It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..

Author Topic: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..  (Read 2375 times)

Offline dusty

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It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« on: April 04, 2011 - 09:13:58 PM »
Hey gang. Work on our 1970 383 4 Barrel SE has been dormant so long that I don't even know where to start really! First a little background. I bought the car around four years ago, and my dad wanted to pay to have it restored. I thought that was a great idea, but .he really wanted to have the work done out of town, by some people who did a GTO for him.. I agreed at the time and took the car apart and hauled it all to a town about two hours away.. Here is where the car is at now..

A) Been blasted and put on the rotisserie and all metal that needed fixing has been fixed.
B) It is in primer..

My dad for some reason either financial or something informed me last year that he wasn't spending another penny on the car. That kinda killed me for a number of reasons, mainly because I wanted the car, but I signed the bill of sale over to him, because he has more invested in the car than I do.. He then decided to title the car, and then told me at Christmas that he was signing the title over to me. He signed the title over to me and now I am stuck with a car that I can't move home! I just don't want to move it while it is on the rotisserrie, so I called the restorer and he is painting the bottom of the car, and blasting the K member and rear end, leaf springs and torsion bars, etc, and putting the car back on its tires.. I can afford this and he is being super nice about understanding that I can't send him wads of dough.. In short, I work for a living, and so does my wife, and raising two kids isn't cheap either..

Anyway, so my lovely wife and I are going down tomorrow to get a load of parts and bring them home. I have a friend who will rebuild and clean up the correct 727 that is sitting down there for 250.00 (which is awesome). He owns a transmission shop so I know he knows what is doing! So tomorrow the tranny and a lot more are coming home!

The car was purchased out of a barn, and had a 440 in it. The 440 is setting at an engine builder in Huntsville, and I called him. He is being awesome as well, because I always wanted a correct date coded 383 back in the car anyway. He has a bunch of engines and is putting me a built date coded 383 magnum with 906 heads and correct intake, and I am giving him the 440 and a couple of grand.. Not a bad deal, and I sure respect him for the help!

I ordered the correct Carter avs carb last week for a 383 4 bbl with A/C and A/T, so I can't wait for it to come in. I want the car to be kinda right when I get done.. If this car ever gets done!!!

So am i doing ok to have the bottom of the car painted and put back on its suspension before I bring it home? I have so many questions and am going to have to rely on all of you that don't mind over the next few years as the car comes together in our garage.

I just can't wait to get started!! This has really been a nightmare so far, especiallly with my dad, but I am so thankful for all he has done to get it this far!





Offline dusty

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2011 - 09:20:29 PM »
So here is my plan..

A) Continue to pay Mike to put the bottom side of the car in order and get it rolling.... Get it HOME!
B) Get transmission built in the next 3 weeks.
C) Get the correct 383 built.
D) Get all my parts home.. in my garage.. all together. (Starts tomorrow)
E) Have gauges rebuilt locally.. I found a killer place.
F) Have dash re-done..
G) Have bumpers chromed.
I) Order all parts as needed, fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines.. Get her painted, sell a kidney to finance.. heh.


Jesus H. Christ, this is gonna be a long project..

Offline jimynick

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2011 - 09:24:18 PM »
Welcome Dusty and I agree that it was cruel of your Dad to sign that car over to you like that! If he's feeling mean again and wants to do any more signing over, just let me know and I'll take care of it for you. OK? Don't let him treat you like that, let me take the heat!  :grinyes:

Offline Topcat

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2011 - 09:42:10 PM »
The trials and the long road travelled will bring you to the goal you seek.

Hope that saying can keep you focused. Just keep going at it. Before you know it, it'll be driving.
How bout some pictures to show us?
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline Moparal

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2011 - 12:09:18 AM »
WTG   is the engine builder R&R speed?   They do good work there. Kinda pricey. But good people

Offline 360FISH

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2011 - 01:24:37 AM »
I would hate to have the Fish away from the nest.  Get yours home so you can touch it every day and know it's real!
Enjoy the build.
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Offline dusty

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2011 - 07:52:07 AM »
WTG   is the engine builder R&R speed?   They do good work there. Kinda pricey. But good people

Yup the engine is at R and R. They sure do good work, and I agree that they are good people. Probably going to run by there today and see Ron.. He sure has been understanding about all of this.

I wasn't trying to complain about my father, but rather wish he had not forced so much to take the car to Huntsville and then back out on me.. I would rather have had the car here where I could do a little on it along the way! But, hey like I said I am thankful!!!

Anyway we are loading up to go see Mike at Restorations by Mike in New Market Alabama. He too, is a great guy, and has been totally understanding and his work is unbelievable! I will take some pictures and sure appreciate the kind responses!!

Offline Bullitt-

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #7 on: April 05, 2011 - 08:35:14 AM »
Hey dusty  :wave: Sounds like your kind of local.... Where abouts is home?
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
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Offline Challenger6pak

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2011 - 08:53:17 AM »
 "He has a bunch of engines and is putting me a built date coded 383 magnum with 906 heads and correct intake, and I am giving him the 440 and a couple of grand.. Not a bad deal, and I sure respect him for the help!"


383's are worth less than 440's.  I hope he is giving you a complete rebuilt 383 for your 440 and a couple of grand.   Is this in exchange for the 440 or is this in exchange for payment for work?
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.

Offline 4Cruizn

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #9 on: April 05, 2011 - 03:04:06 PM »
Sounds like you have a good plan together and all.  I would probably just buy new bumpers as it will probably be cheaper than rechroming the old ones.  Look forward to the pics!   :bigsmile:

Offline HemiOrange70

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #10 on: April 05, 2011 - 04:14:39 PM »
When he is painting the bottom end, have him paint the engine bay and all door jambs etc as well

Offline RusTy/SE

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2011 - 11:18:47 AM »
When he is painting the bottom end, have him paint the engine bay and all door jambs etc as well

 :iagree: etc = inside the trunk area :thumbsup:
« Last Edit: April 23, 2011 - 09:23:43 AM by RusTy/SE »
Russ
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1970 Challenger  JS29U
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Offline wally426ci

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Re: It's been a nightmare. I just want my car home..
« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2011 - 02:07:49 PM »
I can't help but think of the wife and 2 little kids. I would be sure and make sure that they are #1. The car will be there when you have time and money.

I think you have a good plan, but i wouldnt be set on having it finished this year. Id develop a family budget that allows you to spend, say $400 a month or something.... whatever you can raesonably afford.
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