"Strong like bull"

The new trunk was placed in, taken out, placed in, taken out, over and over again. A cut here, bend there, try the fit again. Once we looked everything over twice, maybe three times I spotted her in there. Making little spot welds held the trunk in place and I went back to weld the necessary places to cement the pieces.

Once I grinded the spots down smooth we cleaned them off and threw some primer on there. I came back the next day and found a couple other places around the butt that needed more welding that I never finished before. I'm very happy that this section of the car seems to be complete for now and we can move on from here.

Hmmm Hot Chocolate... and the final frame weld

It's cold, and there isn't any way to change that... Sooooo, a little hot chocolate down the tube and everything gets a little warmer... for a minute. Mission trunk completion is nearing the end. The frame is supported, welded, grinded, undercoated, and set for the actual trunk. The hours spent on this section is a mountain tall if stacked, but the ending result will make it worth the hassle we encountered.

I'd like to take a moment to remember my beloved contact that was destroyed during the weld. Just collateral damage I guess, but it sure made it difficult to weld straight the next hour +!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A couple hours closer

Over everything we have done to Rusty up to this point, I wouldn't have thought the trunk would take so long to work on. Of course I am a rookie body guy, and that's my excuse. The frame rails definitely needed some work. So for the past month (remember I only work on her every other week, family first :) I've been trying to get motivated to work through the blistering cold that enters Michigan. Yesterday it was around 26 degrees when we started. Needing ventilation from the weld and fumes, the garage was wide open. I'd have to say that except for my toes I wasn't too cold.
I completed the weld around the support rails near the tire. I grinded a bit to enhance the look. Heating the metal and bending it, along with filling a half an inch gap between the metal in some spots where it couldn't be bent took time. We also put a steel re-inforcement plate to strengthen where my leaf springs are held. We also decided to cut off some patch steel on the rails and go with a longer one piece from the butt to the tire. This will add much more strength than just a simple patch. It took time to grind off the old patches, cut new space out. By the time we were ready to fabricate another steel piece we ran out of oxygen for the torch... Everything around here is closed on Sundays, so we closed shop too.

Frame rails

Here are the re-enforcement steel plates cut out to strengthen the 38yr old rails on Rusty. Just some important things to do before we mount the new trunk floor in there.

All about the Numbers... 440

After weeks of not knowing for sure, we pulled that engine out and went directly to the numbers that mark the block. 400663-440-7 A 440, 1975 casting date. I feel so much better now...

Looking back if I was asked if I would do it again... I think I would sit it out, unless there was a 426 hemi under that thing..

A new trailer will be born

With still 3 metal loads to take to the scrapyard, all that sits is the frame. The family will share this purchase. I get the engine, my brother wants the Dana 60, and my dad wants to turn the frame into the foundation of a trailer we can all use. Not bad for $368, including gas I put in the Monster. $123 on the first scrapyard trip. $50 to the landfill. 3 separate metal piles to go...

And more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At this point we separated what we could take back to the scrapyard. 123$ back from the first load of metal. But then $50 to the landfill. Still positive green back though.

More Destruction!!!!!!!!

Destruction

The MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! part 2

I didn't sleep much that night. I even called to see if I could tow the darn thing home, WAY too much money!
When we got back to the truck stop the Monster was still there. She fired right up though!!! We decided to take back roads home to limit the attention. ( This thing was not suppose to be on the road, yikes!!) About 2 miles away from home I heard a terrible sound and smelt something like rubber. A big pop followed and I thought I blew a tire. I checked the mirror and seen my bumper bouncing toward my dad's car. It missed. I pulled over but noticed the gas tank showing empty. I was so close yet so far away. Dad called me and told me to keep going.
I pulled into the driveway like a king. We made it!!
We pulled the cover off the engine to give her another check and I noticed the air cleaner pan with some disturbing numbers.. 413 265 horsepower. I started to panic. Please tell me this is wrong. We went underneath to read the block, but the starter was in the way.
The next couple weeks were dedicated to getting that thing scrapped. All the time not knowing if someone hoodwinked us on the engine.

The MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! part 1

It is alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good ol Craigslist... It can be great, but because of my human curiosities it can be an addiction. Somewhere in the time when I bought the 383 for Rusty, I always had the other side of my mind, along with my father, to find that 440 to fill the hole. Well thanks to Craiglist I found a running 440 from a 1970 Continental Motorhome. Now that it is sitting in my garage I can sum up the last couple weeks with one word.... whew...

1970 Continental Motorhome running 440 $300 This is the listing that caught my eye. Too good to be true I thought. AND it almost was. So after making contact with the guy I got my dad to drive the 76 mile trip to the Monster. The Monster was not attractive by any means. I just wanted the treasure in the middle... The first thing that was mentioned was how the brakes were not the greatest. Lovely... Soooo, after trying two batteries the thing fired up. It ran for a couple minutes, but without much gas we turned it off. That was the first mistake. Time- roughly 5:00. Once I turned over the money and transfered the title we went back out to the Monster. She wouldn't crank. Battery was dead. Hooked it up to the charger, went to get some gas, came back, checked out a couple Cuda's the guy had sitting out back, tried to start it again, nothing... Time- 6:00. We tried the old battery and she started thankfully, but now we are racing the sun. Did I mention the Monster didn't have any lights AT ALL on it!?
We put some air in the tires and I was off. At this point, 30 seconds into it I was scared to death. I also failed to noticed my dad running after me. Right before I get on the highway I notice my phone blarring. It seems I had my dad's keys in my pocket. Luckily the guy gave him a lift to catch me. Time- roughly 7:00.
The drive home was entertaining for those passing me. People looking at me like I'm crazy. They must have seen the water raining on me from the open roof... I made it about 40 miles before dark. We pulled off in Dexter, about 30 minutes away. Not bad for now, one cop scare, luckily he was busy with someone else... I was still shaking when I got home knowing I had to drive that thing 30 more miles..
to be continued

Lately I've been searching

So as time keeps moving and Rusty keeps improving, my mind keeps pondering other things. IF this NEXT thing goes through that I have pondered I will post it very soon...

Back frame..

Looking at the trunk we knew that there would be some damage to the frame rails. There are small holes that will be re-enforced with new steel. After sandblasting both sides I sprayed everywhere I could with the Rust Mort. On the rails, in the rails, and around the rails. I let it sit for a day and then painted the rails until we get ready to work on them.
After a ride down to AirWay Supply for some oxygen, we can now gather materials to make those frame rails stronger.

That trunk has seen better days

You can definitely tell where water loved to sit and relax in the Charger. The trunk was probably full of water at some point. So we began to cut out the cancer knowing that more would be revealed on and in the frame beneath. We left about an inch around the trunk to weld the new trunk to and for some strength support. Instead of drilling all of the spot welds that the trunk had, which was a lot, I used my cousins air chisel and went to work. After getting it started it didn't take too long to remove both sides. It was a mess to clean up in both senses.

Holy trunk weld batman!!!!!

Once we got the panels matched up and clamped in, I spot welded across the back where the two panels came together. I really had to get in there to see what I was doing. She looked like a spotted mule once she was done. The scary thing was is that I re-moved the gas tank way earlier, which means I was lying in this trunk filled with holes, holes, and more holes. I had to place my feet in certain parts to balance my weight or I would have probably fallen through. She does have nice trunk space though...

Corners meet the end...

Once we put on these quarter panels my father and I knew that connecting everything would be a real treat. We repeatedly went to pictures and sought resources before completing the task. After a few cuts in the after-market panels we were able to close the gap. we will have to patch a few small little holes and weld them in, but after the filler work and smoothing process is done it'll look good. It's been nice not having to look at that rusted back-end. Compare the first photos of Rusty's butt to now and it makes me feel good. Solid...

Clean up that back end....

After Rusty sat for the last month practically untouched, I was excited to get back to work. I forgot how frustration enters with restoration though. We had to cut and bend to try and get the back valance extensions to meet the quarters. After a couple spot welds to hold the valance into place, we called it a day to restore energy and focus. Patience....

You're Not Done Yet

Since I couldn't really see the line like I wanted, I threw some primer on there to get a better look. Rusty was pushed outside so I could use natural light to see that line. Once I had the car out I could see that small portion of the line was lower. I marked the car once again to remind me where I need to sand some more and straighten her out.

The X strategy continued on the passenger side. Putting filler on and then basically working most of it off can definitely change your hair color... face pigment... your hands, and throw your pants in there as well.