6.1 Hemi 69 Barracuda Fastback Father Son Project

['Cuda_ragtop]

Hi, Awesome job so far. What are you using to remove the rust?

I use a variety of methods...
Muriatic Acid for small parts with heavy rust. Mixed 50/50 with water. Nasty stuff. Outdoors and follow all safety precautions. Don't put Pot Metal in it! Ask me how I know.
Evaporust for small parts with lighter rust. Safe non toxic and I have that 3 gallon bucket in the house because it works best warm.
Blast cabinet for some. I bought a small HF cabinet and I run it with too small a compressor but it gets it done.
I have a 55 gallon drum with molasses:water mixed 1:9 for large parts that don't fit in a 3 gallon bucket or if I don't need it right away. I leave parts in it for weeks some times.
Bench and Drill mounted Wire wheels of death...
Also use my Brass Tumbler for fasteners and small hardware.
I use stainless steel pin media in water and a little dawn dish soap in my Thumler's Tumbler.

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

Cleaned and blasted the hood hinges I got from ProSport here on FABO.
Thanks!
They will be painted with the car.

Stripped, primed and painted the ashtray assembly.

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

Ordered some more stuff...
This has got to be the most complete and comprehensive wire kit there is.
I downloaded 9 separate PDF instruction documents and read them all before I decided to order it.
American Auto Wire
1967-1975 Mopar A-Body Classic Update Kit
Part# 510603

• A replacement headlight switch with internal 25-amp circuit breaker, adjustable length shaft, and custom knob.
• Standard turn signal flasher, hazard flasher, and horn relay mounted on harness.
• Fuse box designed to fit in original location with mods to the firewall, template included. All required hardware supplied. New ATO fuse panel allows for easy fuse and circuit breaker accessibility. Harness is laid out and formed to allow for nearly all after market accessories such as; gauge packages, wiper systems, heat and air conditioning systems, etc.
• Many original switch connector bodies – an American Autowire exclusive feature.
• Steering column connectors can plug directly into most aftermarket steering columns or stock ‘67-‘75 Mopar columns using the adapter and terminals included in the kit.
• Separate under dash courtesy lamp assemblies are also included for use along with your original dome/interior lighting feeds.
• Instrument Cluster wiring is designed with a “cluster harness disconnect” system for easy service and assembly. Original style terminals, lamp sockets, connectors, and locking nuts that will attach to the original cluster (another American Autowire exclusive) are provided for stock cluster connections. The system will also connect into most popular aftermarket gauges such as CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS, DAKOTA DIGITAL, AUTOMETER, VDO, and others.
• Rear body harness assembly plugs into the main harness in the stock location and our longer leads allow for stock or custom routing of the wires. Rear body wiring includes backup light lead wires with correct lamp sockets or connectors, stop and tail light lead wires with correct lamp sockets, dome light leads, terminals, connectors and lamp sockets to mate with the license plate lamp and side marker assemblies, and fuel tank sender wire with trunk grommet and tank connection.
• New floor dimmer switch is provided for ease of installation. Wire length and connection accommodate original floor mount dimmer switch.
• GM bulkhead connectors for the engine and front light wiring are included (another American Autowire exclusive) and allow for easy installation with original or custom routing.
• Engine wiring includes connectors for original points type distributors, OEM Chrysler style starter relay connections, tach and ignition leads, etc. High-powered 1-wire alternator connections are supplied.
• Front lighting includes extra long leads that can be routed for stock or optional applications. All head light, parking light, and directional light leads, along with a switched trigger wire for an electric fan relay (usually recommended with AC) are provided. Mating terminals and connectors are also provided for you to complete your custom installation.
• Many original style light sockets, switch body connectors, terminals, etc.
• This product covers the following year/make/model combinations:
  1967-75 Dodge Dart
  1971-72 Dodge Demon
  1967-69 Plymouth Barracuda
  1967-75 Plymouth Valiant
  1970-75 Plymouth Duster

 

[Johnny Mac]

Solid Build!

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

US Car Tool Full Radiator Core Support is in.
Twice as thick as original and adjustable width for up to 26" radiator.
Also adds a little bit of clearance from radiator to front of engine.

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

Filling the fire wall holes.
Will make new ones for Classic Auto Air.

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

Cowl Vent Opening not needed with Heat/AC System. Re-circ only.

Will add a pair of these Jeep Cherokee washer jets to the cowl even though they will probably never be used...

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

New Passenger Rocker Panel

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

Told my son he could choose and pay for any engine he wants. I like his choice.
Would have been my choice too

PACE PERFORMANCE 5.7L HEMI 460HP CRATE ENGINE WITH CONTROLLER

DCC-68259164-FX - Pace Performance 5.7L HEMI 460HP Crate Engine with Controller.

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['Cuda_ragtop]

Cleaned up and painted the reverse lamps.
Some pitting but not going to worry about it...

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

More progress in the body shop.
Starting to look like a real car again.

 

[HemiDenny]

A lot of us know the feeling......the excitement level goes up...as the bank account goes down.

Do it once, do it right, well worth it.

 

[carfreak6970]

This will be one sweet ride. I like your out door covered work space. Havent thought of that... good idea!

 

[JDMopar]

That looks great! I'll about bet you will have to modify the passenger side front inner fender apron, because the valve cover will either hit it or be too close for comfort. You may need to remove a little bit of the lip on the passenger side frame rail, because the alternator will hit it if you're using a car timing/accessory cover. Neither mod is extensive, or hard. You just need the clearance, Clarence!

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

No Pumps, No Pullys, No Belts, No Hoses, No Fuid, No Leaks, No Engine Brackets, Less Parasitic HP Drain on the Engine. ~ 35% Less Steering Effort

Not the least expensive path to Power Steering but I do like all the benefits.
Electric Assist Power Steering with my Manual Box.
360 Watt, 30 Amp Motor @12VDC
Will need to size alternator accordingly... Not a problem with modern alternator options.
Already planned for new steering column...

Unisteer Performanc EPS
Improved Electra-Steer Ididit Steering Column Kit

A 5 year old article
Electronic Power Steering - Street Rodder Magazine

Installation Manual:
file:///C:/Users/Randy/Desktop/657240%202in%20Column%20220-360%20Electra-Steer%20Kit.pdf

 The Unit is intended for normal highway use in vehicles not exceeding 4500 lbs (2000 kg).
 The column MUST be firmly anchored. All Torque required to steer the vehicle will be transferred through the column mounts.
 The unit CANNOT be mounted near a heat source, exposed to excessive moisture/water, or submerged under water.
 All Steering Shafts, Joints, U-Joints, and Connectors must be designed to withstand the full load of the steering system to which the electric motor is being installed.
 The Wiring, Module, and Motor must not be tampered with. Any modification to the Module or Motor will void any existing or implied warranties, if so offered.

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

Pictures just don't do justice for the color but it sure looks good on the car. Viper Gunmetal Pearl
Lighting in a paint booth is not ideal for photography...
Love how the U-Pol Raptor Liner for undercoat turned out too.

Full US Car Tool Radiator Support. Thicker, Stiffer and should fit a 26" Radiator with room to spare.

 

[rapidtransitric]

I like it

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

New Shoes

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

Told my son he could choose and pay for any engine he wants. I like his choice.
Would have been my choice too

PACE PERFORMANCE 5.7L HEMI 460HP CRATE ENGINE WITH CONTROLLER

DCC-68259164-FX - Pace Performance 5.7L HEMI 460HP Crate Engine with Controller.
View attachment 1715024406

----o00o--'(_)'--o00o----

I'm liking these "Powered By SRT" Coil Covers too!

----o00o--'(_)'--o00o----

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

Some before and after shots.

Muratic acid cleaned.

To get the Brown tone I soaked in Evapo-Rust to darken the metal a little and then sprayed with VHT Clear Caliper Paint.
I like how it turned out.
Will do the hood safety hook and trunk latch hardware the same.

The little spring broke so it's missing until I find a suitable replacement.

Need to lower my core support bottom to set the radiator lower.
Going to section the bottom about 1.25"-1.5" so I can set the radiator about an inch lower.
video link - https://goo.gl/photos/NiwnCD7nihBBkAbQ6

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

A little Spring Cleaning... And Painting...
Scored a set of lightly used A-Body Hotchkis Springs I picked up for a good deal.
Called Hotchkis tech support to see if I could get a replacement front bushing and they sent me 2 for FREE!
I told him I bought the springs used but he said no problem. The front bushings are not listed for sale individuley so he had to call over to the factory and ask them for 2 so he could send them to me.
That's some good customer relations.

After sand blasting, primed and painted.

While the car is at my painter's, I took the opportunity to clear out the car tent and pressure wash the pavement.

 

[JDMopar]

Have you had a chance to test fit the engine and transmission yet?

 

['Cuda_ragtop]

Have you had a chance to test fit the engine and transmission yet?

Haven't ordered the engine yet... Partially a lack of funding but there is still lots to do first...
Picture of the 5.7 is from the Pace Performance web site. Plan to get it ordered and in this summer.
The car will still be in primer when it comes home, but all the body gaps will be set.
I want to test fit everything before the outside gets final bodywork and paint.
Would like to have it running and driving before the end of summer but final paint might not be till this winter.

It's all time and money and I have limited amounts of both.

 

[JDMopar]

10-4 on the limited amounts of both! LOL. I'm in the same boat. I just didn't want you to be surprised if/when you have to do some trimming to get the passenger side valve cover, and probably the alternator to fit. Keep up the nice work!

 

[mosleyme]

Some before and after shots.

Wow - did not occur to me that a '69 hood latch would be that different. My '68 latch is very different!