabrication.
900th post since registering on CK5 15 years ago.
The march toward media blast continues. Doors removed to save weight and improve my 60ft times.
It took a while, but I eventually figured out that stripping outside created less dust in the shop. Cowl, doors, and half the roof were all bare metal. Also pulled the last remaining brackets and hardware.
In the disassembly, I found the frame rails and crossmembers were filled with a fine sandy dirt. No kidding, there was a full dustpan of junk that rattled out as I rolled the car.
All hail compressed air:
Finished roof
Fenders done:
David
The march toward media blast continues. Doors removed to save weight and improve my 60ft times.
It took a while, but I eventually figured out that stripping outside created less dust in the shop. Cowl, doors, and half the roof were all bare metal. Also pulled the last remaining brackets and hardware.
In the disassembly, I found the frame rails and crossmembers were filled with a fine sandy dirt. No kidding, there was a full dustpan of junk that rattled out as I rolled the car.
All hail compressed air:
Finished roof
Fenders done:
David
I had no idea these were unit-body...crazy!
I was always amazed that they were all unibody's too Rene'....but after having GM's early in life, full frame seemed the norm, until my buddy started aquiring the 68-69 road runners/GTX's, those were the burnout kings in my runaround gang...383 or 440 with a torqueflite and 3.23's....smokem!
Other the needing quarters, that thing is in pretty good shape.
It really is. The important stuff is solid - rails, rockers, roof, and the structures between them. I got pretty lucky.
The quarters are cosmetic, but you need to pull those anyway to properly tub for 315+ tires. The floor and trunk are in poor shape shape, but those have to be cut for the trans and fuel cell anyway, so not a lot of incremental work there, either. They don't make hoods or fenders for a 70 since it was a 1 year only front clip, so those have to be repaired from scratch with a sheet of 18ga.
After tidying up in the shop, it will be good to look at it with fresh eyes.
David
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...and about those quarters.
Lots of old rust and rot and rat scat. My rational was, "why have them blast and prime panels I've already planned to remove?" The passenger side revealed a scabbed on patch using lots of adhesive. The inner structure appeared solid.
The driver side was much less dramatic. Prying the panels off the rockers confirmed they're fairly intact, if a bit corroded.
The inner sail panels have a lot of that resin. I assume the PO used it as a backing to mound up body filler on the outside:
Once ready, we loaded her up on the trailer, and I took it to North Texas Customs.
I also took the fenders and doors, but I still have some work to do on the hood and deck lid, and they can be handled individually.
They blast with a 40/80 grit garnet, and scrape off what that doesn't get - underbody coating, resin, etc. To avoid stress relieving and subsequent warping, only one side of a panel is blasted - they treat and sand the underside of the roof chemically and/or mechanically before priming. Turns out, this process is what the shop is best known for, and they have a good reputation from members on a few forums, the HAMB in particular.
This was a big step for the car.
David
Lots of old rust and rot and rat scat. My rational was, "why have them blast and prime panels I've already planned to remove?" The passenger side revealed a scabbed on patch using lots of adhesive. The inner structure appeared solid.
The driver side was much less dramatic. Prying the panels off the rockers confirmed they're fairly intact, if a bit corroded.
The inner sail panels have a lot of that resin. I assume the PO used it as a backing to mound up body filler on the outside:
Once ready, we loaded her up on the trailer, and I took it to North Texas Customs.
I also took the fenders and doors, but I still have some work to do on the hood and deck lid, and they can be handled individually.
They blast with a 40/80 grit garnet, and scrape off what that doesn't get - underbody coating, resin, etc. To avoid stress relieving and subsequent warping, only one side of a panel is blasted - they treat and sand the underside of the roof chemically and/or mechanically before priming. Turns out, this process is what the shop is best known for, and they have a good reputation from members on a few forums, the HAMB in particular.
This was a big step for the car.
David
Awesome attention to detail. This thing is going to be sweet. What did you cut the rear panels out with?
Love your garage too! I make a mess of my work spaces, and often have to spend hours getting them straight again before I can do any additional work. Makes you feel better just having stuff organized.
Love your garage too! I make a mess of my work spaces, and often have to spend hours getting them straight again before I can do any additional work. Makes you feel better just having stuff organized.
Thanks!
I mostly use an air saw with a 32tpi blade. The death wheel is handy around pinch welds.
David
I mostly use an air saw with a 32tpi blade. The death wheel is handy around pinch welds.
David
Nice car and I love the burb too.
Very nice! I am a huge Mopar fan and have a 66 Charger under construction. I hope you will reconsider your powerplant choice and entertain the 6.1 or 6.4 Hemi. These are incredible engines, far stronger than the LS and have terrific potential for easy power building.
Very nice! My dad has a 66 charger.
I really like the fastback styling of the 66/67. A fine choice.
New wall art. Gave one to a friend:
With the charger away for media blast, I took the opportunity to pull everything away from the walls, sweep, and generally get my gear squared away.
Felt good:
David
Even with the hacks the PO did that's still not too bad. Course when it comes back from the blaster will truly tell the tale of how good/bad it is.
Agree, a clean shop is a good shop.
Agree, a clean shop is a good shop.
I really like the fastback styling of the 66/67. A fine choice.
David
I'm really diggin the curved walls in your shop....
with that much of the quarter structure removed does it need bracing?
There is a good bit removed, but it's mostly the cosmetic portions. Structurally the car is still very solid. The trunk torsion bars tie into a brace that connects the sail panel structure to the wheel tubs. Along with the unibody structure that ties the roof to that same tub, it all holds together very well. You just can't push it around by the fender, because you might distort a key body line.
It will need temporary bracing as I remove more material from the floor and minitubs
David
It will need temporary bracing as I remove more material from the floor and minitubs
David
Back in black...
David
David
OOOoooo
