I agree. If I were Ray, I would politely tell the customer that this car needs so much work that it would take way too much shop time to justify even working on it.
Nothing just pulls out on a car from the 60's. Just about everything is screwed together with Phillips head screws or self taps. It does bring back some good memories watching you fumble around in that car.
This, that it has allegedly had a restoration already is indeed a sad and sorry state of affairs.... If the money that's already been poured into doing everything wrong had been put into doing it right then they'd be a third of the way towards a truly beautiful thing.... Unfortunately to hear that they've already spent probably 20 - 30k and telling them that it really needs another 70 - 100k spent on it to fix all the mess the last guy made is a quick way to see this vehicle abandoned and sadly they ain't making any more of em and this one is in decent enough condition to be the bones of a resto that truly produces something to be proud of.... Unfortunately I can see the more likely outcome is that it ends up getting parked in a garage somewhere and left until the rust that's already all through the frame, floor and quarters finishes the job.... Pardon me while I go shed a few for a classic beauty....
37:40. "Where do we start"? Answer: by backing it outside and calling customer. " Upon further and closer examination I think that it would be best if you find someone else to work on this car, but thanks for stopping by. Have yourself a nice day"
I agree, walk away from this one. Cars like this one, even though they are very cool cars, it really needs an owner that does all his own work, and is capable of restoring it properly. It's in decent enough shape for a starting point, but needs a lot of work still. No doubt it will need a lot of custom fabrication done, since most of the suspension is aftermarket. I would probably put one of those Dakota or whatever they're called, digital dashboard in it. A modern array of switches for the accessories. I'd surely want to do something about the structural rust underneath. If nothing else it needs to be sanded down and chemically converted to arrest any future rusting out. Most of the aftermarket wiring is a disaster. I personally would want at the very least to have disc brakes on the front, myself I would put modern 4 wheel disc brakes on it. I'd do a thorough examination on the fueling system, if it was done as badly as some of wiring, it may be a rolling potential fireball. Kind of sad to see the paint bubbling up everywhere because of rust jacking. That car could definitely become a money pit very quickly. It could be made to be very reliable and somewhat safe car to drive around, with some modern improvements. But it will take a whole lot of time and money to get there.
What this car needs is a complete restoration, much more than the Silverado turned int, which was much more than expected. Giving the owner the complete story is good, and then politely say that this is beyond what Ray is in the business to do, is treasonable. As talented as Ray is, he could probably fix everything this car needs, but it would be a long expensive job, and that isn't what Ray's talents are best used for.
Biggest issue isn’t so much the little things. It’s the replacement parts. There are none. U won’t find 90% of anything you need from o reileys 😂. Buy a new switch. Yeah let me know how that goes 😂. Good god. He really didn’t have any business bringing that car to you.
Run don’t walk. Run away as fast as you can. That car needs Chip Foose to work on it. I did mechanic work more years ago than you’ve been alive. People would bring cars to me like that and I would laugh because they would want a thousand dollar job done for a hundred. Great video sir.
Put the pieces parts back together and send it back to the owner on a flat bed, that is one headache you do not need. Unless the owner is willing and able to pay for a proper restoration... like frame off restoration nut and bolt restoration of such a beauty. It looks as though this pig has had multiple layers of lipstick applied. You have one project sitting in the shop, you do not need this thing occupying anotjer stall for months on end. Also super happy to have you back, I pray that SEMA was a blast.🙏💜
Offer a full restoration due to ( in my opinion) it looks like a slap together job for the owner to say " hey look at me I have a charger" . I'm an Aussie but grew up watching the Dukes of Hazzard n feel it's a shame to see such a beautiful piece of automotive history and art not given the true respect it deserves through doggy repairs and mods that has been done. Keep up the great work and content Ray and keep teaching the right way of doing things. Thankyou boss
Even if you charged $100k for a full restoration in this thing it's not worth it. The labor is so high. You could do 100 odd $1k jobs, make the same money, and it still be less work.
lucky it even survived though; we grew up with these cars, and you spent all your young person money on them ; but as life changed, college, marriage,. kids, etc. you just needed to stretch them out and run them, and could not afford to treat it like a collector car; which back then it was not, it was just a nice car; so you ground out the miles, and they rusted, you either drove it till it dropped, or sold it for cash to get something else.
Unless the owner is willing to spend a bunch of money to repair and restore this car I would run long and fast from this one. This is one of those the more you look the more you will find kind of repairs. Think long and hard about getting into this one Ray.
As long as you have approval for each and every repair, it's a money maker for you. Communication with the owner in the progress of the repair is critical. You both have to be on the same page..
That Dodge has great potential, but it would be a long term resto project. The question would honestly be how much of the required parts would even available. It's sad to see a classic car in that condition. Most people don't have the time or resources to fix them the way they need to be done. Great vid Ray.
Yea thats where the term muscle car came from back in the big three days miss them old cars so simple that younger guys are used to game consol repair im happy to see ray figure out whats what that car is i agree long term restoration once done would be crazy valuable
I agree with all of the comments saying walk away. A beautiful classic muscle car like this needs to be in the hands of someone who will restore it properly and then take proper care of it. It needs hundreds of man hours of work. Chip Foose, WE NEED YOU!
Some say "walk away" from the Doge. I say "run" and don't look back. This rabbit hole could quickly lead to liability for broken unobtainium parts and panels.
As large as that car is I believe that the 68 Charger only dressed out to about 3800 lb. My 74 police interceptor was only 4,050. It was however the fastest car I ever personally owned, it had a 400 Interceptor engine in it which would wind up a bit higher than the 440. Three times I ran a 10 Mile Stretch an average 166.5 mph. And I did get it radar once at 187. It was still accelerating blazingly fast car once you got it off the stop. Especially if you were rolling along at about 60 to 65 it would accelerate 60 mph in about 3 seconds. The amazing thing about it, even though I had changed out the carburetor to a holly instead of the original Carter. Was that it had a dead smooth idle. As for the speedometer, the most often times you get that jumping speedometer. The magnets that cause the speedometer to work . A clock spring will resist the movement of the speedometer up the speedometer range. And there are a set of magnets that one is on the inside or outside of the other and that any current caused by the spinning magnets is what gives you your speedometer indication. Sometimes those magnets get out of place and they actually hit each other and that causes the speedometer to jump as those magnets turn it is frequently in the speedometer head itself that causes that jumping. It is not generally a gearing issue or a cable issue. So be very careful of making assumptions when you're working on vehicles that you've never turned to wrench on in any great amount. I've been wrenching on cars since about 1964 and did a lot of work on cars of the late sixties and early seventies especially. I don't still have it but I have a lot of knowledge out of a Chrysler racing manual that was put together by some of the Ramcharger group who were a bunch of Chrysler Engineers that had started a racing group and had come up with a lot of engineering tricks and tips that are still applicable to this day. Things that many people have forgotten if they ever knew them at all. The biggest problem with that radio is it was a completely hacked job. What you have there as a list of problems, is basically a punch list to finish the car out. Yes that is a unibody car but there is no reason for those subframe connectors. I doubt there's enough power in that motor to ever need subframe connectors even in a 68 b-body. It does not have the floor pan of the Hemi or the convertible, which were one in the same which is an extra heavy floor pan with extra large torque boxes at the back, but it is a big block the very least it's a 383. The last time they put a 361 in them I believe is 1963 or 64. This car needs a lot of love and care and work work work. And I also think it's a little bit out of your wheelhouse. This thing needs a frame-off restoration. Probably an AMD floor pan and frame replacement. And you can get all of the body panels. And basically rebuild this car into something really really really really really nice. But some of that old school stuff is good stuff it just has been neglected for a long time.
I truly hope Ray reads your message. I thought similar but could never have so efficiently laid it all out as you did. I was going to add that this car in the condition it's in should be owned by someone proficient in classic car wrenching or by a collector with plenty of $$ to burn on this type of long term resto- mod project. In that case finding a specialist in this era of vehicles. What a strange car to show up at Ray's!
You're killing me ray!!! Clip is broken on the speedo cable housing, and no I don't think that light switch is supposed to come apart that way ...I believe the headlight actuators get power from the switch...I'm as lost in the new stuff as you are in the old school stuff !! Love your show !!!
Ray I have something you would love to work on but only my hand touch it. That is 1967 Plymouth Barracuda with 4k Org Miles. I watch this with a chuckle the whole time these are some of the easiest cars to work on. Before my Cuda I hade a 69 440 6pack Road Runner that i restored my self. Center Pad cant be removed with out taking the whole dash pad out and the radio that is easy mod made using delete plate and they are cut at bottom most of the time. Yearone and Classic Industries will be the owners friend. That car has alot of bad rust and frame damage even with the full length frame additions where it is weld to is rust out that car need total resto. I bet it was buy site unseen cuz this looks like a shady classic dealer car.
Wow, this is rare, a real "as found" charger, warts and all. too many people watch shows that show these guys pulling apart a classic and in the next hour they put it back together and it looks showroom. well, you've just lifted the lid and realized several people used the bowl and didnt even flush!! Restorable, but only if you love what your doing and have $$$ trees growing in a secret forest only you know about. Thanks Ray, loved seeing the truth about classic cars.
The progress on the Silverado is looking great. Can't wait to see the end result.... I know that you'll never stop tinkering with it but at least the current rebuild.
I was a lad when this car came out. I started my Freshman Year in 1968. I drooled over those. As others have said, RUN AWAY. That is a nightmare that will never end. It needs Major Frame off restoration done to it, and I mean MAJOR DANGER run away. Its a shame the owner let it go.
Ray These old muscle cars are rarity. It how ever looks like it needs a total restoration. Probably not something you could just drop all of your other work just to restore this one. However it is something you could do where you had moments of free time say over a year or so and providing the owner had the funds to restore it. To me it would defiantly be worth it as this beauties are slowly falling of the face of the earth. From 50 feet away it is a nice looking car. All you can do is see what the owner would like to do. I love your Channel . Have a great day!
24:50 Possibility #3: The cable is binding then released when enough torque has accumulated causing the bouncing speedo. Happens often in these old cars when an engine or trans is pulled and the cable gets crimped or snagged.
Thanks Ray ! I enjoyed this video . Glad to see you're not intimidated by working on this car like some of the commenters here seem to be . Im sure the customer has faith in you !
I must say, this has been about the most entertaining and amusing video you have made to date. Being that I do learn and take much interest in your usual work on computerized snap-tite vehicles, but this Dodge is the era of car I work on regularly. One tip I can give, is the jumpy speedometer is most likely a tight bend or kink in the outer cable, causing a wind up of the inner on each revolution, it snaps around and flicks the needle up. Common problem with these. Personally, to be brutally honest, I'd suggest this particular vehicle be shipped up to Franklin TN for some good loving.
Could also be a worn out speedo drive gear and the head itself also can do that when it's worn out or taken past 150 too many times.Probably over 200k on it- way past warranty now
For the stereo cage the easy way is to squash it in the middle top and bottom and that brings the sides in. Then just reshape it afterwards. Used to fit stereos for a living. Great content as always.
LMMFAO, Ray! Watching your surprise at all the old-school amenities from 50 years ago was a real treat for me because those muscle-cars are what keeps my blood flowing :) While a lot of that Charger was hack-tacular, it's still worthy of a $75 - 100K restoration, and is probably the owner's pride and joy! I've got a '70 Chevelle SS that's a work of never-ending progress, and I wouldn't trade it for the WORLD. I think you should take care of his list, inform him of the copious wiring issues, and buy the poor guy a fire extinguisher for the immanent fire comin' down the road... Hopefully he'll let you sort out the wiring, and other serious safety related problems, but the cosmetic stuff (rusty quarters and bubbling bondo/paint) can be handled later on. Of course, the unibody construction behind a powerful engine is not a good thing and needs to be addressed sooner than later! Great to see some serious muscle comin' into your shop! You should make a habit of that for old farts like yours truly! [I'd like to see if you can use a feeler-gauge to gap a set of POINTS - NO dwell meters allowed! ;) ] PLEASE do a follow-up...maybe he needs to send her to *Nick's Garage* in Toronto or Mark Worman's for a full-on restoration!
I'm with you -- there's nothing more entertaining than seeing someone born in the 90s working on iron two generations older (like me on my first flathead build), and there's no loss in Ray learning with us as last I checked there's fewer people every day that can tune a carburetor. Let's make Ray one. Q-Jet sbc next!
Am I the only thinking of how good looking the silverado will look once it's complete? It's already starting to look good too. Keep it Ray! Can't wait to see the completed look!
Well, I always watch you with interest. This video was cracking me up as I was a mechanic back when these were new. It just struck me funny that you were struggling to disassemble because what was common for me is alien for you (the older technology if you can call it that). I watch you with the modern electronics and especially the A/C, fuel lines etc. I wish the older days were that easy with the quick disconnect of most of the items. I do admire your diagnostic procedures and technical skill. Keep up the good fight. BTW, that Charger is worth a fortune and is worth repairing or restomoding.
That Charger is a money pit for the owner and a never ending headache for whoever works on it. Personally, I wouldn't walk away, I would RUN! It looks like it needs a complete ground-up resto.
Your Silverado is looking great. Also, remember Dodge products get double the hourly rates. The radio has every indication of the “ghetto install”. The car proves that if it’s loud and shiny, a chump will buy it.
I'm surprised you did anything at all to this wreck, Ray, before finding all the shoddy shambles previously done to it - I think you should put it back together and hand it back. Tragic, but it's a minefield for anyone but a patient full-time restorer of classics.
That car needs to be restored by someone who knows what they are doing. The screwed in floor patches brings back memories Of the 70s when you did that to get another year out of a s-itbox.
Ray, I love these classics, I mean I'm more of an Olds guy, I would love to see you working on a 68 Olds 442...but this car would be great, but it wouldn't either. This is a danger zone, honesrly this customer needs to be fired, you're not getting the whole story and this can be bad.
Thanks for the videos Ray. I've learned a ton from you. I've been mechanicin' since the late 60s, and this project brings back memories, for sure. Right now, my neighbor has a 79 Jeep Cherokee, that is in about the same shape as this Charger. I have informed him that I will not be looking at the problems on this Jeep. These kinds of jobs need to be for someone that doesn't rely on this to make a living. After work and weekends kind of job. And "quit bugging me. You'll get it back when I through." Maybe two weeks, maybe two years. Keep up the good work.
I do it for a living and have never been happier. I love trouble-shooting and working on these old gems. It doesn't need a restoration. It just needs things fixed one at a time like any other car.
Although I would love to see additional work on this charger it actually churns my stomach to see the shoddy workmanship and overall condition of this beautiful beautiful car. Like another CZcamsr stated Ray needs to run from this.
@@tiddums1151 Not sure it is dedication. Maybe there is something wrong with me. I enjoy a challenge and pride myself on doing a good job. I find these older cars are actually easier to work on once you get to know them a bit. In all fairness, Ray does a lot of stuff I could (or would) never even try.
Don't think I would have taken that car in with all those issues. Needs a restoration! Because the outward appearance looks great and motor sounds good, the rest is not good at all! Run Ray Run! 👌💯
You need to pull the insert cable out of the Speedo housing and see if there are bad wear marks along the cable. If the cable looks good grease the cable lightly and reinsert the cable into the housing. If any shiny spots or wear and the cable housing looks good you can replace just the cable insert or replace both cable and housings and reattach the Speedo cable housing to the speedo until it clicks.
I had a 69 charger with a 383 back in the day. Black interior with Bucket seats, Automatic trans., dark green with a black vinyl top. I loved that car. Even with the automatic you could burn the tires from stand still and make it bark at 20. That car was a giant killer. Tore up some very mean cougars, Judges, but met it's betters against a Ford Pony Mach 1. That was a beautiful car.
Ray finally got a classic car in. It is restorable I see chargers that have a lot of parts missing this isn't that bad. I do hate when people screw around with wires it needs a different owner. Parts are kinda hard to find but they are around you really have to like these cars to put the money and time into them.
im 48...and ive wanted one of these cars since i was like 12... one day....one day... great video.. hope there is more... id be so happy to fix every item in this car..lol
If you save up 5 random repairs through the year you'll be able to drop videos for the needy while sharing the interesting content from SEMA for the rest of us interested in the industry also.
Been down this path many times. The choice is clear, either complete restoration or do nothing. The end value will be less than the total cost to restore.
Good morning Ray. The Dirty Max looking a lot cleaner. I know your getting close to finishing. But the bill your going to owe for 40 hours labor. Ouch.
I absolutely loved going back to something I would have had in my late teens through my late 20ies, and I had quite the laugh at times and some serious problems with the car. Overall, more like this.
Nice car, and good intentions. I had a 50 footer and that is what this one is as well. Looks great from 50ft. Sometimes desires and financial situations don't align. Drive it like you stole it!
Everything I saw on that Charger can be fixed.... but it could easily become a long, expensive process! A true restoration would need to be completely stripped down to the shell and a multi-year job in most shops. Just sourcing parts will take a lot of time and patience. But, it can be done and that car appears to actually MIGHT be a pretty good candidate for a high level of restoration. There were no signs of collision damage, that I could see. The tires were old, but appear to have even wear. Body condition under the bondo and paint may be a deciding factor. When you were looking at the windshield wipers, it looked like the front half of the dash pad was missing... ??? It is probably good the exhaust cutouts aren't working. It looks like they terminate right under the driver and front passenger seats and would fill the cabin with carbon monoxide if used! They need some add'l pipes out to the side or to the rear. I would have a conversation with the car owner about their goals for it. Do they want a "weekend driver" for occasional fun... a reliable daily driver... a long term, gradual "rolling restoration".... or a show quality resto-mod with modern updates?
1:00 Ray the Charger is out of your wheelhouse it’s likely the most expensive car ever in the shop! I hope the owner has deep pockets we need more Chargers restored. Enjoyed Sema!
I agree, Run, don't walk away from this one. You would be on an unending search for parts, and be forever on the hook for niggling repairs that "you caused" while repairing other stuff. If the owner has unlimited funds, unlimited time, and the desire for a good vehicle, he needs to send this one to a professional restorer, maybe on the west coast. This is so far away from your expertise it will be a losing proposition in both the short and long term. Even if you are interested in this type restoration, chose another car that is not so far gone. Just my opinion.
Hello EBay. There are going to be a lot of things you’re going to need to order that is going to take a lot of research and a lot of time to retrieve. Good luck with this car, Ray, I’m sure you can fix it but it’s definitely gonna take you some time. I would love a car like that in my garage to work on.
I'm with the walk away group. The car needs a complete review and restoration. I think you are talking significant money and at least a couple of years of work.
Going by the printed fault list, with some of them fixed, I think this vehicle's been looked at elsewhere, then turned down for further repair. Too many things wrong with it for anything but an enthusiast to fix themselves, as the cost of repairs will exceed its value.
Talk about going down a rabbit hole! Find one thing bad, three more things pop up. If this car was mine, if I didn't want to do a body restoration, I'd start at the front and start fixing things one at a time, working my way back. It would probably take at least a year before everything it needed was repaired since I'd take my time.
That beauty needs true love to get her back on track before its too late. Great potential here. These are classic icons from the 60s. Full restored cars like this one goes way over 100K$ and more if the work is done by professionals.
I would give the Charger back to the owner. That's a nightmare that will never end.
The fact that the radio was a main concern, just blows my mind.
Run away Ray.
I agree. If I were Ray, I would politely tell the customer that this car needs so much work that it would take way too much shop time to justify even working on it.
OH I ABSOLUTELY AGREE. THATS ONE OF THOSE "IT WASNT DOING THAT BEFORE!" NIGHTMARES. HATE WHEN IDIOTS OWN WONDERFUL CARS LIKE THAT.
👍👍👍!!!!YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!!!!👍👍👍
Nothing just pulls out on a car from the 60's. Just about everything is screwed together with Phillips head screws or self taps. It does bring back some good memories watching you fumble around in that car.
That Charger really does need a second PROPER restoration. Sad to see such a beautiful car in such bad condition.
It would be a good "start car" for a restoration. I'm an old MoPar guy and if I had a spare $70-$100,000, I'd buy it in a heartbeat! BUT, I don't!
This, that it has allegedly had a restoration already is indeed a sad and sorry state of affairs.... If the money that's already been poured into doing everything wrong had been put into doing it right then they'd be a third of the way towards a truly beautiful thing.... Unfortunately to hear that they've already spent probably 20 - 30k and telling them that it really needs another 70 - 100k spent on it to fix all the mess the last guy made is a quick way to see this vehicle abandoned and sadly they ain't making any more of em and this one is in decent enough condition to be the bones of a resto that truly produces something to be proud of.... Unfortunately I can see the more likely outcome is that it ends up getting parked in a garage somewhere and left until the rust that's already all through the frame, floor and quarters finishes the job.... Pardon me while I go shed a few for a classic beauty....
As rotted out as that car is, it needs a trip to the junkyard, not a restoration.
@@richb.4374 You have no idea what the hell you are talking about.
I predict the owner already paid $30,000 for that without having a proper inspection.@@billjamison2877
I would give the Charger back to the owner. That's a nightmare that will never end. I second it!
Walk away, Ray. Walk away, that is a basket case. And the owner will probably never be happy.
Agreed
55 years old Antique parts are nearly impossible to find in part stores Most likely have to be bought through Whitney catalog
Yeah, this seems like way too much work. Like, you'd have it in the shop forever and it would basically take a lift forever.
37:40. "Where do we start"? Answer: by backing it outside and calling customer. " Upon further and closer examination I think that it would be best if you find someone else to work on this car, but thanks for stopping by. Have yourself a nice day"
I agree, walk away from this one. Cars like this one, even though they are very cool cars, it really needs an owner that does all his own work, and is capable of restoring it properly. It's in decent enough shape for a starting point, but needs a lot of work still. No doubt it will need a lot of custom fabrication done, since most of the suspension is aftermarket. I would probably put one of those Dakota or whatever they're called, digital dashboard in it. A modern array of switches for the accessories. I'd surely want to do something about the structural rust underneath. If nothing else it needs to be sanded down and chemically converted to arrest any future rusting out. Most of the aftermarket wiring is a disaster. I personally would want at the very least to have disc brakes on the front, myself I would put modern 4 wheel disc brakes on it. I'd do a thorough examination on the fueling system, if it was done as badly as some of wiring, it may be a rolling potential fireball. Kind of sad to see the paint bubbling up everywhere because of rust jacking. That car could definitely become a money pit very quickly. It could be made to be very reliable and somewhat safe car to drive around, with some modern improvements. But it will take a whole lot of time and money to get there.
Run Ray Run, this is an endless nightmare.
What this car needs is a complete restoration, much more than the Silverado turned int, which was much more than expected. Giving the owner the complete story is good, and then politely say that this is beyond what Ray is in the business to do, is treasonable. As talented as Ray is, he could probably fix everything this car needs, but it would be a long expensive job, and that isn't what Ray's talents are best used for.
Biggest issue isn’t so much the little things. It’s the replacement parts. There are none. U won’t find 90% of anything you need from o reileys 😂. Buy a new switch. Yeah let me know how that goes 😂. Good god. He really didn’t have any business bringing that car to you.
20k would get the car to what the owner actually thinks he’s got.
@@level1804 I think I would go quite a bit higher than that! There could be 20K just in the structural repairs! Ray, don't walk away... RUN!!!!
Run don’t walk. Run away as fast as you can. That car needs Chip Foose to work on it. I did mechanic work more years ago than you’ve been alive. People would bring cars to me like that and I would laugh because they would want a thousand dollar job done for a hundred. Great video sir.
Personally I liked the vids from SEMA. I live in Australia so it was interesting to see footage of the show that I would not otherwise see. Thanks.
Put the pieces parts back together and send it back to the owner on a flat bed, that is one headache you do not need. Unless the owner is willing and able to pay for a proper restoration... like frame off restoration nut and bolt restoration of such a beauty. It looks as though this pig has had multiple layers of lipstick applied. You have one project sitting in the shop, you do not need this thing occupying anotjer stall for months on end. Also super happy to have you back, I pray that SEMA was a blast.🙏💜
Offer a full restoration due to ( in my opinion) it looks like a slap together job for the owner to say " hey look at me I have a charger" . I'm an Aussie but grew up watching the Dukes of Hazzard n feel it's a shame to see such a beautiful piece of automotive history and art not given the true respect it deserves through doggy repairs and mods that has been done. Keep up the great work and content Ray and keep teaching the right way of doing things. Thankyou boss
& probably not 5,000 original miles🤠🥸🤠
Needs a big tachometer mounted on the driver side dashboard cover.🦘
VERY cautiously optimistic
Even if you charged $100k for a full restoration in this thing it's not worth it. The labor is so high. You could do 100 odd $1k jobs, make the same money, and it still be less work.
lucky it even survived though; we grew up with these cars, and you spent all your young person money on them ; but as life changed, college, marriage,. kids, etc. you just needed to stretch them out and run them, and could not afford to treat it like a collector car; which back then it was not, it was just a nice car; so you ground out the miles, and they rusted, you either drove it till it dropped, or sold it for cash to get something else.
This charger needs a complete rebuild restoration !
Ray, I would walk away from it like others have commented!
Unless the owner is willing to spend a bunch of money to repair and restore this car I would run long and fast from this one. This is one of those the more you look the more you will find kind of repairs.
Think long and hard about getting into this one Ray.
As long as you have approval for each and every repair, it's a money maker for you. Communication with the owner in the progress of the repair is critical. You both have to be on the same page..
That Dodge has great potential, but it would be a long term resto project. The question would honestly be how much of the required parts would even available. It's sad to see a classic car in that condition. Most people don't have the time or resources to fix them the way they need to be done. Great vid Ray.
ALL of the parts are available
The parts are available. The labor tends to be expensive and you have to be careful who you hire.
Im thinking it needs about a years wit worth of bodywork
@@RainmanRaysRepairsa total gut and body off restore
And watch for the tin worm. It can be everywhere!
Yea thats where the term muscle car came from back in the big three days miss them old cars so simple that younger guys are used to game consol repair im happy to see ray figure out whats what that car is i agree long term restoration once done would be crazy valuable
Working on classic cars is so much fun, especially when people add a of extra things without knowing what they are doing
I agree with all of the comments saying walk away. A beautiful classic muscle car like this needs to be in the hands of someone who will restore it properly and then take proper care of it. It needs hundreds of man hours of work. Chip Foose, WE NEED YOU!
An̈d your tèam.
Some say "walk away" from the Doge. I say "run" and don't look back. This rabbit hole could quickly lead to liability for broken unobtainium parts and panels.
It's a piece of junk unless the owner gives you 5 years and a $200,000 budget not counting labor in advance RUN fast.
I enjoy the SEMA show content, I can’t go myself so getting to see it on video is a good alternative.
Dodge all repairs. Don't get in over your head. Love your videos.
Man that truck is coming along NICELY!! Never bore me with updates on your truck... i love them! 👍🏻
As large as that car is I believe that the 68 Charger only dressed out to about 3800 lb. My 74 police interceptor was only 4,050. It was however the fastest car I ever personally owned, it had a 400 Interceptor engine in it which would wind up a bit higher than the 440. Three times I ran a 10 Mile Stretch an average 166.5 mph. And I did get it radar once at 187. It was still accelerating blazingly fast car once you got it off the stop. Especially if you were rolling along at about 60 to 65 it would accelerate 60 mph in about 3 seconds.
The amazing thing about it, even though I had changed out the carburetor to a holly instead of the original Carter. Was that it had a dead smooth idle.
As for the speedometer, the most often times you get that jumping speedometer. The magnets that cause the speedometer to work . A clock spring will resist the movement of the speedometer up the speedometer range. And there are a set of magnets that one is on the inside or outside of the other and that any current caused by the spinning magnets is what gives you your speedometer indication. Sometimes those magnets get out of place and they actually hit each other and that causes the speedometer to jump as those magnets turn it is frequently in the speedometer head itself that causes that jumping. It is not generally a gearing issue or a cable issue. So be very careful of making assumptions when you're working on vehicles that you've never turned to wrench on in any great amount. I've been wrenching on cars since about 1964 and did a lot of work on cars of the late sixties and early seventies especially. I don't still have it but I have a lot of knowledge out of a Chrysler racing manual that was put together by some of the Ramcharger group who were a bunch of Chrysler Engineers that had started a racing group and had come up with a lot of engineering tricks and tips that are still applicable to this day. Things that many people have forgotten if they ever knew them at all.
The biggest problem with that radio is it was a completely hacked job.
What you have there as a list of problems, is basically a punch list to finish the car out.
Yes that is a unibody car but there is no reason for those subframe connectors. I doubt there's enough power in that motor to ever need subframe connectors even in a 68 b-body. It does not have the floor pan of the Hemi or the convertible, which were one in the same which is an extra heavy floor pan with extra large torque boxes at the back, but it is a big block the very least it's a 383. The last time they put a 361 in them I believe is 1963 or 64.
This car needs a lot of love and care and work work work. And I also think it's a little bit out of your wheelhouse. This thing needs a frame-off restoration. Probably an AMD floor pan and frame replacement. And you can get all of the body panels. And basically rebuild this car into something really really really really really nice. But some of that old school stuff is good stuff it just has been neglected for a long time.
maybe that fast if you threw it out of an airplane , its very obvious you know just enough about Mopars in general to be dangerous
I truly hope Ray reads your message. I thought similar but could never have so efficiently laid it all out as you did. I was going to add that this car in the condition it's in should be owned by someone proficient in classic car wrenching or by a collector with plenty of $$ to burn on this type of long term resto- mod project. In that case finding a specialist in this era of vehicles. What a strange car to show up at Ray's!
@@gordandcolleenkerr7760 Lol...187
You're killing me ray!!! Clip is broken on the speedo cable housing, and no I don't think that light switch is supposed to come apart that way ...I believe the headlight actuators get power from the switch...I'm as lost in the new stuff as you are in the old school stuff !! Love your show !!!
Ray I have something you would love to work on but only my hand touch it. That is 1967 Plymouth Barracuda with 4k Org Miles. I watch this with a chuckle the whole time these are some of the easiest cars to work on. Before my Cuda I hade a 69 440 6pack Road Runner that i restored my self. Center Pad cant be removed with out taking the whole dash pad out and the radio that is easy mod made using delete plate and they are cut at bottom most of the time. Yearone and Classic Industries will be the owners friend. That car has alot of bad rust and frame damage even with the full length frame additions where it is weld to is rust out that car need total resto. I bet it was buy site unseen cuz this looks like a shady classic dealer car.
Wow, this is rare, a real "as found" charger, warts and all. too many people watch shows that show these guys pulling apart a classic and in the next hour they put it back together and it looks showroom. well, you've just lifted the lid and realized several people used the bowl and didnt even flush!! Restorable, but only if you love what your doing and have $$$ trees growing in a secret forest only you know about. Thanks Ray, loved seeing the truth about classic cars.
The progress on the Silverado is looking great. Can't wait to see the end result.... I know that you'll never stop tinkering with it but at least the current rebuild.
I'd like to see more of this car, even though it's in bad shape.❤
I love the odd and end videos documenting your different adventures. Thanks for the updates on the truck truck looks amazing.
I was a lad when this car came out. I started my Freshman Year in 1968. I drooled over those.
As others have said, RUN AWAY. That is a nightmare that will never end. It needs Major Frame off restoration done to it, and I mean MAJOR DANGER run away.
Its a shame the owner let it go.
You mean Owners ? These cars get passed around as much as that one girl in Freshman year 😂
Ray These old muscle cars are rarity. It how ever looks like it needs a total restoration. Probably not something you could just drop all of your other work just to restore this one. However it is something you could do where you had moments of free time say over a year or so and providing the owner had the funds to restore it. To me it would defiantly be worth it as this beauties are slowly falling of the face of the earth. From 50 feet away it is a nice looking car. All you can do is see what the owner would like to do. I love your Channel . Have a great day!
Enjoyed watching this. when I started my first career as a mechanic this is the type of car I worked on. Newer stuff you work on I would be lost.
24:50 Possibility #3: The cable is binding then released when enough torque has accumulated causing the bouncing speedo. Happens often in these old cars when an engine or trans is pulled and the cable gets crimped or snagged.
Also happens when the cable gets dry. A shot of grease down the cable might fix it.
Let’s get real. The cars is 55 years old. I needs a new Speedo cable. Period
Thanks Ray ! I enjoyed this video .
Glad to see you're not intimidated by working on this car like some of the commenters here seem to be . Im sure the customer has faith in you !
This is the right comment 👍
I would be very careful that looks like a Never ending story as you fix one thing another will break. Thanks for truck update.
When you fix one thing, another will fail, just like every other car in the world, and only guys like me like to work on them.
This is the kind of project I would love to have in the garage to work on.
I must say, this has been about the most entertaining and amusing video you have made to date. Being that I do learn and take much interest in your usual work on computerized snap-tite vehicles, but this Dodge is the era of car I work on regularly. One tip I can give, is the jumpy speedometer is most likely a tight bend or kink in the outer cable, causing a wind up of the inner on each revolution, it snaps around and flicks the needle up. Common problem with these.
Personally, to be brutally honest, I'd suggest this particular vehicle be shipped up to Franklin TN for some good loving.
Could also be a worn out speedo drive gear and the head itself also can do that when it's worn out or taken past 150 too many times.Probably over 200k on it- way past warranty now
It's the repair that never ends, it just goes on and on, my friend.....
For the stereo cage the easy way is to squash it in the middle top and bottom and that brings the sides in. Then just reshape it afterwards. Used to fit stereos for a living. Great content as always.
LMMFAO, Ray! Watching your surprise at all the old-school amenities from 50 years ago was a real treat for me because those muscle-cars are what keeps my blood flowing :)
While a lot of that Charger was hack-tacular, it's still worthy of a $75 - 100K restoration, and is probably the owner's pride and joy! I've got a '70 Chevelle SS that's a work of never-ending progress, and I wouldn't trade it for the WORLD.
I think you should take care of his list, inform him of the copious wiring issues, and buy the poor guy a fire extinguisher for the immanent fire comin' down the road... Hopefully he'll let you sort out the wiring, and other serious safety related problems, but the cosmetic stuff (rusty quarters and bubbling bondo/paint) can be handled later on. Of course, the unibody construction behind a powerful engine is not a good thing and needs to be addressed sooner than later!
Great to see some serious muscle comin' into your shop! You should make a habit of that for old farts like yours truly! [I'd like to see if you can use a feeler-gauge to gap a set of POINTS - NO dwell meters allowed! ;) ] PLEASE do a follow-up...maybe he needs to send her to *Nick's Garage* in Toronto or Mark Worman's for a full-on restoration!
I'm with you -- there's nothing more entertaining than seeing someone born in the 90s working on iron two generations older (like me on my first flathead build), and there's no loss in Ray learning with us as last I checked there's fewer people every day that can tune a carburetor. Let's make Ray one. Q-Jet sbc next!
Good to have you back Ray. Hope you enjoyed your well earned break.
Am I the only thinking of how good looking the silverado will look once it's complete? It's already starting to look good too. Keep it Ray! Can't wait to see the completed look!
Well, I always watch you with interest. This video was cracking me up as I was a mechanic back when these were new. It just struck me funny that you were struggling to disassemble because what was common for me is alien for you (the older technology if you can call it that). I watch you with the modern electronics and especially the A/C, fuel lines etc. I wish the older days were that easy with the quick disconnect of most of the items. I do admire your diagnostic procedures and technical skill. Keep up the good fight. BTW, that Charger is worth a fortune and is worth repairing or restomoding.
That Charger is a money pit for the owner and a never ending headache for whoever works on it. Personally, I wouldn't walk away, I would RUN! It looks like it needs a complete ground-up resto.
Your Silverado is looking great. Also, remember Dodge products get double the hourly rates. The radio has every indication of the “ghetto install”. The car proves that if it’s loud and shiny, a chump will buy it.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to say how far you should go because that 68 charger is priceless.
Glad to see the progress on the Silvery-rado. Thanks
This thing needs a lotta love and time! I’d run from it. Those floors and such look scary!
Love what you’ve done to your Silverado
I'm surprised you did anything at all to this wreck, Ray, before finding all the shoddy shambles previously done to it - I think you should put it back together and hand it back. Tragic, but it's a minefield for anyone but a patient full-time restorer of classics.
That car needs to be restored by someone who knows what they are doing. The screwed in floor patches brings back memories Of the 70s when you did that to get another year out of a s-itbox.
The 60’s were much more different than you could imagine. But they were A Lot of fun.
One of my favorite cars (1968 Charger). Welcome back Ray!
I was always a GM guy but the '68 Charger stole my heart the first time I saw it.
One mans junk is another man's treasure
Ray, I love these classics, I mean I'm more of an Olds guy, I would love to see you working on a 68 Olds 442...but this car would be great, but it wouldn't either. This is a danger zone, honesrly this customer needs to be fired, you're not getting the whole story and this can be bad.
It’s need a full restoration. Probably more than the customer anticipated.
Thanks for the videos Ray. I've learned a ton from you. I've been mechanicin' since the late 60s, and this project brings back memories, for sure. Right now, my neighbor has a 79 Jeep Cherokee, that is in about the same shape as this Charger. I have informed him that I will not be looking at the problems on this Jeep. These kinds of jobs need to be for someone that doesn't rely on this to make a living. After work and weekends kind of job. And "quit bugging me. You'll get it back when I through." Maybe two weeks, maybe two years. Keep up the good work.
I do it for a living and have never been happier. I love trouble-shooting and working on these old gems. It doesn't need a restoration. It just needs things fixed one at a time like any other car.
When I was young, my dad would take me to classic (55,56,57) Chevy shows, my dad would often take out his keys and put the. Trough bondo.
Although I would love to see additional work on this charger it actually churns my stomach to see the shoddy workmanship and overall condition of this beautiful beautiful car. Like another CZcamsr stated Ray needs to run from this.
I grew up in the 60's around muscle cars & it kills me to see that car in that shape!
I would never run from it. I would run TO it. I just finished making parts for a 49 Studebaker. This thing would be a dream to work on.
@@MaxNafeHorsemanship I commend your dedication.
@@tiddums1151 Not sure it is dedication. Maybe there is something wrong with me. I enjoy a challenge and pride myself on doing a good job. I find these older cars are actually easier to work on once you get to know them a bit. In all fairness, Ray does a lot of stuff I could (or would) never even try.
Don't think I would have taken that car in with all those issues. Needs a restoration! Because the outward appearance looks great and motor sounds good, the rest is not good at all! Run Ray Run! 👌💯
You need to pull the insert cable out of the Speedo housing and see if there are bad wear marks along the cable. If the cable looks good grease the cable lightly and reinsert the cable into the housing. If any shiny spots or wear and the cable housing looks good you can replace just the cable insert or replace both cable and housings and reattach the Speedo cable housing to the speedo until it clicks.
Speedo won't click, the retention clip is the bit missing from the end. It's never going back in and staying, new cable is required.
I had a 69 charger with a 383 back in the day. Black interior with Bucket seats, Automatic trans., dark green with a black vinyl top. I loved that car.
Even with the automatic you could burn the tires from stand still and make it bark at 20. That car was a giant killer. Tore up some very mean cougars, Judges, but met it's betters against a Ford Pony Mach 1. That was a beautiful car.
I do so enjoy your content, Ray. Thank you for taking the time to produce these videos!
Ray finally got a classic car in. It is restorable I see chargers that have a lot of parts missing this isn't that bad. I do hate when people screw around with wires it needs a different owner. Parts are kinda hard to find but they are around you really have to like these cars to put the money and time into them.
Ray you deserve to have some fun with your wife and a holiday go for it mate my wife and i love you both and ty for being a real mechanic mate
im 48...and ive wanted one of these cars since i was like 12... one day....one day... great video.. hope there is more... id be so happy to fix every item in this car..lol
If you save up 5 random repairs through the year you'll be able to drop videos for the needy while sharing the interesting content from SEMA for the rest of us interested in the industry also.
Runaway Ray! That charger will haunt you, for every item you fix you'll break 5 more things!
Been down this path many times. The choice is clear, either complete restoration or do nothing. The end value will be less than the total cost to restore.
Everybody is telling you to bail on this fine piece of DIY craftsmanship. I agree.
Good morning Ray. The Dirty Max looking a lot cleaner. I know your getting close to finishing. But the bill your going to owe for 40 hours labor. Ouch.
Everything you and Wife Unit post is terrific ! ( Including SEMA)
Wow love how you installed that Escalade dash Ray -great job
I absolutely loved going back to something I would have had in my late teens through my late 20ies, and I had quite the laugh at times and some serious problems with the car. Overall, more like this.
Time to walk away,it’s a potential nightmare.🇬🇧👍👍
Definitely needs a LOT of time spent on it & that's going to be a pain as well as $$$$...
I wouldn't touch that car... 😵💫 The light switch is an omen of things to come. Run Forest run!
Nice car, and good intentions. I had a 50 footer and that is what this one is as well. Looks great from 50ft. Sometimes desires and financial situations don't align. Drive it like you stole it!
That charger needs lots of love!
Everything I saw on that Charger can be fixed.... but it could easily become a long, expensive process! A true restoration would need to be completely stripped down to the shell and a multi-year job in most shops. Just sourcing parts will take a lot of time and patience. But, it can be done and that car appears to actually MIGHT be a pretty good candidate for a high level of restoration. There were no signs of collision damage, that I could see. The tires were old, but appear to have even wear. Body condition under the bondo and paint may be a deciding factor.
When you were looking at the windshield wipers, it looked like the front half of the dash pad was missing... ???
It is probably good the exhaust cutouts aren't working. It looks like they terminate right under the driver and front passenger seats and would fill the cabin with carbon monoxide if used! They need some add'l pipes out to the side or to the rear.
I would have a conversation with the car owner about their goals for it. Do they want a "weekend driver" for occasional fun... a reliable daily driver... a long term, gradual "rolling restoration".... or a show quality resto-mod with modern updates?
f that dont live for ever fix it to safe drive run it
Personally, I love the videos from the shows you’ve gone to.
I only say about the SEMA thing, dont put it on this channel, put it on your other off duty channel.
Yup this thing has sub frame connectors, I agree this needs a full restoration 😁😁👍👍
I would walk away, that is a death trap and money pit.
1:00 Ray the Charger is out of your wheelhouse it’s likely the most expensive car ever in the shop! I hope the owner has deep pockets we need more Chargers restored. Enjoyed Sema!
I agree, Run, don't walk away from this one. You would be on an unending search for parts, and be forever on the hook for niggling repairs that "you caused" while repairing other stuff. If the owner has unlimited funds, unlimited time, and the desire for a good vehicle, he needs to send this one to a professional restorer, maybe on the west coast. This is so far away from your expertise it will be a losing proposition in both the short and long term. Even if you are interested in this type restoration, chose another car that is not so far gone. Just my opinion.
Charger is gonna take months to repair just the basic stuff! Sometimes even over a year! If it’s not in your wheelhouse don’t even think about it!
Ray you weren't even born when this car was built. You're out of your League. 🤣 it's not a classic car, it's an antique, over 50 years old.
@@williamfindspeople4341 Antiques can't be classic cars? You're silly.
@@williamfindspeople4341 Antiques are cars like model T's and Daimler benz's from the 1880s thats a classic.
The waves in that body are trying to compete with the Atlantic Ocean!
I would not touch that car with a barge pole.
Hello EBay.
There are going to be a lot of things you’re going to need to order that is going to take a lot of research and a lot of time to retrieve.
Good luck with this car, Ray, I’m sure you can fix it but it’s definitely gonna take you some time. I would love a car like that in my garage to work on.
I'm with the walk away group. The car needs a complete review and restoration. I think you are talking significant money and at least a couple of years of work.
May have should jacked it up months ago and then denied the job. There is no money for you in this and it is a long way from being road worthy.
Going by the printed fault list, with some of them fixed, I think this vehicle's been looked at elsewhere, then turned down for further repair.
Too many things wrong with it for anything but an enthusiast to fix themselves, as the cost of repairs will exceed its value.
the cost of repairs will exceed its value by many times. Run, Ray, Run away from this one!!!!!@@GARDENER42
Talk about going down a rabbit hole! Find one thing bad, three more things pop up. If this car was mine, if I didn't want to do a body restoration, I'd start at the front and start fixing things one at a time, working my way back. It would probably take at least a year before everything it needed was repaired since I'd take my time.
Ray "I did this really cool wiring harness routing and stuff, got all that buttoned up. I won't bore you with it"
RAY WE WANT TO SEE IT
Damn glad to be back at work "What happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas" btw I had a 60 dogged coronette
After starting a restoration on a classic of my own, this is some shotty work.
I would run far away as I could get ! It is toast !
That truck is coming together nice! I really like the new trim.
don't walk away ...run ..head for the hills ..that's a never ending nightmare
That car needs care and love. I'm sure that you can bring it back to its glory. Please don't hesitate. Give it a chance !!!
Speedo cable - lubricate it before re-assembly. Lack of lube can also cause the bouncy giga-counter effect.
That beauty needs true love to get her back on track before its too late. Great potential here. These are classic icons from the 60s. Full restored cars like this one goes way over 100K$ and more if the work is done by professionals.