70 Cuda project first drive

Author Topic: 70 Cuda project first drive  (Read 1136 times)

Offline 71340RT

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70 Cuda project first drive
« on: April 14, 2006 - 12:10:45 AM »
I took my 70 340 4-speed project for it's first drive tuesday to get the front end aligned. I had to drive it 10 miles to the shop and it drove pretty good for me just centering everything up. The first problem I noticed when I got about 3 blocks was a faint woop woop coming from the right rear wheel. I took care of the wheel bearing issue thursday and now the noise is gone. The second thing I noticed was the power disc brakes didn't feel the best. I took the rotors off to have them turned down but ended up buying new rotor's instead. Now the brakes work great so I feel a little better about driving the Cuda on the road now as the rotors were the only thing on the brake system that never got any attention during the restoration. Next I had put synthetic gear lube in the 4-speed and will be changing it out as the transmission synchronizers don't seem to be working the way they should with 3rd and 4 gear being the worst. I was told that the synthetic gear lube could be the problem. If anyone has ran into this problem let me know. My free play on the clutch pedal feels about right with about a  1 to 1 1/2 inch travel before it engages the clutch. I drove the Cuda about 30 miles now and the only thing I'm not to thrilled about is the Heavy duty Mopar leaf springs I installed. There is not much give in the rear end and I think the ride quality is really going to suffer on any bad roads. The timming needs to be advanced a little and that will be a easy fix. I'll try and get some pictures in the next couple days and add them to this post as I'm going to drive it to a cruise this Saturday as the fresh engine needs to have some miles put on it.
« Last Edit: April 16, 2006 - 09:05:40 PM by 71340RT »


70 Plymouth Cuda 340 4-speed
71 Dodge Challenger RT 340 automatic
1973 Dodge Challenger 360 automatic EFI
2002 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
2003 Dodge Stratus RT coupe
2009 Challenger RT Classic B5 Blue
2014 Ram Express 5.7 Hemi 4X4




Offline 1BADFISH™

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Re: 70 Cuda project first drive
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2006 - 12:30:24 AM »
Congratulations on the first drive. The car came a long way from being in the back of that trailer!  I'm sure you'll get all the kinks worked out and be at the local show'n'shine in now time.   :clapping:

Dave
Charlottetown, PE
2014 GMC Sierra Crew Cab White Diamond edition.
1970 Dodge Challenger 340-6 4spd.
*Member Since* Oct 11, 2005

Offline Cuda Cody

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Re: 70 Cuda project first drive
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2006 - 12:48:46 AM »
Very nice!  I see a lot being torn down... rare to see one put all the way back together!  Good job.
The funniest thing about this particular signature is that by the time you realize it doesn't say anything it's to late to stop reading it.

Offline Rev-It-Up

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Re: 70 Cuda project first drive
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2006 - 07:05:49 AM »
:clapping:  Congratulations!!  Just in time for crusing season! 
Rev-It-Up                                                             Yes, I'm a girl!
                         


Offline 67vertman

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Re: 70 Cuda project first drive
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2006 - 09:32:40 AM »
 :woohoo: Congradulations 71-340-RT  :woohoo:

We will be waiting patiently for those photos.   :popcorn:

 :cheers: to getting another one on  the road. :cheers:



Ron - Born and raised in Southern California

I got the 1970 Cuda, but still need the hot blonde to ride shotgun!

First car -1969 Road Runner 383 4sp

Current ride - 1970 Barracuda 440-6 4 sp Dana 60  (4:10)

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: 70 Cuda project first drive
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2006 - 09:40:17 AM »


Awesome stuff mate! I bet your one happy MoPar man right about now!  :drunk: :ylsuper:


Congrats once again!!  :bananasmi :bananasmi :bananasmi :bananasmi
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60

Offline hemi71

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Re: 70 Cuda project first drive
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2006 - 09:48:11 AM »
Congrats on the Cuda!

sounds like we are both at the same place....just put the first 6 miles on my cuda completing a 5 year resoto.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2006 - 10:06:55 AM by Rev-It-Up »

Oldschool

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Re: 70 Cuda project first drive
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2006 - 10:25:31 AM »
 Congrats 71340!   :thumbsup:   Glad to see you got her running..   :ylsuper:  Looks like you and a few others are getting em fine tuned just in time for the cruising season.    :cooldancing:   ...Oldschool

Offline JS27N0B

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Re: 70 Cuda project first drive
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2006 - 11:54:56 AM »
That first drive always feels great no matter how many little things need attention afterwards as you can see the end in site and can look forward to enjoying the car.  Congrats!
1970 Challenger R/T Convertible 383/auto 1 of 516 *now sold after owning for 18yrs
2007 Chrysler Aspen Limited AWD
2013 Tige' RZR 343hp
2016 PCP Challenger SRT Hellcat


Offline moper

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Re: 70 Cuda project first drive
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2006 - 12:36:14 PM »
Debugging is always there to temper the "first drive"..lol. I tell my customers to stick a pad and pencil in the car..and take notes on anything..handling, braking, squeeks, rattles, adjustments, performance..anything for the first hundred miles or so..Then you just go down the list. Things like headlight alignment at night, rattles, and tweaking are always the ones that make the list..lol.

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: 70 Cuda project first drive
« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2006 - 04:34:46 PM »
 :clapping:  :clapping:  :clapping:  :woo:  :woohoo:

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.