Hi Team - pleasure to be able to join this forum. I picked up a 73 Cuda, which was originally a 340 car (BS23H VIN) which has been converted to a 440 from a 72 (i think, need to pull engine numbers to look up it's past). The previous owner didn't seem to know too much about the history, or the car in general as he was selling for a friend. However it was too eye catching to pass on, not to mention it drove pretty well. I sort of just purchased it on a hope and prayer that it will run well (impulse buy on a Friday).
Front bumper has some rust. Thinking of pulling that this weekend and sanding it down. Either go matte black or a chrome paint until I can afford to have it chromed professionally. However I need to get the rust off it. OTher than that, there are a few small rust spots on the body but the frame seemed straight and clean.
Paint is scratched and chipped when looked at close. However from 20 feet away it's a head turner.
So far it's been a good runner. Was choking out a bit after being run hard. Tracked that to the Holley 750 Double Pumper. Seems the floats are a bit high. I'm not a gear head by any means, so after some YouTubing I went for the float adjustment. Got the levels at the bottom of the sight glass. Drove, and after a few days it was dying out again after a hard run (fuel level was elevated again to above midway in the sight glass). Looks like it's getting 7-8 PSI fuel pressure, so my next purchase will be a regulator. I'm just guessing that the high fuel pressure is causing the floats to elevate from where I'm setting them? I have the carb dialed way down right now, which seems there is a noticeable loss of power, but it's able to be driven without any problems, and not stalling at idle even after a hard run.
Follow up question is that outside of headers and intake manifold the engine seems stock. Is the 750 DP the best option for the car?
Future plans would be to make it 500 HP if possible. I have about 5-6K that I could spend on it. So I will be looking around the forums to see what the best route to take to get to that goal. I'd like it to be derivable (i've already put 2 thousand miles on it, in 3 weeks) but at the same time, i have a lot of people in all makes and models trying to race me. So I'd like to make sure that I can hang with most that are out there.
3 speed pistol grip 727 torqueflite trans, not sure of the gears.
My driver window seems to have gotten off the tracks. I can't use the handle anymore to close it without somebody also pulling on the window to seat it correctly. I notice the rebuild kits on eBay for 80 dollars. After pulling the panel off, it looks complicated, and the giant piece of sheet metal that is between me and the window does not appear to be removable after inspection.
no radio when I bought it. I installed a Bluetooth head unit under the passenger seat, mounted Amp under driver seat which powers 2 4inch speakers up front, and 2 6x9s in the back. I have a 8 inch sub behind driver seat to round out. 90 percent hidden and can't be seen as I hate to have modern equipment in an old car. Sounds great - Diamond Amp/Speakers?rockford fosgate sub. I usually only use it on the highway, I enjoy the exhaust too much to keep it turned up while in the city.
Trunk leaks - Will look into resealing it.
Otherwise runs strong, a blast to drive, and gets lots of pictures and attention.
Looking forward to your thoughts. I always get scared posting a car to a forum, in fear that somebody knows it, and gives me the ugly history! I was relieved when my mechanic looked it over and said that it was in better shape than he thought it would be, and it should be a good car.
