'70 Cuda 440

[ovCUDAvo]

Well here we go. I'm looking forward to this journey. I've already introduced myself in the intro forum but wanted to start this thread so I can start getting some advise from the experts. This is my first resto project so I didn't really want something this complexed, I was looking for something I can drive and resto. But, couldn't pass on this '70 Cuda 440 A/C car (my favorite muscle car). The car came with a non HP 440 that came out of a '70 Challenger and an automatic that slips in 3rd. The car originally had a automatic so I plan to keep it. I believe it was a column shift but I would like a console shift. Drum brakes that I plan to convert to disc in the front. In the pics, what you see is what I got, so I know I need a lot. I plan to go back to the original Burnt Orange and stay as close to original on the entire car as I can. The car is really straight with no serious rust issues (L.A. car). It's not number matching so doing a 100pt may not be worth it, but it is a rare U code with A/C so it does deserve a great resto job. I don't plan to keep it in my showroom (don't have one), so I plan to drive it. Again my first time, so any advise that keeps me from falling in those common pitfalls would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

[ovCUDAvo]

I tore out the interior, dash and headliner I found a lot of surface rust. So far the car seems pretty much rust free other than what I found here in the interior. The only spot on the car that I have seen rust take its toll is on the drivers side floor pan. Otherwise, surface rust. I've done months of reading on this subject but cant seem to come to a conclusion. Should I media blast the entire car (inside and out), acid dip, wire wheel the interior the best I can and hit it with some Rust Bullet. I have already take a wire wheel and 60 grit to the interior, doens't seem like I can get all the rust out. Again seems like most the rust is in the interior part of the car. Didn't think I got that humid in L.A. I was quoted $1600 to soda blast and I don't believe that included the undercarriage.

[ovCUDAvo]

Fender tag:
BS23UOE
LINE 1
E86 440 - 4hp
D32 HD A-727 TorqueFlite
BS23 Cuda Coup


LINE 2
FK5 Dark Burnt Orange Metallic
H6XW High Price All Vinyl Bucket Seats - Black/White
000 Upper Door Frame, Full Door Panel
CO5 Dec 5th
62467 vehicle order number

LINE 3
FK5 Burnt Orange
A62 Rallye Instru Cluster
B51 Power Assit Brks
C16 Console w buckets
C55 Bucket Seats
H51 sgle air/W heater

LINE 4
J25 3sp Var Wiper
J45 Hoodpins w/lanyards
M21 rf drip rail moldings
M25 wide sill mold
M31 belt&hood mold
M88 low deck lid mold

LINE 5
N41 duel exh w/o tips
N42 crome duel exhst tips
N85 tach
R11 Music master radio am

[dutch]

looks like a good project you`ve got there. you don`t find a U code on every street either.  that will look superb in burnt orange  . Are you going to put it up in a rotisserie? I did, and it really makes the job a lot easier. looks like quiet some surfacerust in the interior so if you want it really clean, blasting would be the way to go. my guess it`s too much rust to wirewheel...
what happened to the tunnel? looks as if the driveshaft came off at some point...
anyways, good luck with the project... just keep going and in the end you will drive a gorgeous cuda   

[barracuda7199]

sweet car! with you having three pedals i would go tremec five speed if it is in the budget. i like the burnt orange as well different than the everyday red which i hate!

[MOPAR FANATIC]

  and welcome to c.c.com.very nice project and looks pretty solid.for the drivers floor pan being rusty,look to the left of the steering column where the floor pan meets the firewall seam,on a lot of these e-bodies ma mopar didn't join the two section togther very well and there is probobly an air gap there.put a trouble light from underneath and see if light shows through,on my chally i had at least an 1/8 gap which allowed water in,hence most of these e-bodies rust out on the drivers side.check the r.side also.
good luck on your project and keep the pics coming.

Dave...............Mopar Fanatic.         

[usraptr]

Congrats on the "U" code. I'm also restoring a '70 "U" code with a 4-speed.  I had mine media blasted and etch primered. Way to go in MHO.  Check around.  After I paid close to $1600 I found some guys at the annual car show who would do it for under $1K!   Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Everybody here is extremely helpful!!

[71chmark]

If you need the money just sell it and buy a low dollar 318 car and throw a cheap 440 with a 4 speed in it.  I think the fun in these cars is the driving them.  There is nothing like banging gears with a big block.  Much more fun than having that cool rare car in your garage that you'll either never get to drive or will be afraid to drive. Of course if you just like to sit at car shows and let other people drool over your car you better keep it.  In my opinion the cost difference between the two is not worth it unless you're rich.  Good luck in whatever decision you make.  It is a beautiful car but I'd rather drive.