1970 FE5 'Cuda Build

[1970Cuda]

Hi EV2RTSE - I often buy my parts from https://www.rosevillemoparts.com/, so that I can support this site and also, the dealer's prices are pretty good. I am actually going to order another few things from the company, including another switch and I definitely will ask to be sure it's U.S. made. The other switch was definitely subpar.

[1970Cuda]

I wanted to provide another update on my project ... we recently installed the following:

1. The LH side door hinges were replaced as they were not holding alignment. I had to find another set of hinges at the swap meet, have them rebuilt, painted them and we installed them a week ago. They are working flawlessly.
2. Added the door weather stripping and the LH side dome light switch.
3. Added to the restoration (finally) the rebuilt steering column. It looks good for my first time rebuilding a column.

I have ordered more parts to restore two more columns, both 1970s. I wanted to complete this first column so that I could get the 'Cuda back on the road and then circle back to actually rebuild my original column.

I'm only attaching one picture for reference.

I decided to go with a Rim Blow steering wheel, but in the meantime, for now, I'll just use my original wood grain wheel.

[1970Cuda]

Another quick update on my project. ... A long while back I had my rear bumper re-chromed (about five years ago!) and this past week, I finally was at the stage to install it. It looks pretty great to me.

Now I am starting to work on the stainless trim on the back tail panel. I did have two questions on this if anyone knows. ... The clip pictured holds on the trim, but even though I expanded to hole in the panel considerably, I still am not able to actually "drive" in the exposed pin. See pictures. I am assuming the pin needs to be flush with the retaining clip for the trim to slip over it.

Also, where do the two clips with the nuts go? I looked and looked in the shop manual, and I cannot find a reference to this trim piece. And it is an original shop manual so I am guessing I am just missing it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks all and I hope you were able to work on your project today!

.... Update (2/12/25): So I am going to answer my own question here (LOL) - In the example below, that clip shown is NOT for the rear stainless tail panel molding, but rather, the clip that holds on the door top trim. They are very similar (or so Ryan at Roseville said) to what attaches the tail panel molding, but definitely too large (as I experienced). I did order a new and correct set of mounting hardware and will update my build post once that new set arrives and I begin installing it.

[1970Cuda]

While waiting for the back panel molding attachment clips from Roseville, I decided to make progress on other aspects of my restoration, the upper door trim. (I previously posted this under the another section - Body Shop - and was able to obtain guidance from another fellow member, which I very much appreciated.)

I really like the new reproductions of this item. Often it seems that the repro items are sub-par, but in this case, I think they are as good as (or maybe superior) to the originals. From my observations (and I could be incorrect), these are made of stainless steel, and the fit is excellent. I think the originals were aluminum (but again, correct me if I am wrong). I handled these fairly roughly while trying to install them (at least on the right side) and they did maintain their shape and also, they did not get scratched. See pictures for reference.

[1970Cuda]

OK - circling back to my rear tail panel trim fiasco. I was able to put on the top trim attachment clips and the trim itself. BUT I had an epic failure with one of the trim (which is stainless, I am pretty sure); it is mangled beyond repair. See picture for reference.

I had to order another set from Roseville along with another set of installation hardware. Fortunately, Roseville still had a few more sets left, but I found out that the company that supplies the stainless trim went out of business. For now, the only back panel trim available is aluminum, which I think was the original style used. I still think the stainless looks a lot better and should hold up over the years better too.

I did read the thread earlier on how to install trim (from "70 'Cuda Tail Panel Trim Installation Advice"), and I wish I would have paid better attention to it. I think I rushed installation a bit and that is why I bent the trim. I still think that the plastic attachments are too tight to the panel. My friend who knows these cars fairly well suggested that I either sand the plastic some or maybe try and shave off a bit of the retaining clips to make it easier to install the trim. Hopefully I will receive the new trim this week and give it another try this weekend.
 

[1970Cuda]

Another brief update ... so I did install the rear tail panel stainless trim last Sunday, but I did notice something quite concerning. On the Right (passenger's side) the quarter panel to rear tail panel looks fine/symmetrical and aligns nicely. But on the Left (driver's side; see picture) the quarter panel to rear tail panel is way off. You can see from the picture that it's not even close. So I am going to check w/the fellow to performed the body work to see what he recommends. It definitely does not look good.

If anyone on the our forum has a suggestion, that would be great too. Making progress slowly. Next is to touch up the paint with a bit on the organisol.

[cuda hunter]

I can see it's pushed out but can't tell what's going on underneath/behind the C trim.
That is unfortunate. 

Looking great otherwise! 
Always appreciate updates.

[1970Cuda]

You're correct cuda hunter, that it is definitely pushed out or extended on the Left side. And without the C trim, it looks to be plumb, at least just looking at it. For comparison, I am posting the Right side. It looks a tad bit "pushed out" as well, but nothing like the Left side. See picture for comparison. I am not sure a lot can be done with mitigating it though ... but I will check with my body craftsman. And as mentioned before, if anyone has had the same issue, please let me know how you have solved it.

Update:
On 3/20/25 my body craftsman stopped by to take a look at the and said it was a fairly easy fix (he thought). Once the car is running, he'll be able to better assess the fix, however, he seemed to believe it shouldn't be difficult to correct. I wanted to provide an updated on this thread.

[1970Cuda]

New update:

Recent progress ...

1. Installed my '70 'Cuda Lower Valance Insert*.

2. Installed the '70 felts on my quarter windows. (Previously I installed the '71 - '74 rubber style, so I installed the correct ones.)

3. Working on cleaning and repainting the shifter linkage.

*One thing I noticed is that the Lower Valance Insert had to be trimmed some before it fit properly and it got me to wondering if our forum should start a thread on "Reproduction parts and suggested modification to them" to make them fit properly. It's great that the parts are available, but I have noticed a lot of them fit poorly or at a minimum need modifications to make them work. Thoughts anyone?

Hope everyone's project are coming along nicely.

[70_440-6Cuda]

I LOVE the idea of a thread for how to get aftermarket parts to work or fit properly - would be awesome, especially with all the experience here - seems the same questions get asked a LOT - I know I have repeated more  than a few

[cuda hunter]

I agree on the thread.

Car is looking great! 
Good news that the body craftsman had no qualms about fixing it. 

[dodj]

*One thing I noticed is that the Lower Valance Insert had to be trimmed some before it fit properly and it got me to wondering if our forum should start a thread on "Reproduction parts and suggested modification to them" to make them fit properly. It's great that the parts are available, but I have noticed a lot of them fit poorly or at a minimum need modifications to make them work. Thoughts anyone?

I think it would be a great database eventually. When you buy a part you would be familiar with what you would likely need to do to 'massage' it into place beforehand.

I've often wondered why repro parts always need some work..some need a lot. Is it that hard to reproduce what was made 50 years ago? Or...Were they like that in the 60's and 70's? Did line workers have to massage every part?

[1970Cuda]

Thanks "cuda hunter" on the compliment, I appreciate it - I am a bit neurotic on building it correctly. And yes, I am glad that my body craftsman was not concerned with fixing it. I might have over reacted a bit upon seeing it. 

On the "Replacement Parts Thread" idea. ... I agree with all the comments that a lot of the same questions get recirculated a number of times, which means a pattern has developed, re: either the replacement parts are not as factory accurate as advertised or people struggle with the same issue when installing them. (Could be other issues too no doubt, but those are the ones that come to mind.)

I think one idea is to get a group together to come up with a strategy to first "mine" what is already currently on this site. We could come up with categories and maybe tie it to something like the shop manual groups (e.g., 0 = Lubrication and Maintenance; 1 = Accessories; 2 = Front Suspension).

It would be great if we could tag our individual threads or posts that this particular thread/post would be worthy to consider adding to this new thread. That way some of the work to get this going would be on each contributor rather than rely on someone else to determine what makes sense to add/not. 

I am sure there is some genius out there who has a better idea then I suggested. And what better time to start this thread, but now. I tried to write as much in my project thread as possible, because I knew I would forget things that I figured out the first time on my next 'Cuda project. (And yes I do have one in the offing, but I am holding it in abeyance until this thread is complete.)

[1970Cuda]

Update: So I am working on my shifter linkage as I am getting closer to having my 4-speed refreshed (I don't think it needs to be rebuilt, but I will do a separate post on that). I had Brewer's rebuild my shifter box (pictured, but upside down, just to hold the rod for posting purposes) and the handle , etc. However I noticed that there's consider "play" on the rods where they attach to the box's arms and I don't know if this is typical or not. They don't look worn, but they are lose. I would have suspected that they would be a reasonably firm fit.

Also, I saw where there are faint paint markings on the rods and I believe these were not painted, but left natural, coated with yellow zince dichromate. I was thinking about having it re-plated, but if the rods are worn, it kind of makes sense to put on new ones. I see that the '70s are unique and Roseville has them for $165, and I probably can't plate them for less then $100. But if I can use them, maybe I will just paint them chassis black and be done with it (or have them re-plated - I'm still deciding). So the question is - Is it common to have them lose and not firm on the shirfter arms? Anyone else notice this same thing?

[1970Cuda]

... a quick update on my project ...

After spending around 200 hours polishing the stainless (drip-rail moldings, weather strip channels, quarter windows, front windshield trim and rear window trim), I finally had the windshield installed and rear window as well, with the stainless too. Now all the stainless is installed! With all the windows installed (mostly done myself), it's starting to look like a real 'Cuda! And I went with tinted glass, which really improved the look and no doubt should make it easier to drive/see out of on sunny days.

I am very pleased with the installation fellows for the front and rear windows - three of them working together on it and the price was very reasonable I think. See pictures for reference.

An interesting note going forward. For my next project, I will definitely provide the front and rear window stainless for the body man to use to mock-up the contours for the windows. But I will only provide these on loan as we know they tend to lose items! There are some fairly large gaps that will need to be address at a later time.

Also, another interesting fact that I heard from the installers - you definitely want to install the quarter glass yourself, as it pretty costly to have them do it because of the amount of labor involved.

... Next up ... the headliner installation. Hope everyone's projects are coming along nicely.