Tribute to dad

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chryslerfat

chryslerfat

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I got started today on the 66 Cuda for dad. Goodbye 273 auto hello 360 4 Speed. This is the 273 before driving it in the garage.

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That don't look to damn bad as is. But OH the shinny aluminum!!!!!!!!
 
Thanks Rumble it ran good just looking for that xtra pull when the go pedal is pushed. Will have more pics tomorrow. The 360 is just sitting in the rails now the work begins.
 
Some pics of how far it is right now. I put it in with the old valve covers and intake so as not to damage whats going to be on it. I did put one cover on to see how it will look.

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Well everything is hooked up and it moves but the left manifold leaks. I will have to tackle that tomorrow.
 
Looks good. Maybe sometime you could share the story of how your Barracuda is a tribute to your Dad.
 
Its looking really good! Cant wait to see it moving forward with more update pics! Keep up the good work and keep us posted. Well done!!
 
When I was a child I rode with dad to work on Saturdays. Dad drove a 1965 Barracuda with a Commando 273 with all the goodies. It had a 4 speed, fenderwell headers and sheared the ring gear bolts off the 7 1/4 once as I recall. After many years of playing with cookie cutter Chevys I decided to be different and go Mopar. I found a pretty nice 1966 Barracuda to build. My 1st intention was to put it all back as the fender tag reads 273 2 bbl auto. After dad came over to see the car we sat down and began to reminise of the days after work of stomping many Camaros and Mustangs that the young kids he worked with. Bring the story to this year he is 9 years older than my mom at the ripe age of 78 years old now. Mom went into the hospital in Janurary to have back surgery on 4 disc. She also was diabetic. As the story goes her kidneys quit and she lost the fight in March. At that time I decided to build mine like his to try to take him back to a better time in life as the loss of mom was very hard on him. Because of the cost of building a 273 like his I decided to go 360. He is very happy and wants this one bright red as he says fire engine red. I do not have the money to make it as nice as I would like ie; chrome pelling off the bumpers etc. but am in hope to have it where my son and I can go over on fathers day and see if he can work the clutch. If not I am sure he will be almost as happy riding in the passenger seat. He has had to use a walker for the past few years as the arthritis from many years as a farmer and labourer have taken their toll on his body. As time goes we can save money and begin making the car alot nicer but I am not sure how much time we have as I saw my grandparents pass less than a year apart from a broken heart. Sorry for the long story I will also add pics of his.
 
What a story you have. And some nice back in the day pics. I hope he can work that clutch and have him self some fun.

Good luck on your build.
 
Well today I bolted on the Rallye wheels and took it for an alignment. I also did rear brakes and wheel cylinders along with changing the rear left side studs to right hand thread. Still waiting on an intake and left exhaust manifold to arrive. I discovered the hard way that a 273 exhaust manifold wont seal on a 360.
 
chryslerfat said:
Well today I bolted on the Rallye wheels and took it for an alignment. I also did rear brakes and wheel cylinders along with changing the rear left side studs to right hand thread. Still waiting on an intake and left exhaust manifold to arrive. I discovered the hard way that a 273 exhaust manifold wont seal on a 360.
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That's a lot to accomplish in one day. Thanks for the update. What a great project to bring the generations together, hope your Dad is enjoying it.
 
there is a small pad below the exhaust port on the 360(some were drilled for emission ports) that hits the manifold on the drivers side manifold,we did a lil' grinding to that and a lil grinding to the manifold where it hits and ran double header gaskets and the factory type with the heat shield,I'll try to find a pic of a head to show where it hits.
 
Builds always mean more when there is a story behind them. It is a great thing you are doing for him, the feeling he will have sitting in that car will take him back to a better time.
 
waggin said:
there is a small pad below the exhaust port on the 360(some were drilled for emission ports) that hits the manifold on the drivers side manifold,we did a lil' grinding to that and a lil grinding to the manifold where it hits and ran double header gaskets and the factory type with the heat shield,I'll try to find a pic of a head to show where it hits.
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That could be whats happening to the drivers side. I wish I had posted before sending the money order for the 68 340 manifold but at least that will breath better. lol
 
Well today I did the front brakes,wheelcylinders and changed the left studs to right hand. Now the car has all right hand studs so there will be no confusion. It also stops nice just waiting for my manifolds now so hopefully I can take it over to dad on fathers day. Will get pics up as soon as the manifolds are done.
 
My heart goes out to you. This will truly be the best build ever for all the right reasons! Looks great! I wish your Dad the best Father's Day ever!
 
chancey683 said:
My heart goes out to you. This will truly be the best build ever for all the right reasons! Looks great! I wish your Dad the best Father's Day ever!
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here here i can only wish my son "8" years old has the same heart you have that is a very touching story god bless to you and your DAD.
 
Well I got the 340 manifolds today and discovered the left side wont fit with power steering. Thanks for the help on what to do to get the 273 manifold to seal. I was able to drive it today and take it over to show dad. He is elated but could not work the clutch so I took him for a ride. His response its its quick and will be beautiful when finished. I still need to look into fixing the dash lights because only the amp and oil pressure have lights. Then comes the body and red paint he wants. I figure I will go pick him up on weekends this summer and we can just cruise around.
Here are two pics for now.
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Ok had trouble with the 600 Holley it kept wanting to flood after running about 5 minutes so I put on a 750 I had laying around. I got the dash lights and horn fixed. I put in the new rear springs and 8 3/4 axle. At the Telegraph cruise we went on it got hot when idling and not moving mush in traffic so I am thinking about adding a super stock hood scoop to give it an opening for the air to get out from underhood when sitting still.

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Thanks for the update. Hood scoop sounds like a great idea. Have you checked the temp with a thermometer? Mine wasn't running nearly as hot as I thought it was...but I usually raise my hood anyway when I arrive someplace. I'm sure your Dad is enjoying the project.
 
Well I picked up a set of J heads with 2.02s ready to bolt on for next years build of the engine. The bodyman at work got the hood scoop built. Today I bought a front disc brake set-up for it just need the master cylinder for manual brakes and a prop valve. Also need to save up for a tach can with wiring to run the factory dash tach. I will try to get some recent pics in the next couple of days.
 
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