1968 Plymouth Barracuda Fastback (old school build with a new school feel)

[jrlegacy23]

I finally found a good deal on a 1968 Barracuda Fastback. It is just a 318/Auto car, but soon to be a 340 OD car. I plan to save all the original parts too make it have all the numbers matching stuff for my son one day (He is 8 years old now, so if he becomes more of a numbers guy). From the history that I have found it was a Sable white car with blue interior, sold originally in Texas. It also has dealer installed A/C and cloth seats.
It then went to Washington DC and was painted a Midnight blue for a while. The third owner lived in NC and worked for for Penske Racing, he painted it B5 Blue. I went from NY to NC to get it, along with a 340 shortblock with a .508 purple cam.

Here are some pics from when I bought it:

 

[ocdart]

Sounds kinda like my current '69 Dart build.
What are your "new school" plans?

 

[jrlegacy23]

Sounds kinda like my current '69 Dart build.
What are your "new school" plans?

I am rebuilding and installing a 46RH overdrive trans, a newer rear with 4 wheel disc brakes, going with a newer version of old school wheels (staying 15") with 175/60/15, white lettered tires, little things like that.

 

[mbaird]

I like that you are sticking with 15" rims .

To me big modern wheels on a muscle car is like a halter top and short shorts on a 60 year old woman .... just looks out of place .

 

[jrlegacy23]

Here is a pic mocking up the 15x8 Wheels and 275/60/15's to see how wide I need to make the rear differential. To run this setup I need a 56 1/2" wide wheel mounting surface to WMS rear diff:

 

[mopar56]

"To me big modern wheels on a muscle car is like a halter top and short shorts on a 50 year old woman .... just looks out of place ." Ok now that's funny!

 

[4spdragtop]

Subscribed! Nice catch.

 

[Keith Mopar]

Wow you started with a nice car, will be a great build.

I do Love the wheel choice.

 

[Dartfreak75]

Subscribed awesome car I like it alot! I'm glad you didnt do the 17 or 18 inch wheels never been a fan of them on much of anything but especially a classic.

 

[ocdart]

Here is a pic mocking up the 15x8 Wheels and 275/60/15's to see how wide I need to make the rear differential. To run this setup I need a 56 1/2" wide wheel mounting surface to WMS rear diff.

I'll be doing the same thing when my Dart comes back from paint. I'm going to center the 275/60/15 tires and wheels in the wheel wells and then measure wms to wms and then get the B-body 8.75 rearend narrowed accordingly - also will get the leafspring mounting pads relocated to fit the offset shackle kit. I'll be running these:

I like your build plans and will be watching them progress.

 

[jrlegacy23]

View attachment 1715488781

I like your build plans and will be watching them progress.

There is a picture worth a thousand words. LOL, that great. I am going to be driving the car while upgrading with weekend projects. I am just trying to finish my winter project portion that I did not dedicate enough time to during the winter.

 

[jonn6464]

I like that you are sticking with 15" rims .

To me big modern wheels on a muscle car is like a halter top and short shorts on a 50 year old woman .... just looks out of place .

Halle Berry
Marissa Tomei
Diane Lane
Salma Hayek
Sarah Jessica Parker
Courtney Cox
Catherine Zeta Jones
Demi Moore
Jennifer Aniston
Jenifer Lopez
Morgan Fairchild
Robin Wright
Julianne Moore

All 50+. I mean, I'm just saying....

 

[Kendog 170]

Love the Color , what is it?
lol

 

[tinman2]

Love the Color , what is it?
lol
View attachment 1715488868

He has discovered the secret to daytime stealth. The Air Force will probably be contacting him soon.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

I must have better stealth technology. I looked out and I don't see any part of the new Hellcat that should be there . I could have sworn I bought one in the middle of the night.

 

[jrlegacy23]

I must have better stealth technology. I looked out and I don't see any part of the new Hellcat that should be there . I could have sworn I bought one in the middle of the night.

I would call 911, they may be help one way or another. LOL

 

[Darter6]

Love the project.Totally into old school.I'm a wheel and tire freak. If I buy a project the first thing I do is wheels and tires(that should be the last thing). So true that 15's on a muscle car is the way to go.16's are ok, that I have done also.One inch,you can hardly tell the difference.

 

[Bobacuda]

Love the Color , what is it?
lol
View attachment 1715488868

Clear coat, can’t you tell?

 

[jrlegacy23]

Halle Berry
Marissa Tomei
Diane Lane
Salma Hayek
Sarah Jessica Parker
Courtney Cox
Catherine Zeta Jones
Demi Moore
Jennifer Aniston
Jenifer Lopez
Morgan Fairchild
Robin Wright
Julianne Moore

All 50+. I mean, I'm just saying....

You forgot Morgan Freeman

 

[jrlegacy23]

I got the home made sub-frame connectors all done. I started with 2 4 foot lengths of 1.5"x3" rectangular tube. I put the car up on jack stands (under the suspension on all 4 corners) and made sure all gaps were straight and equal:

 

[jrlegacy23]

I then measured them all out and cut the top portion of the tubing off. I used the cut off section for the plate against the torsion bar crossmember, and then welded a cap in the section that is open for the rear:

 

[jrlegacy23]

I used a flap wheel on a grinder and cleaned off the undercoating on the torsion bar cross-member and the rear frame section. I then tacked the front in place, then jacked the rear portion in place and tacked that. The rear slid right over frame like a cap. I then went back and welded it all in place. I am very happy with it overall, the top portion just touches the rear floor pan.

 

[Kendog 170]

I did the same. I also made the rear floors mate and plug welded.

 

[jrlegacy23]

I am now in the process of getting the rear rear differential in. The Rona done hurt the shipping times on parts. I tried to order Hotchkis leafs but it is over a month for backorder, which leads me believe that they are an american company with China sourced leafs. I discovered the my Barracuda came with the optional HD 340 suspension. So I cleaned them up, sandblasted, primed, painted, and installed poly bushings.
I also plates and reinforced the leaf front hanger mount on the body. Then re-drilled them 1/2" closer to the frame and installed offset spring shackles. Everything is about ready to re-install..... waiting on parts for transmission now.

 

[jrlegacy23]

Here are some pics of the leafs after sandblast, primed and painted with bedliner. I also put the polyurethane bushing in from Energy suspension, coated with the poly lube they supply. There is some dust on the leaf springs in the pic, but overall the paint came out really nice.
I also ordered some spring 5/8" offset shackles for a Toyota , cut them down, redrilled, bought some new 5" long 1/2" bolts, and welded them into one side of the shackle: