Thread: 73 charger the saga

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Be nice, tech
Yeah, when assembling I had to choose between two ground plugs on the voltage reducer for the gauge power. Turns out, there are two tabs, they both plug in.

Ah the joys of auto electrics. I think tracking down electrical stuff on an old car car be some of the hardest stuff to figure out, unless you are working on a early 70's to 80's california smogged vehicle!

It is possible that this car has finally forgiven me for delaying its final rest. (It was headed for the scrap heap when I bought it. No oil pressure, slipping transmission, loose steering, bad breaks, no blinkers, seatbelts, horn, interior, defrost, and NO TITLE: a death sentence in Colorado). Anyway, I have driven it multiple times now with no problems whatsoever. Well, except for the conversation I had with the VERY nice, YOUNG law enforcement the other day... Hmmm. Nice guy, gave me a warning.

It's almost as if there is light at the tunnel's end.

I just spoke with the instructor at Columbus Tech auto collision course, he's excited to get it in, and get it painted. It might take a full semester (or two) but having talked to him, I'm confident the work will be done right. AND, as a student ( in another program) I could come in between classes and lay hands on also).

Cool. Great save and great that it'll get some new paint too!

The tech college has dragged its heels too long.

Well, my 17 year old nephew is staying the summer with me, so I haggled a deal with a local body shop: he was slow and needed the work. So, he agreed to paint it for $3K, and give the kid a summer job.

So now it's hazzard county orange, and more stuff is on order: matching-key lock cylinders for doors and ignition, door seals, window sweeps... And the full decal set.

Looks good! You've gotta be pretty happy to have it all one color!

Nice one!
Those are pretty cars to start with; but in that colour it looks absolutely stunning!

I like it.
Very much.

I wish I could be like the super - builders on this site: oner the top and right the first time.

Well, come to think of it, the top notch builders around here sometimes make it bullet proof, then turn around and re do it to withstand a .50 cal.

So maybe they have similar issues. Anyway:

Just got in replacement door latch mechanism for drivers side and regulator for passenger side.

The door latch has me scratching my head. It suddenly worked perfect after the car got painted. Strange that R&R ing the door handle and key lock should affect it. Then it started acting up again. That's when I noticed the door handle would not snap shut. It was "sticky". So I replaced the door handle. No improvement. So, I say hell with it and order another latch mechanism. Also, the regulator on the passenger side seems weak, so one was procured at the same time to save shipping.

So this weekend I'll discover where the sharp interior edges are in the door while I swap parts. Then I can make a decision on replacing the door panel fuzzies (which I already have) and put the door panels back on.

The door latch is in place, easier than I expected.
The window regulator, that's a different story.
I did get it in, and removed the slide rails, cleaned and lightly greased them, but I simply can't get the window to adjust far enough back. I ended up enlonengating the adjustment slots (for the mimi track) with a rat tail file, about a quarter inch. It helped, but I still could use another eighth inch of adjustment. The slide tracks have no adjustment at the top, and their bottom adjustment doesn't seem to affect forward- back, only in - out.there must be an adjustment I'm over looking.

Do you have the factory service manual for the Charger? I'd probably spring for a digitized version - https://www.amazon.com/FACTORY-REPAI.../dp/B00HT92PL2

The saga never ends. Ownership is transferred.

I passed the dodge on to a gentleman from Alabama. I'm not in a position to finish it, being an unemployed college student for two years now. And, the cash will see me through for some time.

I did finally get the windows aligned, and the only two major mechanical issues are the still missing fan shroud, and the A/C / heater control needs replaced.

I washed it up squeaky clean, and I hit 90 on the short test drive.

I rather miss it already.