73 Cuda- finally seeing daylight

[draginmopars]

made this post to document the build

drove it home in 1993
pulled the engine (318) , due to oil smoke.

since it has trac pack, 340 call outs, rally dash, bulge hood 3.55 sg
decided it needed a 340.

life threw a curve ball, seems like every time, I got back up.

now in 2017
the stars are aligned
as I stare at the pile of new parts > seats, all chrome, door panels, carpet, headliner,
tail lights, glass. 10" wide rally's for the rear etc
fresh 446 small block, A-500 trans, b body Dana.

getting ready to start sanding
I'll try to get a pic of where it has been sitting the last 10 + years

 

[DetMatt1]

Can't wait!

 

[draginmopars]

we started removing the back wall, to get it out.
Body still looks good after escaping paint jail about 12 years ago.
all parts are still there> doors, hood, new windshield , radiator.
Once it's out, may blast it back down to metal, cause can't remember what primer was used.
All the new items, have been stored in a spare room in the house.
The grill in the pic is cracked, that is what started the search for parts.

 

[76orangewagon]

very cool.... I really like the partial airliner fuselage.

 

[DetMatt1]

Is it stored in a fuselage???

 

[draginmopars]

Like 76Orange wagon said - partial airliner fuselage.
They are 727> 40' x 13'.5"
shop is a DC-10 40' x 28'
>> Yes, I wish they were bigger...lol

last pic is working on the 73 Dodge Car hauler (30' long)
converting it to CTD 5 speed


(here's some pics of the shop built in 09)

 

[1969VADart]

The airline windows threw me off. But it looks like you have a great project.

 

[jfreakofkorn]

looks like its going to be a fun build ....

 

[rbbruno3]

Glad your going forward. Great use (re-purpose) of an Old airplane . Don't forget to post progress pictures. I could use some 68 Cuda taillights if you're selling them

 

[David DiMartino]

Our stories are similar. I bought my 73 Cuda in 1990, drove it till 96, then decided to rebuild the 340 and fix the rusty quarters. Then came married life, kids, mortgage, etc. Just finally getting back to work on it again. Hoping to have it all one color for the first time in 20 plus years by the end of fall.

 

[draginmopars]

kids grown, old girl friend gone....
time to get the Cuda on the road.

picked up a A-500 trans, building it while weather still bad..

Engine is built and track tested. ordered TTI head pipes for the 68-70 manifolds. The manifolds will be ported

 

[draginmopars]

The Journey has begun.
received the tti pipes,
spent the last 2 days, cutting bushes, moving other items packed in the storage building over the last few years,
dang time flies...
other projects always seem to get in the way,
then along comes life....
all not lost, because during that time, bought all the needed parts (I hope....lol).
started stripping it, to put on the rotisserie .

 

[draginmopars]

taking the 20 year old primer off,
down to the metal
tried a small spot, got carried away....lol
did both quarters, started on the tail panel.


​

 

[Cuda Hunter]

So is there surface rust under the primer? Or is that original coating?

 

[draginmopars]

red oxide coating
edit:
guess, should say, taking the sealer off