Weather beaten '68 Charger 4-speed Hurst

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Dec 13, 08 6:08 pm

Nice original RT that. Cheers for the encouragement. In the last 10 days life has taken some strange turns but it looks like things are getting back on track. I was working on a North Sea oil rig in Norway when my appendix ruptured so I had to be airlifted off for emergency surgery. That was 8 days ago and I'm now on the mend and back in the UK.

As Tim cracks on finishing the welding I've had some unfortunate news about the Charger's engine. I'd not had time to start it since buying her back in the summer. All I had to go on was the fact it ran and the compression test was ok. Sadly we've found it runs and didn't sound like it was knocking (only ran a v short time) but there's zero oil pressure. I mean none. Removed oil pump and checked it - fine. Span it over without oil filter on and there's a surge of oil. It's odd. Either there's a big blockage somewhere or much worse. I'm now in a situation where we will have to crane out the original 383 and pull it apart.

Unless there is something else to try I can't see any other option. At least while it's out Tim can repair the tiny bit of rot on one front chassis leg, plus we'll know how good the engine internals are. It's a bit sad, especially as the mileage is low.

Hey ho.

Trigger_Andy · Post by **Trigger_Andy** » Sat Dec 13, 08 6:27 pm

Patina Charger wrote: I was working on a North Sea oil rig in Norway when my appendix ruptured so I had to be airlifted off for emergency surgery. That was 8 days ago and I'm now on the mend and back in the UK.

Hey,
I've worked over in Norway on the Oil rig's too. What one where you on? A Platform,Jack up or Semi? And what where you doing there? I thought you where on TV and in Mag's ect?

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Sat Dec 13, 08 6:51 pm

There's a few things to check before you pull the motor. Do you have a proper direct reading gauge on the engine, or are you relying on the stock electrical stuff?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Dec 13, 08 7:44 pm

Unfortunate that you are having problems with the motor fella. You have put a lot of hard work into that car. Hope the engine problem is an easy fix.

latil · Post by **latil** » Sat Dec 13, 08 7:50 pm

Clivey wrote:Unfortunate that you are having problems with the motor fella. You have put a lot of hard work into that car. Hope the engine problem is an easy fix.

Never mind that the man's had his guts chopped open last week.

Take it easy with those stitches in,and listen to Blue regards your engine.

A speedy recovery for you and the motor.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Dec 13, 08 8:20 pm

Some great welding work going on there

I loved this car when you first got it, the RAT ROD Charger look is so cool.

But i supose its best that all the nasty rot is got rid of.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Dec 14, 08 12:02 am

Blue wrote:There's a few things to check before you pull the motor. Do you have a proper direct reading gauge on the engine, or are you relying on the stock electrical stuff?

umm agree with blue them old dash gauges can be bit dodgy

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Dec 14, 08 12:17 am

That was with a gauge attached to the engine, not the stock dash. It seems there's no even a glimmer of pressure which is odd. If there is a last chance check list you guys can throw up then i welcome it by all means! Blue?

Just seems a bit strange that the previous owner said it ran smoothly and had good compression, yet when I start it after sitting dormant for 6 months there's no pressure. The engine is an original low miles unit but that doesn't always mean much I guess.

Thanks for the welding compliments. I cannot take credit for that, it's Tim Glover @ Roadhouseretro who is tackling that. He's done loads more since, including around the rear window. FEAR NOT, the Charger will still look rat. Tim is going to paint match the Green and fire a thin layer over the repaired quarter areas and black over the new back panel. Then leave it outside for two weeks for the surface rust to bleed through, then we'll waxoyl inject the lot. Well, it's called ANKOR wax but it's similar to Waxoyl only you can rub it into old paint etc. I have no intention of fully painting the car, but the roof is a bit bad so we're repairing that and I think a vinyl roof will go back on. Unless you think otherwise?

Tim's confident the welding will be done in the next 2 days so then it's just a matter of brakes and fathoming out the engine. I'll leave the interior until Jan or Feb when I might be able to afford it! Watch this space in Classic American for a full update.

PS: I was on the Draugen platform oil rig filming a documentary for Discovery Channel when the appendix starting leaking. We had to cut the filming short, obviously. It was the most painful thing ever but I got a ride in a copter stretcher and sampled the delights of Norsk nurses so it could have been worse....

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Dec 14, 08 12:44 am

Sorry to hear about your car and medical woes chief. Hope Santa brings you stuff to fix both.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Dec 14, 08 12:45 am

Thank you Rich, and v sorry to have gone quiet replying to you. Today is the first time I've been home in 4 weeks so i've been living out of a bag. I owe you ££ too I know

. How is your 69 baby?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Dec 14, 08 12:49 am

Don't fret chief, Christmas is a time for giving and all that. You worry about getting better and I'll drop you an email. I'm off up to the top of Scotland tomorrow, got a new job working with a Red camera http://www.red.com/cameras/ state of the art, I have to re learn everything and start again.

I must remember the burst appendix thing for skiving off a shoot like(!)

Take care and I'll give you a bell before Christmas.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Dec 14, 08 12:51 am

Good luck. Ive heard REDS are cool! Just call me Scarface....er....scar stomach.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Dec 14, 08 12:55 am

Cheers, I will. My car is on hold at the moment until I get some cash coming in, my brakes are on a ship though, should be arriving early next month so that'll be something to do.

Keep up the good work on yours, like I keep telling myself (and the wife) it'll be worth it when it's done.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Dec 14, 08 2:13 am

Life threatning those ruptured appedx.

Oil pump can still be shagged even if it shows some flow with filter off.

As said on previous thread.................

Pull dizzy & prime with drill.
Broken oil pump drive (oil pump to block bolts over torqued)
Thrown lifter/broken rocker/pushrod
Relief valve jammed open
Oil pickup dropped off/blocked
Oil pump shagged.
Oil gallery plug left loose & fallen out.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Dec 14, 08 6:00 pm

Brutus - your car is the law. That burnout photo with a fag on the go is poetry.

We've tried running it up with a drill and that doesn't help. Oil pump removed and tested - seems cool. We will check the rest this week. Well I won't because I'm a hobbling old git with stitches. Yeah, peritonitis is no joke. I think I was lucky as the surgery took place only a short time after the ruptures. I will let you know if I die once the tablet session has ended.

Hopefully the 383 is in better health