How BAD Is This '68 Dodge Charger? Plus Pontiac vs Chevy DRAG RACE!

There's been a lot of smack talk around the shop about which LS swapped hot rod is faster. Grease Lightning the 1956 Chevy or Big Wave the 1967 Pontiac Tempest? We finally lined them up and the results were mixed.
We also finally put our 1968 Dodge Charger on the lift and inspected the underside of the car. It's worse than we thought but we're not afraid of hard work.
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5.3l ls
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#dragrace
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56 chevy
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[@joeyburkman2233]

Don't sweat that frame rail guy's. No worries. Patience a tape measure and some bracing and it can be replaced. I replaced the torsion bar cross member and both front rails on my 70 with AMD part's and it came out great. You got this! 😊

[@charlieb308]

Because of the value of those chargers I feel you should restore it to no rust underneath and make it like the tempest until you can really make the body mint

[@tho464]

I agree and bravo for being a Sabres fan!

[@cliffordkinnear9705]

I concur also. Go Patriots!!!!

[@tho464]

@@cliffordkinnear9705 Go Bills!!

[@charlieb308]

@@cliffordkinnear9705 unfortunately the Patriots are done, once Tom Brady left they have no chance now

[@jdtractorman7445]

One of the main reasons the creators of the Dukes of Hazzard went with the Dodge Charger was because of the torsion bar suspension. They found that if they cranked the bars up that the car would not bottom out on the ramp and scrub off speed.

[@jessesager9460]

I wish my gf was into drag racing with me 😒. I’m still impressed with how good the Tempest sounds with them turbo mufflers! Good race!

[@bksalkrook9348]

i was thinking the same thing ..nothing better than a girlfriend sharing the same passion ,,,a love for classic cars

[@gregpiecuch3802]

That was a lot of fun to watch, but I think Danny lifted.

[@kevinhumphrey932]

It's pretty obvious you've haven't came across a really bad rusted out mopar yet that charger is mint underneath

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

"Mint" is the most improperly used word online lol. "Mint" truly and literally means, the same condition as brand new. As is you can't tell the difference from it being new out of the box/ off the factory assembly line. NOTHING on this rusted out framed car qualifies as "Mint" condition.

[@tvdroid22]

As for the transmission, the slip yoke of the 727 shares commonality with the overdrive versions of the 727 known as the A518 or 46RH/46RE. These were used into the early 2000's, so they're everywhere. Also, the car the transmission was in is a cruiser and you should get the upshift governor weight changed to something a little sportier. TCI, SMR, PATC and others can help with that. That governor weight will have it upshifting at around 4800rpm. You need something more like the Hemi or Max Wedge type for upshifts around 5500+rpm. Also, not sure how familiar you are with the 727. They require a mechanical kickdown linkage for normal automatic operation. They will burn up rapidly without it. The upshift/downshift can also be adjusted with this linkage. It connects to the carburetor and provides a direct mechanical connection to the transmission. I like to have a stage II transmission valve body kit in mine. This allows normal operation in drive, but also allows full manual control, so with it, you can hold any speed in any gear, and basically run it like a clutchless manual trans. Great for those redline upshifts, and she leaps when shifted. Also great for engine braking on a road course. You should at least put the stage I in for improved lube and overall function. B&M, TransGo, Fairbanks, Superior, all make basically the same kit. You won't regret it. Since you will be using a higher stall torque converter, you should also add an external transmission cooler. I didn't see, but if you need a shifter, any aftermarket unit will do, pretty much. What are the cam and rocker specs?

[@lukekao8136]

That's the "General Lee" :) cue the Duke's of Hazard theme song.

[@DesignDogG]

The mud flap is the "trans blanket" It was really cool to see you racing again.

[@glennramsey917]

Im just glad your gonna put another classic car back on the road …you are now my new favorite !!!

[@dclipper8052]

The Charger deserves a fate better than rolling around in dirt. I say do her up nice! Grab a sixer and watch Bullitt a couple few times to get the blood stirring first.

[@tho464]

Subbed. I love this channel and your mellow way of life.

[@georgemain889]

Congratulations Andrew on joining the Air Force! My daughter just graduated BMT and she is at her tech school. It's a great career opportunity! Good luck!

[@cliffordkinnear9705]

Yes it is. Crew Chief here, retired, veteran USAF.

[@edzimdahl1158]

Had a 66 tempest that same blue, only had a mildly warmed over 326 and after trashed the power glide swapped in a turbo 350, was a really nice day 2 car from in the day,, just about all the muscle cars had in the day were basically all kept going with each particular cars brand name parts

[@thomas3059]

Love the speed check by radar Sign.

[@albertchavez2693]

Just found your channel, and it's really cool informative and Funnnn :)

[@BillyJoeJimBob28]

Me too! Like the real people & projects aspect. 😋

[@tuckerschopshop]

I like the sign on the post at the drag race spot, speed checked by radar! lol

[@michaelstrangefranke7002]

You mentioned something about it being a 68 charger with a 69 grill well you also have a 69 right-front fender

[@stude1953]

Really like this car! Good luck with it! Looks like you have a great plan for it!! I have a '67 GTO that's in the same shape and color as your Tempest that's being restored right now to just get it up and running!.

[@jesusguzman5435]

That charger is a cool project you guys have some sweet looking cars a great variety enjoy your content

[@cliffordkinnear9705]

I would contact a fellow youtuber Dylan McCool. He has done the rear frame rail repairs. He cut out the rusted section and welded in an aftermarket frame rail patch panel. He did the repair on his 72 Challenger.

[@thomasdeangelo1655]

Love the blue interior in the Pontiac.

[@CJColvin]

That 56 Chevy Belair sure is a beast. At the end of the day they're both awesome cars.

[@TheHord]

Congratulations on joining the Airforce Andrew! Wish you all the best and hope to see you back on the channel for some visits in the future. 🍻 Nice Mustang Danny! 🍻 Love the Tempest too Olivia! 🍻 Look forward to the Charger build!

[@notavillageidiot]

So great to see Andrew back at the shop. 😊

[@bobtucker8875]

Great 👍 car. Simply getting it on the road would be great ☺️. Really enjoyed the drag race, thanks for sharing 😁.

[@douglaswiggins1810]

Great show&keeping the charger old school wow

[@sporty196071]

Orange saved from the crush!!!

[@jrlittle2]

The marker lights are a dead giveaway that it's a 68. The 69 has rectangular marker lights.

[@chriskayakq-ster7264]

Seriously love the Tempest! Had a 64' Buick Wildcat 455 4bl 4dr in 75' while in high school with same baby blue interior.

[@vonheise]

I am retired from the Air Force so am biased, however it is a great career, however, the career field can make a difference. I was in avionics aircraft maintenance and loved it.

[@sinistercharger]

I agree..There is alot of work there.Frame Rail and Full rear quarters and other body issues then there's the suspension and engine and everything else. It will be off the Road for at least a couple of years I think

[@elwoodsummersjr596]

Great video, both cars really sound super, if you all are having half the fun that comes across on your videos, you're really lucky, liv you look so cute in that outfit ❤❤

[@timsacco6g694]

That car deserves to be done as right as possible and if anyone can do it you guys are definitely more than capable!

[@stevegarbacz8573]

You guys have an awesome Charger and the right attitude to getting it fixed up. Do not despair. You are in a win win situation as the value of these cars only increases with time. I own a 69 Charger, and when I bought mine in 1998 as a restoration project car, it was a solid Arizona car, but was in somewhat of a mess too. They are easy cars to work on, which is a bonus. and you will certainly enjoy driving it around TURNING many heads no doubt once it's back on the road. Good luck and enjoy working on it !

[@GnarlySpeedShop]

Thank you so much Steve. Really appreciate your comment

[@Hanzyscure]

Looks like a good project. Good luck.

[@kamdawg93]

The past year or two I've seen about 5 of these sub $20k across California. Good luck on the build !

[@rosaliecruz4304]

Yayy!!! Andrew Congratulations. 🥳 I think this car is going to do you guys in. 🙈 Sooooo much wooorrrkkk.

[@1Sano]

Mopar Fall Fling Woodley Park Van Nuys October 21 is coming next month. Biggest Mopar Show & swap in the west. Great place to find old & new parts.

[@danielmurray3496]

the slip yoke, in Australia we can buy the new for $300, so you should have no trouble getting one there

[@CharlesAtwell-or7bm]

Big project but totally worth it! Good luck!

[@luckysgarageshow]

Looking good!

[@GnarlySpeedShop]

Thanks Lucky!! Miss you

[@211on_dat_ass]

That charger will look badass in satin black

[@David-rx5eo]

I think Liv needs a positraction rear ends, because she was spinning those tires. I used to have a 57 Chevy 4 door sedan with a stock 283. After the powerglide trans went out a couple of times I put a TH400 trans in it, and I put a shift kit in the TH400. Even with the stock 283 if I floored it then it would chirp the tires on the 1st to 2nd shift. That 57 was so much fun.

[@roygrund797]

As far as names go, remember 'Hazzard' enjoyment back when, for one. Two and three would be totally direct, 'General', or 'Lee'. But number four would be my fave, 'Duke'.

[@greenshovel]

Andrew …thank you!!!!!

[@Cstoreri]

Olivia totally lifted when car would catch second 😅

[@deankallstrom1968]

Fyi. Your local Chrysler car dealership is the cheapest place to buy upgraded torsion bars and leaf springs. Get the next diameter larger than the Hemi bar,and buy the Hemi replacement rear leaf springs. With some key parts, you can make it handle amazing. Also Fyi,torsion bars allow for less unsprung weight on the suspension-less weight bouncing up and down- better handling. Enjoy the coolest car around. Wait for the looks you’ll get when driving it-you’ll be amazed! Have fun!

[@jeff008thepunk]

I live in the vicinity of Springfield Oregon General is a Heavy Trailer and parts manufacturer.

[@garypacholek8070]

You can get replacement frame rails from AMD. Are you having your 440 machined to be internally balanced because they are externally balanced from the factory. If you buy an aftermarket torque converter they do not have the matching external balance weights that a factory converter has. External balanced motor, non external balance converter major vibration. I found that out the hard way. Had to have my transmission rebuilt and sent the converter out at the same time, and when I reassembled everything didn't notice they had removed the converter weight.

[@rdecoster1]

Springfield Oregon mud flap...Springfield Oregon is the location of Graveyard Cars. The Charger is telling you to take me to Springfield. I need a trip through Graveyard Cars!!! You sure have a Cool shop!!

[@tonyrovito9753]

Will you dry ice blast the underbody?. I agree with you replacing sections of the frame had a1970 and we repaired the rear spring shackles and the frame where it kicks over the axle. .You have a 98% car that's a good basis for a street car! looking forward to watching you guys decide on the build and then proceed!

[@geebopbaluba1591]

I wish you guys were closer cause I have a Mopar 383 727 and there both rebuilt and have been sitting since 2014 because I went through a long bout with cancer treatments and I never got around to doing anything with them and gave up. I’m in north Texas.

[@Leo-vf3py]

Great show keep up the good work be safe my friends God bless all at the end of the day it's still here and someone's wanting to drive it again that's Kool part

[@dyoutubechannel8218]

The rubber ''protection' under the car said Springfield Oregon, where Graveyard Carz is. Graveyard Carz is among the top Mopar restauration shop in the world. They have a KZbin channel, they tell where they buy parts, how they rebuild Mopars etc. Great video!

[@ford-2009]

Yeah this old charger deserves some loving keep up the amazing work guys as for a name daisy Duke, or old red.

[@davidsmith3736]

Some serious POWER sounds great.😊😊😊

[@roberthenderson6905]

Real people and good content

[@danielbaker2436]

Ok, I stand corrected. A 68. Mix and match parts. Good luck and be ready. When it's done, it will become your favorite hot rod.

[@billbriggman2081]

The Great Pumpkin !!

[@chrisecoff6155]

Hmmmm. Freiburger has General Mayhem; Finnegan has Death Metal; Orange Crush in a 3-way shootout at Dirtfish? That would be a hoot!!!😎

[@32road]

Good one…dig in!!

[@jasonbanuelos7569]

Y'all should do a walk around of that 65 mustang, I am curious to see under the hood.

[@musclecargarage8882]

Those are some easy patch panels to make on the frame rail

[@brucethompson1879]

Andrew!! Yes!!

[@mikerosing8202]

Great smile Olivia

[@leemajor6151]

What size wheels and tires do you have on the Mustang?

[@bobbydee1187]

I can’t wait to see the dukes of hazard car finished. My friend has built one So if you need parts holler at me. I think he still has some.

[@rodvaughan8628]

Nice race. Imagine is my charger name.

[@armondoborjas4362]

Aww yeah you have some work to do on that mopar 😁 So are we going to know the Ets on the 56 vrs the poncho Or 🤷🏽‍♂️ 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😎

[@sprintmademe]

The old mopars are great for shoving 50 series tires in stock location and get that killer stance.

[@hayneshvac2]

Looks as though the block in this charger is a 383 block. Chrysler manufactured 2 style big blocks, one noted as a "B" block, and an "RB" block that had a taller deck. In the case of what you have, the best way to identify these differences is by the name plate/embossment located in front of the driver side head. The "RB" is located in front of the intake. The heads are interchangeable as well as most of the internal parts short of the crank and intake. The 383 was a "B" block that has a 3.38 stroke whereas the "RB" has a 3.75 stroke. The 440 is a "RB' style block. All 727 yolks are the same until you get into the lock out torque converter which began in the late 70's I believe. Large cars, trucks, and vans all had 727 transmissions. As for the difference between small block, and big block, the bell housing should be the only difference.

[@scottkellogg8145]

How is the tempest a carburetor fuel injection

[@6petrolhead6]

These chargers are so iconic what ever you do to get this old racer back running and driving it will look and sound cool so just the fact that your willing to save her is cool don't be put off by the purists it's your project do what work for you I will watch regardless 😊😊

[@brianrichardson7946]

Ought to be quite the project but a fun one

[@chukhentcy5642]

You Guys should replace the k member/ engine cradle in the Mopar and get rid of the torsion bars up front. There are bolt in kits for that swap available. Good Luck!

[@chukhentcy5642]

@ClickOnProfile61 a gift?

[@cliffordkinnear9705]

That is a great modification, but it's expensive. They should spend money on getting the unibody strength back by replacing the rusted out sections.

[@bradinch1563]

have someone sand blast the frame,just so you can see what it needs and would be easier to weld on

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

There is no frame. It's a cheap unibody car.

[@clydemock2115]

PS one more thing if I was down there where you guys are at what do the bodywork and paint your Pontiac I grew up in my dad's paint body shop I've done at 69 years old I've gotten real slow but I promised you wouldn't see her rippel One in the body work

[@barryk253]

Olivia I agree with you get rid of the torsion bar setup I think you have some friends at QA1 🍻👍 The General “O”

[@barryk253]

I gave it a little more thought “General Liv” 🇨🇦

[@jimmiepridemore9475]

I have a name suggestion now please just think on it let it resonate goober or booger..then my favorite golden knife or gold knite

[@stephenhodge6441]

That tempest needs some tires that can hook up.

[@cliffordkinnear9705]

Your Charger may have been used on the The Dukes of Hazzard TV show as a back up car or screen car. I would get with the Warners Brothers Studio and CBS to check the VIN number against their records of the Chargers they had. You never know, till you ask.

[@CharlesAtwell-or7bm]

You could probably just marry the body to GM frame and floor pan and you would have a familiar chassis to work with but drop in a late model hemi to keep the Mopar guys happy!

[@69CutlassKen]

I'd build it too!

[@codywilliams103]

A name you're gonna want to know while building that 440 is, Indy cylender head. Thank me later.😊

[@date6431]

He totally jumped the start on you, hehe. He owes you dinner

[@davidgoshorn1538]

Absolutely love the way the tempest sounds!!

[@GnarlySpeedShop]

Thanks! I'm so happy with it -Olivia

[@tedzehnder961]

You jumped the start on her, haha

[@sothernborn1]

Tree top flyer ! Be on the look out for a motor home with a 440 engine an your off n running .. it’s a great bare bones start ! Better than paying 8% interest on a $60,000 dollar resto mod or a old Restoratiom for five six years in my opinion . If nothing else get all the parts for the front of the car and make it all operational since it is such an iconic car that most people recognize for the front and rear end !

[@DowningJoseph-fh7fw]

Make sure you get head gasket set that is 20 tho

[@user-ht1xu4gv2u]

Get that GM. Flex conduit that's split and house the wires in rhem

[@elijah2078]

That Mopar will be King of the Hill with the 512 big block installed.

[@sprintcarsandguitars959]

my 2000 blazer has the torsion bars,i hate em. can you say body roll?? so the trick on the blazer;s is a coil over shock in place of a stock shock.

[@dclipper8052]

Spring rate is spring rate. Your bars were just too small for your taste. In fact, torsion bars and coilovers even adjust their height in basically the same way: dialing in more or less preload.

[@sprintcarsandguitars959]

@@dclipper8052 i went on the blazer forum and a few people were doing the coil over swap on there blazers. so i tried it and been using it for 7 years now. took the body roll out.

[@Sidewinder1999]

You guys are crazy if you're not into this 68 Charger. I'm a GM guy, and even I think the second gen Charger is one of the toughest muscle cars ever made. And as for rust, yes it has some, but I've seen far, far worse. This is really a very solid base for a restoration.

[@johncarella1836]

Should just put the Quarter’s on it now!!! So much better with straight body panels!

[@BillyJoeJimBob28]

I agree! New quarters & orange spray cans! 😂 oh & don't forget big #01 for the doors! 🤣

[@earlputnal9124]

Just break it down and fully restore it gang. Partially restoring a Mopar doesn't work no matter what. You're welcome.

[@earlputnal9124]

@@ClickOnProfile61 Really

[@jamesmallinger9555]

You guys are cute and I love original motors with points , you guys rock Love Jim J&R mobile service

[@OnlyTheEd]

Them leaf springs are modified to lower the vehicle....possibly came out of a pick-up.....

[@jimbo8972]

ok so finally a mopar.... now i'll subscribe

[@TriBgarage]

Call the Charger, instead of Garfield, call it Garleftinfireld.