Not sure what this refers to: "If the alignment holes are there at the back of the inner fenders do not mess with them"
The incredible folding Cuda!
- Thread starter RSie
- Start date
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The pass side bar isn't holding anything, the support end is broke loose. There was a chunk of 2x4 stuck on top of the stop under the control arm so the fender wasn't down on the tire. I think the only things holding this thing from folding up are the inner fenders and the steering column.. not touching those or the torsion bars until I get it braced to hell and back.
"Why do you want to save this car? Would be the first thing I would think about."
In a nutshell, I have time. I don't have money. I'm trying to look at it like getting experience.. practice. It's what I have. It's worth saving I think.. it's not going to be a show car trailer queen.. just something I can have fun in, as long as it's safe for what I want to drive it as.
That might happen yet. But for now, it's what I got. I scour craigslist every day, looking for a notch donor car cheap enough and close enough for me to swap parts to. I've found a few, but too much that I can afford with price and distance. Until I find that hidden gem, I'll pick away at this, and learn. Maybe drive it someday... work on it when I can and money allows me to get closer to that.
Thanks man! The stuff you sent me will get used
harrisonm
Well-Known Member
Do you have the skills needed to successfully complete this difficult repair? If so, great; go for it. I LOVE difficult rust repair, but it isn't easy or for everybody. If not (or if you are not sure), you need to think twice. Don't misunderstand, I am NOT trying to talk you out of anything, I would lust hate to see you get frustrated and junk it after several years of work.
So for now, you are going to bite it off? I think that's admirable. People have fixed plenty worse cars. If you have those blueprints with the dedicated frame measuring hole locations, you will be able to have good reference points. Although no way to know without measuring, but I am willing "to bet" the frame from the firewall back (the basic car "cab") might be square and true......at least as good as it came. lol They were never perfect being assembly line cars. Proof of that can be found when measuring rear wheel wells. One usually is a little tighter than the other. I bet, like Steve (@Oldmanmopar ) talked about, if you get the torsion cross member in the "right spot" it will probably start falling together. Course, you're gonna need some new stuff "up front" for sure, but that car is plenty saveable, IMO and I think you can do it. Look how much you've done already. One step at a time.
Do I have the skills right now? No. Am I capable of learning those skills? Hell yes... I'm good at learning new things... I've self taught myself a lot of stuff. My job as a network engineer/ Sr. network admin is entirely self taught. I used to do stained glass work, all self taught. Photography as well. And I have a hugely awesome resource from this site.. not just book learning, but from people that have 'been there done that' and are awesome at giving help!
Thanks for the encouragement RRR! It made me think a little.. I've only really been working on it for a year, and not much in the winter as my garage isn't heated. Most of last summer was spent on getting the '74 Dart 4 dr. parted out for the inner tub. I've come a long way, and learned a ton.. and the help from this site is invaluable to me!
I got the exhaust out today, a PITA doing it by myself, but I didn't have to cut it. I don't know who cut the collector off, but it's still on the header. Only 2", but it looks in really good shape. Poked around on the rear frame rails while I was under there, but those look really good from what I saw. Trunk floor looks good to.
Then probably this is less than six months worth of work. You've gotten a lot done. Keep that perspective.
I just have to keep fighting the "while I'm here. I'm going to spend money and time making this one part absolutely perfect" gremlins. I have to keep in mind that this is going to be a fun to drive summer car... not a trailer car show queen, or a drag strip terror. I can always go back and do that stuff later when money is better. Get the thing (safely) on the road!
It could always be worse.
72Dart6pack
Harder Better Faster Stronger.
Don't be making fun of my Green Duster. That's my pride & joy. I have a great motor already built for it.
Lol
Lol
Now is the time to back half it and add a cage while you're at it.
Cope can advise you on the process. lol
Cope can advise you on the process. lol
Is that the one you fixed. lol sorta looks like j par's. lol
Cope
Fusing with fire
Now is the time to back half it and add a cage while you're at it.
Cope can advise you on the process. lol
For the green car?
Yes. First off get the D9 fired up, drive the 9 over the car. That will level the entire frame back to square.
Next just buff the track marks off the vinyl and SEND IT!
Or the red car?
Yeah send it to me. I can make room in the shop.
Got the tank pulled out this morning. It has A markings on it, would that denote an original a-body tank?
Also cleaned out the trunk. looks in good shape. One hole in the floor above the pass side back spring mount. Red paint peeling off, looks like the orgiinal green paint underneath.
Poked around a little more underneath, back frame rails and spring mounts look great, but there is a lot of undercoating, still have to poke around some more. A few holes in the floor above the front spring mounts.
Also cleaned out the trunk. looks in good shape. One hole in the floor above the pass side back spring mount. Red paint peeling off, looks like the orgiinal green paint underneath.
Poked around a little more underneath, back frame rails and spring mounts look great, but there is a lot of undercoating, still have to poke around some more. A few holes in the floor above the front spring mounts.
Pulled the sending unit out, not sure if it's an original type, hafta look that up. Fished out these other objects out of the tank, not sure what they are for. I think I know what the top one is. There's still one in the tank rattling around, but I got tired of the 'turn the gas tank shuffle'.
probably parts of the float, the float is missing in the picture.
Yeah, I haven't researched those at all, have no idea what they are supposed to look like. Thanks!
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