1968 Barracuda Convertible. 318 Auto.

[Al T]

Hi all.
I recently bought a '68 Barracuda convertible so I figured I'd start a thread about working the kinks out of the car. The car is pretty solid as it had a bunch of metal work done and then a home sprayed paint job that turned out pretty horribly. The car is a 318 car with a '69 340 intake and Edelbrock four barrel. The car actually runs and drives pretty good. There are some minor issues that need fixing that I'll hopefully address in the next short while. Here's the list when I purchased it a week ago..

Temperature gauge not working - http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=114325.0
Fuel Gauge not working
Speedometer not working - Fixed, cable was not properly attached to speedometer head.
Radio not working
Replace passenger side top cylinder
Fix top installation
Install splash shields
Hood Indicator lights not working
Oil Pressure gauge not working - Fixed, wire was disconnected at sending unit.
Relocate Battery from trunk to stock location - Completed 05/23/16
Repair passenger side A pillar interior trim
Rebuild front suspension (?)
Horns
Washer bottle and fluid lines



Allan

[js29no]

Good looking car!!!  I am sure those glitch's won't be bad to sort out. plenty of good and knowledgeable people hear willing to help.

[Al T]

 Are the mini bulbs for the hood available from Napa or??

Thanks in advance.

Allan

[js29no]

There should be A part # on the bulb itself, check it and give them A call. there is A chart in the beginning of the electrical section.

[Al T]

Unfortunately when I took them apart there were no bulbs in the indicators.

Allan

[Al T]

 I'm not sure why anyone would bother insulating a trunk....




.... but I think it looks a lot better without.



Allan

[Challenger in NC]

cool car

[AARuFAST]

K@@L

Is your battery anchored down?

[redo1973]

Really neat project.

[Al T]

K@@L

Is your battery anchored down?

It wasn't, but it wasn't really a concern as moving the battery back to the original location was today's project.
I picked up a support bracket yesterday so I figured it was time to do the deed. The previous owner had installed a non original radiator and shroud so I had to do a little cutting with a zip disc to make room for the battery tray.



Installed the tray brace.



...... then  realized there is a support and two bolts that should attach the tray to the inner fender. Unfortunately (I assume during the last disassembly) the two tray to inner fender bolts were snapped off (maybe that's why the battery was moved to the trunk?). I cut the protruding bolt ends in the wheelwell off flush with the flat bar backing plate and then drilled out the bolt closest to the firewall and tapped it for a new bolt.



I'm going to leave it with one inner fender bolt supporting the tray. It seems plenty solid with the rad support bolt, inner fender bolt, and the tray support.



Looking a lot more original....... although I chose not to sell a kidney to buy "correct" battery cables. These work just fine.

 

The trunk looks better also..... just need to do a little bit  of respray.



Allan

[Al T]

As a side note, I'm now ready to install the new top cylinder when it shows up.



Does anyone have any advice on how I can fix the terrible top install?



Thanks in advance.

Allan

[Al T]

I picked up some parts on the week-end and one of them was an ashtray from a ' 69. It's too wide for the dash. Still learning here so be kind. Do all 68"s have a lower padded dash? I'm assuming I need a one year specific ashtray for the car? The under column trim plate I bought also doesn't fit..... too wide because of the lower padded dash? Again a one year specific item?



Thanks in advance.

[burdar]

I believe 67, 68 and 69 all have year specific dash pads. 68 is the only year that came with the lower pads. The upper pad is unique because it has to line up with the lower pads. The trim piece and the ash tray should be 68 only.


I have the lower 68 trim piece as well as the style you bought. If you can't find a 68, you can modify the one you have. You'll just have to trim the sides and add two screw holes. If you want to do that, I can measure mine so you know how much to trim.

[Al T]

I have the lower 68 trim piece as well as the style you bought. If you can't find a 68, you can modify the one you have. You'll just have to trim the sides and add two screw holes. If you want to do that, I can measure mine so you know how much to trim.

If you wouldn't mind measuring I'd appreciate it. I already did some trimming to a passenger side "A" pillar trim I picked up from the same guy. My passenger side was broken.









The piece actually is cut straight, just an optical illusion with how the piece is sitting.

Allan

[Al T]

I actually got a lot done yesterday......
Trunk cleaned up.



Horns installed. I had to mount the top one in the wrong spot because the radiator covers the original mounting holes.



Dash removed



..... and disassembled



Also started cleaning up the dash. It had been previously painted (I'll end up doing it again but figured I'd give this a little practice) but the script for the heater had never been cleaned up after painting. A little time with a scotch-brite pad and some light pressure. I took the first photo after I was half done.





Allan