Got a new car...69 cuda

[1966 dart wagon]

Hey everyone since my dart burned up i have been looking for a new mopar, and i finaly found one, today i went and picked up a 69 cuda fb with a 318 auto. The cuda's front was kinda dismantled the fenders were off, along with the bumper, grill, lights, the onlything on the front was the hood, luckly there was a cover over the carb...unfortunally its a 2bbl. The interior was stuffed with parts so i removed all of them the 2 front seats are pretty shot, the back one is bad, there is no carpet but it does have some in the back which i took out to revial its like new, but one pice has some weird sticky stuff on it so its unusable. the fenders are rusty and i'm kinda glad i get experince for body work thats about the only reason ha, My dad and i poured some gas into the carb and she fired up after about 10-15 sec to start which i think was good, i filled the trans and ps fluid up, hell at least it runs (had to use the ol screw driver switch is bad) so she fired up and i drove it around my back yard for a while with hardly any brakes, so i had to shift into neutral to stop it eventually died on me(i dont know why cause it had plently of gas(unless it leaks fast) I ran out of daylight had to use my friends cars as lights to drive around no headlights so i'll look it over tomorrow. I thinking tomorrow i'm gonna install what good carpet i got, wash it, maybe start on fenders so i can drive her

http://img218.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trailer5im.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/my.php?image=insidestuff2xv.jpg
http://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=guages2nc.jpg
http://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=interior7aj.jpg
http://img115.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rear7aw.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stuff0zt.jpg
and last but not least the goods
http://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3189ey.jpg
luckly my dad is really into mopars and we had an extra air cleaner and filter so i threw that on.

now id like to get here performaning good...ok awesome :evil2: the 318 did alright pretty big bog when u smashed the gas( i'm kinda newer to v8's my dart at a /6 ) so i was reading should i get a pair of 302 heads edlb carb intake, full exhaust will that be good or should i see about a 340, or 360 swap instead? what is the 318 rated at stock for hp and tq?

thanks guys

forgot to add i also got another 383 motor with it (needs full up rebuild) got it all for $1300...what a steal!

 

['68-340-S]

Congrats on the new fish!
If you want it to run good I'd set the 318 aside and drop the 383 in it. I think a small block in an A-Body is a better balanced package...but there's nothing in the world like the sound of a big block Mopar with the gas smashed to the floor!!
Adam

 

[65s]

She's a project, but looks good! I don't think there's anything wrong with a 318. Why not get it fixed up and running, turn it into a driver and enjoy it a bit and see how you like it? Make sure there's nothing wrong with it frame wise, or bent or anything like that. After that, think about dropping a bigger motor in or "sooping" it up. Just my opinion.

It's a good thing you got a Barracuda...they're the best A-bodies.

 

[1966 dart wagon]

yeah i'm really glad i got a cuda its a car i never though i'd own and i am so happy, i still like dusters along with darts(forever), and of course i'm really glad its v8 already(told it was a /6) i would have done the swap anyways :thumblef: but like u guys said its a project the wiring is crap the speedo works but non of the rest of the guages, along with the extra guages that were installed. I need to get those working and man i got some work to do, it really sucks cause i was gonna wash it and install the carpet and suck but no IT JUST HAD TO SNOW TODAY :sad2::cussing: DANG I'M MAD

 

[65s]

I'd suggest some Por-15 on the floor before you carpet. It will seal the rust in there (make sure you prep according to directions first) so the rust won't spread or get worse. It's tough as nails on a floor.

This guy here has a complete second gen blue Barracuda with complete interior (minus the steering wheel) for parts that he'll sell, but he might be expensive. I saw the car when I was there, and all the interior looked good, but I'm not too sure about the front seat condition. http://www.71sg.com He's in Montreal, Canada so it might be too far for you, but I thought I'd share anyways.

 

[memike]

Prep them floor,s,It may not be as injoying as carpet,
But it is well wourth your time. :thumblef:
that is a very nice find,That car will Kick!!
so injoy every minute whithit. :thumblef:

 

[Deleted member 1997]

She's a project, but looks good! I don't think there's anything wrong with a 318. Why not get it fixed up and running, turn it into a driver and enjoy it a bit and see how you like it? Make sure there's nothing wrong with it frame wise, or bent or anything like that. After that, think about dropping a bigger motor in or "sooping" it up. Just my opinion.

It's a good thing you got a Barracuda...they're the best A-bodies.

Throw on those 302 heads, four barrel, and a good cam and enjoy!
And keep those M/T valve covers! =D>

 

[1966 dart wagon]

Throw on those 302 heads, four barrel, and a good cam and enjoy!
And keep those M/T valve covers! =D>

i personaly dont really like the m/t valve covers i love the mp black ones better, so i might get those but thats like a last thing for me

 

[OldVart]

Make sure you get that wiring all straightened out so you don't have a burn-out in you new fish. You've been there, done that , so don't do it again. As some of the guys said, run that 318 for a while until you can get everything else straightened out, then when EVERYTHING else is done, including any bodywork and paint, THEN think about the engine. It's much better to have a slower car you can drive than a really fast car that's sitting in the shop waiting for everything else to get done. Heck, a set of seat covers and a little buff job on the paint and you're good to go. Nice find. :thumblef:

 

[1966 dart wagon]

i installed the fuses today :silent: the brake lights, dash lights, blinkers,(brake light) on dash, and high beam lights work, the headlights arnt pluged in yet i'll check that tomorrow, it looks like ive got quite the project fixing the fenders, lots of custom pannels...good luck to me :thumblef: :drinkers:

 

[69signetv8]

If ya don't know lots of swear words now, You will...Good Luck and have fun while doing it :thumblef:

 

[maccuda]

congrats
i've got a barracuda as well although a notchback.
goos luck restoring it as well.
i have been restoring mine for the last 3 years but some parts are quite hard to find or very very expensive.
In a few months i will replace the original /6 by a 383, thats going to be fun!!
But first i need to find some bits and pieces to cosmetically finish her.

greets,
mac

 

[65s]

Don't get discouraged, Rome was not built in a day! It took me 6 months to get my car into running shape and now it's sort of a rolling/running project that I'm always working on. I was lucky to start with a clean body but mechanically it had many many issues.

I've been helping my friend with his '73 Dart Sport over the winter, it's coming along. He's had to replace the torsion bar crossmember, floor pans, repair rear taillight area...lots of rust but it's coming along and will be a cool daily driver soon. It's been almost 5 months now for that.....