Brad's second '70 'Cuda and first and last restoration project

[usraptor]

Thanks Cody.

[usraptor]

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.    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.?     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.   

[Rev-It-Up]

That Cuda is just beautiful!

[usraptor]

Thank you, and BTW, congrats on your awards at Carlisle!     

[Cuda Cody]

Glad to hear no more oil leak.     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.     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.

[usraptor]

Glad to hear no more oil leak.     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.     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,

[RUNCHARGER]

That's really looking nice!

[YellowThumper]

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.

[usraptor]

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??     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??

[usraptor]

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. 
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.   

[Cuda Cody]

She's looking real good.     Getting really close to done.  Very exciting.  Thanks for sharing an update.

[Brads70]

  at that shine! 

[RUNCHARGER]

Just a great looking car. Great job.

[YellowThumper]

Soooo close...

[usraptor]

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?