1970 FE5 'Cuda Build

[70_440-6Cuda]

Looking Good!!! Man, I get so jealous seeing projects in the assembly stage! 

[Marty]

I am also getting started on working on my bucket seats too. I was wondering if anyone has tried to use the new stampings of the seat tracks? I bought a set of the left side (driver's) to test it out. I have my original set, but they are a bit rusty and I would like a nice, clean set for the left side. These look like the 1970 style, but I don't know for sure and Classic only carries one type. Anyone tried them before and tested the quality and fit and finish of them?

I bought a set from Classic Industries. The drivers-side track would jam up, and I couldn't get a full travel. I pulled them out to look it over and apply more lithium grease. The ball bearing retainers were bent up and some of the bearings fell out. Unfortunately, I had to trash it. I ended up finding a used original set which work great. The passenger set worked ok for now. If I had to do over again, I'd get the PG Classic seat tracks. The cost equaled out in the end. Nothing against Classic Industries. Personally, if my Barracuda came with a set, I'd clean them up and reuse them.

[1970Cuda]

Awesome feedback everyone. I think I will take your all advice and just clean up my originals and use them. I definitely don't want seat troubles and tearing out the seats just to replace a set of bad tracks. I don't want to have to do the work twice for sure. I will just return them to classic. And I didn't realize that PG Classic also made a set. Great info too, in case my tracks are really unuseable, so thanks for that feedback as well.

(I appreciate the positive words on my build 70_440-6Cuda. This is the first 'Cuda I have done, so it's taken me a lot longer than you all because I am just learning. Good luck on your project(s) too!)

Side note: What would be a great feature on our forum is to be able to export (in .PDF format) a whole thread. I wish there were a way we could do that. I'd like to create a book of my build as a keepsake.
 

[1970Cuda]

Well, with this gorgeous Fall Sunday here I am once again working on my carpet install. I have read all the threads on our site, and the links I would find in them, and also looked over the shop manual too (which is a bit pathetic when it comes to interior guidance). However, on the subject of door sills installation, I see the rear screw on the door sill goes into the "ribbon" that runs down the door jam (see picture w/the yellow arrow). From what I can tell anyway. But does the ribbon run along the whole length of the door, or stop at the sill first screw (on the back side) and the carpet go under the sill? That is what I am surmising. From the post from 2018, it looks like the carpet runs approximately 2 inches over the sill and the door sill holds the carpet firm on the sides. I am also using the 3M ribbon sealer to secure the carpet where indicated. 

I am enclosing the picture of the ribbon/door jam, and I am guessing it stop around this point, but wasn't sure if it runs the length of the door sill or not. Any advice would be great! Thanks all.

[Katfish]

Never seen that, it's not factory.
You sure the panels, sill will lay flat over it?

[1970Cuda]

Katfish - Ah, OK, I see what you mean ... no it won't, you're correct! I am glad I posted my question to the thread and again, thanks for responding. I just checked my back quarter panels and see what you are saying; I see where the other back screw goes now. So yeah, I will remove that ribbon and finish my carpet prep. The carpet just covers over a few inches on the sill (from the rear to the front), and the sill plate/cover goes over it to secure the carpet. Unfortunately, I cannot put on the back panel yet because I am missing the Qtr. Window rear track. And fortunately, I check first before just plowing ahead!

[1970Cuda]

Project update:

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Fall Fling at Woodley Park again this year. And I also had the good fortune of finding a number of much needed parts to finish my project, one of which was at least one of my missing rear quarter window Rear Tracks (left side). I was so eager to install it that I spent a few hours on Sunday installing it, and it worked for a while, but unfortunately the rubber/felt insert on the track was too old and brittle and fell apart after a few uses. See picture for reference.

So I pulled it out tonight and now I need to find some replacement inserts.

Question: Does anyone know who carries these Rear Track inserts? I have never seen them before listed. Also, do I need a special tool to install them? They are riveted in place, but I think they are special rivets (not the standard flange variety, but maybe solid rivets or piercing rivets perhaps; I am not sure). Any suggestions would be great.

Hope everyone's projects are coming along nicely.

[1970A-66Challenger]

Try DMT, worked great on my Challenger. It's been a while but I don't recall rivets on mine. I used weatherstrip molding glue along with the barbs on the metal channel.

https://www.detroitmuscletechnologies.com/mopar-e-body-70-74-quarter-window-rear-lower-run-channel-flocked-rubber-guide/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1741195585&gbraid=0AAAAADPhYKC6-MyMVzXqBLNYO2cCrM8q3&gclid=CjwKCAjwgeLHBhBuEiwAL5gNEUvuPAdeVkY-pL2r0WXyVLmAc6keKLcWXCgI7hiHBhIpmU7BKL65OhoCc_UQAvD_BwE

[1970Cuda]

Many thanks 1970A-66Challenger! Awesome information and thanks for the tip on the installation too. I do see the clip in the reference picture from the link you posted, and I was thinking I'd use the same type of glue you were mentioning (e.g., 3M Black Super Weatherstrip and Gasket Adhesive). I already ordered those today, so that I can continue to make progress on my project.

My goal is to have it ready by Spring Fling 2027 (Woodley Park) and bring it out there for the show. Again, I appreciate your guidance.

[Katfish]

2027!?
That's 2 yrs away...........

[1970Cuda]

Yes true Katfish, and I am hedging my bets a bit, as I am internally shooting for the Fall Fling show in 2026, but as the old saying goes: "Under promise and over deliver." If I run into snags or something comes up, I don't want to recant on my plan.

BTW: It's only 1.65 years away.

[mtull]

BTW: It's only 1.65 years away.

40~ish years ago I told my friends 'the car will be done in about a year'.  Nineteen years later I was finally right

[Katfish]

We have a saying at work, and it always proves true.
"The last 10% takes 90% of the effort"

[1970Cuda]

BTW: It's only 1.65 years away.

40~ish years ago I told my friends 'the car will be done in about a year'.  Nineteen years later I was finally right

I know it does usually take longer than a lot of us planned, but the good thing is now yours is complete. And yes, you are right ... that last 10 percent can take forever. I might have to forgo some of the last min details like no grill if need be ... just to make the show.

Next steps on my project build is to finish the interior, including: Finish the carpet trimming and kick panels installation; build and install the seats. I have all the parts collected and new vinyl and foam (Legendary of course), but will probably have someone professionally install the seat covers as I don't want to mess it up.

Then: The block is already at the shop for cleaning and inspection, and then machining. I still need to decide on the rotating assembly, but I might go with the 438 package from 440Source. But if I get desperate, I might just go with mostly all standard components (except heads, cam and intake). And the trans is set to go and it just needs a bit of freshening up. But I will definitely keep this updated as I continue to make progress.

So let's see how far I get in the next year ... 

[1970Cuda]

So I was able to receive the new rubber/felt inserts for the rear track that I have (Left side), but I am noticing that the original has tubular rivets installed in them (I believe through the rubber).

I haven't used these before, but the inserts do come with the tubular rivets and I am thinking it makes sense to simply use those instead of what a few well-meaning forum members have suggested in just gluing them in vs. installing them with the rivets.

I believe these are 1/8 inch tubular rivets and watched a few videos on installing them. Has anyone attempted this before and are they indeed 1/8 rivets? Any suggestions team?