E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Hello,

I found this forum searching for info relating to Cuda's. My parents bought a 73 Cuda 340 9/25/73 for $4068. Being in the military the car traveled to places like Mississipi, Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado. Mom blew the 340 by not checking the oil and funds were tight so it got a 318 put in as a replacement. Long story short it eventually ended up on the side of the house in Colorado and my Dad was going to scrap it when my brother decided he wanted a Subaru(dummy!). At the age of 12 I told my parents I wanted it, and actively worked shoveling snow, cutting grass, digging trenches to make money to fix things like water pumps, battery, etc. My parents got a Maaco paint job which was nice compared to the faded red but its Maaco so not show quality(original yellow was long gone with faded red).

The 318 blew, Dad said he'd go half with me to put a 340 back in it so now its back to a 340. I wasn't mechanically trained yet nor had the tools so a mechanic friend at firestone did the engine for us. Drove it 3 more years until college and had to get a fuel saver Jeep so I parked her in my parent's garage. Years later I wanted my love back since I bought a house with a garage so I trailered it to California and it sat in the garage competing with family/money/time, I had a few things done like new exhaust, headers, tranny rebuild (727A).

I've got the urge to get her going and keep it going, and more funds/time now to feed my addiction so my priority right now is getting it driving and then I will slowly work on the cosmetics/detailed work.

The car is leaking oil with a small puddle below the engine, the starter bolt on top is stripped, the wiring was melted in the engine bay and a rat's nest underneath the dash.

The plan right now is:
1. Change all fluids
2. Replace rear main seal, tranny seal, engine pan seal
3. Replace radiator
4. Replace hoses/belts
5. Replace battery box
6. Replace engine wiring
7. Rebuild carb
8. Replace water pump
9. Replace fuel pump
10. Replace spark plugs
11. Replace Voltage Regulator
12. Replace electric ignition box
13. Replace spark plug wires, Repair starter bolts/stud
14. Replace Dash
15. Replace dash wiring
16. Install underlayment/new carpet
17. Relocate seat brackets aft for more room

I'm pressing hard to get all this done before heading overseas for a few months mid-January and so far have removed the radiator, changed the water pump, drained all the fluids. Hoping the next few days to knock out the seals, starter bolt/stud repair, carb rebuild, fuel pump install, belts/hoses.  Here's a google album of some better pictures.... https://photos.app.goo.gl/vUVSdDFLwmUqx6xJA

WOW!  Great story.  Don't ever let that car go.  :clapping:

Awesome story and great car to have as an heirloom. 
Glad to see it's getting it's due. 

Welcome and Howdy from Colorado!  I will be watching along.

I see you have the v5x on your car.  Hard thing to have survived all those years.

I went through your google pictures and there is no fender tag pic of a build sheet pic.
Have those made it through the years?

Also noticed your google pics are all very short videos.  I had my phone switch to this mode just recently for no reason.  I went into camera settings and turned the live photo feature off.  Not sure why it came on like that but it was doing the same thing as yours did.  Would video the flash while taking the picture.  Hope that helps.

Thanks for sharing.  Wishing you the best.   :welcome: :bradsthumb:

I'm embarrassed to say I had to google what V5x was. Yes the car still has them aside from the front left fender I replaced due to cancer I never redrilled the fender but have it stored.

As far as build sheet and tags yes it still has the tags and my father just came across a box filled with everything related to this car. He had a bunch of receipts for water pumps, but also more dealer/build paperwork but I told him not to mail it and I'll get it from him next time I visit so it doesn't get lost.

Thanks for the heads up about the pictures, I'm not super tech savvy and new to the whole album thing. I'll look into fixing it.

Don't be embarrassed about that . . I am terrible with codes.  Soooo what was it?   :dunno:

If my Google fu is working the V5X is the runner ding protector on the panels to prevent getting dinged by another car.

Way to go, good plan. The car looks pretty good in the red.

Red is a good color on a barracuda.   :alan2cents:

Welcome to the forum. Cool story and good luck with your restoration.

Managed to get the coil installed, engine harness wrapped and electric choke wire fabricated to reach the electric choke on the carb. Installed a new mechanical fuel pump just have to plumb it from the frame to the carb but need a 3/8" NPT nipple.

Removed the carb and soaked it, cleaned it, and about 85% done with reassembly, just a couple linkages left to put on and it's ready to be mounted.

Removed the thermostat housing and thermostat and cleaned it up and gave it a quick black paint to protect it from corrosion, will install it tomorrow when it dries.

Removed the driver side header and starter to facilitate repairing the threads/stud for the starter. Additionally, with all that out of the way it allows me to replace the transmission steel lines going to the radiator.

I've got some issue with the steering linkage tearing up my header. I know the pitman arm hits it a little bit at sharp turns, but somehow the steering connecting rod is hitting the header. Not sure if it's mounts, steering linkage, or headers. The headers I replaced for a similar issue a few years ago with summit headers. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191224/5569d0f86ca720b442e59bbe4fdc73cc.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191224/824d0b4ef658e21c9cd40f29c0085396.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191224/a2f49a4f99f0ea0eeb5530fe36ac10c7.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191224/124199501faa4fb330913da99510413b.jpg)

Quote from: Barracudamuscle on December 22, 2019, 10:37:00 PM
I'm embarrassed to say I had to google what V5x was. Yes the car still has them aside from the front left fender I replaced due to cancer I never redrilled the fender but have it stored.

As far as build sheet and tags yes it still has the tags and my father just came across a box filled with everything related to this car. He had a bunch of receipts for water pumps, but also more dealer/build paperwork but I told him not to mail it and I'll get it from him next time I visit so it doesn't get lost.

Thanks for the heads up about the pictures, I'm not super tech savvy and new to the whole album thing. I'll look into fixing it.

No reason for embarrassment, most folks don't know what they are aside from those things they pulled off 35 years ago because they were ugly.  I  think they are kinda cool on the right colors. 

Smart idea to pick up the stuff instead of sending it by mail. 

I'm not savvy either, but I couldn't get pictures to post here due to them being those video's.  It took me a little while to figure it out on my phone but that's what it was. 

Glad to see the progress, keep up the pictures!  No need for google as this great site has easy picture loading and hosting.

I would get a decent set of headers if your budget can handle it
TTI make the best headers , Dougs are a good second & Hooker 5115 are 3rd , all 3 stay Above the steering linkage & will not hit the ground or interfere with the steering linkage

Thanks for the header suggestions. TTI looks like an amazing product. I'll put them on my wish list after I get the car running again.

My dad's 1973 Cuda 340 was his pride and joy. He bought it new, and it was his daily driver for many years. When I was a kid, I often went for rides with him in it, and I always loved the sound of the engine and how the car looked. A few years ago, my dad passed away, and I inherited the Cuda. I wasn't sure what to do with it, so I decided to sell it. I found a buyer interested in it, and he offered me a trade - his Nissan Skyline  (http://www.jdmbuysell.com/for-sale/nissan/skyline/)for the Cuda. I was hesitant initially, but I decided to go for it, and I'm glad I did. The Skyline is an amazing car, and it's been a great reminder of my dad.