I finally got the Cuda fired up Saturday and took it for it's first test run with the rebuilt overdrive 4 speed and fresh rebuilt 340 on Sunday. To say I'm thrilled with the overdrive would be a under statement. It shifts like a dream and the gear spread seems to be just right for the 70 340 I just got through rebuilding. The only problem I ran into starting up the engine was I had the distributor 180 degrees out and it would not hit a lick. Once it was put the distributor in right, I put the lock down on the distributor where it was when I took it apart it fired right up. The timming was dead on and the alternator was working hard charging as the battery had set for 9 weeks and I never thought about putting my trickle charger on it to make sure it had a full charge. I drove the Cuda about 30 miles today with no problems at all. It drove great and seemed to run very good for the fresh engine. The overdrive transmission shifts smoothly and I'm glad this is the route I chose as I enjoy driving my cars and I just felt I wanted to let the engine run a little lower rpm and maybe gain some gas mileage at the same time on the open road. The engine is a .40 overbore with X 2.02 heads and stock intake and exhaust manifolds. I did put a crane energizer cam kit in but small enough so the power brakes will work fine. The weather looked like rain so I put it away for another day. I would of loved to of just kept driving as the Cuda has been down since I spun a rod bearing coming back from the Show Me Mopars car show in June with 721 miles on the rebuilt engine. I took a couple pictures after I put it away and will attach them.
Jeff
