Un-mothballing the Six Nine Cuda BB that I built almost 35 yrs ago

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Hemioutlaw

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Prior to starting another Cubic $$$ project (65' Cuda Turbo 408) I rightfully so decided to take care of my neglected 69' that has been sitting out of site and mind in another garage. This (445 w/flowed Big Valve 906's/ 528 Hyd) was my 1st fast car and engine assembly build and to put the age of it into perspective, since I lived in So.Cal at the time. All of the Motor and Head Prep was performed at the now defunct DLI (Dick Landy Industries).I had started this reboot about three years ago replacing a fuel pump, rebuilding fuel lines, draining and cleaning a tank and got about half way thru the carb rebuild when my aging mom started requiring a lot of attention so there it sat. Mom left to be with the Angels July 4th of this year and I've been back in the swing of things for a couple of months now.

I finished the carb rebuild a couple of weeks ago and today got it up on jackstands, dropped the exhaust got that cleaned up and prepped for repaint (too windy to finish that today), shop vacked the arachnophobia like undercarriage, cleaned and organized the storage garage a bit (ALOT) and took inventory of what else was in need that I had forgotten about and of any new developments.

1) Well the radiator starting spitting coolant on the floor when I was jacking it up and I discovered it had some serious electrolysis going on so it's a likely candidate for the trash heap hopefully I can find another decent steel 4 core, if not a Griffin like Alum will fill its spot.

The old stuff I had forgotten was that though driveable the TF needed a rebuild, the 3000 stall converter's stator was history and that fkn old Chrome DC deep trans pan never ever ever, no matter how flat or what tightening sequence or combination or flavor of gasket was put on it was gonna fkn leak so it too may get replaced (WILL GET REPLACED).

* Observations I made as I was reintroducing myself to this former young mans build were that as I have gotten older, I am way more patient about getting it right and paying attention to detail. I'm no longer grooving to the 80's Pro Stock style Aero Scoop Fiberglass Hood and i've gotta do something to help the frontend support the beast within.

** My first trip ever down a Drag Strip was in this car at the long gone Orange County Raceway in Irvine, Ca. and the Tech Guy said I needed an Overflow Bottle....That freaking Liter Soda Bottle was found in the pits that day, zip-locked on and still holds freaking water...Not a Biodegradable object I suspect.

My Ol' lady don't give a Rat's Azz about Old Cars and I've gotta tell someone so I'll keep y'all informed whether ya like it or not..Ha Ha Ha!

Till next time---Peace Out!

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Prior to starting another Cubic $$$ project (65' Cuda Turbo 408) I rightfully so decided to take care of my neglected 69' that has been sitting out of site and mind in another garage. This (445 w/flowed Big Valve 906's/ 528 Hyd) was my 1st fast car and engine assembly build and to put the age of it into perspective, since I lived in So.Cal at the time. All of the Motor and Head Prep was performed at the now defunct DLI (Dick Landy Industries).I had started this reboot about three years ago replacing a fuel pump, rebuilding fuel lines, draining and cleaning a tank and got about half way thru the carb rebuild when my aging mom started requiring a lot of attention so there it sat. Mom left to be with the Angels July 4th of this year and I've been back in the swing of things for a couple of months now.

I finished the carb rebuild a couple of weeks ago and today got it up on jackstands, dropped the exhaust got that cleaned up and prepped for repaint (too windy to finish that today), shop vacked the arachnophobia like undercarriage, cleaned and organized the storage garage a bit (ALOT) and took inventory of what else was in need that I had forgotten about and of any new developments.

1) Well the radiator starting spitting coolant on the floor when I was jacking it up and I discovered it had some serious electrolysis going on so it's a likely candidate for the trash heap hopefully I can find another decent steel 4 core, if not a Griffin like Alum will fill its spot.

The old stuff I had forgotten was that though driveable the TF needed a rebuild, the 3000 stall converter's stator was history and that fkn old Chrome DC deep trans pan never ever ever, no matter how flat or what tightening sequence or combination or flavor of gasket was put on it was gonna fkn leak so it too may get replaced (WILL GET REPLACED).

* Observations I made as I was reintroducing myself to this former young mans build were that as I have gotten older, I am way more patient about getting it right and paying attention to detail. I'm no longer grooving to the 80's Pro Stock style Aero Scoop Fiberglass Hood and i've gotta do something to help the frontend support the beast within.

** My first trip ever down a Drag Strip was in this car at the long gone Orange County Raceway in Irvine, Ca. and the Tech Guy said I needed an Overflow Bottle....That freaking Liter Soda Bottle was found in the pits that day, zip-locked on and still holds freaking water...Not a Biodegradable object I suspect.

My Ol' lady don't give a Rat's Azz about Old Cars and I've gotta tell someone so I'll keep y'all informed whether ya like it or not..Ha Ha Ha!

Till next time---Peace Out!

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Sweet Resurrection....what motor was the in the cuda originally?
 
i was digging the emergency screwdriver duct taped to the cowl

Screwdriver?

You must mean the ingenious lift-off hood anti-sag device...O the chit we did as kids.

Mannnny yrs ago when I put on that hood, I too lived in the Hood and was convinced that someone would steal it or worse yet get in there and F with my engine were it not secured which is why I didn't go the Dzus route,so I pinned it and had these (still have) little tiny padlocks that went on the four corners...True Story and funny that you were the 1st to mention it.
 
Luv the overflow bottle! The aluminum slots take me back...what size and brand are they?
I would ask how you could forget a car like this but I've never kept one that long.
Only person that's been around for any length of time is my wife.
Great project, I'll be watching also.Bob
Sorry,missed the point about your Mom. Family comes before toys.
 
Originally a (Gulp) 340 Formula "S" car
lol, not sure why the gulp(maybe because it was a Formula S), but hey, we did what we did back then with no excuses. Lot's of interest in the history of this car.
 
Luv the overflow bottle! The aluminum slots take me back...what size and brand are they?
I would ask how you could forget a car like this but I've never kept one that long.
Only person that's been around for any length of time is my wife.
Great project, I'll be watching also.Bob

Don't remember the size offhand but as I was sliding around assessing and cleaning underneath yesterday I briefly homed in on the cast in wheel mfg info and could clearly make out "Gyro Racing Wheel by ?" I believe they are Fenton's but damned if I couldn't make out the last part as I didn't have my hand light and the fricken floor spotlight I had was trying to give me 3rd degree burns every time I held it. I'll be back under there after a bit today.

Never really forgot it, but i've got two others in the garage at the house annnnnd I'm OCD and got off on this Antique Longcase Clock tangent that still takes some of my time...I really Love and appreciate History and it's related Artifacts.


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Don't remember the size offhand but as I was sliding around assessing and cleaning underneath yesterday I briefly homed in on the cast in wheel mfg info and could clearly make out "Gyro Racing Wheel by ?" I believe they are Fenton's but damned if I couldn't make out the last part as I didn't have my hand light and the fricken floor spotlight I had was trying to give me 3rd degree burns every time I held it. I'll be back under there after a bit today.

Never really forgot it, but i've got two others in the garage at the house annnnnd I'm OCD and got off on this Antique Longcase Clock tangent that still takes some of my time...I really Love and appreciate History and it's related Artifacts.


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With all the clocks you will never run out of time..........
 
I used to repair clocks for a living so I understand your fascination. I see the precision lathe. The kool thing is no matter how many U see there is always something different around the corner. BTW nice car, glad your getting back to it!
 
lol, not sure why the gulp(maybe because it was a Formula S), but hey, we did what we did back then with no excuses. Lot's of interest in the history of this car.
NS, the only thing i feel bad about doing to cars when i was a pup, is getting rid of them. glad you kept this and are bringing it back :thumbsup:
 
clocks are neat! Grandpa had one on the mantle that would bong once for every hour. I remember being there during the summer and tried to stay awake to hear midnite.The other clock had the weights on chains;that one he stopped at nite-the cu-cu clock.
got a pair of the front 15X3-1/2 Fentons in the garage.
Is the lathe homemade or a "unimat"?
 
clocks are neat! Grandpa had one on the mantle that would bong once for every hour. I remember being there during the summer and tried to stay awake to hear midnite.The other clock had the weights on chains;that one he stopped at nite-the cu-cu clock.
got a pair of the front 15X3-1/2 Fentons in the garage.
Is the lathe homemade or a "unimat"?

The Jewelers/Watchmakers Lathe is actually a Marshall, Made In Germany over 110 yrs. ago, the craftsmanship is of the absolute highest quality and it's Super Precision..Have this awesome cross slide for it as well.



.
69'Cuda Unmothballed 12.1.19-8.jpg
 
Do U use it for making clock parts? Sweet machine!
 
Got a little side-tracked today as I can't stand working in a messy area so again spent a bunch of time cleaning up, moving what seemed like a 1000lb file cabinet outta the way and chunking stuff out of the storage garage. I really lost my focus when I went thru a box of stuff that was the only worldly possession of my recently deceased brother that had finally succumbed after a lifetime of consumption. Did find a picture of him that I wasn't aware of so that was cool.

Managed to get the exhaust painted and pics of the front wheels "abdywgn" had inquired on (Gyro Racing Wheel by Fenton) and a real thrill was finding that damn Moroso Air Cleaner Wingnut hanging on one of the valve cover hold downs...(I'd looked all over for that thing, down the manifold and finally figured one of the grandkids messed with it).

*Also helped the neighbor unload a cord of wood but another small highlight of the day for me was the Sneers I got from one of the "Beto Sticker on Window" neighborhood Libs that passed by when I was painting the exhaust. I'm sure she was thinking "Oh God, that Gas Guzzling Behemoth will be arising and melting another Glacier!

Hope to size a replacement radiator tomorrow and figure out how many gazillion dollars replacing the TF and Converter is gonna be..






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My Dad was a watchmaker for 40 years. I remember him polishing watch pivots with diamond powder. Shoulda seen his pinewood derby entry! Do you repair clocks professionally?
 
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