1968 Barracuda Notch 340

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Got Monroe shocks for the front, of course painted Crazy Cuda green. Clutch rod, return spring and pedal rod in, love those clips man. I spent probably a half hour just on the return spring, the Dougs Headers did provide a challenge, damn thing kept shooting off the bell and it wasn't until I got positioned to actually see the bell notch and realized the spring end needed to be clocked and seated further into that space instead of just catching the very edge of the bell. I worked the clutch pedal several times, no noises, feels smooth

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I8NEMO said:
You and me both. Tenacity.... My Dad once said "the world is full of educated idiots, there is no replacement for tenacity!" Truth.
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100 percent agree and being willing to admit we make mistakes. Learning is something we never stop doing is what I have found in my 53 years!
 
Today ended up a 6 hour unplannef thrash. I just got into a groove. Installed harness to rear tail lights, marker lights some of which need electrical repair, horns and relay, removed fuel sender and installed a dedicated ground lug, buttoned up the fuse block and hanging wires, jam nutted the brake pedal pivot bolt, teflon taped the diff plug ( dripping) bolted down high beam switch, finished side mirror remote stalk install. Even with no fuel I could see the gauge move a tiny bit with key on so now every gauge and exterior light functions properly. Rear valance install and 67 reverse lights manana, hopefully bleed brakes tomorrow if Carl my warehouse guy ain't to busy.
 
Monday got all brake tube flares lapped and installed the copper flare washers to stop leaks on all new components, including SS brake lines. The copper flares are 100 % successful. Tuesday no leaks and bled brakes, 40 minutes, no problems using just me, bottle of DOT 5 with a tube. Waiting on a main fuel line so installed rear valance, 67 reverse lights I fabbed in last year, going with 69 trunk trim and tail lights instead of 68 eliminated the reverse lights, I wanted reverse lights, 67's were the ticket. Cleaned up the wiper/ reverse light harness, installed it, wired the new reverse light locations, reverse lights operational. Through valance exhaust tips in. Steering column in this morning with rotors and steering wheel centered this time. All electrical components, gauges, lights, blinkers, horns etc. Operational except for dome,map and courtesy trunk light. Called it a morning and went to fire the motor and no spark. Coil hot good, could not get an ohm reading on the secondary circuit so replaced the coil and ballast resistor, still no fire so I began a trouble shooting thrash. Turned out, the factory tach wire got smashed in the steering column assembly, fixed that, motor runs. The new left front caliper banjo fitting kept weeping so I installed new copper washers, looks dry as of now. Think im pulling the trigger on the new 69 tail light lenses and filler pieces, most used stuff im seeing on e bay is same money.

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Good week, I did a lot this week. Still waiting for my main fuel line. 69 tail lights and filler pieces are ordered from Classic Industries. Working on my spiral jaccuzzi shower this weekend. Got the pot in place, water fall shower head will be in the pot

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Monday my main fuel line landed. Frame connectors meant several modifications. Straightening bends, new bends, and a Union just inside the frame rail just aft of the T bar cross member. Since both ends connect with fuel hose I decided to make my life easier and do the same at this Union. Hal down at Az Tube's put the appropriate " bulbs" on the ends while I waited. Pics tomorrow maybe. 3/8" stainless ain't easy to work with, got one area that's a little wiggly where I needed to straighten a 90,it's hard to look at but it's done, functional and no leaks. First test drive was short, felt a weird shift and immediately heard left front tire on ther fender. Inspection revealed everything in order, so no clue what caused the drop, maybe the T bolt adjuster plate settled into the grooves? Jacked the front up, cranked the T bolts and drove back.
 
Still have a spongy brake pedal. I think battery is suspect, Ammeter started pegging above idle and front seal on 4spd leaking. The A833 was rebuilt years ago so I guess seal dried out. My 69 Tail light buckets came in and was excited to finally see the 68 to 69 transformation complete but unfortunately the Summit filler piece holes don't line up with the Laysons bucket. Shocker. Time to walk away,.... again.

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I had my removable hood nostrils re popped by my buddy Austin, he's got a TIG and knows it well. Flowmaster Super 10's landed yesterday so, gotta keep the peace right,well kinda? Starting loud and going from there.

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68 to 69 trunk and tail light transformation complete. It took some patience moving the filler piece mounting holes in the Laysons buckets. Dremel with a drill did the trick. The left fender hole opening needed some opening towards the center of car, a little odd since there's no sign the car was hit. The left factory buckets mounting studs were bent in a little to accommodate the issue.

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Finishing plans are: polish outer trim of trunk panel. further fitment. redo the red lens color on trunk trim. Argent or silver paint on the center section of the trunk trim panel and lens filler sections. The enclosed pic is what inspired this transformation

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mooresmopars? Wow. I remember your site way back in the early AOL days! I had Christian Mopar Club back then...and mopars.com (which I still have)
I remember a story about you working on the Challenger (space shuttle) right?
 
crj1968 said:
mooresmopars? Wow. I remember your site way back in the early AOL days! I had Christian Mopar Club back then...and mopars.com (which I still have)
I remember a story about you working on the Challenger (space shuttle) right?
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That wasn't me, I don't know who the owner of that Cuda is, the picture is what inspired me to switch my trunk and tail lights from 68 to 69
 
I8NEMO said:
That wasn't me, I don't know who the owner of that Cuda is, the picture is what inspired me to switch my trunk and tail lights from 68 to 69
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Oh gotchya, I see now. Tail panel looks great BTW... what you think of doing mod -top?
 
Got my Flow Master Super Series 10's on using an economic pipe kit from Jegs for now/ test drives. Full exhaust through valance won't be possible until I ditch the factory fuel tank/ fuel cell in trunk, then I'll channel both sides of the spare well on my rotisserie to make room for pipes. I listened to other cars here before and after adding a cross over. I was shocked how emasculated the exhaust sounds with a cross over so definitely not for me performance gains or not. Here's a video, built 340, Doug's headers, 2.5" pipes, Flow Master 10's which are the loudest and most free flowing by Flow Master.


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More brake bleeding, getting better. Drove to home and back to shop this morning

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19 mile test drive produced a fat dying idle and fuel on the manifold. The stock pump was overproducing so time for a pressure regulator. All good so far. Mocked up my C panel strobe idea, I'm liking it

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