65 Barracuda Fromula S - what to do

-
S

swing69

fightin' socialism
Joined
Jul 28, 2008
Messages
3,930
Reaction score
1,842
Location
Central Socialist NJ
I've got this 65 Formula S in the shop. NOM 273, cable 904 (rebuilt), open 7.25. Its got the SSBC front disk kit on it. It at a guardrail and curb, and it needs front suspension work.

The body is fair, all one color, but an older 80s restoration that's starting to fail in places. The initial plan is to fix it mechanically, and would like some opinions.

1) leaky weak 273, should I replace it with a good running 318 or 360?
2) replace the 7.25 with a 8.25 SG or 8.75 SG with 3.55 gears?
3) replace the cable 904 with a 66+ type, getting rid of the ball/trunion. If I change the rear, I have to change the driveshaft anyway.

What the best to do to preserve value? Whats a formula S worth? I put the car solid middle 3. What would you do?
 
WHEW! Tuff question. Upgrade choices are mostly how the owner feels what would be OK to do and how far to go. I'm a guy that can't leave things stock. So I say YES! upgrade it. Though theres nothing wrong with a 273, but then again, bigger is better and more is just about right.
 
Im with Rumblefish,i modify anything i can.As far as the stock stuff,save it just in case,what your doing is reversible.The value thing,only worth what the next guys gonna give ya.Now go on and have some fun!!!!!!!!!!!
 
What are you going to do with the car? street, race? What is your budget? Those two things have to be considered. I'm partial to the 273 but that's me, 318 is another option, 340/360 option. Of course the "oh put a stroker motor in it" crowd will probably provide you some suggestions. Of course it's not their money so you have to be the one to decide which direction to go. Oh, nice car by the way!!
 
Doesn't the 65 have a slip joint rear yoke on the trans, but still retains the cable shift? Unless this has been changed out, that is the configuration that 65's had, and that is a pretty desirable trans!! As you can see by my avatar I have a 66, with the commando 273, 904 and 8 3/4 with 3:55 SG, soon to be a 3:91. I like the combo I have, actually it's my wife's car, but it's certainly hot enough for her, and it all looks legit. In the words of the mighty "Burger King"... "have it YOUR way"!!!! Sweet ride, I'd have a ball playing with it. Good luck, Geof
 
I'd get it running good mechanically and drive the crap out of it, then take it from there. Thats what I'm doing right now with mine, shaking it down. I find the 273 just fine (keeps me out of trouble), and the 904 shifts surprisingly well.

I personally wouldn't replace a good working transmission and rear if you are sticking to the 273/318. I'm a "if it ain't broke don't fix it guy", but that's just me. When the 273 craps out though its 318 time for sure.

I'm not sure what it's worth, but it looks like a clean car, good luck.
 
as nice as that car looks I'd get it as mechanically sound as possible,touch up the body work and enjoy driving it while I gathered parts for weekend projects,then save up for the major project...paint and body work. Nice car!!! good luck on it,love the disc brakes are they small bolt pattern? heres my first early fish.

lilfish.JPG
 
Fix the LCA, Fender, and what ever it needs to go straight. Drive it and keep upgrading as you go and preserving what is good. Unless you have a budget to invest all at once. I've been doing that with my Valiant for 14 years and enjoyed every minute of it. As far as the B&T, they work good and shortening the driveshaft will be cheaper then Imperial Services cable shift adapter kit.

Cosgig, 65 was a transistion year. The early 65's had B&T's and went to slip when the stock ran out.
 
Hey Mike, Not only do I have the fender, valance and bumper for you, but my buddy has a 273 that has very low miles on a commando spec rebuld. I'm not sure how much $ but it would be a lot less than the cost of a rebuild. Oh yea, I also have an 8 3/4 drum to drum.
 
Dave..shoot me an email, we'll talk.

I've got 2 rears right now. a 8.25 3.55 SG and a 741 case, 8.75 3.55 SG, so I'll just decide which one to use. The trans was recently rebuilt. The 273 is shaky on this one. I have a good running 318, but a 273 would be nicer. the rear will get new springs too. Shoot me some details on the 273.

We'll meet up soon for those other parts.

The SSBC brakes are drilled for both patterns. Hopefully the spindles aren't shot. The right side one took a pretty good shot.

Seems the PO told me the car dipped on the right side, then he lost the brakes, then hit the guardrail, then curb. Looks like I need to look close at the T bar sockets.

Its got TTI 2.5 exhaust on it, way too big and it fits poorly.

Let the games begin! wait..they already started!
 
First I would say, if the 273 needs to come out and gone through then you might be better off replaceing it with the 318 for now saving you some coin there! Second, I would definately swap the rear end out for the 8 3/4-one you already have it and two if you would want to swap gears that rear gives you that option for very little money and work-except a replacement pig! Third,as you said if you change the rearend then you have to get a new driveshaft, not a bad idea anyways since you might as well have it balanced and it will have new U-Joints so that will be an upgrade. As said in earlier posts none of these changes will permanently alter the originality so as not to put it back to stock. Just my opinions here but those are what I would do if it were mine. Greg
 
As it is an original Formula S car, I would probably keep it pretty close to original. They were a pretty good combo, and not a whole lot survive.

Then again, a 318 can be dressed to look just like a 273, and they cost the same to rebuild.
 
if the 273 is a orignal and trani! keep em! go 360 other than the motor mounts ,oil pan ur only goin have the same problems no matter what motor and its easier and cheaper horsepower! up grade the 904 to same year trani and change converter! ur 904 is worth more on the shelf.and as for the rearend that 71/4 was junk u need to up grade anyhow! i went dana 60 cuz cut down,axles,spool,was same as 8 3/4 center chunk! just my too!
 
Make sure it is definately a formula s. Looks like the factory tach is there in your photo's & that would definately make it one but you never know what a PO did. Fender tag will have a 31 under the AB & a 2 under the C for formula s package. A restored formula s before the economy went south would be worth about $35,000. If a true formula s & your concerned about value I would lean towards keeping her original or doing mods that are easily reversed. Even if you swap engine, trans & rear end which will be cheaper than dealing with the 273,old style 904 & 7 1/4 rear just keep all original parts for future resto. or to sell with car. Looks like she's got lots of potential & unless a previous owner added a dash tach is a true formula s. Good luck with your cuda.

Oldschoolcuda
 
Real Formula S. I've got the original sales invoice, window sticker and title with it from 1965. The original tach was removed and a Sun tach in its place. The original 904 was rebuilt during the summer, but the engine, rear, front suspension need work. That's not even getting to the body.
The 273 is not original to the car, but the carb is the orig. 4 brl. (so I'm told).
 
swing69 said:
Real Formula S. I've got the original sales invoice, window sticker and title with it from 1965. The original tach was removed and a Sun tach in its place. The original 904 was rebuilt during the summer, but the engine, rear, front suspension need work. That's not even getting to the body.
The 273 is not original to the car, but the carb is the orig. 4 brl. (so I'm told).
Click to expand...

I know this request may seem a little strange, but thought I would ask anyway. Could you post or send me a picture of your car's window sticker?
I have a 65 Formula S, and would love to see a window sticker on one of these cars.
Thanks, Pat
 
I would just re-do that 273. Chances are someone has been in that motor so it's probably .030 over already. If that's the case, you may get away with cleaning up the bores and re-using the pistons you already have.
 
There isn't a whole lot of value to preserve in the early cars. Some of the high performance '66 cars will be worth a little coin, but that is about it. Just keep it clean, don't get funky, and it will probably retain most of what value a '65 formula S has.
 
....NICE looking car by the way. And that front end would be a relaxing weekends work. Some tunes, and good (root) beer maybe...
 
pbiggs said:
I know this request may seem a little strange, but thought I would ask anyway. Could you post or send me a picture of your car's window sticker?
I have a 65 Formula S, and would love to see a window sticker on one of these cars.
Thanks, Pat
Click to expand...

Hi there....if you get a chance, please post a picture of the window sticker or email it to me at: [email protected]

Personally, I would seriously consider restoring the car to it's original condition. Lots of em out there already have 318 and/or 360's and 8 3/4 rears. Original condition cars are becoming quite rare...especially Formula S cars.
My 65 S is currently in the restoration process. I was lucky to buy the car with almost all of it original engine and body parts intact....and from out west. It's a AA silver, 4 speed, factory A/C car with blue interior. It needs a lot work, but I would never consider anything except back to original.
As they say...."different strokes for different folks".

Go luck on your restoration
Pat
 
Sorry Pat - email sent.

If I keep the orig. trans. I need a shifter cable. Imp Services wants near $200 for a cable. Thats upsetting to me.

I've got a slip yoke trans, If I go to that, I only need the "adapter" shift cable which is $160.

I'm going big bolt, I'd like to find a open 8.25 rear, but If I can't I'll put in a big bolt 7.25. I'll then install the 73+ mopar disk set up.

thats the plan...today anyway! :toothy10:

Unless I just sell it......that's an option.....
 
I agree with the post 3 or 4 prior to this. though these are great cars, at this point they don't seem to carry lots of collector value so I would feel free making changes. the one thing you mentioned that no one commented on is the idea that somehow a 318 was too much for the ball and trunion. keep in mind that this setup was used on the Max Wedges and the earliest race Hemi's not to mention years of Chrysler 300's and Dodge D500's as well as the Commando and Fury Plymouths. the torque of the long ram cars should be reassurance that the stock setup is strong enough. I haven't heard of anyone having problems. if yours is bad and you are having trouble finding one then change it, but otherwise they are fine.
 
I agree, keep the numbers matching stuff for resale (if ever) and do what ever you want to the car. I too am not a dye hard original freak and there is too much good stuff out there not to up grade your car.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top