I bit my lip reading suggestions to add a cage, tubs, and other hacks. Of course, without anything to define "original", it's moot -- sort of. The VIN verifies it to be a BB, even without the fender tag/build sheet. From there, you could use only factory parts and create the Dream Car from the options list.
1968 Barracuda fastback..formula S 383/4spd..Restore or not?
- Thread starter 68blackbee
- Start date
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e58duster75
Active Member
looks like tt1 green to me.
Nuthin' like a big block 4 speed A-Body! 40 years ago I drove one once and that's all it took.
Do it! Key thing is that you can do all the metal work. That is the money pit.
NITROTRIP
Well-Known Member
68blackbee,
I think we need to talk. 40yrs ago I parted out a non saveable 67 383 4 speed FS cuda. Clear title in
my name so not stolen. I have everything bell houseing forward matched to title. Engine and K member
complete to air cleaner and exaust manifolds. Did you guy's know in 67 the factory cut off the drivers side
engine mount block tabs and used the 1top front one and 2 bosses cast in cyl 1 front water jacket. Motor mount bracket wraps around front of the block. I don't know if 68-69 are that way but 67 the block is matched to the K member. Hard to remember after 40yrs but I think I have hood grills, fuel cap, emblems
and some int, parts. I think tail and grill lights.
Pm me and we can swap phone#'s I type very slow so a call will be great. I think I can help you out as
I am not going to use any of it and kept it together all this time for your type of project.
Rick
I think we need to talk. 40yrs ago I parted out a non saveable 67 383 4 speed FS cuda. Clear title in
my name so not stolen. I have everything bell houseing forward matched to title. Engine and K member
complete to air cleaner and exaust manifolds. Did you guy's know in 67 the factory cut off the drivers side
engine mount block tabs and used the 1top front one and 2 bosses cast in cyl 1 front water jacket. Motor mount bracket wraps around front of the block. I don't know if 68-69 are that way but 67 the block is matched to the K member. Hard to remember after 40yrs but I think I have hood grills, fuel cap, emblems
and some int, parts. I think tail and grill lights.
Pm me and we can swap phone#'s I type very slow so a call will be great. I think I can help you out as
I am not going to use any of it and kept it together all this time for your type of project.
Rick
Yep... I'll grab a picture tomorrow if I remember.
Best of 3
Member
True, the car is rough but if it's a true big block 4sp car it's a potential diamond. I bought a 68 318 auto cuda & cloned it to a 383 4sp w/ disc brakes. You need patients & time but that thing will be worth serious . At a car show I was offered 20k for mine and the guy knew it was cloned. I changed out the "K" member installed front & rear sway bars , frame links& other goodies. Very rewarding cruiser.
NITROTRIP
Well-Known Member
This is why I saved all these parts for 40yrs. I have all the big block parts, engine and everything that
it needs to go into a stripped original like this one to preserve/restore it or a clone like yours. K member
is complete with all tie rods, quick ratio box, brakes ect. It's like a complete big block cuda factory kit.
Rick
340sFastback
Well-Known Member
History will go down big block A Bodies only three years. And 4 spd and fastback. So only three years of big blocks that is going to get more and more recognition over time.
NITROTRIP
Well-Known Member
dads bee,
Yes that is the way my 67 parts fit together. I think the 68-69s are different. I always thought
the factory went about the 67 the hard way. Also not much room for a HV oil pump if any.
And the idler arm is just for 67.
My 69 dart is D code 273 car. I think it has the original K-frame. It has been a big block 4-speed
race car since 1974. I have to look at the mounts but they are a mix of factory parts, the way the
440 is in it now. It has Hooker super comp fender headers that are lined up just right, so the engine
is located correctly. Here is what I think they are from memory but I will try to look when I get
a chance. Drivers side is B-body engine bracket with a 76 truck HD motor home thick rubber
mount with locking tabs clocked 90deg. with a 1/4 inch shim under it on K-member. Pass side is
just thin 340 rubber and engine bracket. The header location is perfect. I don't know how the
big blocks were mounted from 1974 untill I got it. but I don't see any K-frame mods.
Does anyone know what the factory used in 68-69 for mounts? I have not looked at one other
than the picture at the start of this thread of the 68. Almost looks like a small block frame.
The Direct Connection frame I think used spool mounts so it would have the mount saddles?
Thanks,
Rick
Yes that is the way my 67 parts fit together. I think the 68-69s are different. I always thought
the factory went about the 67 the hard way. Also not much room for a HV oil pump if any.
And the idler arm is just for 67.
My 69 dart is D code 273 car. I think it has the original K-frame. It has been a big block 4-speed
race car since 1974. I have to look at the mounts but they are a mix of factory parts, the way the
440 is in it now. It has Hooker super comp fender headers that are lined up just right, so the engine
is located correctly. Here is what I think they are from memory but I will try to look when I get
a chance. Drivers side is B-body engine bracket with a 76 truck HD motor home thick rubber
mount with locking tabs clocked 90deg. with a 1/4 inch shim under it on K-member. Pass side is
just thin 340 rubber and engine bracket. The header location is perfect. I don't know how the
big blocks were mounted from 1974 untill I got it. but I don't see any K-frame mods.
Does anyone know what the factory used in 68-69 for mounts? I have not looked at one other
than the picture at the start of this thread of the 68. Almost looks like a small block frame.
The Direct Connection frame I think used spool mounts so it would have the mount saddles?
Thanks,
Rick
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