Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2

[70chall440]

Thanks once again, great information.

My sympathies go out to you son  its like thinking 3 dimensionally... what needs to connect to what but then only to find something else. I would offer one bit of advice in case he hasnt thought of it, I put one wrap of electrical tape around bundles that seemingly go to the same area; that said I have had to remove these multiple times when I find a wire that needs to go elsewhere.

[redo1973]

Thanks for the tip.  Ours is not as complex as the systems you're working with but it was still like a plate of spaghetti as he ran leads and jumped grounds from everywhere.

[70chall440]

I am intimate with the "spaghetti"  It is tedious and slow but it is satisfying and frustrating at the same time.

[70chall440]

if you guys need any diagrams (wiring, switches, etc) let me know. My system is pretty custom as well and I have added a number of things that I had to figure out how to include. I have driving lights, electric fans, and other things but I also have a rear window defrost, map light, etc. All of the original lights are being used except the light bar above the gauges since my speed hut gauges have their own lights.

[redo1973]

Thanks.  Just about everything is ready for final cut, loom and hide except for the two speed wiper motor.  He hasn't figured out how to wire it with our power control unit.  The switch has been tested and it works.  The motor has been bench tested with the switch and the motor turned at two speed levels.  We are yet to figure out how to "park" it.  The service manual is pretty rough to follow.  I found a diagram elsewhere on the e-bodies only site.  We'll try that.  He's thinking that there maybe an issue within the motor itself and it's way out of my league.  I have a friend that is an electrical engineer but we've not connected. Once this is done I think that I am in the home stretch; final dash assembly, radio, door trim, reinstall front spoiler assembly, recheck torques etc.

[70chall440]

Thanks.  Just about everything is ready for final cut, loom and hide except for the two speed wiper motor.  He hasn't figured out how to wire it with our power control unit.  The switch has been tested and it works.  The motor has been bench tested with the switch and the motor turned at two speed levels.  We are yet to figure out how to "park" it.  The service manual is pretty rough to follow.  I found a diagram elsewhere on the e-bodies only site.  We'll try that.  He's thinking that there maybe an issue within the motor itself and it's way out of my league.  I have a friend that is an electrical engineer but we've not connected. Once this is done I think that I am in the home stretch; final dash assembly, radio, door trim, reinstall front spoiler assembly, recheck torques etc.

Excellent, sounds like you are doing well. From memory, when the power is cut (switch turned off), there is a contact in the motor that then parks the blades. I repaired a 3 speed some time ago and remember having to clean up the contacts of the switch.

[redo1973]

That sounds like what my son was thinking.  How do I get to those contacts? Do I have to disassemble the body by removing the rivets?  I've seen affordable rebuild kits which appear to pop those rivets, replace gearing and reassemble with screws. Would I need a kit like that or simply clean the contacts?

[70chall440]

Yes you have to take it apart I believe. On a 3 speed its on the outside. I haven't worked on a 2 speed so I wouldn't take my advice as gospel.

[redo1973]

Update on the glass.  Door glass is installed.  I'm simply tired of adjusting.  I can do it again later but I have pretty good gaps.  I'm okay with it. 

The driver side is all original glass with replacement rubber.  The passenger side is replacement door glass and rubber but original quarter glass.

[redo1973]

Okay, now for the Windshield wiper motor.  It is a two speed motor and assembly original to the car. I was able to clean it up and paint it but before I could test it.  We since tested it and could not get it to park.  I did a bunch of research and was able to locate an OEM switch.  However, I read multiple times that these units get grease that simply hardens and causes an issue.  Well it turns out that was my issue too.  The other challenge was learning how to bench test it. I was able to locate a layman's version of a wiring diagram and had success.  In the process of opening the switch I learned that the output gear had a stress fraction.  I'll be replacing that later this week and then grease with white lithium grease.  I'll also put Dielectric grease on the park switch to protect it from other debris. I'll post pictures of the assembly process.

[70chall440]

Nice work 

[redo1973]

I went to install the stainless rings on the taillights.  It seemed like those rest in there by being wedged between the lens plastic and foam gasket.  Mine don't seem to seat very well.  My originals seemed to have some silicone but it was tough to determine because of the age.  I was going to dab a few spots of silicone on the lens side that presses into the tail panel.  I don't want to risk an overflow onto the lens.  Is this the normal approach?

[70chall440]

Yes, they are glued on. On those a little goes a long way. Some have used like RTV on them.

[redo1973]

Thanks.  I planned on using a clear RTV silicone.  I bought replacement lenses a year ago but it was in anticipation of a future LED set-up like you did.  I looked at my original lenses and they seem pretty good so now the thought of restoring originals.  I'll install these replacements now since the silicone will come off pretty easy. Ahh the details!

[70chall440]

I completely understand where you are coming from. Its those little things that take all the time.