Another Mopar Off My Bucket List - Barracuda Fastback

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1967 'cuda said:
:BangHead::BangHead::BangHead::BangHead::BangHead::BangHead::BangHead::BangHead::BangHead::BangHead:

I'm not sure if there's a doofus of the year award or not but if there is - I should nominate myself.

This morning I made a template for the steel I was going to need for modifying the driveshaft loop. It's been awhile since I took the Barracuda out so I decided to drive it to the weld shop. When I backed out of the driveway I noticed that I hadn't pinned the hood down. Rather than go pull back in and grab them I told myself that I was going to be driving slow and could put them in later.

I babied the car to the shop and dropped off the template. They weren't able to plasma cut the piece for me today but will get to it Monday.

When I pulled out from the weld shop the closest traffic was a block away but some guy in a SUV came flying up behind me. That's when I was overcome by a full blown case of dumbsh*titis. :realcrazy: I punched it and as the front end heaved upwards and the back end squatted...
:wtf:
- you guessed it. That big scoop caught enough air to peel the hood back. I got out of it quick enough that the hood didn't hit the windshield but it ain't pretty.

I just got home a bit ago and haven't been able to open the hood far enough yet to get to the hinge bolts. I can tell that the inner structure is broken and it's tweaked enough that it's wedged against the cowl. :(
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That sucks! I'm DEEPLY saddened.
My car should be sitting next to it's big brother in recovery.
 
ariffle said:
That sucks! I'm DEEPLY saddened.
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ariffle said:
My car should be sitting next to it's big brother in recovery.
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I've managed to calm down about the hood. Now I'm already dreading whatever snafu I'll cause next. I had a boss who once told me I shouldn't try to use my head for anything but a hat rack. He wasn't exactly what you'd call a motivational speaker.
 
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THEWHITEZOMBIE said:
Well that's a party pooper
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1967 'cuda said:
I've managed to calm down about the hood. Now I'm already dreading whatever snafu I'll cause next. I had a boss who once told me I shouldn't try to use my head for anything but a hat rack. He wasn't exactly what you'd call a motivational speaker.
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my dad always told me to use my head for something besides a hat rack, , right before he`d kick me in the ***. guess it didn`t do any good tho !!
 
Anyone that was following the progress on my son's '70 Roadrunner knows that we took it to a shop in Grand Island, Nebraska to have the FAST efi system tuned. That was several months ago. Periodically I've posted updates letting you know that the car still wasn't done. The last time I called them I was told that FAST uses proprietary software that is connected with the serial number of the unit we had and that they could not use the software on the FAST website. (I had supplied them with our software on a thumb drive)

Well, today I called up FAST tech support to find out what the truth was. FAST informed me that their software is NOT tied to serial numbers and that anyone can download and tune with what's on their website. They said that anyone telling us otherwise is stringing us along.

- So I called Starlite Motors back up and told them what FAST's tech support had said. They claim I need to bring our laptop in so they can finish the work. It's a 3 hour round trip. I feel they're just yanking my chain again and that it'd be a wasted trip. I guess I'll let my son make the decision.

We probably should have picked the car back up months ago. The last time I was able to discuss things with my son he said he was looking at shops in Des Moines that could finish the job. I'm certain we won't be able to pick the car up without paying the bill from Starlite Motors.
 
1967 'cuda said:
Anyone that was following the progress on my son's '70 Roadrunner knows that we took it to a shop in Grand Island, Nebraska to have the FAST efi system tuned. That was several months ago. Periodically I've posted updates letting you know that the car still wasn't done. The last time I called them I was told that FAST uses proprietary software that is connected with the serial number of the unit we had and that they could not use the software on the FAST website. (I had supplied them with our software on a thumb drive)

Well, today I called up FAST tech support to find out what the truth was. FAST informed me that their software is NOT tied to serial numbers and that anyone can download and tune with what's on their website. They said that anyone telling us otherwise is stringing us along.

- So I called Starlite Motors back up and told them what FAST's tech support had said. They claim I need to bring our laptop in so they can finish the work. It's a 3 hour round trip. I feel they're just yanking my chain again and that it'd be a wasted trip. I guess I'll let my son make the decision.

We probably should have picked the car back up months ago. The last time I was able to discuss things with my son he said he was looking at shops in Des Moines that could finish the job. I'm certain we won't be able to pick the car up without paying the bill from Starlite Motors.
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I would get the car out now! It sounds like even if they did attempt to tune it they would probably screw it up.
 
pikewi said:
I would get the car out now! It sounds like even if they did attempt to tune it they would probably screw it up.
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weired. mine seems to be working pretty well, altho it hasn't been run enough to learn much. I still haven`t fixed my oil leak so I could mess w/ it. it does seem to be real rich what little it has run. 17 buckets of driveway sealer (tar) down, still need about 3-4 to finish. spreading that stuff w/ a squeegee in a 100 degree heat is fun !
 
pikewi said:
I would get the car out now! It sounds like even if they did attempt to tune it they would probably screw it up.
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Every time I post an update that points out there hasn't been any progress I feel like a moron. I'd be giving anyone else the same advice. I guess we kept holding out hope because we saw the quality of the cars they owned. - All big buck Mopars and several running FAST efi systems. I know, - there's a line somewhere between being patient and being stupid. I think we may have crossed that line awhile back.
 
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famous bob said:
weired. mine seems to be working pretty well, altho it hasn't been run enough to learn much. I still haven`t fixed my oil leak so I could mess w/ it. it does seem to be real rich what little it has run. 17 buckets of driveway sealer (tar) down, still need about 3-4 to finish. spreading that stuff w/ a squeegee in a 100 degree heat is fun !
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Man, I'm glad to hear your system is working. I'd never given up on ours but we needed help when that MAP sensor & O2 relay went bad. I doubt we'd have traced those down ourselves. I'm thinking we could probably finish the tune ourselves now but I'm sure we wouldn't get the same results as tuning with a dyno.

That sounds like an awfully lot of tar. You sure you're not setting up your own 1/4 mile strip?
 
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NEW ROADRUNNER UPDATE! (maybe)

After updating Spence on the conversations with FAST and Starlite Motors I found out that he had contacted another shop to tune the car. They set up a tentative appointment in August for it to be done. Unless Starlite Motors comes through beforehand - that's where it's heading next.

Spencer called Starlite Motors after he got off the phone with me. They scheduled the Roadrunner to be tuned on this coming Wednesday with the caveat that I have to supply them with my laptop to do it. - They're still maintaining that the FAST software won't work on theirs. I still think it's a bogus excuse because I can't see why theirs wouldn't work. FAST tech support felt we were being misled too.

So, early Wednesday morning I'll be making the trip with the laptop & trailer to Grand Island. If they don't finish by the end of the day, Spence has said I'm to pay the bill and load the car anyway. One way or another - the car's coming back home.
 
I'm still miserable with the back & sinus problems but I finally made it out to the garage today. - Slowly making progress on the driveshaft loop but having to take a lot of breaks as I'm working.

With so much idle time on my hands I got to thinking about how the heck I'm ever going to afford to finish all the projects around here. As I was listening to all the political rantings on the radio I think I came up with a solution.

No one seems to be happy with the upcoming presidential candidates. Lots of folk are saying it doesn't really matter who gets into office. Maybe they're right. Most likely whoever gets in will wreak havoc and leave the position with a cushy retirement funded by all us saps.

I've decided to change my name to 'None Of The Above'. I think I could get elected in by the largest margin in history. After spending 4 years in office (or until I'm impeached) I'd never have to be buying my tools at Harbor Freight again!

How bad could I screw stuff up? I could even create my own slogans. Herbert Hoover used "A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage" - I could change it a bit. How about "A six pack in every fridge and a Mopar in every garage?"

I could repeal laws against speed exhibition and loud pipes. - I could try to revamp the economy with a massive infrastructure program where old drag strips would be rebuilt.

Yup. Remember on election day, - vote for None Of The Above!
 
I just found your thread today and haven't yet had time to read all 144 pages, but what I have read is damn interesting.
I have a question for you and if you've answered it before in the thread, I apologize in advance. Could you provide the name of the company that you got the fiberglass fenders from?
 
1967 'cuda said:
I'm still miserable with the back & sinus problems but I finally made it out to the garage today. - Slowly making progress on the driveshaft loop but having to take a lot of breaks as I'm working.

With so much idle time on my hands I got to thinking about how the heck I'm ever going to afford to finish all the projects around here. As I was listening to all the political rantings on the radio I think I came up with a solution.

No one seems to be happy with the upcoming presidential candidates. Lots of folk are saying it doesn't really matter who gets into office. Maybe they're right. Most likely whoever gets in will wreak havoc and leave the position with a cushy retirement funded by all us saps.

I've decided to change my name to 'None Of The Above'. I think I could get elected in by the largest margin in history. After spending 4 years in office (or until I'm impeached) I'd never have to be buying my tools at Harbor Freight again!

How bad could I screw stuff up? I could even create my own slogans. Herbert Hoover used "A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage" - I could change it a bit. How about "A six pack in every fridge and a Mopar in every garage?"

I could repeal laws against speed exhibition and loud pipes. - I could try to revamp the economy with a massive infrastructure program where old drag strips would be rebuilt.

Yup. Remember on election day, - vote for None Of The Above!
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Like it. I assume you will are a registered Mopartian. Some of those are radical idealist so be careful how you step. However I would be willing to serve on your cabinet as Secretary of Offensive.
 
lrazor said:
I just found your thread today and haven't yet had time to read all 144 pages, but what I have read is damn interesting.
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lrazor said:
I have a question for you and if you've answered it before in the thread, I apologize in advance. Could you provide the name of the company that you got the fiberglass fenders from?
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Hopefully you won't buy them from the same company I did. The place I ordered mine from doesn't always ship you the same ones. They act as a middle man for a number of manufacturers and it's a crap shoot what you'll get. Mine were great but another member ordered from the same place and got really crappy ones. STINGER FIBERGLASS (AAR) made mine and they do make quality parts. My front valance and nose piece are also made by them. I wish I'd have gotten one of their hoods but I thought I'd save some money going with a cheaper brand. My hood's not terrible but the ones they make are sturdier and finished nicer on the bottom side.
 
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Cuda68Scott said:
Like it. I assume you will are a registered Mopartian.[/QUOT
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Cuda68Scott said:
E]

Hmmm... I never thought about party affiliation. If we can successfully start a Mopartian or Moparitarian party we might see fierce competition in coming years from the FOMOCO crowd and them GM boys. I guess we might end up deciding future elections at those drag strips we'll be building.

Cuda68Scott said:
Some of those are radical idealist so be careful how you step.
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I can see the in-party fighting too. There's bound to be a struggle between the purist restoration group and the reformist hot-rodders. 'Can't we all just get along?'

Cuda68Scott said:
I would be willing to serve on your cabinet as Secretary of Offensive.
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I like your enthusiasm Scott and realize offensive seems to be a fitting title for you! - But we'd probably have more of a workshop bench than a formal cabinet.
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OOH OOH OOH! I just started picturing the new presidential limo! Decisions, decisions...
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Just remember to vote early and often for 'None Of The Above'.
 
Now that my candidacy/project fund plan is in full swing it's time to turn my attention back to that driveshaft hoop.

It was designed to bolt up perfectly to the center two holes of the transmission cross-member. When I modified the cross-member I cut out the section it would have mounted to and changed the shape so much that it no longer fit.

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Most of the hoop assembly will still work but the attaching plate was useless. To make it work I was going to have to make a new plate. Using my modified cross-member as a guide I cut a 1/4" plate of steel to match. Then I formed the plate in my 'lil Harbor Freight press so that the new attaching plate would conform to the contour of the cross-member.

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When we cut the steel with a plasma cutter we left some extra material around it that I had to grind to fit the exact shape and then I drilled the holes.

Once I was satisfied with the fit it was time to start chopping the old mount off.

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I only tacked it together for now. I won't finish the welds until I drop the transmission back in the car and am able to do a test fit. I may have to modify the hoop extension to get the height right.

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famous bob said:
----------you is pretty good fabercator !~-----LOl--------------------------------------------------edit--------for a cornhusker !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thanks Bob. Considering you're one of Switzer's boys I'll take that as a compliment.

That loop was a pretty nice design and I hated the thought of not using it. I wasn't crazy about chopping it up either but it was easier to modify it than to start over from scratch.
 
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There are some tidbits of information a person should never share. - Things a person should keep to themselves. Things that will cause humiliation or upset others.

When the doctor prescribed that third dose of antibiotics he cautioned me that an upset stomach would be a likely side effect. I didn't care - I just wanted to get over this sinus infection. Two weeks of antibiotics and I hadn't noticed any issues - another week probably wouldn't be any different.

I guess I was wrong about that.

I've weighed the potential for embarrassment against the opportunity to gross people out. The sick, twisted side of me won out.

It's not as bad as it could have been. I don't have to repaint any of the walls in our house and the furniture survived unscathed. - But I'm not sure if I'll be doubling my laundry bill or if I should just burn half of my wardrobe.

The cats don't seem to want to sit next to me anymore.

I thought I saw some Jehovah's Witnesses turn around and leave after getting within a few feet of the front door.

Now I know how them Chebby boys feel when I pass them.

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