Out of Body Shop Jail.......... Finally!

[dfrazz]

That elephant looks so SWEET!   

[daaboots]

Impressive work on the dash modification! I might do something similar with mine to add in a tach.

[shoooter]

That is one beautiful car. looks pretty close to my car but mine is a black 71 cuda with red interior and black billboards..... love the colour combo

[Finoke]

That is one beautiful car. looks pretty close to my car but mine is a black 71 cuda with red interior and black billboards..... love the colour combo

Would you be able to email me some pictures of the interior? I would love to see the car.

[Topcat]

Make sure to re torque intake gaskets at least 3 times after repeated heat/cold cycles.

[Finoke]

Make sure to re torque intake gaskets at least 3 times after repeated heat/cold cycles.

Will do Topcat, will do. I've had this engine in a different car and could never get a great seal on the intake. I went with a thicker gasket this time. Hopefully the wiil do the trick.

[Finoke]

I installed the Dr Diff 1" spring relocation and was finally able to get my rear wheels on. I'm going to set the ride height and set the pinion angle then weld the spring perches next, so far so good.

[dfrazz]

Did you go with +1" over stock rear springs?  I love this build!!

[turbo224]

Love the wheels, I was looking at the same style for my Cuda. Can you give us some more specifics on your wheel and tire setup? How wide are the rear wheels and what size are the rear tires? What backspacing are the rear wheels? Any chance you can take a picture of the rear of the car?

[Finoke]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the nice comments. Here is some info on the wheels , drivetrain and suspension....

Passon overdrive 18 spline hemi 4 speed

Dr Diff e body reproduction 4:10 dana rear.

New rear leaf springs (I wish I could remember what I have. Its been about 8 yrs since I installed them). Factory spec or ??

Front factory disk brake set up. Rear drums by Dr Diff. I think 10".

Dr Diff 1" Spring relocation kit (the new rear wheels/tires were on the springs without it)

I corrected the rear wheel spacing to qtr panel when I relocated the springs (the rear tires were a lot closer to outer wells on the pass side like a lot of mopes)Now they are even with about 3/4" room each side. The fronts also have about 3/4" room tire to fender.

Front tires/wheels: Nitto 555 size 255/50R17. 10.4" wide and 27.1" tall. American racing BLVD 17x8 5x4.5 bolt pattern, 4.5" backspacing.

Back tires/wheels: Nitto 555 size 265/50R18. 10.8" wide and 28.4" tall. American racing BLVD 18x9  5x4.5 bolt pattern, 6.1" backspacing.

I really liked the wheels but they weren't available in the typical 5.5 back spacing. So I measured and it looked like what was available would fit and it did after the spring relocation.

I think I could still use a taller tire for the rear but I will make do with what I have for now and reevaluate when the car is on the ground.

I will take a picture from the back soon and post it up 

[dodj]

New rear leaf springs (I wish I could remember what I have. Its been about 8 yrs since I installed them). Factory spec or ??

I would guess at least a +1" over stock. Probably 1.5"?

[Finoke]

I would guess at least a +1" over stock. Probably 1.5"?

Would there be a way for me to tell at this point?

[Topcat]

Wheel paint combo looks good.

Will do Topcat, will do. I've had this engine in a different car and could never get a great seal on the intake. I went with a thicker gasket this time. Hopefully the wiil do the trick.

I used Copper Spray a Gasket on Fel Pro intake gaskets and I really feel it helped seal alot better.

[dodj]

Would there be a way for me to tell at this point?

Probably not. I think you will need to drive it around a bit and let them 'settle in'. Stock height for a Challenger had about 1-1.5" of tire up in the well. Not sure if a 'cuda was set up the same.

[Finoke]

Wheel paint combo looks good.


I used Copper Spray a Gasket on Fel Pro intake gaskets and I really feel it helped seal alot better.

Thx for the tip. I'm sure there is a good possibility of needing to pull the intake again only because these intakes are so finicky