1969 Barracuda 340 Formula S Restoration

RealWing · Aug 1, 2019

More rust!!!!
I finally decided to replace both inner fenders instead of patching around the shock tower. Good job I did. Found bondo on the seam at the rad support that had been applied over rusted metal!!!- Will have to fabricate a new piece.
The rust at the shock tower is not too bad. Can be easily fixed with a new plate welded onto the shock bracket.

RealWing · Aug 6, 2019

Fabricated and welded some new pieces in place, Cut out the rusted section of the upper control arm bracket and welded in a new piece. Also welded a new piece onto the rad support.

qkcuda · Aug 6, 2019

Nice work Jim.

RealWing · Aug 16, 2019

A few more pieces fabricated to replace rusted ones. Long slow process!!!Today we finally welded the inner fender in place. Next is the passenger one!!

RealWing · Aug 23, 2019

Picked up my exhaust manifolds (that I bought at Carlisle) after having them ceramic coated. Much better looking than my old rusted and pitted ones!!!

RealWing · Sep 6, 2019

Took a while to get at the passenger side inner fender- have been doing some tuning on the Superbird to get it ready to take to the 50th anniversary Aero Warriors reunion at In October. Aero Reunion — Wellborn Musclecar Museum
As an aside, I bought a Pertronix Ignitor III ignition to install in place of the dual points. Had random misfires and found a very sloppy advance plate. Sometimes it would fire well before TDC while cranking and stopped the engine cold!! Bad, bad design. Avoid at all costs!!! Dual points back in and the 440-6bbl runs just fine!!
Back to the fender- More rust found after removing the inner fender at rad support flange. Also rust at shock tower - but not as bad as drivers side.

RealWing · Sep 7, 2019

The upper control arm plate behind the shock tower looked OK, but I cut it off to treat the rust behind it. The flange at the cowl was badly rusted (and was covered with bondo!!) and will require replacement.

RealWing · Sep 7, 2019

Took some parts to Cambridge Custom Chrome here in Ontario to get replated in a "show chrome" finish. They are a top quality plating facility.
2 bumpers
4 bumper guards
2 vent window lower pivot frames
2 small trim pieces for the under dash AC vents
Total cost $2300 CAD !!!!
However, to put that in perspective- I noticed some hydro bills posted on the wall of the office for about $6000 CAD per month!!! Yikes.

Stephen Hotz · Sep 7, 2019

kursplat · Sep 7, 2019

wow, if they'ed put as much effort into fixing the rust as they put into hiding it, most of it would have been fixed

Super-Cuda · Sep 8, 2019

RealWing said:
Took some parts to Cambridge Custom Chrome here in Ontario to get replated in a "show chrome" finish. They are a top quality plating facility.
2 bumpers
4 bumper guards
2 vent window lower pivot frames
2 small trim pieces for the under dash AC vents
Total cost $2300 CAD !!!!
However, to put that in perspective- I noticed some hydro bills posted on the wall of the office for about $6000 CAD per month!!! Yikes.

X-2 on Cambridge Custom Chrome. I had my vent window frames , pivots upper and lower and bumpers done there.
Excellent quality, great finish , done on time and packaged and shipped properly.
Highly recommend!!

RealWing · Sep 10, 2019

Fabricated and welded the flange strips on rad support and at firewall. Also welded the plate on the shock tower inner side.

Stephen Hotz · Sep 11, 2019

Nice job. Looks so much better and way more peace of mind now you know its right.

RealWing · Sep 11, 2019

Found more bondo and brazed patch at drivers door latch striker bolt. Cut out and installed the reinforcing plate from Dynamic Renovations. The passenger side also needs repair.

Derrick Kidwell · Oct 3, 2019

1969383S said:
My 68 notch looked like that setup but seem to remember it was directley attached to the dash frame.

These are what I am curious about.

View attachment 1715295491

hi the pigtail hanging from fuse panel with about 8 wires does it go to steering column my basket case was tore down and i dont seem to have anywhere for it to plug in? Thanks

RealWing · Oct 3, 2019

Derrick Kidwell said:
hi the pigtail hanging from fuse panel with about 8 wires does it go to steering column my basket case was tore down and i dont seem to have anywhere for it to plug in? Thanks

Yes, that sounds like to steering column connector. maybe this photo will help?
Jim

Derrick Kidwell · Oct 3, 2019

RealWing said:
Yes, that sounds like to steering column connector. maybe this photo will help?
Jim
View attachment 1715402780

Thanks so much your pictures have already helped me a lot!

RealWing · Oct 19, 2019

Just returned from the 50th Anniversary Aero Warriors Reunion with the Superbird. Over 200 aero cars were there in one spot!!!!
Had a few laps on the track at Atlanta Motor Speedway, then over to Tim Wellborn's estate/Museum in Alexander City and then all the cars were on display in the infield at the Talladega NASCAR race on Sunday.
A few of the original restored race cars were there as well. Like Richard Petty's actual #43 Superbird. Was recently at a Mecum auction and did not meet the reserve at 3.5M$!!!
My son came with me and he drove his truck/trailer. Was a neat experience to do it together.
Jim

RealWing · Oct 19, 2019

Now I can get back to finishing the Cuda rust repairs!!! Right inner fender is ready to weld as is a small rusted section at trunk area.

RealWing · Oct 24, 2019

Got my shiny bits back from Cambridge Custom Chrome after getting the "show finish" treatment. Also got the bumpers as well as these bits.

RealWing · Oct 31, 2019

There was a lot more damage on the passenger door striker bodywork than I thought. Had to fabricate a new lower section. This completes the last of the welding. Plan to take it next week to get plastic media blasted.

RealWing · Nov 8, 2019

Xmas came early!! Photos of some of the parts
Got my original rad back from Glen Ray Radiators. This is a fairly rare 3 core rad p/n 2949068 for '69 A bodies. They do outstanding restoration work.

Holley SNIPER Fuel injection throttle body and in-tank returnless pump

Fuel injection tank from Tanks Inc.

Air cleaner assembly from Mancini with a drop base.

LH Exhaust manifold heat shield from Mancini

Plymouth Pete · Nov 8, 2019

RealWing said:
Xmas came early!! Photos of some of the parts
Got my original rad back from Glen Ray Radiators. This is a fairly rare 3 core rad p/n 2949068 for '69 A bodies. They do outstanding restoration work.
View attachment 1715420476 View attachment 1715420477

Holley SNIPER Fuel injection throttle body and in-tank returnless pump
View attachment 1715420479 View attachment 1715420480

Fuel injection tank from Tanks Inc.
View attachment 1715420486

Air cleaner assembly from Mancini with a drop base.
View attachment 1715420489 View attachment 1715420490

LH Exhaust manifold heat shield from Mancini
View attachment 1715420492

Plymouth Pete · Nov 8, 2019

The radiator looks amazing. Also thanks for sharing the heatshield info. Didn't know they existed and I need one.

RealWing · Nov 13, 2019

Got the car media blasted this last week. My son picked it up today. Definitely a lot of sins hiding under layers of Bondo!!! Looks like at least the passenger quarter panel. and a patch or maybe a whole panel on the drivers side as well. He said probably a trunk lid due to rusted lip.

Had a little "mishap" putting the bike away for the winter. Ended up with a broken fibula (small bone in the leg) and a cracked rib. Had surgery and now have a stainless steel plate and a bunch of screws to put it back together!!