I Drove This 1969 Dodge Charger 1800 Miles With A Broken Distributor... Let's Fix It!
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- čas přidán 9. 11. 2023
- In this video: distributor basics, understanding timing control systems, distributor restoration, tuning and setting ignition timing with a timing light and by ear, and a tiny burnout.
I drove this 1969 Dodge Charger most of the way back to Washington State from Chicago, IL. It turns out that for all 1800 of the miles the car made it, it had no functioning timing curve. I realized this toward the end of the trip when the poop was starting to hit the pavement. After making it home, @rocketresto and I replaced the head gaskets and did a nice clean up job on the engine. I then attempted to tune the engine... completely forgetting about the broken distributor. Thankfully, a bunch of commenters reminded me about this, so now it's time to deal with the last big mechanical problem on the Otter Pop Charger. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Reminder: Tighten the belts again.
*Jamie!*
Do not count me in with the BBD haters - that carburetor was used by Ma Mopar for damn near 20 years and
is an *incredibly* reliable and simple carburetor. For non-haul ass applications of small blocks, it's damn near
perfect.
As usual, a very enjoyable video chock full of good info. How a young feller like you has all that already in his
noggin is beyond me.
- Ed on the Ridge
My high school friend (1984) had a 318 69 Charger with Cragers.. good times...
I had one with a 440.
Hello from Wisconsin
Love that deluxe wood.
Me too! He did a nice job building all that.
You are a true poet and you didnt even know it.
International sales?? WE’RE LIVING IN THE FUTURE!!!
"and I've got smelly feet". Laughin' and learnin' is why I dig DDG.
Another entertaining video, you’ve carved out your own unique niche in automotive videos, not an easy thing to do, congratulations Jamie.
Thank you!
You can run more initial timing without driving the total timing too high by shortening the slots in the advance plate. If you decide to shorten the slots by welding, be sure to wrap the points cam with heavy tape so that it doesn't get weld splatter on it. :)
If you heard me reference a video about performance timing curves, then you heard me reference a video where I explain all that. 😅 also, I wouldn’t weld it without disassembling the distributor.
Why on Earth, would anybody WELD up components in a DISTRIBUTOR while it is still Assembled?!, and Heaven Forbid while it is still installed in the Vehicle?!. To debate this is Utter Lunacy! Just Sayin'.
I get pinging bad when i advance my 440. Its a stock racer brown cam and seems to not ping at 3 degrees advance, but i know it will run better with more initial. I put lighter springs in it. I got one of those firecore distributors to try out. So, what ur saying is if i lock out the mechanical earlier it will not ping? Then hook of vacuum advance.
@@milldog1969 yeah, that, basically. Check out my "Performance Timing Curves For Dummies Like Me" video where I give a pretty good explanation of all of that.
That distributor reminds me of my first car when I was 15. Had a 64 Dodge 330 383 with a 4speed and 3:91 gears. It had a Prestolite dual point distributor and shortly after I bought it quit in heavy traffic and found that one of the points had completely burned up. I replaced it with a Accel duel point. Just realize this was back when I was 15 in 1970 with smelly feet.
Oh wow! I sure wasn’t cruising around in a big block four speed Mopar when I was 15. Haha.
As a hopeless malaise era Mopar lover the BBD is basically my best friend. Great carb, just gotta remember it’s a tiny 2bbl.
Absolutely ❤you keeping the 318!!!
I sort of understand why some people don't like the BBD carb - it's so darn small, But I love 'em. My first car (a 69 Fury 318) had one, and I have one on my 56 Dodge pickup with yet another totally stock 318. For what I use the pickup for, the BBD is perfect - it almost never gives me any trouble and just does its job.
Exactly! Most of my experience with them has been on trucks. Just a solid unit.
You sir, are spittin' no nonsense know how. Thank you.
What a nice looking ride! Chargers are awesome!
Damn thats a nice car I mean its a 318 car and a non factory purple color but it looks so nice with those Cragars and black vinyl roof just a really nice car ....kinda wish it had street friendly 408 dressed like a 318 in it though.
I know! It’s beautiful! And that has kind of been the general consensus. The next guy can do whatever he wants…
I agree it looks super sweet, I would like to see (hear) it burbling past with a 383
I love the BBD!
After watching more of your mechanical abilities, I realize Nick could learn from you. I never thought I would ever say that. I will mention you to Nick but I sure he knows about you
Wow. Well I’m not sure about all that! But I know what I’m doing. 🙂 Thanks!
Like Chargers... Love ALL Challengers.
You are the most entertaining Mopar man out there! Keep it up. I love your videos. You are a great instructor and I follow UTG and Dylan MCCool. I learn more from you.
Thank you! I really appreciate that. Lots more coming up.
Had a similar situation, was out for a drive, suddenly the Engine started loping at idle, and would smooth out, kind of, at WOT.
Pulled into the gas station to pop the distributor cap off, The distributor springs had snapped allowing full and no advance at the same time as the engine was running, the distributor rotor would flop back and forth as there was no springs keeping tension.
The engine was idling at 1400 to 3500, up and down constantly, i was able to sweat profusely and "limp" the car back home.
Any lower idling RPM would stumble and potentially kill the engine, the low/loping RPM also had a dreaded negative feedback, If the RPM's got too low, the Distributor timing would "snap" to no advance, and high RPM's would give a momentarily smooth but high idle, but the idle would still oscillate, but not enough to kill the engine.
This was on a Dodge Custom 880, or Chrysler's forward look car, with a 361, the hope is i didn't shave too much life out of the engine with extended high RPM oscillations.
Sorry to disappoint but I’m not going to say you’re wrong or say should have done it some other way. Just a thumbs up 👍🇺🇸
With such rhymes you might consider a 3rd career in rap music with Donny beat boxing for you. That Charger is soooo sweet!
Haaahaha. I have been a song writer for twenty years… not much of one for the raps or the hip hops though.
@@DeadDodgeGarageI want to hear more of your guitar …. Do you play electric too? Good stuff Jamie!
@@0004612 Oh yeah - that's where I'm actually kinda good. Haha. My last real band was called Whitewoodfunk, and we have an album called Ballads For Eva up on Bandcamp. I am playing guitar and singing in that. I also wrote all of the lyrics and a majority of the music on that one.
Great video as always.
Thanks Craig!
I enjoy all your videos. You impart knowledge without getting braggy and talking down to your audience and in addition tell about your mistakes which also is educational in itself. It's like listening to an old guy talk about Mopar secrets hard won during 40 years working in an unheated garage. But yet you and your brother are young guys glad to share your knowledge. And you avoid the hold my beer and watch this need to shock people to get followers and just keep the even tone that makes your videos enjoyable. Others obviously agree since your subscriber number keeps growing. I think Motortrend will be reaching out to you guys in the future to join their channel. If so will you promise you won't start saying BAM! and jumping in the air lol.
Is it weird that I’ve secretly been hoping they will call some day? I don’t even know that I’d say yes - but I’d like the satisfaction of the call. Haha. No, I will not be leaning on “BAM!” or even “BOOM!” at any time. I will however continue with my preferred “Ta-daaaa!” I really appreciate the review. I’ve only been at this 16 years now, but we’re getting there… I am just some guy - but a guy with some skills and some knowledge that is useful to others trying to figure this stuff out. My channel will always be “warts and all.” I want people to understand that while working with these cars is very fun and rewarding, it is also challenging - and the real goal is to learn something. Thank you!
Kudos. Do you ever run into Ryan or Brandon from Notrod shop at the drag strip? I am in Surrey BC and can relate to the weather you deal with in your location.Lets do a burnout, oh its raining again...Keep up the good work its paying off!
@@DeadDodgeGarage
Ultra cool, now I can order me up some Tshirts!! And just in time for my winter hibernation project of swapping out the rusty brakelines on my truck, with a super handy looking NiCopp kit.
Done, simple as pie - 2 new Tshirts are enroute to me thanks for that
In the words of Scwartzenegger, “I’ll be back”
Where you have written “bad” on the vacuum pot - I use a universal term of NFG
NFG is a good one too. Haha. Thank you!
I have heard many compliments of the 318
It’s a great engine! Not amazingly powerful in factory form by any stretch of the imagination - but reliable, and hard to kill.
Thank you too ! And remember, tighten the belts ! 😂
Love the timing videos..and chargers are sweet!
Another great video Jaime nice job
Great job Jamie!!
We should have spent a day fixing shit here before you headed out on your quest to drive 2400 miles. You would have made it. But it was a adventure nevertheless and a education on how to patch up things. As for bbd carbs they are simple work horses and for stock stuff there fine. For me and my engine builds they get the dumpster treatment with the intake. But for that car it's fine. As for the ping issue better fuel is needed now. It will be fine and happy. And remember that car hates you so walk away. No run😅
Nice!
What a beautiful car!
I also like the BBD. The "few years newer" model has adjustable metering rods. Thats the one i use.
Good work , it sounds nice . I also used to leave my distributors loose enough to move .
I built an engine that didn't have the power it should have had. I accidentally discovered that the mechanical advance was frozen plus it had a way too stiff pair of springs oooon it. Once I got it operating correctly I couldn't believe the amount of power that the distributor advance is worth.
Yes! Getting that right is absolutely essential. It’s basically the thing I pay the most attention to.
I'm back again...... But forgot my corn dog.
😭😭 you could always eat some of those carbon chunks under the intake of the Beach Bomber engine instead
@@DeadDodgeGarage Those nuggets got burnt..... I have a receipt and want to refund.
I had that same timing light, note had. Dropped it in water hopping off boat to work on a 502 mercruiser. Damn bowties.
another great job Jamie. While watching your earlier videos I knew you were the shop to let this car reach its mechanical potential. so hard to find a mechanic that knows these cars like you guys do. ya its just a 318 but most people at car shows liked this car for its style, class and most of all the color.
I love it! And it’s running great now! Thanks Mike! We really appreciate it.
I love old parts.Thats all I used on my Dart.
We strongly prefer reconditioning old parts to using new ones wherever possible.
@DeadDodgeGarage Took 3 attempts but I finally pieced together a Thermoqaud out of 4 cores and made a sweet little unit,chokes dead on the money and just a little Thermobog to tune out.That secondary kick and sound is like no other carb made,truly a legendary Mopar hallmark.
@@samuelgoodman2825 That's what I'm going to do in a livestream for my 20,000 subscriber special! I'm going to turn a pile of Thermoquads into one hopefully good one! Haha.
As I said in another message, I was looking at 30-40 dollars to replace the SB Mopar vacuum can. Eventually I found an old complete distributor for less than that on Ebay and bought it after I got the seller to test the advance. So, you can't have enough parts. There should be a way to take those apart and replace a diaphragm , like on a brake booster. They now make adjustable PCV valves ($$!) When are they going to make rebuildable vacuum cans? Or fuel pumps. (Don't say the expensive one can be unscrewed and you have access to the diaphragm because they don't sell any diaphragms as service parts. )
They *are* rebuildable… if you’re really, really dedicated. And I’m not. Much easier to have a pile of 50 spare distributors to sort through… but some day we’re going to run out of them. So we hoard as many as we can.
Corn dawgs = no stinky feet 😂😂😂😂😂😂 great vid
You definitely love the BBD 😂
Well yeah, it’s great! Except when it isn’t…
thank you so much . toronto ontario canada
Don't think of it as a failed trip. It was more like a cross country diagnostic analysis :-)
Exactly! It wasn’t a failure, it was a ✨✨✨ *n e a r s u c c e s s* ✨✨✨
It’s never a failure when you end up with such a gem
Bbd on my 68 polara runs great !
Not quick by anymeans tho
No I wouldn’t accuse anything equipped with a BBD of being quick. Haha. But I still like them.
Don’t forget
Tighten the belts again
@12:54. Pun intended? 😀. "We'll never know "
I'm leaving two comments, and you can decide which one you like the most. Comment #1. I'm sure that I have a super fantastical story about rebuilding a BBD carburetor in which during the process I was nearly killed! I'll have to go back and check my autobiography. Comment #2. I love cake!
Mmmmm… cake…
I don't understand the hate for the BBD either. I've had BBD's in my Valiant, my Swinger, my SX/4 Eagle.... very simple, very easy to fix when they do go wrong. I especially like how they have separate set-screws for Fast Idle and Curb idle. I've heard some people describe them as an "emissions" carburetor which is hysterically untrue. BBD stands for BALL & BALL DUAL. It's basic design dates back to the Thirties. Don't believe there was much emissions control back then! While the later ones did get all sorts of electro-digical giblets.... anything prior to 1980 is gravy.
In regards to your Charger's inner tail lights.... I see this *ALL* the time. Even one of my Best Friends has done this to his Charger and he won't let me change it! Seems lots of people just jam an #1157 bulb into those inner sockets. That's the incorrect bulb. Try and find a #67 bulb.... these bulbs only have the dimmer or "running light" filament and won't be so bright.
Interestingly enough, the 80's Lebaron coupes had a similar setup. Since brake lights can't be on moveable body parts (by law), only the outer tail lights on a Lebaron used #1157's. The bulbs that lit up the trunk tail panel were also #67's and we dimmer making it look like the car almost had a full-width tail light.
The inners are single filament, single post I think - so 1156 is the standard one. I found a number for a “dimmer” bulb online that wasn’t… then I gave up.
@@DeadDodgeGarage Could convert the inners to a socket like the others. Of course, then you'd also have a three-segment brake light and turn signal.
Could be fun to put sequential turn signals in there like a Mercury Cougar or Imperial.
I've had more BBD equipped cars than anything else, and I like them but don't have unrealistic expectations. I'm keeping up with David Vizard and the Mission Impossible series, one item of which was modifying a 318 engine's BBD for more flow. Also still kind of looking at a way to mount a 1-1/2 BBD from a 383 onto a 318; still a two barrel but more flow. Could be fun!
So Jamie, how do you think the Charger would do on onramps and uphills now? I was surprised when you mentioned issues on your road trip video; my '71 318 Challenger with 2.76 gears was certainly not a quick car but I never got the impression on onramps or freeway grades that it was struggling at all.
It already feels much better. It will never be fast but does feel respectable now. I’m really excited to see what their 318 build does. It’s a really neat idea.
Reminder again: Tighten the belt
Glad to hear the plans for world domination are still on, you haven't mentioned it for a while. Ah yes the 318, I've had a bunch of them , I've never really had any real problems with them except for one where the timing would keep changing on its own, never did figure that one out. I know there are several things you can do to get more power out of them, but I found swapping in a 383 worked best for me. They just never had enough get up and go for me.
I’m no quitter! We’ve had that problem on a 318… eventually the cracked nylon coated timing gear finally fully gave up - but it took a while. I love 383s, but my heart is really with the small block design. There is a lot of potential there just waiting to be squeezed out.
The original distributor as shown at 3:49
Notice how round the cam lobes are. I had one on a 68 440. I swapped it out with one that had better cam lobes and it ran much better. Then I put on an original type (inductive non CD) Mallory Hyfire ignition box and it ran a bit better yet. I put the rounded lobe one back in and it kept running well. I think the dwell was not enough with the rounded one. I can't say I verified that with a dwell meter.
With the Hyfire, the dwell was controlled by the box, so the poor condition of the cam lobes did not matter. The original Hyfire is pretty much shunned since it looks so old fashioned, so if you are at a car swap meet, you can get them pretty cheap.
So, the spring was broken on that distributor you took out? I wonder if replacing the spring was all that you need to get the mechanical advance working. I would think it would still work with a single spring unless it is all gummed up.
The weights in the unit I took out were totally fine and the mechanism moved freely. I was initially planning to simply install springs and reuse it. Then I learned that the vacuum can was also bad, so I was going to change that too - or just change to a distributor that worked. Then found the complete and working distributor that just happened to have the correct ‘69 part number on it, so I went with that instead. I didn’t notice in person that the lobes were any more or less round. But in theory, it really shouldn’t matter, as the dwell time is the only important factor there - as you pointed to.
@@DeadDodgeGarage What I am saying is the rounded off corners make it hard to get the correct dwell. It still runs, but with less dwell, less spark is sent.
The carb has weak throttle springs? Love me some old school Chargers oh and when I watch, I always have a corn dog and a cream soda!!!
Yes, it was a bit of a problem. The third I added did the trick somehow.
Man, I am never gonna get my grubby hands on a Charger!😑🍣
Lots of people in the same boat… I feel for you and the rest of them. I was there too, and frankly I don’t know how I got lucky enough to own one but I sure do feel lucky.
You might actually have a warm time entertainment too that froze your timing on fat floor they'll run that way but it will throw your curb off quite a bit even when timing by ear
It’s definitely not happy without a functional timing curve
90's dodge d350 club cab
What about ‘em?
Just not enough time
There never is…
Just Subscribed, don't know why i didn't sooner.Hope that helps
Thank you!
I would like to see if changing to lighter springs in the distributor helps performance. Since you are close to ping, maybe not.
To this point, I have essentially ignored the springs completely. It’s the total amount of advance the distributor gives that I’m more interested in, because so many of these engines want more initial timing than I can give them with a stock advance curve. And yes, that’s where I have the most issues - heavy load, low RPM - so I’m more interested in delaying the advance than having it come in right away. With the vacuum advance set up properly, it could be used to take timing away in that crucial area and keep the rest of the curve ideal. I am planning to test that for a video in the near future.
13:46 Yea but isn't that the way it ALWAYS is?? The only problem is that "acceptable performance" is completely subjective! LOL.
Too true... My version of acceptable performance in this case is "safely gets to speed on a highway onramp" which it barely did in its previous state.
I’m surprised that it didn’t come with a 383
Many, many built with 318s. Heck I’m standing in front of two of them right now.
Definitely needs an intake in a 4 Barrel
That seems to be the consensus on the matter
i love the charger It is clean and nice It needs 4barrel upgrade imo, let Tim from 318 will run lose on that 318 lol. what about the black ramcharger now
Oh don’t worry, Ramcharger is coming up. Haha. I would have no problem making a 318 “run” myself if it was in the budget (time or money) 😁
Since its a '69, would using lead replacement additive smooth that ping out?
Unlikely. This is a low compression engine that should be fine on the cheapest fuel money can buy. While leaded fuel did help prevent pre-ignition, the pinging heard here was down to me dialing in way too much timing. This engine (like most) would benefit from a bit more base advance, but the trade off with this 30 degree swing distributor is way too much timing once the distributor advances.
Nothing wrong with that carb had many 🇦🇺V8s Mopars with those carbs never let me down .Only thing I don’t like on that chargers is all that air con rubbish 🤦🏼.
At this point in history, air conditioning is a selling point. And this system is all complete and will be charged and working soon!
Do you have any videos where you can clearly hear pinging? I would like to know what that sounds like. 🤔
Yes - I actually just did a video tuning a ‘65 Chrysler 300L, and I had pretty audible pinging in that one. I have been hoping to get a good example on camera so people can get an idea of what it sounds like. I think that is my best so far.
@@DeadDodgeGarage
Hmm, I will watch it again perhaps with my headphones on to pick it up. 👍
Whats with all the throttle return springs?.
Long story 😅
Ok, actually it’s a short story. It had two and they were both too weak to hold the throttle closed. Not really sure why, but I added a third and it works great.
Could a fellow buy this charger?
It will be available for sale in the Pacific Northwest in the foreseeable future. It’s a very nice, 100% solid car… And the price will reflect that.
@charlieb308 I love old Mopars! I also love the Sabres! Hoping for playoffs finally! I live in Buffalo too. Do you like the sound of the gear reduction starters?
We don't like the 2 barrel carburetor because there's a 2 barrel 1 crap BBD not a 4 barrel on a really nice car like that the more desirable option would have been for barrel I don't know if some Grandpa ordered that car with A3D and 2 barrel or what happened we're actually it's been proven on the masters that a 4 barrel was too dry don't even really get any worse gas mileage than the 2 barrel that's a popular misnomer of automotive legend that's the 2 girl got better gas knowledge
I’m aware
I want a charger😢
Still can’t believe I own one…
Me too. We need a market crash to get those Charger prices down dammit. 😊
Rip the 318 out and put a slant 6 in it
I like where your head’s at! My turbo kit is almost done…
I`ve got smelly feet.
Just coz something's really simple doesn't mean u should like it . U should meet my neighbor, he's really simple and i fkn hate him. Just like that poxy 2bbl carb . Australia is full of em . (both things). PS, what does the 'BBL' bit of 2bbl mean . Ideas folks . Cheers
Hahahaha. Alright, that's a good one. Don't ask me how or why "BBL" came to stand for barrel. I have no idea...
Stinker 😅
318 is just a weak engine. Have had 3. All weak.
If yours sucked, ok! But I’ve had some good ones. 😁