65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"

[marc70challenger]

Just finished building relay panel for all lights and accessories.  By Friday should have fuel cell back and Speedwire relay & switch panels in hand.  Hope to get going next weekend and knock it out!

[marc70challenger]

Dismantled previous switching.  Installed relay panel I fabricated, and have everything ready for Speedwire goodies.

Removed old fuel cell, prepped the trunk, pulled old headlights, etc.

Mocked up new fuel cell - its bigger than old one and we needed to widen & lengthen hole for pick ups.

Trying to be patient and methodical ... finding more stuff want to or should upgrade .. 



 

[marc70challenger]

Mocked up all trunk stuff. And ran all battery/ground/alt wires. I didn't like old access "hole" from trunk to passenger compartment so closed it up and took our time to make new, tight sealing ones.

Battery box and mount all drilled (as can see). We were particular with hole sizes and grommets so it's clean and tight.

Using general wiring concept as page 1 here: http://speedwiresystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rev-4-nov-2014-14-relay-controller-instructions.pdf   Only difference is all hot wires need to go through rear switch per NHRA rules. So we'll have firewall stud then another + stud on inside to feed boards. Couple other minor adaptations.

This weekend we'll get mounts for fuel cell drilled. A little tedious. Tank juuusssst fits. And mounting brackets have very little room with what's underneath to be where I like/want them. So.  Measure. Mark up. Measure. Check. Re-check.  Re-check and measure. Cross fingers and drill.   

PS. Yes. Two front facing holes on battery are off-set. That's ok. You'll see. 

EDIT - Just checked on my PC ... fixing orientation of pics ... lol ... been using iPad ... still can't figure out how it messes up orientation.

[marc70challenger]

We got fuel cell mounted.  Battery box all mounted and wired.  Cleaned up all 1/0 wires - snaking, coverings, securing, etc. 

Drilled and installed firewall studs.  Should be able to re-wire all lights, engine stuff and accessories this weekend.  Need to .. have to get some anti-freeze into her and circulate it ..     Before temps drop.   

[marc70challenger]

Got little delayed.  I was going to do headliner later ... but it was tearing and that nasty stuff getting everywhere.  I think it was the original.  That is out now. 

Also - had to take apart and refurbish the front running lights.  Found that nasty green crap all the way up to pick ups. 

All old wiring removed and dash area cleaned up.

Did finally get all lights wired, front and back, and fuel pumps. Only thing left is water pump and fans.

Took our time tracing and marking all wires from gauges, ignition system, etc. that we are keeping. 

Also added additional power and ground stud on inside of firewall to have additional locations for use and ease.

Want to get it done so this weekend we can fire her back up.

[Markp]

Cool build!

[Topcat]

Enjoying watching this build

[marc70challenger]

Enjoying watching this build

Thanks. 

Trying to balance my OCD nature and keeping into perspective the goal for this car is a challenge.      Like we said - the bones are good ... but every time I crawl up under the dash and I see a spot of surface rust or chipping paint (20 year old paint job).  Out comes the sandpaper and can of Rustoleum ... but while its clear, might as well.   Starting to look like spotted tiger now ... 

Today we put in the fuel gauge, horn, and organized routing of all new wires.  (Had to order some more braided wire sleeving ... surprised how quick it goes).

Tomorrow will confirm I've got all grounds accounted for (need to chase trans temp ground again ... I must have forgotten to mark it because I know I checked it) and affixed properly then hook up the juice and start checking the function of all lights, accessories, etc then hook up relay panels.

Will get some pics too.

After Thanksgiving I won't have time for about 4 weeks ... so trying hard to get her fired up by Wednesday.

[marc70challenger]

Cool build!

Thanks.   

[73440]

 You are moving fast on this build, great to see the progress.
I'm too lazy lately to pull the power steering pump to replace the seals, just keep adding fluid.

[marc70challenger]

You are moving fast on this build, great to see the progress.
I'm too lazy lately to pull the power steering pump to replace the seals, just keep adding fluid.

Understand that. I just happened to be in a motivated stage now.

Today we tested all lights, accessories, etc. Confirmed juice through all the wires to all points.    H4's light up nice and bright too.  Every light and accessory working but not happy with rear blinkers/indicators.

The car originally didn't come with back-up/reverse lights - it was an option in 1965, so we're using the reverse light port for blinkers with amber bulbs (leaving brake and running/parking lights in the larger housing).  The POS "universal" bulb sockets I bought sucked ... bulbs too loose for my liking and this car vibrates and shakes ...    So just found and ordered proper replacement socket from NAPA.

Finished organizing, tucking and tying everything up - sans the extra wire sleeving needed.

Got a little sidetracked after that when I came up with idea to use some 1/2" pvc pipe to run rear wires in forward in the passenger compartment.  I wanted a way to protect and keep neat the wiring around the seats up to the panels.  Also, crawling around and getting in and out there's tendacy to kick crap.

Hoping to get our fabricated relay panel wired up tomorrow.  It runs lights, horn, signals, and accessories.  Then the Speedwire panel and switchboard which will run fuel pumps, water pump, fans, line lock, ignition, etc.

Started to rain half way through so didn't get any pics after we pushed her back into garage.  Will try tomorrow.

[marc70challenger]

You saw pic of all wiring and fab'd harnesses tucked up ... now its time to drop, trim and hook up.

I am always afraid to come up short ... so I always run extra ... I think I over did it this time ... see pics ...     The rat's nest makes sense though ...

We ran most of the relay wiring for the switches, panel power/grounds, and landed on the configuration for fuse panel .... need wire looms to finish harness trimming and permanent placement ... hopefully UPS comes early 

[usraptr]

I haven't checked in on your progress for a while.  WOW!  You are really getting it done.  Looking forward to seeing it run.  2thumbs:

[Cudakiller70]

Cool 

[marc70challenger]

Thanks guys ... 

Well - UPS did come early ... but ...  I screwed up the wire cover order ... it wasn't the "split" kind - it was permanent enclosed...    ... argh ...

The diamond in the rough though is I found the proper kind AND its orange .... keep with the orange pumpkin motif ...

So not much accomplished today ... did final fitting of switches and some other odds and ends.

Work travel coming up Wednesday ... so won't have time for few weeks 

Will update when we get back!