1970 FE5 'Cuda Build

[1970Cuda]

Hi fellow E-body enthusiasts - a brief update on my project. ... I finally finished the Dash Assembly. The picture was put together using two photos, so it's going to look a little weird. But it's finally done.

I noticed the thread on dash pads that I will throw my $0.02 on, but suffice to say I used my core, and honestly the pad turned out OK, but certainly no where near perfect. And it took around 18 months to finally obtain. I concur with those that say, "show up to the show with a good core pad and just buy it on site." At least you'll be able to pick out a good example.

Next on the agenda is getting the brakes finished, my original steering column on and back to the painter for color sanding. Once it's there, I'm going to start my steering column assembly (I've picked up a few to start working on to perfect my technique for my original).

[ebodyproducts]

Looks great!!


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[1970Cuda]

Hi All,

I Finally finished the brakes install and brake bleeding. Stainless lines look great, but definitely can be a pain to get sealed correctly.

Now we completed the installation of the fenders. They really make the chassis look more like a car. Now it is on its way back to the painter for color sanding and then back the the home shop for Dash installation. Check out a few photos on the progress.

One question I have is whether the Vertical Lock Support and Yoke (according to the shop manual) are unique to each model year. See picture for reference. For a reminder, I'm working on a 1970 'Cuda. I am trying to install those before going to the painter and some of the holes for the Spacer to Grill Reinforcement do not align. Any thoughts on this would be great. And let me know if the pictured support isn't a 1970 if you know, because I cannot remember whether it came with the car or I picked it up at a parts swap meet over the last few years. Thanks for all your answers - really helps out a lot.

[usraptor]

I love the Rallye red paint!    Almost painted mine that color.

[1970Cuda]

Thanks Usraptor, I like the Rallye Red too, although, it seems more orange than red, especially in the direct sun.

I spoke with my painter yesterday (11/24), and it's going back to him late December for the color sanding. I am hoping that doesn't take too long to complete. Now I just need some roller tires and a flatbed. I really want to install the dash assembly.

Next on the agenda is restoring my steering column. I need to re-watch Cody's great videos on that process.

Good luck with your projects everyone.

[1970Cuda]

Hi All,

A brief update on my restoration project ... finally, after a big delay I was able to install the restored dash in the 'Cuda. I think it looks pretty good. I am posting a few pictures for reference.

Next is rebuilding my steering column. I really need to review the videos on the column restoration to refresh my memory. Thanks for looking.

[cuda hunter]

Looking great! 
Did you get the car back from paint jail? Does your paint look great? 

[1970Cuda]

Hi Cuda Hunter, and thanks for asking.

Yes, I did get my car back from "Paint Purgatory," and it does look really so much better after finishing the color sanding. It is actually starting to look like a real car. ... just need to finish up a few under the dash items and next move onto my steering column rebuild.

I am going to circle back and re-do my quarter windows and seals. I actually put on the '71 – '74 rubber seals (not knowing better of course), and need to retro them back to the 1970 felts. But that's a pretty easy fix now that I understand how to install them. I did post a write-up and hopefully that will help someone else sometime through my experience.

Hope your project is coming along and everyone else's too.

[1970Cuda]

This past weekend, I started my "Steering Column Fun" project. Used Cody's very informative videos to understand, identify and disassemble my 1970 steering column and now I am preparing to strip the parts to bare metal, mask them and then prep to paint. Progress is still happening, but a bit slower than I would like.

One video I think would be great to do is a 1971 - 1974 E-body steering column. I know they are very similar, but I think that would be a great addition to the video collection.

[cuda hunter]

Great to see progress!!
Anything damaged? 

That video sure is great and I do wish there were many more.  @Cuda Cody

[1970Cuda]

Thanks Cuda Hunter - I totally agree about the videos. Without those, I would be a bit lost. There's a maze of parts on the E-body steering column and they are a great reference - so thanks again Cody.

I would like to learn more about them for sure, especially about the later ones as, arguably, they are the most common.

As to your specific question, my original column is quite rusty, so I picked up another one earlier this year at the Sprint Fling swap meet in CA (a correct 1970), and that's the one I am rebuilding now. There's a scuff mark on one of the pieces, but nothing too bad.

Once I complete that, and install it in my project, I will circle back on my original one during the cold winter months and get moving on that one. But in the meantime, I want to get my project finished. Putting in a steering column isn't too difficult.

Q: Do the ignition switches ever go bad? I bought a replacement, so I will go ahead and put it in, but I hate to just purchase items that seem to be still in proper working condition.

I will keep this thread going until the vehicle is running and "road worthy."

[cuda hunter]

They do go bad.

[1970Cuda]

I see - I wasn't aware that the ignition switches failed very often. But it does makes sense and seems like cheap insurance too, to replace it since it's so inexpensive, especially compared to tearing down the column again if I need to for a $60 part.

[1970Cuda]

So I wanted to post another update on my build thread ... steering column fun.

I cleaned and painted everything correctly with PPG paint. Bought news parts and then watched the great Cody videos again (like for the 10th time!) to see how to re-assemble it, and besides a couple of issues it came out pretty good.

One thing I learned is that some of the reproduction parts do not work like the originals. Especially the turn signal harness. I had two of them - one U.S. made and another from who-knows-where - the U.S. one worked fine vs. the other was poorly designed or manufactured. I am posting a few pictures for reference. It only took around six or maybe seven hours to put together. Thanks for looking too.

[EV2RTSE]

Column is looking good! May I ask where you purchased the US-made switch?