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1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, 6 speed, and RMS AlterKtion/4link #2455202
02/21/18 06:41 PM
02/21/18 06:41 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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This last summer (2017), I was finally able to lock up a deal on a 1968 Dodge Charger that I've been chasing for about 2.5 years. It's not a rare Charger, but it was quite solid and I just fell in love with it. This is the first picture of it that I saw:

[Linked Image]

The guy I bought it from lives about 15 miles from me but he kept the Charger on an out of state property. After about a year of talking about it I was able to schedule an in person inspection on a weekend, but he wasn't excited about selling. About a year later he had to move his cars back to Kansas so the car became a lot easier to see and drop in to chat...

After another 6 months I came across a car that he really wanted so we were able to work a trade. I was super happy to finally get the deal done. My intent is to keep this car simple (yeah right) and have a rough and tumble car I can enjoy but we will see if that can be accomplished. "Hello, My name is Kelsey and I struggle with scope creep."

The early plans are for a 6.1, an A518 automatic transmission, and possible a Dana 60....since I have a rebuilt Dana sitting in the corner of the shop.

Last edited by moparts; 08/20/20 08:03 PM.

1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2455203
02/21/18 06:42 PM
02/21/18 06:42 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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The day I picked it up:









1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2455204
02/21/18 06:43 PM
02/21/18 06:43 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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The underside is really what drew me to this car. The rear frame rails and torsion bar cross member are rock solid. It does need a new driver's side rocker.








Last edited by 70B5Cuda; 02/21/18 06:43 PM.

1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2455206
02/21/18 06:44 PM
02/21/18 06:44 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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Even the rear window corners were pretty decent. I'm sure the lower channel under the rear window will need work, but I've seen much worse.]





Even the quarter panels are solid, considering they're 50 years old and the car has been outside for at least the past 25 years.





1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2455207
02/21/18 06:44 PM
02/21/18 06:44 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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Newton, KS
The paint on this car is a real patchwork job. It was originally red, and then was painted blue. Then someone sprayed yellow on multiple surfaces but not the whole car. The engine bay is black. The front fenders were originally metallic bronze so they've obviously been replaced. At first all the colors bothered me. It has grown on me a lot, but not enough to keep it that way. I started stripping the top coats to get it down to the original red paint at least. I'm not sure where I'm going with the color yet, but I don't want to spend a ton on body work and paint. I'll figure that out later.....

The engine bay:


1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2455208
02/21/18 06:45 PM
02/21/18 06:45 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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The floor pans were much better then I expected too. The driver's side was as solid as can be. The passenger's side had lots of little holes. A previous owner had cut a hole in the hump for a 4 speed (hung manual pedals too). That wouldn't have been bad to do but the biggest issue was that the Charger had been moved around many times with a forklift. it was forked from the side and the ends of the forks pushed the floor pans up. You can sort of see what I'm talking about from these pictures:





1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2455210
02/21/18 06:45 PM
02/21/18 06:45 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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With the passenger side having lots of little holes and with the forklift damage, I just decided to replace all the cabin floor pans. I plan to use the one piece AMD forward pan and the two smaller rear AMD pans. A couple Saturdays ago I got the wild hair to dig in so I got the chisel out and fired up the compressor. This picture shows how solid the driver's side pans were. I didn't find one perforation on that side.



Once the big pieces were cut out, I've been slowly but surely grinding down all the spot welds.







1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2455211
02/21/18 06:47 PM
02/21/18 06:47 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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I got on craigslist and bought this A518 transmission from a 1991 Dodge ram. I looked for a 1990-1991 A518 because they did not have lockout. Also, the 727 converters can be used with the A518 and 6.1L because the forward half of the case is identical to a 727, which was the 3 speed automatic. However, the A518 has a .69 overdrive ratio. I paid all of $100 for the core A518.



I went after it with solvent and a couple wire brushes. it's not quite done in this picture, but you get the idea...



1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2455212
02/21/18 06:48 PM
02/21/18 06:48 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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I ordered up a rebuild kit from Transtar for $215 and took the transmission over to a buddy (GY3 here on Moparts), who is really good with the 727. Mark is the man! He pulled it all apart and the transmission was remarkably clean. The fluid was bright red, free of any debris, and smelled good. In fact, none of the parts had been cleaned or even wiped down when these 2 pictures were taken. The clutches were not discolored at all. I also called A&A Transmission and I ordered a manual valve body.





1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2458954
02/28/18 04:57 PM
02/28/18 04:57 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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A518 Update:
A port had to be tapped, threaded, for a plug that came with the A&A manual valve body kit. You can see the plug in the middle of this picture



Clutch packs stacked and loaded...





I upgraded to the billet servo design.



All done! I picked the transmission up today



1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2460253
03/03/18 12:25 AM
03/03/18 12:25 AM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,651
Wichita
G
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Wichita
That 518 was like wrestling a bear compared to a 727! nervous


'63 Dodge 330
11.19 @ 121 mph
Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs.
10.01 @ 133mph with a 250 shot of nitrous an a splash of race gas. 1.36 60 ft. 3,700 lbs.

Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: GY3] #2460674
03/04/18 12:27 AM
03/04/18 12:27 AM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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Originally Posted By GY3
That 518 was like wrestling a bear compared to a 727! nervous


No joke-that thing is HEAVY! Thanks again Mark!


1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2522646
07/16/18 04:32 PM
07/16/18 04:32 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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Newton, KS
I wire wheeled the top surface on the cabin frame rail channels.



Then I tackled the trunk floor



It's kind of fun to see the progress...and the scrap metal pile.



1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2526063
07/23/18 08:51 PM
07/23/18 08:51 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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Next up was the nasty task of removing all the factory undercoating. Last time I used a propane torch and a 2.0" wide paint scraper but I figured that there had to be a better way. I saw one guy online talking about using a needle scaler so I bought a cheap needle scaler off eBay to give it a shot. It worked like a champ. It took me about 5 hours to strip all the undercoating that was left. I didn't even have to drop burning hot rubber down my sleeve or get it on my face. You will still want to wear a respirator because the dirt and rubber really flies and hangs in the air. Here's the box mine came in:



Where the paint was thin, the needle scaler just took it off completely and left a pretty nice surface:





1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2526065
07/23/18 08:53 PM
07/23/18 08:53 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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Newton, KS
The needle scaler left very small pieces of rubber so I then used a braided wire cup wheel to clean up the surface of the frame rails and rear floor pan. First some "before" pics:




And after.....



1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2528049
07/27/18 08:22 PM
07/27/18 08:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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I dropped the car off at a local blasting company to just have the frame rails and inside rockers blasted. Then I can epoxy the inside of the rails and have the floor pans installed.



Aluminum oxide was the media I selected





1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2547579
09/08/18 01:15 PM
09/08/18 01:15 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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The Charger went on the frame table this week. The lower quarters were cut off in front of the rear wheel openings to see what condition the rockers were in. The passenger side rocker was completely packed with mice nesting but somehow it is solid and won't require any repair!

Setting up for 2"x3" subframe connectors.......









1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2549048
09/11/18 11:41 PM
09/11/18 11:41 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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I knew the driver's side rocker was bad but I didn't think it was as bad as it was. When I first brought it home it had a hole in the rocker about the size of a half dollar. When I cleaned the car off with the power washer, it punched a hole in the driver's rocker that was bigger then a baseball. I was planning on replacing the outer rocker, but once opened up, it needed to all come out...I just made a call to AMD to get the inner rocker coming my way.


Last edited by 70B5Cuda; 09/11/18 11:45 PM.

1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2550477
09/15/18 11:56 PM
09/15/18 11:56 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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Newton, KS
Rear quarters have been cut off...



New rear crossmember is in place



1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
Re: Rough & tumble 68 Charger-6.1L and A518 [Re: 70B5Cuda] #2579870
11/18/18 03:59 PM
11/18/18 03:59 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,061
Newton, KS
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Newton, KS
It always requires more sheetmetal then expected. I was hoping to save the dutchman panel but it had several deep dents in it, rust in the channel (between the dutchman's panel and package tray), and a deep dent in the trunk gutter lip that bowed the dutchman's panel. So, out came the dutchman's panel.



The trunk floor was welded in and the rest of the quarter panels were removed. I am very impressed with how solid/clean the quarter panel and roof structure are.



And finally, the cabin floor pans have been channeled for the subframe connector rails and welded in.



1970 Barracuda B5 6.1 Hemi/6 speed
1969 Charger survivor in R6 383/727-wrecked 12/24/18
1968 Charger in original burgundy paint "Ribeye"
1968 Charger w/ 6.1L, TR-6060, 9"
1968 Roadrunner w/ 6.1L/6 speed
2011 Dodge Ram w/ 6.7L
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