Project Psyko Cuda

[Krazed]

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]

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!

[Krazed]

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!

[Young Gun]

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

[SixSpeed454SS]

Cool A-body.

[Smock67]

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

[6'9"Witha69]

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

Congrats and good luck getting the Cuda back together.

[Krazed]

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]

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]

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.

[Krazed]

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.



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).

[WS6]

sounds nice. Congrats on getting it running.

[NRV051]

sounds very sweet.

[madmikeee]

Excellent buildup, Would love to see a parts list and more pics

[Krazed]

Ok! Well.. Its been a year again. oh well.. more life, more this, more that. I'll update this bad boy tomorrow with some pictures, and stories! But for now its bed time.

[neki67]

Love to see some more pictures and glad that I'm not the only one where time keeps slipping . . .

[madmikeee]

[1968CamaroSS_Sam]

Congratz on the wedding and baby. Keep up the great work on the car. Love the way it is looking.

[hechtrod]

Love the '68 Cudas. One of my favorite muscle cars. I think they make far killer PT cars. Can't wait for pics! The video was cool. It has a nice sound to it. Was hoping for a big rev!

[68400BIRD]

Pictures of the car and little kid. Nice looking project you have there.