1965 Barracuda Road Racer Project

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harambeguy

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I recently bought a '65 Barracuda for $100 and have decided that I'd like to build it into a well handling road racer. It is a complete (rough) body, everything but the engine is there. The 273 block is rusted badly, and I'm thinking it probably isn't worth even trying to save. Now here's where it gets interesting- due to two main factors, I'm considering a Chevy 350 swap. These two reasons are 1) I'm a broke High School student and all I have access to is SBC after SBC (and one Oldsmobile powertrain), and 2) Coming from a GM family, that's all I have and what I am most knowledgeable on. Now I understand that MOPAR enthusiasts are perhaps the strongest purists of the bunch, but this is the only option I presently have. Has this been done before? And what will I want to do to improve handling and such? Thank you guys very much, I apologize profusely for my ignorance and "blasphemy" haha!
 
Welcome to the site Harambeguy!

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Welcome to the madness! There's another member who is doing (I think) a LS swap into a 70s Dart. Do a search and you should find it
 
318 engines are fairly easy to find and with a 904 transmission it's pretty much a Bolt in providing you have the motor mounts, but you could always fabricate them to fit. Ditch the Chevy engine and keep it all Mopar. if you ever have to resell it, you'll be glad you did.
 
Mine is a 318 w/ 904 trans very simple set up runs good and surprises many who try to take it on. It does have an 8.25 rear for a little go power strength over the original 7.25 rear. Also body still needs some work as well as paint job so it is a sleeper so to speak. Mechanically totally redone including front end restored totally, as well as disc brake kit in front along with dual master cylinder for safety. So please it is simple to find a 318 and make it rock well for a reasonable small amount of money. As apposed to trying to fit other stuff in there! Keep it Mopar! Just to make it simple on you and rock hard and reliable!

65 CudaLover
 
As requested, I've attached some photos of said Barracuda. As much as I'd like to, there's no possibility of me getting a hold of another engine. Let's just say I had already tried, but my budget is restrictive to the point of "use what I have". I appreciate all the positive feedback, though! I intend to make sure whatever mods that must be made can be reversed. Thanks again!

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DON'T PUT THE CHEVY SB IN IT!

You will regret it. You will be disrespected by both the Chevy people and the Mopar types. It will be the worst of both worlds.

Save your money until you can afford a proper motor.
 
Surely you can trade who or sell off that Chevy motor to pick up the 318 just don't put a 727 transmission in if you don't have to. there may be some guy on here that is close to you that has a 318 in a car that he's going to put a big block in to. just wait and see.
 
For that matter, and I didn't think about it when I wrote the last post, somebody might have a slant 6 engine that they might give to you that you could just drop it and go.
 
Valiant63 said:
For that matter, and I didn't think about it when I wrote the last post, somebody might have a slant 6 engine that they might give to you that you could just drop it and go.
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Agreed! run an ad offering to swap your chevy for ANY Mopar engine, you might be surprised how many 318 and /6s will come out of the woods!
 
Okay, I gave it a shot with the 350 and the oil pan will definitely not clear, so it looks like I am taking all of your advice and looking for a Mopar engine. I know you're all more experienced than me, but I need to make my own mistakes, right? Haha! :lol: From the research I've done, I can only get my hands on 318s and 360s. Which would be the better route? I want to build something that would be good on the street but also the wallet (as always). Thanks again as always!
 
65cudalover said:
Mine is a 318 w/ 904 trans very simple set up runs good and surprises many who try to take it on. It does have an 8.25 rear for a little go power strength over the original 7.25 rear. Also body still needs some work as well as paint job so it is a sleeper so to speak. Mechanically totally redone including front end restored totally, as well as disc brake kit in front along with dual master cylinder for safety. So please it is simple to find a 318 and make it rock well for a reasonable small amount of money. As apposed to trying to fit other stuff in there! Keep it Mopar! Just to make it simple on you and rock hard and reliable!

65 CudaLover
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I love your Barracuda, looks great! How much did the whole suspension rebuild cost you? I'm thinking much the same thing but suspension components are confusing due to the sheer amount of options out there. What would you suggest regarding making the thing handle better?
 
Welcome Harambeguy. You scored pretty good if you got that car for a hundred bucks! Keep your eyes peeled for a passenger side front fender from a 64-65 Valiant or Barracuda, to patch your drivers side quarter panel with. That is how someone made the larger wheel opening on the passenger side of your car. They used a drivers side fender to make the passenger side wheel opening bigger. Be on the lookout for 73-76 A body disc brake spindles, and upper control arms. That will give you good disc brakes, and a 5 on 4 1/2 inch bolt pattern. Then you can use a 65-70 B body 8 3/4 rearend in your car since you have bigger wheel openings. The B body rearend will be cheaper than getting one shortened, or buying an A body 8 3/4. If you have a choice between a 318 and 360, get the 360 if it's rebuildable. They are both physically the same size as far as external dimensions go, and 360's make good torque. Get a mid to late 70's 904, which is actually a 999...I think. It will have a lower 1st gear, and a slip yoke tailshaft. If the original cable shifted 904 is in your car, ditch that sucker to save yourself some headaches! Rebuild the front suspension with a good kit, and put front and rear sway bars on it to make it handle better. There are lot's of very knowledgeable people on this board as far as handling goes, and some may chime in. 72Blunblue, GmachineDart, and many others are super smart on handling type builds. Good luck to you kid, and try to be tolerant of us old farts on here....lol!
 
I have a fender that is for a passenger side front, but the headlight area is damaged and the dog leg area will be missing for me to use it as a patch panel for my car. I think it will work for him too make the driver side look like the passenger side. shipping might be a biotch though. The price is right.. Free.
 
I love 318's, and mine rocked the little I had in it, but it costs the same(pistons,carb/intake,cam,etc)to build as a 360. That means lots more go for the same dough!Just sayin'.
Oh, and welcome to FABO! Nice find!
 
Congrats and welcome to the madness.
My opinion only and we all know what opinions are cause everyone has one. - Keep it Mopar. But it is your car and your build.

Whats wrong with the 273? Decent little motors and run like a bastard if done right. plenty of them around and lots of parts on here.
Good luck and what ever which way you decide to roll- good luck and keep us posted with pictures.
Welcome aboard!
Joe
 
A 5.2 Magnum out of a Ram or Dakota shouldn't be too hard to find in a salvage yard in Pocatello Start there...
 
I agree with what others say. Get a junkyard 5.2 or 5.9 Magnum. They are solid pieces. I got my 5.9/360 for $400...delivered to my driveway! They may even be cheaper now. Mine had 90k miles on it and was still in good shape.
 
Look at an LKQ in your area for a 5.2 Magnum. They will sell you a nice engine with a six month warranty very reasonably. Then all you have to do is swap on an intake and carb, put exhaust on and go.
 
JDMopar said:
Welcome Harambeguy. You scored pretty good if you got that car for a hundred bucks! Keep your eyes peeled for a passenger side front fender from a 64-65 Valiant or Barracuda, to patch your drivers side quarter panel with. That is how someone made the larger wheel opening on the passenger side of your car. They used a drivers side fender to make the passenger side wheel opening bigger. Be on the lookout for 73-76 A body disc brake spindles, and upper control arms. That will give you good disc brakes, and a 5 on 4 1/2 inch bolt pattern. Then you can use a 65-70 B body 8 3/4 rearend in your car since you have bigger wheel openings. The B body rearend will be cheaper than getting one shortened, or buying an A body 8 3/4. If you have a choice between a 318 and 360, get the 360 if it's rebuildable. They are both physically the same size as far as external dimensions go, and 360's make good torque. Get a mid to late 70's 904, which is actually a 999...I think. It will have a lower 1st gear, and a slip yoke tailshaft. If the original cable shifted 904 is in your car, ditch that sucker to save yourself some headaches! Rebuild the front suspension with a good kit, and put front and rear sway bars on it to make it handle better. There are lot's of very knowledgeable people on this board as far as handling goes, and some may chime in. 72Blunblue, GmachineDart, and many others are super smart on handling type builds. Good luck to you kid, and try to be tolerant of us old farts on here....lol!
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Thank you so much for your advice! I really appreciate it! I'm trying to figure out how to convert it to rack and pinion right now... trying to use this as inspiration A Body Rack and Pinion Converison
 
Syleng1 said:
Congrats and welcome to the madness.
My opinion only and we all know what opinions are cause everyone has one. - Keep it Mopar. But it is your car and your build.

Whats wrong with the 273? Decent little motors and run like a bastard if done right. plenty of them around and lots of parts on here.
Good luck and what ever which way you decide to roll- good luck and keep us posted with pictures.
Welcome aboard!
Joe
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My area is devoid of any 273s, I've searched high and low. 318 or 360 seems like my best bet, the original block is rusted to the point of being unsalvageable. Regardless, though, my searches have been fruitless. Most I've found have had too high of prices for too high of miles. I'm waiting for the right one to come along, I'm focusing on suspension first, a lot of fabbing and using what I have.
 
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