The Old Fish that Just wants to retire

[grumpy old fish]

This is the restoration of what I call, Grumpy old Fish. This started as a resto project to build a non electronic ( except elect ign. & radio ) dependable car. I Looked for about 8 months before i found this Barracuda on craigslist, clean body. good interior, never been hit. and very minimal rust. and all ready had a 8 3/4 rear. Running gear was wore out and dead. It was Perfect. and he only wanted 4k I didn't even bicker. I bought it a little less than 3 years ago, and its just about road worthy. Though out this post i will explain what i took me to make this combo work - Gerst front end, 408 stroker, TTI headers, Edelbrock heads and 727 torque flight. I lost the first couple photos but this is one with removing all the old running gear.

 

[408 swinger]

Nice looking fish!

 

[moparmat2000]

Very nice car. Great price too. Are you gonna keep it appearing stock. Kinda a sleeper look with dog dishes etc

 

[Mtrhead]

That first gen fish is the nicest one and color I've ever seen..more pics please..

 

[Frodee]

Looks like an easy one to clean up and paint good score.

 

[Frodee]

I like the hood never seen one like that.
Well Craig gonna put my engine in today one of my boys said he will be here soon so will have some help.

 

[Frodee]

Its always easier with second hand, Jeri helped me

Can't ask for a better wife you did good.

 

[Frodee]

Engine bay cleaned up, and painted. Frontend installed, went pretty well. All fit good, just had chase few threads with tap. and cut bump stops off.View attachment 1715434408 View attachment 1715434409 View attachment 1715434410

Nice front end I like the rack steering should be a nice ride.

 

[Frodee]

Now it was time to do a trial fit. I found out that the 727 auto does not fit without folding over the body seam flush in the tunnel. and the truck oil pan that was needed for this frontend hit the rack & pinion steering. So off came the pan. I had to radius it around the R&P, but i had to use caution as to not get in the way of the rod caps. (because of the stroker motor) By the way you have to notch the oil dip stick sleeve in the pan to clear the rods also. View attachment 1715434617

Wow I guess I lucked out on my car but can appreciate all the work you did.

 

[Mtrhead]

Wow..domino affect

 

[Frodee]

Hey Craig just watched a Charger like yours go on Mecum action go for 250,000
Hope you don't mind me posting the pictures but you got a sweet ride.

 

[4spdragtop]

Beautiful work Fred! Love the blended in stripe.

Here Fred, These pics were taken in 1984. You painted it in 1980. (Fred's body & paint work is amazing) the one car i wish i still had.View attachment 1715435155 View attachment 1715435156

 

[Frodee]

Here Fred, These pics were taken in 1984. You painted it in 1980. (Fred's body & paint work is amazing) the one car i wish i still had.View attachment 1715435155 View attachment 1715435156

I wish you still had it was fun painting it All lacquer and I remember the R/T on the hood in red that you made the stencil and we painted on. No stickers on it was all paint.
Thanks Craig brings back good memories.

 

[Frodee]

Pretty tight I think. Now I know why you were pulling hair out.

 

[Frodee]

Now on the Driver's side I had to smash the header in two placesView attachment 1715435179 View attachment 1715435180 View attachment 1715435181 and flatten a few areas on inner fender to give clearance. also a pic of a motor mount I raised.

Yea that's about as tight as you can get.

 

[Frodee]

Oh by the way Fred I smoothed the inner fenders like you did but the headers are so close it blistered filler and all, and I had to repaint with high heat paint.

I figured that so stayed away with bondo around the exhaust area.

 

[superchargeddrt]

I like the hood never seen one like that.
Well Craig gonna put my engine in today one of my boys said he will be here soon so will have some help.

Good Luck Fred, Nice car, I'm watching.

 

[Frodee]

Here is pics of the sub frame connectors with drive shaft loop I made. Welds are ugly, I cant weld upside down worth a hoot. but they should hold,View attachment 1715437255 View attachment 1715437256 View attachment 1715437257

Looks good if anyone sticks there head under your car and gives you a bad time about your welds just run over them. lol

 

[Frodee]

Here's a pic of the factory console with a B&M shifter installed, I placed a blue led light (hooked to dash dimmer switch) in the handle shining down on the indicator.View attachment 1715437266

Looking to buy a shiftier like yours let me know what you think of it.

 

[Frodee]

Its finely able to move on its own. First time its seen daylight in almost 3 years.View attachment 1715437609 View attachment 1715437610 View attachment 1715437611

Damn nice car Craig really doesn't need paint.

 

[Frodee]

Now that I am winding down on this project, and getting ready to place it on the road. I am looking for a security system. I plan on this Barracuda being something I am driving every day that weather permits here in a rain forest. I want something to Protect it while at work, at a movie, out to dinner, and drive to eastern Washington to visit friends, Any suggestion's?

I'm needing the same so will wait for some answers.

 

[JDMopar]

I like the plastic tire cover. Where did you find a hunk of 1/4 inch plastic big enough to cut that out of?