Like I said in my intro, I have an extensive restoration thread over at C.C.com. So anyway, I'm just going to start this restoration thread at where I am currently at. A few weeks ago I dropped the engine and trans to swap out my junk headers that I used for engine break in with my polished ceramic TTI 1 7/8" headers. While the engine was out I also figured it was a good time stamp my transmission with the factory style "677" so I ordered some of those very expensive simulated stamps. After waiting almost a month after I ordered it, the stamps finally arrived. After several trial attempts trying to judge how much paint to apply to the stamps and how hard to push, etc, I finally stamped the transmission. I'm not really happy with how it came out but I don't see it getting any better. Anyway, here are some pics of the TTI headers as well as the transmission stamps.
Ever have one of those Murphy's law days when working on your car and afterwards you're just ready to throw in the towel and list it for sale? Today was one of those days for me. Seemed like everything that could go wrong did. I tired and eventually succeeded in re-installing the engine and trans back in the car by myself, but what should have been an easy job fought me at every step. I won't bore you with the details but I'm not happy camper today. Anybody want to buy a partially finished matching no. 440 '70 Cuda?
Looking good man!!! Sorry to hear you're not happy with the stamps. I've have good luck with thicker ink or paints, but it looks like you did pretty good. Remember, the factory wasn't making art, they were just putting numbers on the trans to help identify it. :alan2cents: Hopefully you'll relax tonight and get re-motivated to finish your car. You're doing great!
Quote from: usraptor on February 07, 2017, 05:17:54 PM
Anybody want to buy a partially finished matching no. 440 '70 Cuda?
You don't really want to sell your beloved Cuda.....but if you do want to sell I'm in the market! :pokeeye:
One step forward and two back. Took the engine and trans back out of the car today to remove the oil pan to inspect the oil pick up tube after yesterdays accident.
Glad to report the pick up tube was undamaged. I also inspected the bottom of my oil pan for metal debris/shaving since it still had the break in oil in it. Glad to report there was none.
I ordered a new pan from 440 Source and a new re-usable windage tray from Jegs (Thanks Cody).
Traced some electrical issues with my tach and think I found the problem (again thanks to Cody-what would we do without you on the sites).
Forgot that yesterday I sprayed the inside of my passenger front fender with undercoating. That way it will be ready for paint next week if my body man comes through. Need to buy another can to do the driver's side. One can doesn't go as far as I thought it would.
All in all today was a better day in spite of everything Onward and forward.
Taking a break can be good. Have a buddy help you can be good too.
Matching number 440 Cuda? Sounds pretty awesome to me. putting that set up in by yourself? Pretty impressive. I'm proud of myself just for taking tires off by myself.
Hang in there.
Even though its a pain to take steps back (god knows I did a million) you will be very happy with the finished product and take pride in what you accomplished.
Stick with it!!!
:twothumbsup: :bigthumb: :twothumbsup:
Got back at it again. Nothing really picture worthy, but accomplished a fair amount. Anyway, installed the new oil pan and windage tray that Cody recommended that I got from Jegs. Nice not to have to use any gasket cement. Put the engine back on the K-Frame and with the help of my wife (she worked the lift and handed me tools when I was under the car) got the engine and trans reinstalled. :woohoo:
Sanded and painted the torsion bars. Again, with my wife's help installed and aligned the steering column. Adjusted and hooked up the trans linkage and Z bar linkage and lot of other small stuff that needed to be done. Ordered some parts for the Z bar linkage that didn't come with the rebuild kit??? The radiator developed a small leak at the lower hose fitting so I removed it and will take it in to the radiator shop to have it soldered. Got a text from my body man that we might be able to get the car in to the shop on Monday for final paint work so I'll gathered up all the small parts that will also need to be painted along with the larger body panels. I media blasted the small parts and then painted them with primer/sealer which included the driver's side remote mirror. I know my car came with a passenger side mirror, but I'll be darned if I can find it. :headbang: Hopefully when we move all the body panels out of the storage room it will appear. It's been three years since we did the initial paint work so I'm super excited to finally get the paint work finished. :D
I also installed my new to me QA1 shocks that I purchased from another forum member. Fronts went on with no problems but since I was installing the rears on traction bars (the car came with them and I like the nostalgic look) I had a problem fitting them. The old bolts on the traction bars were toast so I had cut them off and replaced them. Problem was the bottom fitting on the shock is the correct size for the original leaf spring retaining plates, but they're an old ball size for any bolts at the store. After going to two stores I found finally some sleeves that fit perfectly with 1/2" hardened bolts. The bolts are a little two long so eventually I'll replace them with shorter ones.
Today, I installed the torsion bars and new dust boots. What a pain they were, both the boots and torsion bars. I've removed and installed the torsion bars at least a half dozen times since I've had the car and they were never a problem. Today, I couldn't get the LCA torsion bar fitting in the correct orientation to get the bar to slide in?? :verymad: Anyway, after a lot of playing around I got the passenger side in, but the driver's side just was not cooperating no matter what I did, even after I undid the shock and the upper control arm. After using a ratchet strap to pull the suspension down another 3/8" I got the bar in. I also discovered that the driver's side torsion bar hits the TTI headers. That may be why it was such a bear to get in. :notsure: I followed some suggestions I found on Google about stretching the rubber dust boots over sockets and then slipping them off the socket over the knuckle on the torsion bar. It worked for the passenger side. However, when doing that for the driver's side I ended up tearing the boot. :pullinghair: I had read where one guy cut his and glued them back together so since I wanted to get the bars installed before they take the car to paint, I put it on anyway and will try gluing it when it comes back. Anyway, like I said, nothing really picture worth, but I got a lot accomplished. Now I just need the body shop to come through and pick up the car tomorrow.
Well after almost 5 years my Cuda finally went back to the Body shop for the final paint work. They have to touch up the right rear quarter panel and paint the doors, front fenders, trunk lid, shaker hood and front and rear valances. :banana: I can't wait to see the final product! Naturally, I'm running around like a chicken with its head cut off this morning trying to find all the bolts and U-nuts for the front fenders and after going through ALL my parts tots I couldn't find them. :pullinghair: Anyway, after we got the car and all the parts delivered, I came home, got on the internet and ordered new ones. Naturally, then I went out in the shop and found them in a bag on my work bench. :headbang: So tomorrow AM I'll drop them off at the shop bright and early so they can start hanging the doors, fenders and hood to test fit everything for proper gaps before they do the final paint work. Considering, my body guy already did the body work and primed all the pieces, including the guide coat 5 years ago, they should good to go; but they want to do one final block sand to verify they didn't get dinged while sitting around the last 5 years. Here's some pics of them loading the car into the trailer. :)
:banana: Good times!!!! You'll be at cars shows with that beauty this summer! :popcorn:
I sure hope so! :stayinlane:
Excellent! There should be no sanding scratches with primer that old. i get doubles of stuff the same way you do, it drives me crazy.
That's one of the good things about waiting that long. No pull back in the old primer shrinking! :clapping:
Quote from: RUNCHARGER on March 02, 2017, 07:24:17 PM
Excellent! There should be no sanding scratches with primer that old. i get doubles of stuff the same way you do, it drives me crazy.
Wow! Work is progressing very nicely on the Cuda at the body shop. Ron has made some repairs to the doors, fenders and front header panel and got them all hung and gaps checked already. At this rate we'll be in paint in no time! :-)
Coming along nicely. :twothumbsup:
If you don't have all your guts and windows in the doors, add about 52 pounds of weight spread out along the bottom of the inside of the door. That will mimic the weight of the guts and pre-sag the door while you're doing the bodywork. That assures that your gaps will be nice and perfect when you get all guts back in it after your done. :alan2cents: Also make sure you are doing the bodywork with your restored or re-pinned door hinges in place.
Yep, first thing he did Cody was rebuild the door hinges. Good idea about adding weight.
Got a call from my best friend who works at the body shop and he informed me the "Cuda is done! :banana: Can we say EXCITED! I can't wait to see it. Going down to the body shop first thing in the AM to see it and take some pics! :ohyeah: :veryexcited: :cooldance:
:veryexcited: :cooldance: :woohoo: so excited for you!!! Sleeping may be tough tonight. :D Please share pics of your new beauty tomorrow!!
Oh I totally know this feeling!! This is awesome! Can't wait to see the pics. :pixiepop:
WE WANT PICS!!!! :needphotos: :takepicture: :inlove:
Well it's definitely a "black beauty," even with a layer of dust on it. It's going to really shine after the "cut and buff!" Can't wait to get it home next week so we can start final assembly. :cooldance: :veryexcited:
Well, that looks nice.
Picked up the "Cuda from the body shop today. Now final assembly can finally start. :wrenching: It shines so much now I can't wait to see it after we cut and buff it!
Waiting for my boys to get off work and come over and help unload her. Here's a few pictures, dust and all.
:veryexcited: What a great feeling to have it all painted!!!! :banana: Looks really good too. :1place: Thanks for sharing the photos. :burnout:
Looks nice!
Another side bonus to your color choice - no blackout needed on the rad support area.
:haha:
Wow! Just, simply, WOW! Your Cuda looks fantastic! Great job so far! :bradsthumb: Keep them photos coming!
Wow! Looks amazing! Congratulations. Now the fun begins! :woohoo:
That won't take long to finish off. Looks good.
That looks gorgeous, I would NOT get any sleep from the moment the 'Done' phone call occurred until... :Thud:
Congratulations!! :ohyeah:
It look like the painter got good flow on the clear coat!!! do you know what brand of products they used? :twothumbsup:
:bradsthumb: :wowzers: :wowzers: :wowzers:
Boy that looks nice.
Wow, :takealook: look at that shine! Black SURE looks good when the body work is done right! :clapping:
Quote from: JS29 on April 12, 2017, 09:06:58 AM
It look like the painter got good flow on the clear coat!!! do you know what brand of products they used? :twothumbsup:
The receipt says Glamour Clear 9461. It was $197 a gallon and they used two gallons. They told me the brand but I forgot. Hope that helps.
Thanks everybody for the kind words. I'm very pleased with the results. The cost, not so much. Ron, my best friend, is the person who did the body work and did his usual outstanding job as seen by the lack of waves, etc. in the black. The shop owner laid down the paint and clear coat. Ron's going to come over in a week and cut it with 1500 and let it sit for a week to cure/shrink and then come back in another week to finish the cut and buff. Based on his past "cut and buff' jobs for me, it will look like a mirror when done. :twothumbsup:
I know these are out of sequence, but Ron, my body man, just emailed me over 100 pics of the 'Cuda during body work and paint at the shop. Here's some of the highlights.
Some more pics
Looking good!!!! :twothumbsup:
Slowly but surely I've been getting back at the 'Cuda. Installed the front header panel and valance. With the help of Alan and Cody got the passenger door window installed. Re-installed my radiator after the small leak was fixed. Installed a new bracket at the rear valley pan to hold the electronic ignition ECU. Installed my new Lokar accelerator pedal cable and accelerator pedal linkage bracket. Installed new door handles on both doors. Installed new door molding on the driver's door. Sanded and polished the passenger door frame channel modeling and glued a new gasket material to it. Installed my new TTI 3" "X" pipe exhaust system and Dynomax Ultra flow mufflers back to the mufflers. I'm waiting for new exhaust hanger trunk plates so I can install the over axle pipes.
Issues: Despite carefully tightening up the inlets to the carb, the front fitting still leaks. I'm afraid to tighten it any further as I'm don't want to strip the threads in the carb. I'll call Quick Fuel on Monday and see what suggestions they have as both the carb and inlet lines are Quick Fuel.
After firing and running the engine (break in was already done) and then lifting the car up on the lift, I discovered I have a significant oil leak coming from the rear of my oil pan gasket. This is the re-useable, no gasket cement needed pan gasket that a member here recommended. The oil pan is brand new so there should be no issues with it being true. I really don't want to pull the engine again to fix this. I already tightened the re-tightened the bolts once when I noticed a small leak after adding oil to the engine. Cody, any suggestions?
Question, does E-Bodies not allow the posting of videos. I tried to post a short video of the engine running but got a message that videos were not allowed. If so, why not? Just curious.
Post videos in the Gallery and then you can embed or link them in a post. The Forum software does not let direct uploads of videos.
https://forum.e-bodies.org/gallery/
Quote from: usraptor on June 11, 2017, 12:15:56 PM
Question, does E-Bodies not allow the posting of videos. I tried to post a short video of the engine running but got a message that videos were not allowed. If so, why not? Just curious.
That sucks about the oil leak. Certainly does not look like the pan and gasket fit very well so pretty sure you are right on about the leak and what is causing it. Most of my pans have been original, but I've used a few repops and they've all fit well. So now we need to find out if it's the gasket or pan that is not matching up. It's got to be one of these that doesn't fit right.
A couple thoughts that come to mind right away as a fix. You can pull the pan and put a normal gasket with sealant or maybe you might be able to loosen the pan far enough out of the way to add sealant to the gasket you have now. I've not ever seen that done, but it might work and save the hassle of having to swap pans or gaskets. :thinking: I'll give it some more thought too.
After I discovered this morning what an idiot I am for not connecting the ground wire for my blower motor before installing the heater box and dash, I took a break and ran some errands before coming back to the 'Cuda. Considering it was pushing 90 in the shop and almost 100 outside I decided to just do some things that didn't require a lot of physical exertion. First I installed the passenger door weatherstripping. The rear exhaust hanger trunk plates came in the mail so I applied a couple of coats of Rustoleum primer and then some Rustoleum paint. Then in anticipation of the replacement driver's window parts I ordered arriving, I decided it would be a good idea to start tackling the driver's side rain gutter and weatherstrip channeling. So I spent several hours sanding and re-sanding all the scratches out of the rain gutter witn increasingly finer grades of sandpaper. The first picture is the "before" and the second picture is the "after" picture after the final sanding with 3000 grit. They still haven't been bluffed yet. That's for tomorrow and then I can start and repeat the whole process on the weatherstripping channeling.
Well that is looking really good! Gonna be beautiful! :worship:
Thanks Spikedog. Today I finished up the exhaust system after installing the new trunk plate exhaust hangers. Got a call from the body shop that my rear valance and shaker hood ring have been painted. Once I get the rear valance installed and the car running, I'll have to take it down to the muffler shop and have them modify the NOS exhaust tips the car came with so they can connect to the 3" exhaust. Also, dropped the oil pan, cleaned the pan, block and gasket thoroughly and then resealed with RTV gasket maker. Letting it set for the recommended 24 hours before re-filling the oil and testing for leaks. In fact, I may wait even longer than the 24 hours. There's no hurry at this point.
Little by little you are building a wonderful car!!! :stayinlane:
Thanks Cody.
I haven't posted in a while, but I have been busy. After giving the widows a thorough cleaning I was surprised at the scratches in the glass, especially the passenger door side. Considering that they are the original windows, I'll try and do some glass polishing although from other posts I've read it's not very effective. I finished sanding and polishing the driver's side SS rain gutter and roof weatherstripping channels and installed them along with the weatherstripping. I also installed new quarter window weatherstripping on the forward edges. I received and installed my Shaker ring gasket and installed same. After deciding that I didn't like my adjustments of the door and quarter glass windows I made several more attempts until I got them as good as I think they are capable of. Or at least as good as I'm capable of getting them. :) My hat goes off to Alan for "liking" to do the E-body windows. I think this was one of the most frustrating parts of this restoration. :pullinghair: I installed the rear bumper and rear valance. I removed the large clutch spring from the clutch pedal as has been advised by others considering the clutch I have. I installed my shifter rubber boot and the center console and the back and front seats. The interior is done except for the front kick panels, door sill plates and inside door panels. I need to buy new door ajar switches and buy and install a new antenna, so the kick panels will have to wait until then, No sense in doing them twice. Also need to clean and repaint the door panels and the steering wheel center caps and spoke covers. Lastly, I installed the side marker housings, reflectors and lights. I do have a question regarding the front side lights. The rear lights are almost flush with the reflectors. However, the front lights are recessed a good 1/4" or so below the reflector. Is that normal? If not, any idea why? I removed the whole assembly and as far as I can tell they are installed correctly. The back side of the housing says LH and RH with arrows pointing up so it would be pretty hard to reverse them. The rear housings did not have these markings?? Do I maybe have the front and rear housings reversed.? :help: I'm going to have to take them out again anyway to paint the gaskets as they really show up against the black paint. Almost forgot to mention. Regarding my oil pan gasket leak mentioned in a previous post. I lowered the pan with the engine in place. Thoroughly cleaned both sides of the gasket, the engine block and the oil pan mating surfaces and then applied some 3M ATV transmission gasket maker. Re-torqued the pan and let it sit for a week with no oil. Added the oil and fired it up and I'm happy to report, so far no leaks. :banana:
That Cuda is just beautiful!
Thank you, and BTW, congrats on your awards at Carlisle! :worship: :clapping:
Glad to hear no more oil leak. :banana: As for the marker lights, test fitting them is part of the paint process. So if you already have everything painted there's not much adjustment now. But in the photos they don't look to bad. :alan2cents: At a quick glance they look okay. You're getting close to driving it!!! Be prepared for a few more little gremlins once you get it on the road and put some miles on her. There's always a few little things that need dialed in.
Quote from: Cuda Cody on July 20, 2017, 03:25:04 PM
Glad to hear no more oil leak. :banana: As for the marker lights, test fitting them is part of the paint process. So if you already have everything painted there's not much adjustment now. But in the photos they don't look to bad. :alan2cents: At a quick glance they look okay. You're getting close to driving it!!! Be prepared for a few more little gremlins once you get it on the road and put some miles on her. There's always a few little things that need dialed in.
Thanks Cody,
That's really looking nice!
Very nice. Looking good.
Also glad you got the leak sorted. They are frustrating to have when so much effort is put in to not have any.
Despite the 95 degree heat, again, I managed to spend some time in the shop today. Took my door panels out of storage, cleaned and then painted them. The driver's side wasn't in to bad of shape but I'm not sure what happened to the passenger side but it is hammered. Sun backed with numerous deep scratches. Both these panels were off the car when I bought it so I get the impression that the passenger side is not original but have no idea what happened to the original panel or why they would buy such a beat up panel to replace it. With a fresh coat of paint they're both good enough for now as I have other things to spend $800 on, like new tires, so new door panels will have to go on a Christmas/Birthday/Father's Day wish list. :) I installed my new custom wooden pistol grip shifter handle and a new bezel and shift pattern emblem. That took a lot longer than expected since I had the Hurst shifter handle re-chromed and the new chrome bezel wouldn't fit. Out came the Dremel and after working on both the bezel and the shifter I finally got it to fit. I also managed to loose one of the pistol grip screws in the interior. How do you loose a screw in the interior?? :headbang: Anyway, I'm sure it will eventually turn up. I also installed my new door VIN decal and jack instruction decal that I recently received from ECS. I also received several other decals from ECS but didn't get around to installing them yet. I also installed the new nylon carb fitting washer that Quickfuel sent me and the front bowl fitting still leaks. I don't know what else to do so I'll call Quickfuel and see about getting the carb exchanged or something?? :notsure:
Got back at the 'Cuda today after taking a few weeks off preparing for and then going on my annual 7-Day Long Range Fishing trip out of San Diego.
Got both mirrors installed, the vapor barrier for both front doors, and the both door panels installed along with the door handle pulls, window cranks, lock levers and the mirror remote on the diriver's side door panel. Like I stated in the previous post, I'll replace the door panels down the road but they are good enough for now until I finish up the rest of the car and get it running and sorted out. Still need to install new sill plates, the front kick panels, steering wheel center trim, and front seat belts. Otherwise the interior is done. :banana:
A special thanks to Alan and Cody and others on this site who helped me through the door window regulators, glass and lock mechanism installations and adjustments. :twothumbsup:
She's looking real good. :twothumbsup: Getting really close to done. Very exciting. Thanks for sharing an update.
:takealook: at that shine! :Thud: :clapping:
Just a great looking car. Great job.
Soooo close...
:wowzers:
Been plugging away in the shop the last few days until it just gets too frigging hot to work out there in the early to late afternoons. Nothing really picture worthy but have accomplished a fair amount. I R&R'd my side marker lights and painted the gaskets body color so they didn't stick out like a sore thumb. Installed my headlights, and tail light, back up light and side marker light bulbs. Thankfully, they all work without issue. The flashers work, however the turn signals don't. I installed a new turn signal assembly when I rebuilt the steering column so hopefully it something simple like a wire I forgot to connect or a fuse. I installed most of the engine compartment wire harness clips andI bleed the brakes (all new brake system including lines) and installed the driveshaft. As soon as I get my carb back from QuickFuel I'll drive it up and down the driveway. That will be the first time it's moved under it's own power since 1983 or before. Today, I pulled out my horns, tested them successfully and then media blasted the old paint off them and primered them. I also attacked one of the front bumper brackets and cleaned off 47 years of rust, grim, dirt and the paint from at least two repaints off them. That pretty much took most of the afternoon as I was using an air grinder with a wire wheel and while it didn't take any time to empty my air compressor, I had to wait for several minutes each time for it to re-charge before proceeding. I did discover something interesting, at least to me, while cleaning up the bumper brackets. They have "Made in Canada" stamped on them. I wonder what other parts for my 'Cuda were made in Canada?
After going through two wire wheel brushes each on both my bench grinder and air grinder, I finally finished cleaning 47 years of rust, grime and over spray off the front bumper brackets for my 'Cuda. What a dirty job as evidenced by the below picture. When my wife saw me after I finished she ordered me into the garage to strip down to my undies and throw away my work cloths because she wasn't "putting those filthy rags in my washing machine." Time for primer and final painting now. :banana:
Also called QuickFuel about my Carb. that is MIA. A very courteous, patient and apologetic Tech Adviser discovered that somebody had accidentally pushed a wrong key on the computer and it hadn't been sent out yet. He told me the error had been corrected and it would be sent out immediately. It's nice to deal with a professional company. Just hope the issue with the carb leaking is corrected.
Brad - tell your wife you are buying a bead blast cabinet to save on the cost of clothing!
keep up the good work.
I've got a media blast cabinet but it doesn't do anything on this kind of rust and grime. Seriously considering changing it over to a Bead or more aggressive media. It would have saved me a lot of time and clothes on this project. However, last time I checked at Harbor Freight I was shocked to see how expensive it is! :o
Wire wheel does a good job but takes a long time. I did the whole interior, km frame, rear end and most of the suspension pieces with that.
Quote from: usraptor on September 02, 2017, 08:25:02 AM
I've got a media blast cabinet but it doesn't do anything on this kind of rust and grime. Seriously considering changing it over to a Bead or more aggressive media. It would have saved me a lot of time and clothes on this project. However, last time I checked at Harbor Freight I was shocked to see how expensive it is! :o
Walnut shells. Very agressive for items like that.
After spending the last several days cleaning up my bumper brackets, I set up my new Eastwood portable spray both to paint the brackets and some other small items. While the concept of the spray booth is nice, ala camping tent with spring poles, in IMHO it's to short even thought I still got the tallest one they offer. Also with the poles going on the outside of the fabric, there is nothing on the inside to hang/attach items to so you can spray them. I cut down my improvised PVC home made spray both frame but it was still to tall, I didn't measure correctly, and when placed inside the both the booth was about 6 inches off the floor. Since I was just doing small items, I didn't bother taking it apart again and re-cutting. I'll save that for another time. But that being said, unless you under 5 foot tall you're going to have to bend over to go inside the booth and spray anything. Not exactly user friendly. :alan2cents: At this point I'm wishing I would have saved my money and just put new plastic around the PVC framework I built and used in the past. Moving on, after spraying the front bumper brackets, truck lid striker plate, both horns, the brackets that hold the hood pins and the front hood latch and spring, with primer I painted everything with Matrix black and then three coats of clear. The trunk lid striker plate, horns, and bumper brackets came out good, but I ended up with fish eyes on one of the hood pin brackets and the hood latch. I ran out of paint so I'll have to buy some more and then wet sand the fish eyes out of the hood pin bracket and re-paint Last night I came across a better idea on the forum for the hood latch where I think if memory severs me you paint then brown and then a metallic gray or something similar to give them a factory look. After searching all my parts bins I couldn't find the bolts to mount the front bumper brackets to the frame so I ordered some new repros. I installed the horns and trunk lid striker and it was nice to finally be able to close my trunk. Not sure if I got the horns orientated correctly. If I've got them backwards, top to bottom, please let me know.
After reading several different posts on the subject it seems that although they look like black phosphate later in life, the hood latch assembly, spring and safety latch were originally a dark brownish color from the factory. After experimenting with different colors I think I came up with a close match to OEM. (At least my wife said it was as I have a problem with colors when it comes to different hues). Of course it was hard to get a decent picture to capture what the color actually looks like. I tired with and without a flash. Anyway, I attached pics with and without flash so hopefully you'll get an idea. The picture of the hood spring is the closest to what the latch and safety latch actually look like. I also installed the wiper linkage today and even though it works correctly the linkage rubs on the cowl. There's a separate post on that issue in the Electrical topics. I also installed all the misc hood bumpers, guides, etc. However, they really aren't picture worthy.
:clapping: Coming along very nicely!!!! Great work.
Thanks Cody
Quote from: usraptor on August 30, 2017, 04:37:35 PM
They have "Made in Canada" stamped on them. I wonder what other parts for my 'Cuda were made in Canada?
My front Bumper brackets had "Made In Canada" in Paint but I don't remember the wording stamped into them like your just a part number and Pentastar.
How's it going? Is it on the road yet? :takepicture:
Great Job!! :perfect10:
This is a great looking car.
Quote from: Brads70 on October 22, 2017, 06:30:22 AM
How's it going? Is it on the road yet? :takepicture:
Thanks Guys. No, unfortunately it isn't on the road yet and with Utah's winter just around the corner it probably won't be until next spring/summer. Too many little things left to tackle.
That is looking amazing! Very exciting! :clapping:
Not sure if the video will post, but after working on it since 2009, This is the first time my 'Cuda has moved under it's own power since 1983! I forgot what a beast it is to steer with no power steering at low speeds. Sorry about the stall. Been a while since I had to figure out the difference between first and reverse. LOL Exhaust sounds funny because all the clamps aren't tightened. That's why I'm moving it over to the lift. Also, timing was way off in the video/ It sounds a lot better now. :stayinlane:
https://youtu.be/MmXwXZ9z2Cg
:perfect10: Sounds awesome. :perfect10:
Sounds raunchy, looks great!
I'm so happy for you. Paint looks laser straight. Looks like you are almost "there" which always seems to take forever.
Good stuff man!!!
:banana: :banana: :banana:
Thanks for the vid. Always great to see and hear in action.
Mike
Santa came early to our house and brought some new shoes for the 'Cuda. She'll be riding in style when she goes for her maiden run next Spring. Thanks Santa. In this case Mrs. Santa. :-)
15" Polished America Racing Torque Thrust wheels. 7" on the front and 8" on the back
Tires
255/60 Front
275/60 Rear
Finally finished up the restoration of my OEM grille and headlight bezels. Repaired numerous cracks, sanded, primered, and painted. Restored the original "Plymouth" nameplate. Bought and installed new red grille bars. Also, spent hours filing, sanding and polishing the OEM grille SS surround pieces. I'm still waiting for new grille spacers to arrive (they were back ordered :pullinghair:) before I can install it. The OEM lower filler panel was broken in half when I bought the car but the previous owner had purchased an NOS replacement that I also painted. I have a question about installing it, but posted that in the body/exterior shop section. Based on Alan's warning about Plastex being brittle and cracking, I'll be super careful when I do install the grille and fasten to the header panel. After all the time I've spent on fixing all the cracks, sanding, painting, etc. I'm going to be really upset if the grille cracks when I install it. Anyway, here are some before and after pictures.
Grille looks awesome. I restored mine last year, and while I had less cracks than you, I understand the amount of time it took you to get it looking like that. :bradsthumb:
Fingers crossed on now cracks during install! Go slow and even.
That's looking good.
After waiting a month to the day for my grille spacers to arrive I finally got to install my restored grille today. And with the help of my lovely wife, I also got the front bumper mounted. So far all the "Plastex" plastic repairs have held and not cracked. We'll have to wait until Spring to see how they'll hold up to road vibrations. I had to take the lower valance or air shield off to mount the bumper brackets. Not entirely necessary, it just made it a lot easier. I decided to wait until the "Air shield" trim piece mounting hardware arrives to remount it. I decided that as long as it's off the car, it will be much easier to attach. Anyway, the front of the 'Cuda is actually starting to look like a car again. Now I just need to buy some new mounting brackets for my running lights.
That's a huge improvement.
Heck ya usraptor, looking good. Getting so close, I bet you are getting real excited?
Really nice car, i love the black color. Please post another video when you're done! :bigthumb:
After several failed attempts at painting the silver in my steering wheel cover, I tried Cody's "syringe" method and it definitely worked better but I still needed to touch it up in several places after I was done. Installed it on the car today and while as not as nice as I would have liked, it'll do for now.
Question. What holds the horn button tight against the cover? Is there a spring between it and the horn mechanisms or is the mechanisms itself supposed to push it up because as seen, mine obviously isn't do it's job if it's supposed to. :thinking: :dunno: I looked in the Service Manual but didn't see any break downs that showed this.
Yup: The horn mech pushes it up. There must be no spring in your horn mech and it honk continuously.
Thanks RunCharger. :twothumbsup: I'll take it apart tomorrow and see what's going on.
Haven't posted for a while but I have been busy. Been working on restoring my shaker hood assembly and fabricating a new base plate to lower the assembly since with the new Holley intake I couldn't close the hood. Since my shaker is an original N96 I didn't want to go cutting up the original center section for the base plate so I ordered a fiberglass reproduction center section. Then taking Mopar Dave's advice I bought a Holley drop air cleaner base and grafted it to the fiberglass center section. I stripped the outer metal base plate, primed and painted it along with my hood pin mounting brackets. I also took apart all the shaker doors, grills, etc, stripped them to bare metal and repainted them. Stripping the paint off the metal outer baseplate with a wire wheel on an air grinder was quit the task with all the contours, bumps, curves, etc. but I finally got it done. Here's some pics of the before and after.
In addition to restoring the Shaker assembly, I've also been restoring the windshield stainless trim. Have I mentioned lately how much I hate sanding, and sanding and sanding all the little nicks and imperfections out of 47 year old trim? :deadhorse: And then I get to polish it. Oh, what fun. :headbang: Also, after digging out the windshield that I removed 9 years ago and put in storage I discovered it had a large rock chip right in the middle of the windshield. I don't know how I missed that 9 years ago. :clueless: After verifying that the windshield was not original I ordered a new AMD windshield and it took three tries before I finally got one delivered that wasn't broken in shipping. :headbang: Anyway, finally got the new windshield installed last Sat with the help of my son and today I finished up polishing and installing all the SS trim around the windshield. Boy it's really nice to finally have a windshield again. May have to take the Cuda for its Maiden voyage around the neighborhood tomorrow. :D Also, finished up painting the Shaker Bubble the correct Argent Silver. I'm just waiting for the short shaker cable from Mopar Dave and then I'll reassemble the doors, etc. I'm really trying t get it finished for one of the States largest car shows on May 19th. It's going to be close but I think I'll make it. It's been a long 9 years and I'm anxious to get it back on the road. :stayinlane:
:bravo: Maiden voyages are special! Enjoy! :bradsthumb:
I love that stage, every part you hang on it just makes it look better and better.
Slow and steady. Installed the restored Shaker assembly, with new gasket, after adding a 1/2" carb spacer to raise the Shaker assembly back up after my fabricated base plate left it sitting too low. Also restored and installed the "Cuda 440" Shaker emblems along with the "Shaker" decal under the hood. Restored, painted and mounted the "gill" rockers along with the wheel well moldings. After countless hours of sanding and polishing installed the belt moldings a second time. Thanks to Alan for the tip about filing the plastic clips slightly so the molding clipped on easier. Installed sound deadening to both doors. Adjusted the gaps on both doors. Also, installed and hooked up the Road lights. Installed new hood pins and lanyards along with a new antenna. Cleaned and installed the original wiper arms with new (but not authentic wiper blades) Also, called my insurance company and insured the Cuda for collision as its maiden voyage gets closer and closer. :stayinlane:
Beautiful. Is that a factory bubble? Not a Snobar bubble for sure.
Runcharger, thanks and yes it's the OEM factory bubble.
that is looking great , get it out for a run !! :stayinlane: :twothumbsup:
Looks good Brad, one side note - the green wire is secured to clips for the road lamps. I believe there are three to hold the wire parallel with the bottom of the valance area.
https://www.hooverautoparts.com/products/Specials/12002S.php
Quote from: HP_Cuda on April 27, 2018, 11:37:27 AM
Looks good Brad, one side note - the green wire is secured to clips for the road lamps. I believe there are three to hold the wire parallel with the bottom of the valance area.
https://www.hooverautoparts.com/products/Specials/12002S.php
It never ceases to amaze me how you guys never miss anything...
In a good way of course.
:bigthumb:
Alan did this to me....
:haha:
Thanks HP, I'm missing those. I order some. :bigthumb:
Car looks fantastic. :unbelievable:
Any possible up dates or when you get your first maiden voyage?
Quote from: HP_Cuda on April 27, 2018, 12:59:02 PM
:bigthumb:
Alan did this to me....
:haha:
Great job sidestepping the blame...
Quote from: Topcat on April 27, 2018, 07:30:13 PM
Car looks fantastic. :unbelievable:
Any possible up dates or when you get your first maiden voyage?
Hopefully this coming week. Waiting for a few more parts and as soon as those arrive and are installed we should be good to go. :stayinlane:
Okay, not sure how this is going to work. Took a video of my Cuda's maiden voyage today and downloaded it in the video section. Here is the link. This has been a loooong 9 years coming. The first time the car has driven in over 23 years! Couldn't have done it without all the help from the people on this forum. :twothumbsup: :stayinlane:
Cody let me know if I need to do something different for the video so people don't have to wait for it to load all over again. :dunno: :thinking:
https://forum.e-bodies.org/gallery/;sa=view;id=654
It's a great day !
Great to have another one alive.
Okay she's legal now. :banana: Went to the DMV today and registered the Cuda for the first time in 23 Years. Surprisingly all went very smoothly and they even let me keep/use the vintage personalized plates that came with the car. :bigthumb: Unfortunately, the local alignment shop that specializes in torsion bar suspensions is booked out until 5-14. I did a "bench" alignment per the instructions on the site so I should be good for a couple of quick burns around the neighborhood until then. :stayinlane:
You did an incredible job on that Cuda!!!
You guys are killing me with the work you do on these cars. Mine will not be anywhere this nice. :)
That black paint really looks great on the Cuda, I hope you enjoy the hell out of that car.
Thanks Ledphoot. :bigthumb: I had a lot of help, especially from people on this forum. After 9 years I plan on having a lot of fun with it. :banana: :stayinlane:
Nice having it plated. You'll likely find a few small issues that will need tickling.
Wow, Cuda came out great.
Saw the video. :wowzers:
Quote from: RUNCHARGER on May 04, 2018, 06:44:07 PM
Nice having it plated. You'll likely find a few small issues that will need tickling.
I'm already making a list. Like the hood alignment along with some other issues. :thinking:
Quote from: Topcat on May 04, 2018, 06:54:13 PM
Wow, Cuda came out great.
Saw the video. :wowzers:
Thanks Topcat! :twothumbsup:
27 seconds into to the maiden voyage, you romp it and spin the tires......YEAH BABY. :bradsthumb:
CONGRATS on getting your car back on the road. It looks and sounds great!
Thanks guys. I couldn't resist to lite up the tires a little. With the 4:10 rear end and the 512 stroker I barely had to hit the throttle. It's going to be a beast. :stayinlane:
You will probably switch to 3.54 after a while. I ran 3.23 with my 472 Hemi and it was such a nice all around combination. I think I will do that again on my next one.
Runcharger, I'm already planning on it. However, due to $ it will have to wait until next year.
Ha, ha: You can tell the wife that but I you plan on wasting a few sets of tires first!
What a sweet car, great build! Congrats!
Nice to see it on the road again! Great job :drinkingbud:
Quote from: RUNCHARGER on May 05, 2018, 08:11:52 AM
You will probably switch to 3.54 after a while. I ran 3.23 with my 472 Hemi and it was such a nice all around combination. I think I will do that again on my next one.
:iagree: except I would go for 3.23's myself. Stop light grand prix is fun for a bit, but I find myself more interested in driving a distance rather than jumping off the line. And with the stroker, I think you will still have enough torque to spin them up if you want to. :alan2cents:
I attempted to race my Coronet at an 1/8 mile strip with the 472 and 3.23's. I couldn't get it to hook up trying everything in my bag or tricks. I dialed it in really high and on my first race I was ahead fairly well so I put the pedal fully down at the 550ft and the car went sideways with the little 245X60X15's. That was no prep of course but yes strokers work well with highway gears. That car shut the yap of more than a few Chebbie boys. I think if you are running a stroker Mopar it should run deep into the 11's or 10's or you wasted your money, and that is with stock type driveability.
Runcharger, yeah with the stock suspension and 4:10s I don't think there is any way I'm going to get it to hook out of the hole and I even running 275X60X15s. Definitely going to have to be rolling starts and even then it will probably still go sideways when I hit the hammer. Yeah, 3:55 or 3:23's are definitely in the future. :yes:
Drove it about 30 miles on surface streets today to the muffler shop to get the new exhaust tips installed and I can definitely say those 4:10s are history next year. :wrenching: I'm definitely leaning towards the 3:23s with all the torque it puts out. :yes:
I can see the smile from here.
Got the new exhaust tips welded on and here's some pics of the rear hood properly aligned thanks to 1 Wild R/T. :banana:
That is an interesting blue stripe there.
.
.
.
Oh wait that's a reflection in some awesome looking paint.
Hood alignment is definitely a learned skill.
LOL I hadn't even noticed that. Blue from my lift. :haha: Or in my case it's more like trial and error, doing it over and over. Still not perfect but good enough for now. ;)
Took the Cuda in for alignment today. Didn't notice a big difference in how it steered except when going around corners it doesn't pull like it did before. Now just need to finish detailing and getting it ready for this weekend's big car show. :banana:
After 9 years and a frantic past month I took the 'Cuda to it's first car show yesterday at Utah Valley University. It was a fun day visiting with numerous people who stopped to admire the 'Cuda and compliment the restoration and paint.We were "cutting and buffing" the paint until 9 PM Friday night. People loved the 'triple black" and marveled at how deep the paint job looked. It was also great fun meeting and visiting with several friends who were at the show.
These are out of order but I forgot about them until just now. Anyway, these are the pics I took last Thursday night and Friday of my best bud "cutting and buffing" the 'Cuda before Sat's car show. Unfortunately, unless you were there in person it's hard to tell the difference in the before and after of the paint job so you'll have to take my word for it that it now looks a foot deep. :lookatthat:
Thing of beauty!
Just ran across this thread and skimmed though.
Congrats on a tremendous job, I admire the perseverance and dedication to detail.
Hope the smile on your face is as big as I'd imagine it would be driving such a beautiful car.
Im so happy for you. I bet you were all smiles on the way to the show, at the show, on the drive home. :bradsthumb:
Black is hard to photograph but it sure looks stunning in the car show photos.
My 21 and 16 year old granddaughters are visiting and wanted to go for a ride in the 'Cuda before they fly home to So. Calif tomorrow. This is a video my granddaughter took from the back seat of me, somewhat mildly, going through the gears. :stayinlane:
https://youtu.be/20e9BYGqry8
Well what did thy think of the car? :perfect10:
They loved it! :perfect10:
The car looks and sounds great. :clapping:
Very cool. Nothing like rowing the gears!
Quote from: YellowThumper on June 09, 2018, 11:13:31 AM
Very cool. Nothing like rowing the gears!
That's for sure,that is my favorite thing to do!!! :stayinlane:
Thanks guys! :wave:
Watched the video 4 times. You can hear a joyful chuckle after 2nd gear. Good job grandpa. Now next time find a vacant lot and terrify the kiddos.
Took the 'Cuda to it's second car show today in Santiquin, Utah and won the "Sponsor's Favorite Car" award. Received numerous compliments from the crowd on the restoration and paint. One of everybody's favorite things about the car wasn't the Shaker hood, but was the AM 8-Track radio and the box of 8-track tapes I had open on the passenger floorboard. A lot of Dad's got a kick out of showing their kids what an 8-track tape was and what they used to listen to.
Congratulations and keep enjoying the shows. Im sure you have a lot of pride in your ride as you did so much of the work. :bradsthumb:
BEAUTIFUL... Love that car and the 8-track!!!
Sweet! :wowzers: 70 Cuda, Black, 440 awesome car, about as good as it gets congrats :cheers:
Congrats and enjoy.
Thanks guys. Well 9 years of hard work is starting to pay off. Won the "Best of Show" at the Orem car show last night.
Awesome :twothumbsup: Take it out and have fun driving it. :stayinlane:
Those awards don't come from nowhere with no effort applied. Good for you, well deserved.
Nice Brad :congrats: will you be going to the peachdays show?, I'm going to try and be there with the vcode would love to see your car :cheers:
Thanks guys. It's very much appreciated. 70Vcodecuda, I probably won't be able to make it. With the 4.10 rear end Brigham City is a bit of a drive for me on the freeway. For the immediate future I'm limiting myself to shows that I can drive to on surface streets. Next year I'm hoping to install a more freeway friendly rear end.
Haven't posted in a while. This winter I decided to do what I should have done two years ago and I took my engine back to my engine builder and had him take the 512 stroker out of the OEM matching numbers block and install it in another 440 block that he had. While we had it apart we added custom built "Diamond" dished pistons and a custom grind hydraulic roller camshaft. The new block was line bored and decked and the rotating assembly re-balanced. We reused the ProMaxx aluminum heads after a quick clean up valve job and added much stronger valve springs with 10 degree instead of 7 degree keepers. Also added an aluminum timing belt cover and replaced the Summit dual timing chain which had really stretched significantly since we installed it two years ago. I'll add the fuel pump, headers, new aluminum water pump and housing, motor mounts, flywheel, clutch, bellhousing and trans this week and then mount everything on the K-Frame. Then Sat my son and I will reinstall the engine and trans back into the Cuda. Considering how strong this engine was before, I can't wait to let this new one eat!! :stayinlane: :banana:
I'll eventually rebuild the matching numbers block with its factory components and mount it on my engine stand.
Nice update to end the drought.
Don't know why the first two pics posted sideways? :dunno: They're straight in my file. I even deleted and reloaded? Never had this happen before. Any ideas? :huh:
Attended the 32nd Utah Valley University annual car show yesterday. It's one of the tree biggest car shows held in Utah each year. Unfortunately the threat of rain kept the attendance to about half of last years. I got lots and lots of compliments on the Cuda, especially on the quality of the paint job and body work which unfortunately I couldn't take any credit for since my best friend, Ron Dimmick, did the body work and Joey at US Street Rods, in Springville Utah, laid down the paint job. Anyway, instead of giving trophies, they give out really nice jackets with the UVU Car show logo on the back for the awards in different categories. I won a Jacket for: wait for it; Not best Mopar; Not best Paint; Not best Restoration; but for "Best Street Rod." ???? I'm still trying to figure that one out. I think that somebody may have gotten the awards mixed up. ::) :dunno: Oh well, I got a really nice jacket. BTW, the new engine runs like a scalded ape! :stayinlane:
Finally got around to having the electric cutouts I got for Christmas installed and wired. These are going to be fun at car shows and cruise nights. :banana: :stayinlane:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCmopKmupqI&feature=youtu.be
Roll in and rev it up. I would give you a nice smile and thumbs up. In CA these wack jobs would fine you. Nice video.
Still more into this one you posted....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20e9BYGqry8
That sounds great! Yes, you will have fun with that for sure :banana:
Quote from: TX9AAR on May 30, 2019, 06:48:56 PM
Your car sounds great. My buddy has cutouts on his W31 and loves them. What brand did you use?
TX9AAR; I used these made by Hooker headers:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hok-11052hkr?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla-google-_-shopping-_-srese1-_-hooker-headers&gclid=Cj0KCQjwocPnBRDFARIsAJJcf97s1TnWRYBHextbKnBSKivO1BwLpr2XkL5TPY_qOVa4A5I14x7xBSYaAv2LEALw_wcB
Haven't posted for a while since I really haven't been really doing any work on the 'Cuda. Last spring besides installing the new engine and putting the matching #s block in storage and having the electric cutouts installed, I did remove the old original scratched/gouged up (driver quality) door panels, put new insulation on the inside of the door skins and installed new reproduction door panels. During the summer I just enjoyed driving it and taking it to car shows during the summer. :stayinlane: Since winter is here in Utah and I can't really drive it I did some needed maintenance before I tucked it in for the winter. First I dropped the very leaky oil pan, replaced the oil pan gasket and rear lower crank seal, just in case, and sealed it up with the "Right stuff" and let it sit for two weeks before I filled the crankcase with oil. If it leaks now I'm just going to put a stick of dynamite in it! :pullinghair: While I had it on the lift I also replaced the trans output shaft seal as it had been seeping and was last replaced in 1983. I intended on replaced the shift fork "O" ring seals also but found out to my dismay that they are inside the case and cant be replaced from the outside. :headbang: So the old seals remain. I also removed the steering wheel and sent it to Dave Tays for a much needed restoration. The next thing that needed attention was the trunk. I ordered a need rubber trunk mat from Vans Auto along with a reproduction "T" type tire jack and stand from Tony's Parts. As noted in another post I media blasted my original space save spare inflator bottle bracket and the the jack hook and sprayed them with etch primer and some blue and grey paint I had matched to the original colors at a paint store. I received a reproduction faux inflator bottle for Christmas. I also dug my original space save spare tire and wheel out of storage and cleaned 50 years of dirt, grim and cobwebs off it. The rim has several nicks in the paint and some surface rust on the back side. It's obviously been used at least once. I originally intended to strip the paint and repaint the rim and apply a new decal. But the more I looked at it the old saying "they're only original once" kept coming back so I just decided to leave it as it. I sprayed the rust areas with Evapo-rust Rust Preventative and gave the paint a light clean up with some polish. Besides, the rim won't show hardly at all when in place in the trunk. I also cleaned up 50 years of corrosion off the spare tire rod and wing nut. I also replaced the Carid wiper blades I got that wouldn't clear my hood when turned on due to the large plastic mounting area with some OER wiper blades. At least now if I get caught in the rain I can really use my wipers. If anybody can use the Carid's let me know. There yours free for shipping cost only.
Ran out of room. Here's the pics of the wiper blades if anybody is interested.
Very excited. :banana: :) Got my steering wheel back today from Dave Tay at WOODGRAINWHEELS.COM. I couldn't be more pleased with the results. The wheel looks brand new. :clapping: Before I sent it to him most of the wood grain was worn away on both sides of the wheel and my poor attempt at duplicating the silver strips in the cover looking it had been done by a kindergartener who couldn't keep in the lines. Anyway, if you're looking for somebody to restore your steering wheel, I highly recommend Dave Tay at Woodgrainwheels. com Easy to work with, good communication, fair price and reasonable turn around time. :bravo: First three pics are before pics and the rest after Dave restored the wheel.
:wowzers: That is nice! :perfect10:
After a four month wait I finally got my reproduction Mopar red cap maintenance free battery. :veryexcited: It looks really good next to my Shaker hood. :banana: Please excuse the winter dust in the engine compartment. I just can't get excited about detailing the engine compartment with no car shows scheduled in the near future. :headbang: :pullinghair: :crying: I also took advantage today of the ECS Memorial Day sale and ordered a bunch of reproduction stickers and tags for the Cuda.