When does money outweigh sentimental value? 1968 notchback build thread

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Hey khuebner 250. Just wanted to say I read your entire blog starting late last night and finished up earlier today to be current. Also joined FABO because of your and Fred's projects. Such a neat story behind your car that surely many of us can relate to,even if only vicariously through these blogs. The level of detail ,craftsmanship and creativity applied is next level man. Can't wait for next steps on the "Avocuda" and the next build if/when you decide to go that route. Such an inspiration has me scouting for a project car myself.

Two quick questions if I may.
1. Why Dexcool?
2. How are you liking those Powergrip type clamps?

carbonfiber diet
 
Hey khuebner 250. Just wanted to say I read your entire blog starting late last night and finished up earlier today to be current. Also joined FABO because of your and Fred's projects. Such a neat story behind your car that surely many of us can relate to,even if only vicariously through these blogs. The level of detail ,craftsmanship and creativity applied is next level man. Can't wait for next steps on the "Avocuda" and the next build if/when you decide to go that route. Such an inspiration has me scouting for a project car myself.

Two quick questions if I may.
1. Why Dexcool?
2. How are you liking those Powergrip type clamps?

carbonfiber diet

Thanks for the kind words. Just got my new Trickflow intake. Gotta get it measured up to make certain I can get the height the same. So there are no issues with the air box. Then drill and tap for the rear crossover coolant ports and add paint.

1. Why Dexcool?
Dexcool was a mistake, I made the switch over to G05. Dexcool was originally designed for iron block/aluminum headed vehicles. However, those vehicles use closed loop cooling systems. I completely forgot that fact when putting it in the Barracuda, which uses an air induced system. Dexcool and air make a sludgy mess.

2. How are you liking those Powergrip type clamps?
I think they are great. They work very well and look clean. A little costly but you can find em pretty cheap hunting around. I used the traditional worm clamps to verify everything was good to go, held pressure, vacuum, everything in working order before I installed all of them. Just so I didn't waste the money cutting them off if I had an issue.

Keith
 
Just a little update. Only got about 200 miles on it. Fixing little things. Still hibernating in the back of the garage at the moment. But I'll recap the last couple months.

The EBAY fake battery caps swelled up. Seller sent new ones made out of a new material. No questions asked. So that was nice.

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I ended up washing and prepping for ceramic coat. I applied it myself using JaxWax products. Turned out good.
Washing
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Prep spray and remover of all things
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After ceramic
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Had this rear it's ugly head. PITA, so I had to make a new fuel line between the EFI inlets.

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Here's a pro tip!

Make sure you use the CORRECT STUPID ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET! I had to buy an NO$ 340 mount. I don't even know where the mount that came out of the car went? It had the correct mounts when I pulled the engine but I put back in a stock 318 mount, whatever.

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Need a full spread of pictures for this car. Someplace industrial or on a mountain road or something. 3/4 shots, full interior/exterior/motor, down low, up high, etc. High res shots. Something you would find in a magazine. Need more!
 
Just 200 miles because of timing or the issues? I hope you put 20,000 on it this summer. Such a sweet car.

Just the timing of it. Oct and Nov of last year we had wicked fires here in Colorado. On my last drive there was ash falling everywhere. And I broke my jumper cable for the VSS for the OD.

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So think I have 4 items left to correct:
1. VSS jumper cable for speedo. See broken one above.
2. Trick flow intake. I haven't done the swap yet. I will this weekend. I have to pull the old M1 and measure height. They are close but I need to make sure. Trick flow is 5.125 and M1 is 5.??? Then I need to drill and tap for the rear coolant crossovers. Then pick up some rust-oleum ford tractor red.

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3. Install new rear shock plates to increase shock travel. I only have an inch of compression in the rear. So I grabbed a pair of AR engineering plates. Should drop the shocks 1.25-1.5" so I can stop bottoming out the shocks.

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I need to tidy up the Cuda asap. I'm currently on the lookout for my next project. I've even got the "War and Finance" department on board!

Looking for a 65.5 or 66 Dodge sweptline W200 crew cab Power Wagon. So if anyone knows of one, please for the love of God, PM ME!!!

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Got the intake painted. Just waiting on a couple AN fittings and a phenolic open spacer. I caught a thread on 1 of the rear AN fittings and destroyed it.

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Cars 99.9% done. Rear main weeps a bit and the speedo cable is jumpy every once in awhile (due to a VSS jumper for the TCM). I'll take care of those next year. Car is currently in hibernation.

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I picked up my next project(s) that I'm super psyched about. I bought a 1966 Dodge W200 Power Wagon Crew cab roller! I've been looking for a 66 crew for about 16yrs. It's only the 3rd one I've ever seen for sale. Title is correct and matches VIN, Data Plate and Frame stamping. Original 13,000 mile truck.

Also, grabbed a doner 91.5 Cummins before the prices went obscene. Cannibalized the drive line for a Cummins swap. Been stacking parts for about 6 months. Getting ready to rent a shop in the next month ish.

Thanks
Keith

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Daaaaaaammmmnnnn.

Absolutely gorgeous car! Great work, as always.
 
Appreciate it

I appreciate you sharing this build with us! Seriously next level.

Love those wheels. On that note, I see you’re still running without the dog dishes, any reason for that?

No judgement, it took me awhile to figure out the wheel caps for my bored through enkei’s on the front. Just curious
 
I appreciate you sharing this build with us! Seriously next level.

Love those wheels. On that note, I see you’re still running without the dog dishes, any reason for that?

No judgement, it took me awhile to figure out the wheel caps for my bored through enkei’s on the front. Just curious

I think without the caps seems to fit the cars mood better. And I haven't tried to figure out trim rings yet. I like beauty ring and caps and haven't ventured down that road yet.
 
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