The red on red 1970 Cuda project

[Wayne]

  A few weeks ago I picked up my dream car.  Its an 1970 Cuda, 383 4 spd car.  The car has a near perfect build sheet.  Engine and transmission match.  The car was in FL and last plated in 1976.  The car has 49k original miles.  Its needs work, but I love it and l can't believe the shape the body is.  Figured I would start a thread showing the projects I do on the car.

  I also just started a FB page for the car, Youtube and Instagram.  If anyone wants to follow I am Backyard Hotrods.

Here are a few pictures the day I brought it home.

https://www.instagram.com/backyard_hotrods/

[facebook]https://www.facebook.com/Backyard-Hot-Rods-488123511930725/[/facebook]

[usraptor]

Congrats.  Looks like a really solid car!  I bought a '70 Cuda with a 383 and 4-speed new in Oct 1969 for $4200 OTD.  However, it was triple black and did have AC and power brakes.  Kept it 4 years and then sold it like an idiot.  Tried to find it years later but never could. Keep us posted on your progress. 

[Wayne]

Thanks usraptor!

The past week I have been doing what I can to bring the paint back to life.  Pretty happy considering what I started with.

[gaddied]

Sweet Cuda !
I really liked the videos .
Thanks !

[nsmall]

Really cool videos.  That blue tape really exposed your car.  At first I was like that car looks pretty good, then after that tap came off you could tell it was in need of some love.  IS THAT A RIVER IN YOUR BACK YARD you lucky man?

[Cuda Cody]

Love your passion @Wayne      Fantastic find!!!!  Great videos too.   

[Wayne]

Really cool videos.  That blue tape really exposed your car.  At first I was like that car looks pretty good, then after that tap came off you could tell it was in need of some love.  IS THAT A RIVER IN YOUR BACK YARD you lucky man?

Its still a 10 footer lol  but its so much better.  Thank You! 
It is a creek technically.  We just moved here 2 years ago....been a goal to find a property on this creek for decades.  I like to trout fish and this is Heaven for me and the family.  Only thing it didn't have is a big garage. There is room to add a detached down the road.  But we'll see.   

Love your passion @Wayne      Fantastic find!!!!  Great videos too.   

Thanks Cody, I appreciate it!

[fc7cuda]

Love your passion @Wayne      Fantastic find!!!!  Great videos too.   

  look forward to seeing more videos of the car!!

[moparcar]

That's a great find. Nice red on red. Pretty scarce.

[Wayne]

  Addressing the major mechanical issues that I'm aware off.  The first is the trans which would make noise in 3rd gear & the TOB was also very noisy.  So I jumped right in this past week I have been working on pulling the trans.  It came out with no issues.  This is actually my first four speed car.  The clutch adjusting rod/linkage does not look right to me.  I dropped the trans off locally to have it rebuilt.  They should be calling me anytime with an update once they crack it open.

  Next is the motor.  The engine had a ticking noise which I didn't think was exhaust related.  I pulled the valve covers...hoping it was a collapsed lifter or a bent pushrod.  Unfortunately it was neither of those and more serious.  I can't believe this held together actually.  The engine has 6 cracked valve spring retainers...from what I can see.  And some of them are hitting the rockers!!  After I dropped the trans off I went to a local engine builder and they thought these were aluminum retainers from back in the day.  Makes perfect sense to me.  Has anybody seen anything like this before?

  So we talked engine options.  Pretty sure I am going to pull the matching # 383 and put in the corner for now.  I think I will build a low deck stroker.  We are discussing options. They have a 400 block ready to go....quite tempting.  I want a really strong pump gas motor and don't want risking the matching #'s motor.  Two of my close friends have blown up there matching #'s motor...which would really suck. 

  Below are some photos and I made another video.  You can hear the TOB and see the valve spring retainer issues.  Next plan of action is to get the motor out and clean up the engine bay.  Waiting on my friend to drop off his hoist so I can get it out.  But its giving me time to get everything organized and strip out the engine bay of everything. 

https://youtu.be/K7dGgjzO0Hk

[RUNCHARGER]

Whoa: Really good save on the engine. 400 strokers are great, it's either the original block or it isn't so there is no use putting a different 383 in there, might as well do the 400 stroker. I would keep it a low deck and for your car I would be willing to lose performance to go with a stock appearing intake manifold and a camshaft to work with exhaust manifolds. Not my car though of course.

[Wayne]

Whoa: Really good save on the engine. 400 strokers are great, it's either the original block or it isn't so there is no use putting a different 383 in there, might as well do the 400 stroker. I would keep it a low deck and for your car I would be willing to lose performance to go with a stock appearing intake manifold and a camshaft to work with exhaust manifolds. Not my car though of course.

Yeah, that could of gone south in a hurry!  I do plan to run headers and a single plane.  It doesn't matter to me if it doesn't look bone stock / original.  But as long as I can go that direction down the road if I like.

The orignal owner planned to race the car, but never got to it.  He had started some projects but luckily we saved it before he went all out with it.  The car had a 9", rolled the quarter panel lips, and crude frame connectors that partially went through the floor and mini tubs  .  The guy I bought it from put it back to stock.   So it has been worked on unfortunately.  But i am ok with it its going to be driven and enjoyed. 

[usraptor]

I just pulled my matching nos. 440 and had my engine builder build me a different 440 block.  Good piece of mind knowing the matching No. engine is safe on an engine stand where it isn't going to get blown up. 

[HP_Cuda]

Be careful if this keeps up you will find yourself tearing the Cuda completely down.

[Wayne]

Be careful if this keeps up you will find yourself tearing the Cuda completely down.

  Oh man that's how it starts right lol!  No when to say when