When does money outweigh sentimental value? 1968 notchback build thread

[khuebner250]

I dropped the tabs off at powder coating today. I also took the recaros to my upholstery guy so he can start that process. I ordered my vinyl in bulk from legendary, in both cologne and rosette grains, to mimick the deluxe interior. The only deviation is, instead of carpeted backs, I'm going to put in a rosette section on the backside.

 

[khuebner250]

Here are some pics of them at the same height. They for in the car rather well and my upholstery guy was pretty please with the condition of foam and frames. Definitely doing low backs.

 

[khuebner250]

Started the dash assembly and wiring today. Made some good progress.
Bluetooth in the original radio shell

Stock vs aftermarket grain

 

[khuebner250]

Aside from defroster tubes and heater cables I'm pretty much done. Had to shorten and re-terminate a lot of stuff. Also had to do a fold over on itself behind the cluster because of a ton of extra wire.

 

[khuebner250]

Almost done.

 

[khuebner250]

Got the defrost tubes and heater cables in. So that means, the dash is done and awaiting installation.

The brand new Steele rear window gasket doesn't fit, at all. It's too short on the bottom portion between the corners. Actually it's probably 3-4" to short. So, I spent a couple hours cleaning, de-scaling and removing strip caulk from a rear window seal i grabbed from a junkyard in the 90's. Thank God for that, here is the used one cleaned up

 

[khuebner250]

Head gaskets arrived. Got the head studs in the block and heads torqued down. I need to still measure for pushrods but had a dentist appt. So that's it for now.

 

[khuebner250]

Friday I went and picked up my trans. Huge shout out to Chris @ Andrews racing transmission. He overbuilt and over delivered for sure. Anyone in Colorado that need Mopar tranny work, he's your guy. Here are some of the build pics.

@Duster346

 

[khuebner250]

Couple more. Chris gave me a full itemized parts list and build sheets with all the info for the build. All the way down to parts, measurements, band turns and recommended fluid part numbers. Pretty impressive.

 

[khuebner250]

Finished up the rest of my engine mock up. Things are starting to come together. Filled with oil and will let it sit overnight to make sure the pan welds are good. Already had a leak as I didn't tighten the drain plug completely, pro tip!

 

[khuebner250]

Ordered push rods, they'll be here next week. Tomorrow I'll prime, make sure I have oil pressure and top end oiling. I'll regrease the cam and wait for pushrods. Epoxied the spread bore on the M1 and gave it a burr finish.(just messing around with the M1 since I'll get the trick flow intake, which is now fall release). Hopefully everything goes well tomorrow, wish me luck!

 

[whiteghost]

nice.

 

[4spdragtop]

Great, beautiful work as usual.
Sucks about the Steele gasket, I've been telling people that for a while now. Great that you found and kept an original gasket. Not sure who I would recommend as a good mfg for 68. I know 67 is worse due to the VERY pricey lockstrip and gasket.
No luck needed here, but positive thoughts coming!

 

[Jerry gray]

Motor and car look good,been busy with Dan's demon.got the motor started Saturday morning and won the bracket race with it Saturday night.so much for breaking it in.went 7.03 I like your motor red.it will make a statement in the car. I also have a white Durango 2114 citadel
5.7. I'm going to go bracket race for a.couple weeks. Looking forward to seeing the barracuda with the motor in the hole.have fun finishing up your car. Awesome job

 

[mosleyme]

View attachment 1715344481

Tell me about the third brake light... I have a Hella that mounts up top. I’m curious how this one turns out. Integration does not look as elegant but it isn't really noticeable and it is just above the field of view in the rear view mirror.

 

[khuebner250]

Tell me about the third brake light... I have a Hella that mounts up top. I’m curious how this one turns out. Integration does not look as elegant but it isn't really noticeable and it is just above the field of view in the rear view mirror.

View attachment 1715352327
View attachment 1715352328

I've bought 2 used ones. One from a Kia optima and one from a Mercury sable. Not sure if either are going to work yet. I'll know more when the back glass goes in. They may be to short. But I definitely want to use one. Just cause the 2nd barracuda's have the tiniest little lights. I'm also adding a 3rd brake lite flasher. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Jerry gray]

I've bought 2 used ones. One from a Kia optima and one from a Mercury sable. Not sure if either are going to work yet. I'll know more when the back glass goes in. They may be to short. But I definitely want to use one. Just cause the 2nd barracuda's have the tiniest little lights. I'm also adding a 3rd brake lite flasher. I'll keep you posted.

I've bought 2 used ones. One from a Kia optima and one from a Mercury sable. Not sure if either are going to work yet. I'll know more when the back glass goes in. They may be to short. But I definitely want to use one. Just cause the 2nd barracuda's have the tiniest little lights. I'm also adding a 3rd brake lite flasher. I'll keep you posted.

I'm guessing you guys are adding the third light for a upgrade.is it required in your state to have a 3rd brake for state inspection.never thought about adding one to the old stuff.neat addition to your build.i listed the dart on fabo and sold it in 1day.goona get a set of eldebrock Victor 16 heads for the Keith black small BLK.. and see how hp they will make on pump gas.barracuda is going to get a new paint job.. you guys keep plugging away at your stuff and keep me.posted as you go.want to see the barracuda with the red bullet in the hole

 

[mosleyme]

I'm guessing you guys are adding the third light for a upgrade.is it required in your state to have a 3rd brake for state inspection.never thought about adding one to the old stuff.neat addition to your build.i listed the dart on fabo and sold it in 1day.goona get a set of eldebrock Victor 16 heads for the Keith black small BLK.. and see how hp they will make on pump gas.barracuda is going to get a new paint job.. you guys keep plugging away at your stuff and keep me.posted as you go.want to see the barracuda with the red bullet in the hole

I added mine to try to keep from getting rear ended. People now are accustomed to the third brake light and ‘68 Barracuda brake lights are on the small side and not overly bright. When leaving car shows in the evening it always bothers me that some of these beautiful older cars have very small and somewhat dim rear lights. Some of them cars are even hard to see from behind depending on color.

 

[khuebner250]

I added mine to try to keep from getting rear ended. People now are accustomed to the third brake light and ‘68 Barracuda brake lights are on the small side and not overly bright. When leaving car shows in the evening it always bothers me that some of these beautiful older cars have very small and somewhat dim rear lights. Some of them are even hard to see depending on color.

That's my reasoning also

 

[khuebner250]

Motor and car look good,been busy with Dan's demon.got the motor started Saturday morning and won the bracket race with it Saturday night.so much for breaking it in.went 7.03 I like your motor red.it will make a statement in the car. I also have a white Durango 2114 citadel
5.7. I'm going to go bracket race for a.couple weeks. Looking forward to seeing the barracuda with the motor in the hole.have fun finishing up your car. Awesome job

Talk about breaking it in, that's awesome. I'm glad I went with red. I think it contrasts well. I was debating between hemi orange and red. But there car came with a red 318 so that's what I chose.

 

[khuebner250]

I added mine to try to keep from getting rear ended. People now are accustomed to the third brake light and ‘68 Barracuda brake lights are on the small side and not overly bright. When leaving car shows in the evening it always bothers me that some of these beautiful older cars have very small and somewhat dim rear lights. Some of them cars are even hard to see from behind depending on color.

My glass guy is supposed to come next Saturday to install the windshield. I'm gonna have him throw in the back glass as well. Then I'd can start third brake lite mock up. Hopefully 1 of the 2 workout. They are both LEDs. Actually I don't have an incandescent bulb in the whole car.

 

[Jerry gray]

My glass guy is supposed to come next Saturday to install the windshield. I'm gonna have him throw in the back glass as well. Then I'd can start third brake lite mock up. Hopefully 1 of the 2 workout. They are both LEDs. Actually I don't have an incandescent bulb in the whole car.

I got this dart Tuesday in West Virginia.came.with 700 hp r3 Small BLK,Reid power glide and a ton of.parts.
Man died before he finished it,son sold it to me. I'm going to be putting some windows in my self

 

[Sublime one]

I got this dart Tuesday in West Virginia.came.with 700 hp r3 Small BLK,Reid power glide and a ton of.parts.
Man died before he finished it,son sold it to me. I'm going to be putting some windows in my self

View attachment 1715355994

Super georgeous Dart!

 

[Jerry gray]

Super georgeous Dart!

Thanks a 79 year old Mopar guy,left us in November it needs to be finished and I'm up for the challenge

 

[Sublime one]

Makes you feel honored to be a part of something like that. Have a blast with it for sure. Do him proud, he will be watching! The racer in me really digs the way that Dart is set up.