Headers... finally

We knew the passenger side installation of the headers wouldn't be a big deal, BUT we also knew that the driver's side was going to be tight tight tight... To actually get the driver's side in we had to warm the pipes and modify them to fit with some space. Hedman headers were made to fit the engine, I just don't know if they were made to fit the engine AND fit in the car!!! I asked a Summit tech what to do and it happens that he had a 68 Charger where he had to modify them too. He said the competition headers fit better.

We also had a chance to check the brakes. Turns out they are fairly new. We are going to replace the springs in them and clean up the pads. Drums look good, and it seems a couple were also replaced. No grooves... Saved a couple dimes there!!

Luke "Duke"

After failing to find a new modern wheel that I just had to have for my General Lee, I decided to go with the original style vector with the ten spokes. This was my son, Luke's, idea from the moment I started building the car. I think he was more excited seeing the boxes on the porch being delivered than I was, and I was pretty excited.

American Racing Wheels

Thanks to AKH Wheels, I was able to purchase the American Racing wheels. It set me back a little bit, but they are reconditioned and look amazing. I just need to buy shank lugs and we are all set. I'm not going to place them on the car until it is painted. I did try the back wheel, and it looks sweet when bolted on. BF Goodrich Radial tires are wrapped around in. The wheels are the 15x8.5. After failing to find modern rims that fit my fancy, I decided to go with the vintage General Lee. I opted for the 15's instead of the 14's because I think they look better. To each their own.

Gas Tank

I painted the gas tank with Rust-Oleum paint. After letting the paint dry I wanted to try an idea. I want to make a stencil of the Mopar "M" and put it in white on my headrests. I had the valve cover breathers box from Mopar on the shelf. It looked like the "M" was the perfect size. So I cut it out and practice a few times on a random box. I had to press on the stencil hard to ensure the paint would not run. I coated my whole hand basically, but eventually it came out nice and crisp. I then grabbed the Hemi Orange I had left over from the engine and slapped it on the gas tank. No one will ever see it, but I wanted to see how it looked. No harm no foul.

Undercoat Paint

My cousin Larry gave me some special paint that he was done with to use under the car. It costs 132.00 for a gallon of this!!!! Quick note to point out, if it gets stuck in your hair you basically have to cut it out. I had enough to paint the whole underside of the car twice. I also went around the car with body sealer where I replaced the floors and also where we fixed the frame under the car.

Hedman Headers will be bolted up to the 440. I scratched off the paint they sent them in, as they were not high heat protected. It will only take a short time for this paint to wear off, but I feel better about doing it before the are put into the car.

Back Springs

As the list starts to get shorter, we wanted to get the car back to stock level. The back-end was lifted, old-school style, which would be ok, but I really like the slick look of the Charger like it came out of the factory.... with a few modifications. Monroe Sensatrac are now hooked up in the back.
We simply cut the leaf spring brackets and adjusted them down back to the factory settings. We did break a stud getting the old spring off, so we had to ask Larry to fix that for us once again. I'm very thankful that Larry has all the tools he does.