Project Psyko Cuda [Archive]

Krazed

01-25-2007, 12:40 AM

Project Time!

I've been waiting a while to do this, but I finally got started on disassembly of my barracuda tonight. Makes me quite happy to get something done! I gotta say a big thanks to you guys posting Project logs on here. I know it gives me a HUGE Boost in moral and motivation.

Having said that, I got some stuff done tonight as well as the last few days of cleaning up and reorganizing the garage somewhat. Room mate needs to get the rest of his stuff organized, and sort through things before I can fully claim the garage space as my own!

Got the toolbox put together that I got for christmas, and my welder cart and gas finally assembled so I can start welding again. It's been a while, but I now have almost everything I need to work on the car. Last on the list is an air compressor and bringing the rest of my tools over.

Also, the car got put up on jack stands.

Wheels taken off, front bumper and front valance taken off. And pictures taken thus far!

However, I do have some sad news I haven't told many about yet.

In early october, as a last hurrah, the group of us alaskans from Alaska Motor Sports (a forum/website) went cruising to a lake near my old house. All went fine until the drive back. A friend of mine in a 1996 Viper RT10 was following behind me in traffic, and we had to come to a sudden stop. Sadly, he wasnt paying proper attention, locked his rear brakes up, and on bald tires, slid about 15 feet into the rear end of my car.

The Damage:

Viper - cracked front bumper and hood, lots of scratched paint. All fiberglass pieces.

Barracuda - Pushed in rear valance, pushed into spare tire area in trunk. Dented in several places. Tweaked rear bumper (Twisted in two spots and will need straitening) Left rear exhaust took most of the brunt, crushed in, pushed up, and broken in multiple places up to the front of the car. The pictures show some of what happened. But I thought I'd explain due to difficulty seeing the real damage to the car.

Anyway, On with the pictures! Details of what I plan to do to the car will ensue soon!

Tools!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/01/tools1-1.jpg

Onto car pictures:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/01/onblocks-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/01/front1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/01/rearoops2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/01/rearoops1-1.jpg

tones2SS

01-25-2007, 07:09 AM

Should be a fun project.
Good Luck!!:git:

72 GOAT

01-25-2007, 07:16 AM

If you any questions please PM me. My last build was a 68 CUDA fastback, I know how difficult it is to find parts but in the end it will come out great, Dave.

neki67

01-25-2007, 08:46 AM

The first Musclecar I fell in love with was a 68 Cuda FB. It was painted in a very special metallic yellow with a red glow on it. It was parked at the streetside and I never saw it being driven.
After almost a year I couldn't hold it anymore and started ringing doorbells to see who owned the car. By that time the headlights were halffull of (rain)water. I found the owner and he was willing to sell it for a price I could afford at that time. He told me the 318 was running strong, but I wanted to make sure and made the deal providing the engine and tranny were OK. Unfortunately it turned out the engine was cracked due to freezing! They did the body work, painted it and got tired with it so it was parked outside waiting for ????

At that time I didn't have the resources I have now, so I had to pass on the deal. Mind you this was 25 years ago. In that 25 years I came across 1 or 2 other 68 FB's here in Europe.

So it's nice to see a couple of them here going the PT way.

René

6'9"Witha69

01-25-2007, 08:53 AM

I love those years of Barracudas. Good luck. I am sure it will come out very nice!

Krazed

01-25-2007, 04:07 PM

If you any questions please PM me. My last build was a 68 CUDA fastback, I know how difficult it is to find parts but in the end it will come out great, Dave.

Very nice car, 72 GOAT! I'm looking to do mine a bit more extreme.

Been thinking about Alter-K-Tion front end, with some sort of coil-over setup in the rear. Haven't quite found anything aftermarket yet though made for those A-Bodies. I also have plans for supercharging my 340 with an ATI Procharger kit.

Either way, first thing's first - Get it torn down and body work done!

72 GOAT

01-29-2007, 05:11 PM

Hey here are a couple of web sites you can o to that have a full front suspension set up for the A Body Mopars, www.magnumforceracing.com (http://www.magnumforceracing.com), www.xvmotorsports.com (http://www.xvmotorsports.com) you should ask for Peter he is the man when it comes to A Body mopars, he has a sick Dart, Peter did a lot of work on my Cuda. As far as exhaust you have to use tti the are the best for Mopar. Looking forward to your progress.

Rolling_Thunder

01-29-2007, 05:45 PM

Hey - nice to see another Mopar guy on the board... I work at an all mopar shop so i know a thing or two about these cars...

Front end - your best bet would be going with an AlterKtion kit... Magnumforce kits stress the shock mounting points and XV is insanely expensive... but if you have the means it is still a good product... not THAT much better than the AlterK

Rear end - are you looking for an IRS or just a coilover set up ? a coil over set up would have to be made as you have learned... no kit exists at the moment.

TTI - quality control is seemingly going down... I have had problems with them as of late with B-body headers as well as their new early A-body headers.... overall yes - they are still the best game in town... but be prepared to ding some tubes on your $800 headers...

Krazed

01-30-2007, 04:22 PM

Hey, I appreciate the info guys.

Gonna probably stick with Alter-K-Tion for the front as I like the kit and hear it fits incredibly well. As for the rear, the IRS isn't needed and I just wanted Coilovers to allow adjustable ride height as well as clearance for more wheel/tire!

I know all about the TTI 'issues' for now but will go with them anyway. Headers and exhaust, probably 3". I have no quarrels denting my headers to get'm to work. So far, the fitment is far superior then any others out there.

Haven't had much time to work on the car lately, as I've been busy with other things and am missing quite a few tools.

Will get to work on it soon, I promise! Maybe I can finish up some drawings I have, for some Ideas I want to do.... or figure out how to photoshop it. I'm still learning.

Krazed

04-22-2007, 10:18 AM

So, I know it's been a while since the last update. I've been busy with life (yet again... Amazing how often it sneaks up on ya, huh?). Long story short, Life's been going in a wonderful direction and I not only have time for the car, my girlfriend and I are living together and it's about the most wonderful thing that's happened to me. She's been showing HUGE interest in my car, as well as helping out with things. Not to mention she loves Classic Rock, as loud as I do. I'm still shocked at how awesome she is, I consider myself an extremely lucky guy.

Anyway, enough about the mushy stuff. On to the Car progress!

Since the last post, I've taken off the fenders, doors, and basically I'm attempting to clean everything up. Got the woman to start cleaning and grinding away at the dirt and grime and grease in the fender wells, and in the engine bay. The car is just caked with crap! 40 years of dirt, and at least 20+ years of a leaking power steering box has made alot of nastiness.

Also got the engine and tranny pulled, and the engine torn down. The pistons look like crap. No wonder I've been pinging horribly, and requiring a ton of Octane to get anywhere. May be ordering new pistons today, but still not sure if I want to do that, or stroke it. Pro-Charger was my original choice but I may change that for now. Heads look ok for the stock X-Heads. (Anyone know the CC's?) and the rest isnt bad. Found some Eagle H-Beam rods in there which was a nice surprise. Bearings look good, no abnormal wear or anything. Just the buildup on the pistons. Also found a windage tray on the inside. One less part to buy!

Pics incoming.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/enginebay-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/clean1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/girlfriend-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/apart2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/apart1-1.jpg

Krazed

04-22-2007, 10:23 AM

More pics of the engine torn apart.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/Engine2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/Engine1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/crank-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/engineparts-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/piston1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/piston2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/piston3-1.jpg

Mr.VENGEANCE

04-22-2007, 10:25 AM

niiice!

Krazed

04-22-2007, 10:31 AM

Parts list!

Engle Camshaft 231/231 @0.050 (To get rid of that crappy old Mopar Performance 248/248 @0.050 Cam)
Engle Springs
TTI Headers, Ceramic Coated, and internal Thermal Barrier
TTI Exhaust w/ Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers
Moog front suspension bushing and rebuild kit.
All tools to do front suspension.
Torsion Bars 1.09" thick
2" Lowering Kit for rear end
New Clutch Fan (Pre-Aluminum radiator, was cheap upgrade)
ARP Engine Bolt Kit
SubFrame Connectors

The list will grow with what I truely want later on, but for now I just want to drive it this summer!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/parts1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/04/parts2-1.jpg

David Sloan

04-23-2007, 03:39 AM

Cool Car
Dont you just love new parts.

Krazed

04-23-2007, 11:00 AM

Savage396

04-24-2007, 04:56 PM

Very nice. I'll be following your progress closely, I am thinking that my next project may be a 67-69 Barracuda.

David Sloan

04-25-2007, 04:14 AM

Yes, I love getting new parts! Sad thing is, I have more to order and I need to get my Block hot tanked, and crank turned! Tryin to get all this done by this weekend, but we'll see how that goes.

If only I didn't have to work....... hmmmmm.

I feel a cold coming on!

I here ya. I wish i could call in sick! for about 6 months and have about $50,000 to spend on this thing. :seizure:

moparmatty

04-25-2007, 05:53 AM

Bill Riley, maker of the Alterkation has a new triangluated fourvlink setup with coilovers for A-bobies.

Krazed

04-25-2007, 08:59 AM

I here ya. I wish i could call in sick! for about 6 months and have about $50,000 to spend on this thing. :seizure:

Oddly enough, after I said "I wish I could call in sick" I started getting a cold.. now my throat is really sore, and my body hurts haha

Also, I should be droppnig the block off to get hot tanked today. Also honing it before hand and having new cam bearings installed.

Gonna be a non-productive week if this cold thing gets worse! The girlfriend had it all last week.... now its my turn.

Krazed

04-25-2007, 09:00 AM

Bill Riley, maker of the Alterkation has a new triangluated fourvlink setup with coilovers for A-bobies.

Thanks for the info Matt, I haven't been by that website in a while. Must be brand new! I'll go check it out.

FoxGranadaChuck

04-25-2007, 12:24 PM

Out of mere curiousity, do you have a 340 or a 360?! Looks like a 340 block, but I am just wanting to make sure.

Cool project! The more Pro-Touring Mopars, the better!!!

Krazed

04-26-2007, 08:30 AM

It's a 340 Block, not numbers matching though but being a Formula-S 340 I feel it should stay a 340 somewhat.

EvilDrKen

05-16-2007, 05:57 PM

Love your Car! you Have a really great Eye for what makes a barracuda look good. me And my freind have 68's and have been playing around with Ideas for a front and rear spoilers and a AAR style hood we would like to get built. I work In 3D for a living and have a 3d barracuda I have been working on for Ideas....If you have and Ideas for designs let me know ...I could render it out for you.

Thanks, Evil Dr Ken
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/Barracuda_v103Alt_v004-1.jpg

Krazed

05-21-2007, 10:44 AM

Hey thanks, I can only hope my car turns out as good as I want it to. It's all Do it yourself stuff for me, no professional help. There's some things that I want to do later on that will require more time, but for now I just want the basic mechanical things done so I can continue to drive it this summer. I slacked alot last winter, and it shows now.

PM Me and we'll talk about concept ideas, see if we can't get a cool rendering of something together.

Krazed

05-21-2007, 10:50 AM

Got some more things done. The block and crank are back from the machine shop. They were able to just polish the crank, and hot tank the block. We got it honed and put together, but have to take it apart, as the instructions for the piston rings weren't too clear... we talked to a buddies dad who was an engine builder/machinist for 23 years... he set us strait. Either way, it won't take long.

Other then that, I got some more suspension parts in. Things cleaned up. Painted the K-Frame and the lower control arms. Also welded Lower control arm stiffening plates on and will repaint and install those as soon as I'm done scraping and scrubbing the grease off the front end.

New parts include:
CAP Auto Products Tubular Adjustable Upper control arms
Aluminum Adjustable Strut Rods
Bigger Torsion bars (stock 0.85" new 1.2")
New rear sway bar
New pitman arm
New Idler arm
2" Lowering Blocks for the rear end (Only temporary)
New bushings all around

Also found the exhaust tips I wanted.

Here's some car porn for you guys. More to come later in the week!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/Block-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/EngineBay-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/kframe-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/suspension-1.jpg

Krazed

05-21-2007, 10:51 AM

Exhaust tips
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/tips1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/tips2-1.jpg

Also got a new toy:

Finally got my air Compressor! (Works quite well with all tools, even air drill, die grinder's, and sander)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/newtoy-1.jpg

beefy

05-22-2007, 06:30 AM

Hey, just curious... (by the way, Hi, I'm Beefy... and I'm new here:cheers: )

I was looking for a quick and cheap rear lowering solution to keep my car low until th4 4-link and air ride setup goes in this winter.
Where did you come up with blocks for our cars? Or is it just a generic (one size fits all) setup?

It's great to see other guys who love the old A-body Cudas... I've had mine since I was about 15 and I love it.

It's just a nice modded original right now, but I'm in the (loooong) process of converting it to a 'pro-tour' style daily driver. The big issue I'm working on right now is suspension (aren't we all?) and by the way, you'll be glad you bought the TTI's... NO they're not perfect, but they are still very nice and the fit is about as close to perfect as you're going to get... sure you WILL have to make some "adjustments" but all in all, they fit well and they LOOK great!
I installed mine last weekend.

Sorry for the long post... I think I'll have a LOT to talk to a fellow Cuda guy in the weeks to come (I hope that's ok)
Take care,
Beefy

70Dustpan

05-22-2007, 01:28 PM

My I make some suggestions on your set-up?

First off I would fully well all the seams and reinforce the K frame like the ones you can get from Firm Feel.

http://www.firmfeel.com/reinfkfram_a.htm

2ND. I wouldn't go with any thing bigger then a 1.00" torsion bar for a SB street car. Any bigger and you won't get the car to sit low in the front and will ride like a 1 ton truck on the road.

3rd. Go with 11/16" tie rod ends with solid sleeves. No deflection and better feel.

4Th. Get a larger then stock front sway bar if you are going to run a rear bar. A 1 1/8" up front and a 3/4" in the rear work good together.

5Th. For strut rods the ones from RMS are the best ones out there. Adjustable, rod ends, and strong. https://www.reillymotorsports.com/store/product.php?productid=16136&cat=0&page=1

Nate K

05-22-2007, 06:14 PM

A-body cudas are badass! I second everything 70Dustpan recomended.

Krazed

05-31-2007, 09:38 AM

Well, got a bit more work done on the car before our camping trip last week.

Got the engine bay painted, as well as the inner fender wells.
New upper control arms (Yes, I know they're on backwards, I just wanted to make sure they fit and get the camber close).

Also got my strut rods installed, they're very solid and easily adjustable. I love the way they look too! Got the K-Frame painted and all pretty, welded some things on to stiffen things up, as well as stiffened the lower control arms with the Braces. Cleaned up the brakes, painted the calipers an aluminum color to match a bit better.

All in all, got a decent amount done, but not as much as I wanted to.

Next up - Drop off the heads to get cleaned and new springs put on (Since my spring compressor doesn't want to work lately) and put it all back together!

and now, the pics!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/enginebaypainted1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/enginebaypainted2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/kframepainted-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/tubulararms-1.jpg

Krazed

06-21-2007, 02:26 PM

Well, I got a bit more done. Haven't had as much time as I'd like to work on it but..at least its better then nothing!

Got my heads cleaned up, new valve springs and retainers installed. Also had my girlfriend paint all the old green parts with gloss black for a temporary fix until I can get around to the body work next winter. She painted the Door jams on the car, and doors as well as the trunk.

Finally got my suspension in, all but the sway bar and steering linkage which will be done this weekend for sure. Power steering box was cleaned and rebuilt, with all the O-rings replaced.

Will be making more progress tonight , and this weekend inbetween looking for just the right new house! Engine should be totally finished and in the car this weekend. Then it's the transmission seals/gaskets and lowering the rear end!

Last but not least - Got my license plates in!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/plates1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/heads-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/trunk-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/doorjams-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/wall-1.jpg

Krazed

06-21-2007, 02:27 PM

More pictures.

Suspension installed! Getting closer....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/tubulararms-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/kframein-1.jpg

Roger Poirier

06-22-2007, 12:43 AM

I'm a big fan! Keep up the good work. Steady as she goes....

R.P.

Krazed

06-22-2007, 03:57 PM

Thanks!

The engine should be in this weekend, and tranny work should be done shortly after. My goal is to have it running and driving by the 30th... so I have many late nights ahead of me next week.

Krazed

11-26-2007, 01:53 PM

I'll admit, I've been gone a long while. But I promise I have good reasoning! There have been updates, good and bad, on the Cuda over the last few months. As soon as I have more time to post I'll update you all on things.

Don't go anywhere!

67SSDan

11-26-2007, 05:20 PM

Dang man, you're going off on that thing! Keep up the good work!

Dan

BretB

11-26-2007, 05:32 PM

Cool project! Those cars just look mean. I would love to have one. Have you ever seen the movie called Highwaymen? It has Jim Caveziel in it and he drives a '68 Hemi 'Cuda. Not a bad movie either. Check it out.

Smock67

11-26-2007, 09:04 PM

cudas are sweet. your progress is lookin awesome.

West Texas Z

11-26-2007, 10:13 PM

Wow, I've never seen your page before. Looking Good!! Keep us updated.

69camarokid

11-26-2007, 11:08 PM

Im getting ready to pull my engine and redo my engine bay soon, and i like the look of your engine bay. What did you paint it with, id love to get some.

Krazed

11-27-2007, 11:29 AM

Im getting ready to pull my engine and redo my engine bay soon, and i like the look of your engine bay. What did you paint it with, id love to get some.

I'll let you in on a little secret: Gloss Black

Here's the secret part, It's from a Rustoleum spray can! All the new black you guys see on the car is all from Rustoleum Primer, and Rustoleum gloss black paint. If you prep it properly, and make sure its clean it will stick around forever.

Why a rattlecan you say? Well, because I'm cheap and on a strict budget. Even more so now. The final paint job for a few years will be the roll-on paint people have been talking about lately.

Don't get me wrong, I want to look good.. but I also don't want to spend $5000 on paint just so I can do it all over again if I get into an accident, or rock chips. (Alaska loves to make rock chips!)

Don't like my idea for Rattlecan engine bay? You can do it almost as easy with a cheaper small paint gun, and some slightly more expensive paint from PPG or someone. I just didn't want to spend $200 on paint that looks minimally better than a rattlecan in an area most people don't look at.

But, that's just my point of view!

Krazed

11-28-2007, 10:08 AM

Here's some things I missed for the updates over the last few months.

I got the engine finally rebuilt and into the car. New TTI Headers and 3" Exhaust installed. Fenders, and electrical back together and the car was running!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/11/enginenew1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/11/enginein1-1.jpg

Krazed

11-28-2007, 10:13 AM

Notice the "was running" Part.... This is what happened a few weeks later.

We think it was due to improper length pushrods. I guess we measured wrong! And now, I have metal bits all over the inside of the engine on the passenger side. So, I get to do yet another rebuild. Only, this time I'm waiting to rebuild it right I think using new heads, different cam, springs, lifters, and pushrods. It's going to take some time to collect the money for all of that, but It will be well worth it!

There is some good news however! One and a Half weeks ago, I got married to the very same woman who's been helping me build this car. And, she's having a baby as well! Here's hopes for a healthy baby!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/11/broken-1.jpg

Young Gun

11-28-2007, 02:36 PM

congrats on the new wifey and congrats the baby!!!

SixSpeed454SS

11-28-2007, 07:12 PM

Cool A-body.

Smock67

11-29-2007, 05:43 AM

Congrats on the wife and soon to be newborn. Now you get the cuda finished before the baby comes.

6'9"Witha69

11-29-2007, 09:55 AM

Yeah, kids take a lot of time so chop chop!

Congrats and good luck getting the Cuda back together.

Krazed

12-01-2007, 01:41 AM

Thanks for the kind words guys! It really helps keeping progress along. Will try to do more every week to keep progress going.

darth_flavor

02-02-2008, 11:10 PM

nice rise. my brother has a cuda "vert" that i hope he follows your lead on. can you send me the pic you have in your signature? i just want him to realize that going a little lower than factory stance can really make a car loo that much better and increase the car's handling as well. thumbs up!

Krazed

02-11-2008, 08:26 PM

I know it's been a while (again) but life just tends to get in the way. However, I did order some more parts. New door hinge pins and bushings, new adjustable rocker arms, and a new Lunati #60403 Cam and lifters. This thing should be badass, and sound just as awesome.

Pondering the idea of doing a port job on the heads for some "free power". Still not sure if i want to take it apart so much again. We shall see!

Last but not least, I'm upgrading some things in the garage... working on installing some new lights, a new heater, and a work bench. Got some new shelving too, to help get things sorted out and bought a few new tools.

Darth, here's a slightly larger picture that you requested.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/01/chop1-1.jpg

Krazed

05-28-2008, 03:57 PM

More progress!

Hey guys, Been a while again! (I'm bad at that, huh?) But I got it running!

It runs, it drives, its loud as hell!

Got a video of it idling (Somewhat poor sound quality, it doesn't like how loud it is) But you get the general idea.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/th_CudaIdle-1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/pc_krazed/?action=view&current=CudaIdle.flv)

I still have yet to do any final touches, ie: body work, exhaust tips.

But at least I can drive it. Drove it to work today, and it drives like a dream... I just have a bit of a Lifter Tick to get rid of. (Probably need to re-adjust the valve lash).