73 Road Race Cuda

Author Topic: 73 Road Race Cuda  (Read 201114 times)

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #825 on: February 19, 2018 - 12:13:06 PM »
I dont have the whiskers in the doors yet. I haven't spent a lot of time adjusting anything yet, so we will see. I am back on the electrical now. 
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)




Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #826 on: February 19, 2018 - 10:28:23 PM »
I finally got my replacement LH quarter window and went to install it, the slider in the vertical track is a 2 piece deal and wouldn't you know it, it came apart and the back half slid down between the quarter and the rocker...  :banghead: I was soooooo pissed.. I tried for a while to try and fish it out of there but there wasn't anyway to get it because its plastic and that area is very narrow. So I had to order a new one, fortunately RT Specialties sells single units and since it isn't metal, at least it won't rust.... What a PIA!!! Next go around I will put a rag in there just in case...
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline GoodysGotaCuda

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #827 on: February 20, 2018 - 05:45:42 AM »
I finally got my replacement LH quarter window and went to install it, the slider in the vertical track is a 2 piece deal and wouldn't you know it, it came apart and the back half slid down between the quarter and the rocker...  :banghead: I was soooooo pissed.. I tried for a while to try and fish it out of there but there wasn't anyway to get it because its plastic and that area is very narrow. So I had to order a new one, fortunately RT Specialties sells single units and since it isn't metal, at least it won't rust.... What a PIA!!! Next go around I will put a rag in there just in case...

Bummer! You seem to be running into similar challenges to what I encountered. The doors and windows fought me tooth-and-nail. I still need to go back in and readjust all of my glass, I got it to a point of "acceptable" and moved on. I'll revisit it sometime this summer when I am a little more patient to really get it to 100%.
Build Page: Goody's 'Cuda Build Page
1976 Dodge Warlock
1972 Barracuda - 5.7 Hemi + T56 Magnum

Wheel & Tire Specs:Link

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #828 on: February 20, 2018 - 11:55:36 AM »
You know there are times when things come together and times when nothing wants to work, that seems to be the case with the drivers side glass and door. I have to take a week long break due to work starting tomorrow so hopefully when I get back I will be in a "good" place to continue to move forward. I really need to get past this and back onto the wiring and moving towards getting it running.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline GoodysGotaCuda

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #829 on: February 20, 2018 - 01:26:28 PM »
You know there are times when things come together and times when nothing wants to work, that seems to be the case with the drivers side glass and door. I have to take a week long break due to work starting tomorrow so hopefully when I get back I will be in a "good" place to continue to move forward. I really need to get past this and back onto the wiring and moving towards getting it running.

I hear ya. I prolonged starting mine because the sooner it was running, the more I wanted to drive it, the more I wanted to drive it, the more corners I’d be tempted to cut. Mine was nearly 100% assembled by the time I drove it.
Build Page: Goody's 'Cuda Build Page
1976 Dodge Warlock
1972 Barracuda - 5.7 Hemi + T56 Magnum

Wheel & Tire Specs:Link

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #830 on: February 20, 2018 - 01:28:36 PM »
Good theory; I completely see the benefits and thinking behind it. It If I was focused on getting it running I would completely ignore all of the other things that I need to do to make it right.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2018 - 05:08:04 PM by 70chall440 »
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #831 on: February 20, 2018 - 05:21:28 PM »
So in keeping to my operational theory of "do something everyday not matter how small", I decided to install my new air cleaner base and filter from Year One. While I would love to have a steel one, at $125 v $800 I can definitely live with a fiberglass one for a very long time. Of course since it is fiberglass it doesnt have the centering bars but given that the base has a flange that sits into the TB adapters, I dont see it going anywhere, however if I get ambitious I could easily fabricate some and bolt them or rivet them in.

First impressions; decently made although not overly finished as the underside doesnt have a gel coat and it rough (but it is the underside). It doesnt have the rear holes but they could be cut out if needed (I dont see a reason to do that at least now). The rubber sealing ring will fit it but I can see where that will be a bit of a pain as they give you tube of RTV and given the very loose fitment on the lip of the base I can totally see this as an exercise in frustration (complete with lots of cursing and a potential for something getting body slammed in the process...  :banghead:). I have another idea that I will try and if it works I will post it here. Having said that, I am not 100% that I want to run the rubber, pretty sure I do but on a recent visit to Cuda Cody's, he made mention that on his TAs he removes the rubber because he dosen't like anything pressing up on the hood. I am "pretty sure" that the ring wouldn't affect the hood but then again...

Here are some pics
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline redo1973

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #832 on: February 20, 2018 - 09:34:14 PM »
Sorry to hear about the challenge with the quarter glass.  I too lost something in the Crevasse; a weatherstripping trim screw! Fortunately, I used stainless but still a concern if it rubs into an issue.  I too then stuffed paper towels in there until I installed the plastic. 

That air cleaner looks sweet. I too am concerned with the rubber seal rubbing on the hood.  I will be putting a rubberized heat shield on the hood to protect the fiberglass.  The rubber is about a half inch so I may drop the base so that the seal fits inside that "edge" rather than touch the hood. I'm thinking that since this is not a ram style hood I am really trying to just block out the engine heat and capture cool fresh air.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #833 on: February 20, 2018 - 10:39:50 PM »
Yeah that "crevasse" sucks.  :villagers:

I really like the air cleaner overall and given the price I think it will be there for some time. Like I said, I am not 100% on the rubber seal but I will probably use it, it is really soft and I cannot see it holding up the hood too much if at all.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline redo1973

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #834 on: February 20, 2018 - 10:48:41 PM »
No, that seal fairly flexible.  In my case is if the baseplate is too high then the seal become squeezed then solid and will impact the hood.  That is an adjustment I am dealing with.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #835 on: February 20, 2018 - 10:56:56 PM »
Got it, I can see how that would be an issue. Its all a process for sure.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline Mopar Mitch

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #836 on: February 21, 2018 - 12:27:06 AM »
Where did you buy the fiberglass six pack base from?   Is it notably lighter in weight than the metal base (if you could compare)? I have a metal base -- T/A... and have thought of going lighter via fglass.
Autocross/road racers go in deeper... and come out harder!

See  MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2006 ISSUE for featured article and details on my autocross T/A.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #837 on: February 21, 2018 - 05:23:13 AM »
Year one.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #838 on: March 05, 2018 - 11:28:31 PM »
Well its been a little while since I posted, unfortunately I had to go on a business trip and it is taking me a little while to get back into the flow. I finally got the LH quarter glass in but not with some drama. On the good side I did find the missing clip which evidently didn't go down the quarter panel as I had originally thought. I found it in the vertical track and since it was black it was hard to see.

I then moved on to adjusting the windows on the drivers side and encountered some issues. I can get them ok, but the the top rear corner of the door glass just won't tuck in. I finally moved back to the electrical to keep me sane. Anyone who has any tips are welcome to comment. 

I was able to get the door lock sorted, I replaced the locks and lubricated the latch.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline redo1973

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Re: 73 Road Race Cuda
« Reply #839 on: March 06, 2018 - 09:13:13 PM »
I truly feel your pain.  All I can add is to keep at.  It turned out that I had installed the beveled washer incorrectly so all of my adjustments were in vain, close but in vain.  The other thing I remember is that it requires slight adjustments and patience. I think that the first to adjust is the main door window to the front of the upright and the weatherstripping so that you get the window as far forward as possible without binding in the weatherstripping.  The quarter window has more adjustments so keep it in small increments.  Also I found it best with the whiskers installed.

I'm sure you've done all this too and wish I could be more specific but I honestly spent days on and off tweaking mine. My corners touch the rubber but I would not say there is a great seal.  Best of luck.