Another Mopar Off My Bucket List - Barracuda Fastback

[SNKEBIT]

I finally was able to get some info from Greyhound. I'm not sure how accurate this is but according to their online estimate the cost of shipping the hood would be under $130. - That's one heck of a difference! I'd heard they were cheaper but I didn't expect that it would be by that much.

On a side note, SNKEBIT. I got the rear trim packaged for your '67. I'll probably still send it by post office or UPS so that it will be delivered to your door. - Be expecting to see a long white tube arriving next week.

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I think I'd rather have the orange package behind it!!!!

Let me know what shipping is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[1967 'cuda]

I think I'd rather have the orange package behind it!!!!

Let me know what shipping is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shipping would've killed you! LOL! - Trim is on the way.

 

[SNKEBIT]

Shipping would've killed you! LOL! - Trim is on the way.

Not really!! I would be there with my truck tomorrow!!!!

 

[1967 'cuda]

OK. While I've been waiting for more parts to arrive I spent some time getting some parts shipped off to other folks and set up the Christmas tree (that's the Holiday tree to any heathens out there). With too much time on my hands my mind started wandering. That's never a good thing.

The parachute and wheelie bars have been gathering dust for years. The Duster really doesn't need them. - - But... the whole (what the hell) looks cool factor would be there. For minimal expense I could give the locals one more reason to put me on their 'danger to society' list.

Now keep in mind that I was always just a lowly bracket racer (many moons ago) and have no experience with mounts. Luckily Google and the rest of the internet exist.

The crossbar on the wheelie bars needs to be narrowed 3&1/2". Brackets already exist on the rear end to mount them.

The chute will be more difficult. I don't have a release cable yet.

 

[1967 'cuda]

Although the car is set up with coil overs and it was back halved, they had put a provision for the rear shackle mounts in the frame. I am going to try to fab a 1" bar assembly through those attachment points for the chute's bridle line.

I figure that I can remove the trunk lock mechanism and make a bracket that extends through the hole for the pack mount. With the pin on deck lid I don't use the lock anyway.

I cut the crossbar and removed the extra length. I still need to weld it back up.

The inside of the trunk still looks crappy. The battery is half way recessed into the floor and they didn't make it level. The panel work has a ton of flaws. The fuel cell is distorted but functional. Everything needs cleaning.

From this angle you can see some of the rust bubbles on the right rocker panel. As long as I keep the camera 10 foot away from the car it looks pretty good.

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[1967 'cuda]

My light sockets for the gauges showed up today so I should be able to finish the cluster now.

The cover for the shifter came also. Before I could put it on I had to remove the solenoid/cylinder assembly for the air shifter. I never had a bottle to hook it up to so I never used it. After some trimming I got it installed. I had to cut about a half inch off the bottom and notch it for the line-loc wires. Ideally I'll run the wiring under the carpet, but for now I'm making sure that everything fits.

I cut all of the pieces for the chute mount and hope everything fits after I get it welded tomorrow. I guess it's time to order the release cable and handle.

While I'm at it I should get one of the warning flags.

The view underside the car reveals how crudely the car was put together. Remnants of the original rusty frame are still attached to the back of the car. The quarter panels have been patched. Because it has aluminum floors, - there are no trunk drop off extensions that hide the patchwork. There are a number of unused brackets. I wish I had a lift so I could whack off (get your minds out of the gutters) all of the extra unneeded stuff. Heck, - if I had a lift I'd likely polish the bottom of the aluminum floors and paint the frame orange.

The trunk bothers me so much that I am seriously considering replacing the cell and battery box. An aluminum battery box would be nice but I think a red plastic one might be more practical.

The fuel cell I want looks like this.

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[1967 'cuda]

Most of the pieces that I had to fab were simple but the anchor bracket that I wanted to tie to the frame took some time to figure out. I used some aluminum welding rod that I bent into a shape that would fit into the frame and then extend back past the bumper. It had to clear my fuel cell, pump, and filter. I didn't want to weld brackets onto the rear end. The lower the attachment point the more likely the bridle line would see abuse.

This is one of my aluminum welding rods that I made a template out of.

This was going to be the 7/8" cold rolled steel bar design shape.

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[1967 'cuda]

I finished the bracket that will hold the chute pack. I made it so that it could be easily removed with a single pin.

These are the pieces I made. As with most aluminum that I've fabbed, - I polished the pieces.

Very simple construction and assembly. I did have to drill two holes in the tail light panel to attach it.

I still need to remove the chute from it's pack and mount it on the bracket.

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[SNKEBIT]

Now the crappy brakes won't matter. lol:burnout:

 

[1967 'cuda]

Now the crappy brakes won't matter. lol:burnout:

It doesn't go fast enough for me to worry about being able to stop it. :banghead:

 

[1967 'cuda]

I never tried to pack a parachute before. I studied the process and am sure that I've done it correctly. But, it's a lot harder than I thought. I've seen some sort of tool available online to help pack chutes. I have no idea how it works though. Anyone out there have any more info on them?

I finished mounting the chute pack to the bracket. As far as I can tell I believe I've followed all the recommendations from the NHRA and manufacturers. They DO recommend angling the chute upwards so that it won't shoot out towards the ground and will catch air better. It will be attached to the frame. All fastener sizes should be adequate.

Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the bridle bracket works out. If the weld shop can't get the bars formed tomorrow I'll have to wait until Monday to finish.

I need to re-paint the crossbar on the wheelie bars. It's now welded and ground back down.




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[Abodybomber]

I never tried to pack a parachute before. I studied the process and am sure that I've done it correctly. But, it's a lot harder than I thought. I've seen some sort of tool available online to help pack chutes. I have no idea how it works though. Anyone out there have any more info on them?

I finished mounting the chute pack to the bracket. As far as I can tell I believe I've followed all the recommendations from the NHRA and manufacturers. They DO recommend angling the chute upwards so that it won't shoot out towards the ground and will catch air better. It will be attached to the frame. All fastener sizes should be adequate.

Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the bridle bracket works out. If the weld shop can't get the bars formed tomorrow I'll have to wait until Monday to finish.
Wish I could go fast enough, to need one,Lol.
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I need to re-paint the crossbar on the wheelie bars. It's now welded and ground back down.

I wish I could afford ,to go fast enough, to need one ,LOL.

 

[1967 'cuda]

I wish I could afford ,to go fast enough, to need one ,LOL.

ME TOO!!

but maybe the speed will come later....

 

[1967 'cuda]

While I'm waiting to see if the bar assembly will get formed for me my mind has started wandering again. When I did the quickie 2-day paint & lettering job on the Duster, - I did the work in a dark crowded shop. For the most part I've been pretty happy with it. But I regret that I didn't position the PLYMOUTH lettering further back on the quarters. I'm sure I would have done better if it hadn't been such a rush job.

Now when I look at the car it doesn't seem right. I've been considering adding something more to balance it out. I am torn because I don't want the graphics to be TOO busy.

One of the ideas that I've been kicking around is to put a large ARMY emblem back there. The ones I've been looking at are 14" tall. Although I never served in the army, my son did and I wouldn't mind showing my support for the military.

I have no sponsors and am unlikely to pursue any because it's just a hobby car that won't see regular track time.

I know that I've stated before that this car is sort of like a full scale model car for me. The car is fun. It may not be quick enough to warrant the chute but I plan on taking it to a few car shows (rough as it is) and a lot of the stuff I do on the car is about image. Depending on how all the other projects go I may still try to drop the e.t. more.

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[ariffle]

That's what its all about. Having fun and enjoying them. I'm glad to see you progressing with it. I really like the look of it.

 

[1967 'cuda]

The weld shop was only open until noon and didn't have enough time to finish my bracket. I did have to run back and forth several times to test fit the parts. Everything is looking great. Some of my dimensions were off enough that I did have to tweak the pieces before the bend angles looked correct.

Now that I'm convinced the bracket will work I can return my attention to the rest of the car. I plugged the several small holes that were still in the firewall. I have some interior wiring to finish. I should figure out some way to repair the back section of the headliner too. It's missing the last 10" or so and it's bowed down just before that.

 

[1967 'cuda]

For the past week or so I've been questioning my own personal hygiene. While in the garage I've been noticing things don't smell that great. With each progressing day I was becoming more and more aware that something just wasn't right.

I confess that I don't bathe every day. - But I'm no stranger to the tub. I decided to switch deodorants from none to a combination of every one we had in the house. It didn't help. With all of the aerosol I must have created a hole in the ozone layer above our house.

Each day the smell became stronger until I finally realized that it smelled like mouse pee. DAMN!! I hate freakin' mice!

I was so busy trying to make headway on the Duster that I didn't search out the source.

This morning while I was rushing back and forth to the weld shop I saw the culprit zip across one of the doorways. Although I was too pressed for time to chase it down I got a good glimpse of him.

HE'S BAAAAACK!!!

That's right, - he's back.

GOPHZILLA

No tail to speak of. It must be him. What are the odds that a second pocket gopher would have decided to reside here? It MUST be him! I could've sworn the little bugger was a goner before I sent him flying across the yard months ago. He's much bigger now. - And apparently he's gained the ability to spray urine in toxic quantities.

YUP. He's back with a vengeance. This means war!

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[SNKEBIT]

LOL

I would be very afraid, very afraid.

 

[1967 'cuda]

LOL

I would be very afraid, very afraid.

If it's not him it's got to be some kind of unholy offspring of his. Maybe he was playing hide the choo choo with a skunk before he met his demise. The brutish hybrid could be out to avenge his buck toothed pa.

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[1967 'cuda]

I'm not sure but I think this stuff is intended to be spread over a lawn, - not a garage floor.

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[1967 'cuda]

I bit the bullet and bought one of those aluminum fuel cells. After watching (and bidding) on some on eBay, I got tired of just dreaming about having one. I kept getting outbid but could see that the ones being auctioned generally aold for about the same price. At $128 it still seemed affordable. - It's already foam filled and includes a fuel gauge sending unit.

While I was at it I picked up a used STROUD transmission blanket that was still like new for $60.

I need my head examined. Every time I order more parts to put on the car it means more work and a further delay in getting it out of the garage. - Not to mention the fact that I'm probably tossing more $$ down the hole.


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[1967 'cuda]

OK. I know that many of you out there doubted that Gophzilla was anything more than a figment of my imagination before I first discovered proof he was real months ago. - Just like many of you still deny that Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, and bigfoot are real or that Obamacare is good for you... (OK, maybe that last example doesn't fit). But, have you ever considered the possibility that zombies could be walking amongst us right now?

I spent the better part of the day searching for him but couldn't find him anywhere.

All I need is one chance to catch him poking his evil little rat head out and he's a goner.

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[Cuda68Scott]

John, hate to say this but I think you may have to trade in one of your vehicles and get one of these to take care of your "rodent" issue. I think your neighbors would no longer bother you about running your mopars up and down the residential with this baby parked in the side yard.

 

[1967 'cuda]

John, hate to say this but I think you may have to trade in one of your vehicles and get one of these to take care of your "rodent" issue. I think your neighbors would no longer bother you about running your mopars up and down the residential with this baby parked in the side yard.

That sinister voice in my head is telling me to go for it! - And you're right. The neighbors wouldn't be as apt to try to piss me off. - Way to go thinking out of the box!

 

[1967 'cuda]

On second thought,... as much trouble as I'm having finding ammo for my .22 - it'd probably be a b*tch trying to get some for that thing. - I'll check at Walmart.