My 71 Cuda clone - in maintain mode!

[tommyg29]

Ive been involved here for almost 2 years now, and finally am getting around to posting some pictures here.
Cant say Ive restored the car...not even close. When I purchased it 15 months ago, it just needed a few upgrades, and some serious cleaning up. Plus, about 6-8 months ago I finally got around to getting underneath the car, where it needed the most work.
After doing a lot of rust removing research I used all Eastwood products, like rust converter and encapsulator, and the extreme chassis black, tank tone, paint prep, etc etc.
Took me several weekends. The rust wasnt bad, mostly surface stuff, and replaced the gas tank, rear shocks, and various lines while I was down there. Got the whole underside of the car, and the wheelwells. Looks almost as good underneath as up top now.
Well, not really.  But it looks a LOT better.

I done a lot more too. I made a long list as Ive tried to track the costs. I've organized a good notebook with LOTS of records, including my broadcast sheet too.
A short list of the major items:
New AR torque thrusts and BFG's
New shorty hedman headers (lousy, almost unuseable fit!!!)
New steer and gear xtra firm box.
Rebuilt my rimblow
replaced the mopar perf with the oem type valve covers
new fuel sending unit
new mallory fuel pump
I custom shortened the steering column crush can by 2 inches, and
lots of little stuff like wood pistol grip handles, coolant overflow bottle
and a bunch of other little things I cant remember.

I cant thank all of you enough for advice and encouragement. Even though my car isnt or wasnt a "project" in the real sense, even cars that are already in good condition need a lot of work to keep em looking good!

Anyways, for a start, Im posting my before and current pictures:
before



after

[tommyg29]

oops, these are much better before and after pictures of the engine:

[tommyg29]

a few more before and afters.
for some reason there was a lot of rubber stuck up behind the rear wheels:

[71cudajoe]

Thanks for sharing the pics. I too am working on a 71 Cuda clone, so I know how much work it takes. It can easily get out of control -- one thing leads to another. Anyway, I think the updates you made look great -- and will help protect the car at the same time. EXCELLENT JOB!

[ragtopdodge]

Great job!  Rusty headers suck!

I think OEM valve covers look much better than the ubiquitous MP finned covers.  Just looks right.

You don't need a fan shroud?  Must be a dang good radiator you have.  If you ever need another radiator, I'd go for an OEM downflow one, but the aluminum looks fine.

Where's your AC drier?  In the front near the condensor?

[tommyg29]

thanks,
you can barely see the top of the drier in one of the engine shots. Its in front of the radiator on the opposite side from the overflow bottle.
as for the radiator, all I know is the gauge never makes it to half way, and it has never obviously overheated. I think the headers have helped keep the engine cooler too.
The only other thing I may change under the hood is to add the hi po exhaust manifolds. If I can find a good pair for cheap I definitely will.

[tommyg29]

Spent some of the past few weeks getting my trunk area squared away, and now about the only thing I have to finish is getting a new duct for the rear defrost. The one I have is too short for some reason, plus then tidy up the speaker wires.
Up underneath the panel is one of the few spots on the car that wasnt "finished" when it was painted 8 years ago, and you can see surface rust, and also some of the original tunisian tan color.
The purists will notice my space saver rim is actually from a 68-69 mustang, but it looks very close! and the same bolt pattern at least, and I think the same rubber, except possibly for serial numbers on it. But if youre gonna look that close, get a room.

Anyone know a mustang owner that wants to trade for a mopar rim!?

[Grec]

Very nice. The original six pack covers look soooo much better.

The American's look great, too

[cwestra]

Nice car, guy.

[bandt]

Hey tommyg,


Where did you get your inflation bottle and bracket?


Brian

[tommyg29]

Hey tommyg,


Where did you get your inflation bottle and bracket?


Brian

found them both on ebay