Last go Racing! Getting a 1965 Barracuda ready for the track

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jbharris

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Location
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Figured I'd start a post to keep me motived and document my little project. Little back story.
The Fall of 2019 I purchased a pair of 65 Barracuda's and a pile of parts. We cherry picked all the parts and started working on the better of the 2 cars. During that winter I patched the floor board and collected parts. The goal was to get the car up and running by spring time. Then Covid hit and hit me. Finally by last July the car was up and running. Able to move around on its own. I pushed it aside since my other car a 68 Valiant was race ready and I was ready to race. We did that for a couple months. I was looking to get back on the 65 this fall and then something happened. During a moment of weakness I bought yet another car. The 48 Chevy was to be a quick turn and sell and quick didn't happen. It sold last weekend and I bought another car. (that will be another post)
So here I am wasted winter on the wrong car. Now in kind of a hurry to get one ready for the track. The 65 cuda has a decent 360 in it. Mostly stock 4bl late 70's truck engine with air gap intake and AFB 625CFM carb. The 904 is questionable its also late 70's but a car trans and is lock up. I put a shifter in it I hate and since there is just open manifolds doesn't have enough drive time to see how its going to work.
Here's what I'm trying to do. I'd like to get the car track ready in a month since my first club race is May 8th. We have a rule in the club that says you can't dial lower than 14.0. So my goal is to be there or around there by May.
The plan: I picked up a 3.91 center section this winter and a A Body housing. I have the axles on the way and brake parts that need to be picked up. So build the rear and get it install is 1st on the list. Next is some wiring: I pulled the old butchered wiring out and it is just a switch and button to make it start. Then the brakes. Dual reservoir master cylinder is going in and maybe even a disc brake swap. I have the parts and we'll see what time will allow. And the exhuast, I have a TTI kit coming since running open manifolds too redneck for me and I'm too cheap to by headers at this time.
I'm going to try and post every couple days and we'll see what I end up with.
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Little progress last night. Cleaned the car out. Pulled all the old wiring, it pretty scary looking stuff. For now I'm just going to wire up the basics. Finally got the passenger side door to open. It had been stuck shut since I installed it. Waiting on some parts but got some plans for the weekend.
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14.0s shouldn't be a problem, I went 15.0s with my old 72 Dart, with a stock 360 2 bbl and 3.23 gears. But I had a cheap set of headers and 2 1/2" dual exhaust to the bumper. I think the manifolds might hurt performance. Good luck with your project.
 
Figured I'd start a post to keep me motived and document my little project. Little back story.
The Fall of 2019 I purchased a pair of 65 Barracuda's and a pile of parts. We cherry picked all the parts and started working on the better of the 2 cars. During that winter I patched the floor board and collected parts. The goal was to get the car up and running by spring time. Then Covid hit and hit me. Finally by last July the car was up and running. Able to move around on its own. I pushed it aside since my other car a 68 Valiant was race ready and I was ready to race. We did that for a couple months. I was looking to get back on the 65 this fall and then something happened. During a moment of weakness I bought yet another car. The 48 Chevy was to be a quick turn and sell and quick didn't happen. It sold last weekend and I bought another car. (that will be another post)
So here I am wasted winter on the wrong car. Now in kind of a hurry to get one ready for the track. The 65 cuda has a decent 360 in it. Mostly stock 4bl late 70's truck engine with air gap intake and AFB 625CFM carb. The 904 is questionable its also late 70's but a car trans and is lock up. I put a shifter in it I hate and since there is just open manifolds doesn't have enough drive time to see how its going to work.
Here's what I'm trying to do. I'd like to get the car track ready in a month since my first club race is May 8th. We have a rule in the club that says you can't dial lower than 14.0. So my goal is to be there or around there by May.
The plan: I picked up a 3.91 center section this winter and a A Body housing. I have the axles on the way and brake parts that need to be picked up. So build the rear and get it install is 1st on the list. Next is some wiring: I pulled the old butchered wiring out and it is just a switch and button to make it start. Then the brakes. Dual reservoir master cylinder is going in and maybe even a disc brake swap. I have the parts and we'll see what time will allow. And the exhuast, I have a TTI kit coming since running open manifolds too redneck for me and I'm too cheap to by headers at this time.
I'm going to try and post every couple days and we'll see what I end up with.
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Rear dump 5.2-5.9 magnum manifold will flow better, if your looking for a cheap couple hp
 
14.0's should be easy with a 360 in it. I like the car!
 
Been busy with my 66 I just picked up. Should be some progress this week and weekend. Been waiting on parts to show up. Fuel system and electrical will be done. Hope to see the track by April.
 
Progress has been slow. Seems I keep forgetting a part or two. Got the new fuel pump and fuel line on. One wire alternator mounted and wired. Battery tray and cables cleaned up. Got the correct fan and spacer on. Also added a catch can. Was going to start on the master cylinder but was sent the wrong distribution block. Started on the TTI head pipes and couldn't find my gasket kit for the 90 degree oil filter adapter. Got my trans crossmember cut for the passenger side pipe. Have also everything for the 8 3/4 rear install... I think, probably not. I'll just keep chipping away.
 
Got the TTI head pipes and 90 degree oil filter adapter done last night. That was fun. Getting the old oil filter fitting out of the block in the car was a PITA. 8 3/4 in but not finished forgot to get spring plates. Still hoping to get it to the track before the end of the month.
 
Been making some progress. Decided to do a little hacking to the wheel wells. Before anyone gets excited at my butcher job let me tell you this. The 1/4 on this car are rough, packed with filler and other bad body work. So cutting them up isn't harming any good metal. I used a front wheel well molding as my template. Slow cut a little at a time. I don't think the final product looks all that bad. Now moved on too the passenger side. Little more of a challenge since the body work there is real bad.
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I'm curious about the shifter that you hate. I learned many years ago that a great shifter is important. I lost an engine to an over-rev caused by a garbage shifter going into neutral on a two-three shift. I have also lost races by (my fault) going from first to third.
My go-to shifter is the B&M pro ratchet. Some love em, some hate em.
The winters/turbo action that ive used are bullet proof, just not idiot proof. I was the idiot.
 
I'm curious about the shifter that you hate. I learned many years ago that a great shifter is important. I lost an engine to an over-rev caused by a garbage shifter going into neutral on a two-three shift. I have also lost races by (my fault) going from first to third.
My go-to shifter is the B&M pro ratchet. Some love em, some hate em.
The winters/turbo action that ive used are bullet proof, just not idiot proof. I was the idiot.

I got a TCI shifter because it was on sale. Was having a issue getting it adjusted. It really feels like there is a extra notch in the gate. Almost like its made for a 4spd auto. I kind of gave up on it and then found I burned the cable. I got a new cable to try and we'll see. Should get that put in this weekend.
 
Yeah, i seem to remember a closout of shifters and tachs and such, at one of the nation-wide auto parts vendors. There was a bosch tach, and a tci shifter at a rediculously low price.
I tried hard to get some, but it was an in-stock deal only, and it was out of stock for me for 200+miles in any direction.
 
Been busy trying to get this thing ready. Might see the track this weekend. Just down to a couple of small things to finish up. Should have my tires and wheels on today or tomorrow. That's going to change the whole look of the car. I'll take some pictures when its back on the ground. Had a friend make me car numbers. I told him to make them match the car. Think he did a good job. Check out his work at -https://graphicsbytmk.com/

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Cool, it looks like you’re having fun and that is a great looking car. I’m usually not a fan of the cut out wheel wells out back on these cars but you did a damn good job and they look really nice with the front trim installed. Too many people just hack them open and don’t put any trim on them cause they never made any that will fit but have seen a few like what you did, good job!
 
Looks real good and I also love the trim, it kinda finishes it off. What tire size do you plan on running?
 
Looks real good and I also love the trim, it kinda finishes it off. What tire size do you plan on running?
Cool Car!!! FYI : be careful with the shifter adjustment I lost a trans at the Bracket Finals a few years ago due to an out of adjustment shifter, after a rush trans installation job.
 
Cool, it looks like you’re having fun and that is a great looking car. I’m usually not a fan of the cut out wheel wells out back on these cars but you did a damn good job and they look really nice with the front trim installed. Too many people just hack them open and don’t put any trim on them cause they never made any that will fit but have seen a few like what you did, good job!

Thanks, Its really hacked but the 1/4s are real bad with old repairs and such. I'll do them a little nicer later. The idea for using the molding was simple. I had a couple extra. I put them in place and started cutting.
Can't wait to see the tires on it and back on the ground. I have 255/60 15's going on the back for now. Little bigger then the mock up tires. I think it will look good.

Cool Car!!! FYI : be careful with the shifter adjustment I lost a trans at the Bracket Finals a few years ago due to an out of adjustment shifter, after a rush trans installation job.
I agree, I'm going to try this new cable. If it doesn't feel right to me the shifter will be going.
 
I got a TCI shifter because it was on sale. Was having a issue getting it adjusted. It really feels like there is a extra notch in the gate. Almost like its made for a 4spd auto. I kind of gave up on it and then found I burned the cable. I got a new cable to try and we'll see. Should get that put in this weekend.
The jegs add for the tci shifter says it "fits"everything, including several 4sp auto apps. Could be part of the problem.
I think if i were buying a shifter today, I'd get a winters from summit. Rear entry for the cable (i think!), bulletproof, basically the same as turbo action, and over a hundred bucks cheaper (or, it was last time i checked, lol).
 
The jegs add for the tci shifter says it "fits"everything, including several 4sp auto apps. Could be part of the problem.
I think if i were buying a shifter today, I'd get a winters from summit. Rear entry for the cable (i think!), bulletproof, basically the same as turbo action, and over a hundred bucks cheaper (or, it was last time i checked, lol).
I have used a Turbo Action for about 35 years now with out a problem still has the original cable, only problem was when I had the linkage at the trans wrong after a trans rebuild which I should have known better after having the car for 39 years.

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Been making some progress. Decided to do a little hacking to the wheel wells. Before anyone gets excited at my butcher job let me tell you this. The 1/4 on this car are rough, packed with filler and other bad body work. So cutting them up isn't harming any good metal. I used a front wheel well molding as my template. Slow cut a little at a time. I don't think the final product looks all that bad. Now moved on too the passenger side. Little more of a challenge since the body work there is real bad.
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Cool project! Wheelwell looks great and serves a purpose.
 
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