1966 Barracuda Project

[64ValiantConv]

I picked this up over the winter, mainly as a fun project to work on with my best friend Max, who's had a 65 Cuda since high school, which means I have a readily available, veritable walking, talking dictionary on rebuilding an old Cuda.

Plan is to do a top shelf body/paint restoration, then power it with a 408 stroker, fed by the EZ EFI fuel injection system. Transmission will be the a518 (or 46RH) Chrysler automatic with overdrive.

Status at this time is dissassembled, sand blasted, sealed, and working on the trans tunnel and rust repair. More to come... stay tuned.

 

[64ValiantConv]

More pics of the tunnel work and some quarter panel patches.

 

[PapstXX]

nice work brother i can´t wait for next pic on your progress

 

[memike]

Repair your 66 Barracuda 101!! Great work going on here
Welcome to this great site !

 

[C130 Chief]

Did you happen to take any pics of the cross member and rear mount mods for the 518 swap?

 

[Old Tired Rebel]

Subscribed.

 

[64ValiantConv]

The tunnel work was done with a temporary transmission bracket just to hold it in place. I'll post detailed pics when we start fabricating the new cross member.

 

[64ValiantConv]

Not too bad, from this, to this for $300 for the pair.

 

[67valiant 100]

Good work but if you sand blasted the quarters you probably warped them a who lot from the heat caused by friction of the sand.

 

[64ValiantConv]

I've heard sand blast/warped sheet metal thing a lot... I'll bet ole Pedro has sand blasted over 500 cars. I suppose if you get too aggressive and stay in one spot it can warp, but it won't be a problem. I'll post some pics of the lines when painted.

Man, that would be bummer to go to all this trouble to end up with a warped up POS.

 

[67valiant 100]

My dad has first had experience, he's a body man and he's like never again. He did it on an old Impala, warped the crap out of the car and he wasn't even doing it very much.

 

[64ValiantConv]

That's cool, I appreciate the input. Not trying to be argumentative, cause I've heard that people have the problem. However, the blasting is complete, and the lines on the car are good.

 

[67valiant 100]

No problem, I didn't want it to be an argument LOL just passing along what I heard and if it came out nice thats great!!!

 

[chryslerfat]

Wow that was cheap for the bumpers. Who did it that cheap?

 

[64ValiantConv]

Local shop here north of Dallas that the body shop knows, I don't have their invoice yet, but I'll post their info as soon as I have it. They did a decent job, definitely not show quality but excellent for a daily driver, and best of all they are the original bumpers. I love keeping old steel on the road.

 

[64ValiantConv]

Here's a few new pics... getting ready to paint. Going with a two tone silver/blue scheme. Didn't mean to do it, but it ended up being Dallas Cowboy colors. Also a shot of my 408 stroker short block and disassembled 8 3/4 posi unit and my disc break retrofit parts.

 

[daves66valiant]

Looking good. Love the early 66's

 

[64ValiantConv]

Some new pics...

 

[64ValiantConv]

Finished the paint last night, changed from Silver/Blue to Black/Blue... I think it's growing on me. 408 should be out of the shop in a week or so. Got to find me a a918 or 46RH overdrive trans.

 

[Rocky65]

The two tone looks KILLER! Still can't get over the price for those bumpers, she's gonna turn out really nice...

 

[varlo]

wow looks great! nice fish you got there.

 

[73_Dart]

Im not a very big fan of the early cudas, but you have just sparked an interest in me for them. Yours looks like a beast, and it will look even better when its completely done.

 

[4spdcuda66]

Inspirational!!!!!

 

[64ValiantConv]

It's been slow going here in Texas because of the heat. Today was 70's and beautiful and I finally got to enjoy working in the shop. My friend Max and I got the front suspension and K-frame off and disassembled. I think I'm going to sent the K frame and control arms out to get powder coated. The control arms were caked with 46 years of road grime, grease, and rust. I've got an attachment for my power washer that feeds sand into the water stream and it does a great job of blasting parts while the water eliminates dust problems. Add some barbeque and a little beer to that and it was a perfect day.

Also, take a look at the 64, 65, and 66 lined up.