Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2

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    Author Topic: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2  (Read 47630 times)

    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #30 on: February 13, 2016 - 06:48:33 PM »
    I had the rear end sent out to be sandblasted and primed with an Eastwood Extreme Chassis primer paint.  The rear end was more pitted that I thought.  I did a light coat of short-hair fiberglass and bondo to smooth the surface.
    I also sandblasted all suspension and steering parts, primed and top coated.  At this point I had made the decision to go with a full Firm Feel suspension kit.  I also decided to go with AAR style leaf springs with a one inch over stock arch.  I decided to go with a 1.03 inch torsion bars, solid 1.25 inch front sway bar and a solid .75 inch rear sway bar with Bilstein shocks and all urethane bushings.  As for the steering, I also chose the Firm Feel package including the level three steering box rebuild and ball bearing mount for the steering column.
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    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #31 on: February 13, 2016 - 07:02:14 PM »
    February 2015
    Time to tackle the driver side floor. One of the previous owners had replaced the front pan but used a lap joint technique that I did not care for.  I decided to replace the driver side half floor when I began poking holes in the floor and just could not get a nice looking weld.  I removed the floor with a nice clean edge using a metal cutting blade on my angle grinder. I also cleaned as much of the internal frames as possible and then coated with Eastwood frame rust encapsulator. I also used weld thru primer on all surfaces to be spot welded.
    I was pretty happy with the seam to be welded but again I struggled with a consistent weld flow.  I used Cleco to keep the gap small but it was better when I used a different blind clamp tool.  The floor went in pretty good but I had to spend a lot of time grinding and filling in holes on the underneath side of the floor.

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    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #32 on: February 13, 2016 - 07:04:11 PM »
    More Pics
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    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #33 on: February 13, 2016 - 07:09:45 PM »
    Now that I had a decent success with the floor it was time to tackle the Cowel and Firewall.  I totally missed the rust and holes in this area.  I had planned on just doing a cowel and patch the firewall holes but after cleaning and poking I felt it was best to replace the entire thing.  Although the car was not on its suspension I tried to simulate the front suspension with the jack stands and installed cross bracing before removing the firewall.
    The cowel came out fairly easy except for the seam under the windshield and the inner fender wall connections that needed to be cut out rather than simply removing the spot welds.  The firewall was more difficult because I did not want to remove any more structural metal than necessary.
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    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #34 on: February 13, 2016 - 07:18:13 PM »
    Removal
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    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #35 on: February 13, 2016 - 07:21:53 PM »
    Installation was tricky.  All seams were painted with weld thru primer and I put POR in some of the tough spots while it was open.    I had decided to spot weld from within the cabin because of my weld quality.  I don’t know if this is the best but I had good intentions.  I dry fit the firewall and cowel together.  It was not a perfect fit but I’m thinking that it was largely due to the aftermarket panels.  I used a ratchet strap to try and square up the firewall.  I focused on the position of the cowel since that would impact the hood and fender alignment.
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    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #36 on: February 13, 2016 - 08:11:24 PM »
    It was at this point I realized that I had not taken measurements to weld the inner fenders to the cowel.  I had only measured for the connecting arms but the inner fender still flexes until it is welded onto the cowel.  I had to assemble the entire front fenders, header panel and hood to make marks for the welding.  Once again my spot welds were ugly and more worrying was the need to put seam sealer on these panels.  Warning, welding these panels when the seam sealer is wet is flammable.  I kept the air hose close by to put out the flames.  I’ve since returned and dressed these weld points! It’s a PITA but I feel better about it as a rookie.
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    Offline 70chall440

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #37 on: February 13, 2016 - 09:26:12 PM »
    Good job, make sure you save the cowl VIN stamp.
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    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #38 on: February 13, 2016 - 10:45:48 PM »
    Yes, I've read a few threads on that topic.  I had thought about welding it in but it just doesn't seem right.  The amount of metal work will be pretty obvious to those with a keen eye.  I've removed and welded nuts and tabs on the firewall as a an attempt to look original for the average on looker but its far from perfect and won't fool a professional. 
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    Offline Challenger in NC

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #39 on: February 14, 2016 - 09:07:04 AM »
    Very ambitious project but great job. Car has really started to transform. One thing that I've learned the hard way on my car is that patience is essential, because I've had mine tested every step of the way. Cant wait to see your car finished.
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    Offline Edison1970

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #40 on: February 14, 2016 - 09:37:00 AM »
    You mentioned that your welds don't look good.  I learned how to weld on my project.  One thing I noticed is that some weld primers are harder to weld through.  I would spray the primer, then lightly hit the hole I was going to plug weld with my sanding disk and then weld it.  The protection is still under the metal being welded and I got less spatter.  Also turned the heat on the welder slightly up.
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    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #41 on: February 14, 2016 - 07:37:25 PM »
    Thanks guys.  Yes I realized that my patience was being tried so I've hopped around areas to keep interest.  I've been following Ediso1970 and impressed.  I started avoiding the weld thru primer as well.  I agree with your idea on primer.  I've used paint but also touched the holes with a wire brush as you will see in future pictures of the rear floor panel.  The gas was a clear improvement as well.  Thanks for the feedback.
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    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #42 on: February 14, 2016 - 08:09:08 PM »
    April 2015
    We had an open window and switched to the transmission.  My son rebuilt the A904-LA with a TCI truck shift kit and I will be putting on a larger pan.  He tore the transmission apart and to our surprise we found rust.  We learned a trick to clean these parts; 50/50 solution of transmission fluid and mineral spirits.  It cleaned all the gunk and we wire brushed the rust away.  He uncovered a highly pitted valve.  Fortunately he had connections with the local shops and was able to buy a full valve body for $60.  Problem solved and on with the rebuild, cleaning, and paint.  I used an epoxy primer and then top coated with Eastwood Detail Gray.  I plan to clear coat with a satin epoxy.
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    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #43 on: February 14, 2016 - 08:11:19 PM »
    final assembly and paint...
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    Offline redo1973

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    Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
    « Reply #44 on: February 14, 2016 - 08:20:09 PM »
    October 2015
    My son was home again and he took the third member apart for a complete rebuild of the rear-end.  We have a 489 casing.  He had sized the motor for 3.23 gears and I was fortunate to locate these by Nitro gear and assembled these to an Eaton Tru-trac.  In addition, he installed Green bearings on the outer wheel bearings.  By now, I had bought a press from Harbor Freight and just in time for the pinion gear and bearings.

    A great deal of patience is needed here as I watched him disassemble, assemble, adjust, disassemble, adjust ....  At the end, a pretty good pattern and backlash.
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