1969 Barracuda Fastback

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Machmeter1

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1969 Barracuda - project introduction:
After my move from Europe/Austria to the USA, I kept my eyes open for a replacement for my Mustang Mach1. Equipped with an endoscope camera, paint thickness gauge, compression tester, infrared thermometer, etc., I inspected quite a few cars.

First I was still flirting with a 66/67 Charger but then switched to 67-69 Barracuda models. The Charger was in the end too big and the compact/classic/sporty appearance of the Barracuda has finally addressed me more.

After hunting down a rust-free Bonneville for a friend, it was definitely time to find something suitable for me. After several defeats, I became aware of a 69 Barracuda in Canada. Since the car was within a 6 hours distance and I had never been to Niagara Falls, I arranged a viewing.
The car still has about 90% of the original paint, and what was really important to me was the body is stainless, except for two small places on the rear window frame. The vehicle came with a NOS front fender, a NOS door panel, and other original parts. The history of the vehicle is almost completely verifiable.
In 1986, the car was taken to Canada. The seller, who is by the way a real gentleman and well-known member in this great forum, equipped the car with a 400 Big Block. The engine has a 500 stroker kit with Edelbrock aluminum heads and delivers between 550 and 600 hp (according to Dyno test). The power is transmitted to the road via a 727 gearbox in conjunction with an 8¾ "axle with Detroit Locker over 15" wheels.

Since I am more of a preserver than a racer, I want to bring the car back to original, at least that's the plan. Besides the drive train and the air scoop, the car is original and equipped with almost all options.
Anyway, the fact is, a lot of fastbacks are totally messed up or rotted. Bodies with original sheet metal in good condition seem to become rare, so I am quite happy that I found this rust free Barracuda.
The next steps are sorting information, comparing prices, and reading relevant literature. Here are a few pictures of my prevention against the mid-life crisis.

Greetings from Ohio,
Wolfgang

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Glad for you! Car looks very familiar to this site!
 
If it runs well in the street I would leave it with the big block and have fun driving the car. If you EVER get tired of driving the big block you could always switch it later. Why waste money replacing the engine if you might enjoy it the way it is??? The engine will certainly turn heads. In my mind it's worth more with the big block than it would be with a stock 318!! Even the 8 3/4 didn't necessarily come stock on a 318, so why mess with throwing money at a car that's already great car.
 
If it runs well in the street I would leave it with the big block and have fun driving the car. If you EVER get tired of driving the big block you could always switch it later. Why waste money replacing the engine if you might enjoy it the way it is??? The engine will certainly turn heads. In my mind it's worth more with the big block than it would be with a stock 318!! Even the 8 3/4 didn't necessarily come stock on a 318, so why mess with throwing money at a car that's already great car.

Thanks guys, I like that color too. There are a few dents in it but I will take care of that later.
Treblig I understand your point of few and I am probably 1 out of 100 who wants to convert a big block into a small block. Due to career reasons, I might go back
to Europe in a few years and there are way stricter rules regarding classic cars. Original condition, every two year a full technical inspection, limited time period where you can drive your car on public roads. One LITER Gasoline is around 1.25 Euro (not Dollar), more horsepower more taxes and so on. Believe me I know what I am talking about.

Cheers Wolfgang
 
Thinking of the cost to return it to original- what was the original drivetrain? If this was a big block car, this could get expensive. Just trying to think ahead. Congratulations and have fun.
 
Thinking of the cost to return it to original- what was the original drivetrain? If this was a big block car, this could get expensive. Just trying to think ahead. Congratulations and have fun.

You might be able to find a great car that has the original drive train to trade yours for, a lot of people might want a bigger engine !
 
Beautiful car, I love the color and stance.
Personally, I would leave the car as is, but you have your reasons to put it back to stock and they make sense to me in your situation.
Good luck, and enjoy the car!
 
Engine removal:
Good evening,
here a little update on my project. Probably some of you took note of my engine sale ad. I found a buyer who is a really nice and reliable person. Since I don't have much space in my garage, the engine removal would have been too much of a struggle and risky on top. I decided to do everything in a professional way through Kammer&Kammer Racing here in Dayton Ohio. The buyer and I were very satisfied with the job they did - perfect - as it should be.
After collecting different opinions and reading a lot, I decided to convert to front disc brakes instead of going back to the original front drums.
Next steps: The manual steering with floor shift has to be converted to power steering and column shift. The search for a year correct 318 engine with standard bore turns out to be quite difficult. I might have found the right engine but it is located in CA.
If one of you has power steering parts, power brake parts or 318 engine parts for a 69 Barracuda and is willing to sell or trade please contact me.
Here are some pictures before and after surgery:

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Good morning, Dave yes it is, but the engine is in very good hands.
Oh my! Now you are putting pressure on me!

My name is Hawk and I bought the driveline. The engine will go into my 1970 Road Runner to protect my numbers matching 383 that has never been apart. I am a regular on FBBO, but figured I would also join the fun here.

I need to point out a "good guy alert" to both Wolfgang and Dave. Both have been great to work with, and Dave has patiently answered a few questions I had about the engine. Some parts and cars have traded hands, and perhaps a few friendships built too! This is the way the car hobby should work!

I don't want to detract from Wolfgang's thread, but here are a couple pictures of the car the engine will go in to.
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Welcome Hawk in the pony section. Wow that's a beautiful car and must have been an amazing trip. Great pictures.
 
Oh my! Now you are putting pressure on me!

My name is Hawk and I bought the driveline. The engine will go into my 1970 Road Runner to protect my numbers matching 383 that has never been apart. I am a regular on FBBO, but figured I would also join the fun here.

I need to point out a "good guy alert" to both Wolfgang and Dave. Both have been great to work with, and Dave has patiently answered a few questions I had about the engine. Some parts and cars have traded hands, and perhaps a few friendships built too! This is the way the car hobby should work!

I don't want to detract from Wolfgang's thread, but here are a couple pictures of the car the engine will go in to.
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I loved your cross country trip thread on the other site Hawk.
 
That's too funny. This is the last small project I completed before I ended up selling the car. Must have been fate.

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Midland and Ross brake booster core:
Good evening,
A little update on my project:
Next to some other parts, I found this Midland and Ross brake booster in excellent condition. I am very happy about it. The booster is now at boosterdeweyexchange for restoration.

I also got me a year correct engine from a Dodge Charger, took it apparat and brought it to the engine builder. I will write more about this subject in a few days.
Other than that, I am still struggling to get some other parts like the pullies and brackets for the AC system.

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Let me check my "parts store" in the basement. I know I have the A/C unit that we already talked about, but the brackets seem to be missing. I will go see if I can find them - they may have disappeared.

Hawk
 
I found the one bracket, as shown in the picture below behind the radiator hose. It bolts to the side of the compressor and to a bolt hole in the intake manifold. I'm not sure if I have the other, but this is at least 50% of what you need. I'll include that with the compressor.

Hawk
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