69 Notch Barracuda - Rebirth
Motor and tranny are in. Pulled the steering column and tried to install my long tube TTi headers... which would have worked (in theory) with my old 383... but a 440?? Hmmm... Long story made short... so close, but they weren’t going to work with my power steering, which I want to keep :( Back to researching... I knew Schumachers would work, but the information I’m getting is that these are increasingly hard to find (even new). So.. found out that TTi had a possible solution.. shorties. I sold the long tubes for $900 +shipping and purchased TTi shorties for about the same price ( they showed up yesterday! :)
I also pulled my mini starter, then purchased and installed the RobbMC starter, since TTi said this is the only starter that works with their headers on a 440, with manual transmission, and power steering. Once I compared the two starter layouts, and figured out the “clocking” mechanism on the RobbMC, it became clear just WHY this starter is so unique. Also, I did have to do some grinding on the block near where the starter mounts (RobbMC provides very handy pics and instructions). Anyway, starter is also installed. Next step... electrical.
I pulled the starter battery from my boat and put power to the 50 year old electrical system in the last week or so.
Purchased a new negative battery cable and bolted it to the drivers side head. Connected the original positive cable to the battery, and got after it.
For some history, this is the first time doing this with a car. I do have some electrical experience, since I completely designed and executed my own electrical system on my 1973 Yamaha RD350 some years ago. This taught me a lot about current and flow, amps, etc. Actually, the motorcycle project was purely intended as a learning experience for my ultimate goal of owning and maintaining my own classic car (look at me now, Ma!).
Before even getting started... I thought I’d give the headlight switch a pull. Nothing. Here we go, I said to myself...
Motor and tranny are in. Pulled the steering column and tried to install my long tube TTi headers... which would have worked (in theory) with my old 383... but a 440?? Hmmm... Long story made short... so close, but they weren’t going to work with my power steering, which I want to keep :( Back to researching... I knew Schumachers would work, but the information I’m getting is that these are increasingly hard to find (even new). So.. found out that TTi had a possible solution.. shorties. I sold the long tubes for $900 +shipping and purchased TTi shorties for about the same price ( they showed up yesterday! :)
I also pulled my mini starter, then purchased and installed the RobbMC starter, since TTi said this is the only starter that works with their headers on a 440, with manual transmission, and power steering. Once I compared the two starter layouts, and figured out the “clocking” mechanism on the RobbMC, it became clear just WHY this starter is so unique. Also, I did have to do some grinding on the block near where the starter mounts (RobbMC provides very handy pics and instructions). Anyway, starter is also installed. Next step... electrical.
I pulled the starter battery from my boat and put power to the 50 year old electrical system in the last week or so.
Purchased a new negative battery cable and bolted it to the drivers side head. Connected the original positive cable to the battery, and got after it.
For some history, this is the first time doing this with a car. I do have some electrical experience, since I completely designed and executed my own electrical system on my 1973 Yamaha RD350 some years ago. This taught me a lot about current and flow, amps, etc. Actually, the motorcycle project was purely intended as a learning experience for my ultimate goal of owning and maintaining my own classic car (look at me now, Ma!).
Before even getting started... I thought I’d give the headlight switch a pull. Nothing. Here we go, I said to myself...
