Well...I found her...Let the journey begin

[70cudaFun]

Hi Guys,

Well, I found my E-body.  I have been passively looking for a 1970 Barracuda or Cuda for about 5 years and got more serious about the search in the past year.  My hunt hasn't been easy because I specifically wanted a 4 speed car and preferred a big block.  I found her not too far from me and I couldn't say no to her even though she needed much more work than I intended to take on.  But here I am with the car of my dreams and I'm starting the restoration process.  I'm going to be careful about calling it a "restoration" because my intent is to make it a drivers car and not change every nut and bolt on the car.  It's a 4 speed and has a 440 in it.  After a compression test, all was well and the engine ran okay.  However....I'm already pulling the motor & trans out.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about this new project since this is my first E-body but here I go!

I'm going to run some options on stroker kits, crate motors and more so I look forward to learning from guys who have gone through what I'm just starting. More pics to follow 

[74BlueFish]

Nice start.  Not looking too bad.   Good luck!

[brads70]

Looks like a solid car! 

[js29no]

Welcome  from central New York!!! Enjoy your ride, I sure do.

[loco340cuda]

Looks like a nice ride.  We need more pictures!   

[ec_co]

Congrats! great combo IMO

[4Cruizn]

Is it numbers matching?  440 is a great motor!  Looks like a really nice project and congrats on finally finding that dream project!   

[340challconvert]

Good luck with the new Cuda
Looks like a really nice car.
Is it an original 440 car with the 4 sp.
That alone would make it unique!

[70cudaFun]

Thanks guys.  It's been really fun working on it so far but I'm doing the fun part which is taking it apart.  The interesting and more difficult part is putting her back together correctly.  The car is originally a Barracuda 318 car with a 3 speed manual from factory.  The seller had done the 440 conversion with the A-833 4 speed trans and did a decent job.  The car has no rust and just needs minor fabrication around the battery tray in the engine bay which you could see in the pic. 

There is definitely some work to do on the car but it's the closest 1970 Barracuda I could find with 440 4-speed that wasn't an insane amount of money.

Now the biggest question is if I should do the stroker kit on the existing 440, get a new 440 crate motor or go the 392 crate motor route.  I know there is a price difference but I'm not going to sell this car and would love a powerful and reliable motor.  I know I can get a reliable motor with either option but hear me out.  In tearing down the 440, the block looks in good shape and hasn't been stroked before so that may be the most cost effective option.

Here are the options I'm looking at so maybe you guys can help me make the right decision.  I see three options.

440 Stroker Option on Existing Block
$2,400 for Top End Power Kit (Cam, Heads, Intake, Carb, Timing Chain, etc)
$2,300 for stroker kit (Pistons, Crank, Rods)
$2,000 for all the goodies needed to get it all together & machine shop work (estimated)

440 Crate Motor Complete
Here is the link to something that seemed interesting:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOPAR-DODGE-440-510-HORSE-COMPLETE-CRATE-ENGINE-PRO-BUILT-413-426-528-NEW-BBM-/182363474487?hash=item2a75b5ca37:g:kGMAAMXQzopRytUw

Anyone had experience with this shop or possibly purchased a motor from them?  Seems like a good deal at 8k for a 510hp balanced and blueprinted 440 with a 2 year warranty?


392 Crate Motor Option
https://www.mopar.com/en-us/store/parts/crate-engines.html
This option looks awesome but I'm a little worried about a conversion of this magnitude.  I see Dfrazz did this recently to his 70 and it looks friggin awesome!

Well there is it.  3 options.

This is my first Plymouth and engine drop so any suggestions and help provided would be very appreciated.  I also haven't had a chance to view some of the Cuda-Challenger.com vendor offers here so I'm curious about those as well.

Thanks

[cordodge]

Thanks guys.  It's been really fun working on it so far but I'm doing the fun part which is taking it apart.  The interesting and more difficult part is putting her back together correctly.  The car is originally a Barracuda 318 car with a 3 speed manual from factory.  The seller had done the 440 conversion with the A-833 4 speed trans and did a decent job.  The car has no rust and just needs minor fabrication around the battery tray in the engine bay which you could see in the pic. 

There is definitely some work to do on the car but it's the closest 1970 Barracuda I could find with 440 4-speed that wasn't an insane amount of money.

Now the biggest question is if I should do the stroker kit on the existing 440, get a new 440 crate motor or go the 392 crate motor route.  I know there is a price difference but I'm not going to sell this car and would love a powerful and reliable motor.  I know I can get a reliable motor with either option but hear me out.  In tearing down the 440, the block looks in good shape and hasn't been stroked before so that may be the most cost effective option.

Here are the options I'm looking at so maybe you guys can help me make the right decision.  I see three options.

440 Stroker Option on Existing Block
$2,400 for Top End Power Kit (Cam, Heads, Intake, Carb, Timing Chain, etc)
$2,300 for stroker kit (Pistons, Crank, Rods)
$2,000 for all the goodies needed to get it all together & machine shop work (estimated)

440 Crate Motor Complete
Here is the link to something that seemed interesting:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOPAR-DODGE-440-510-HORSE-COMPLETE-CRATE-ENGINE-PRO-BUILT-413-426-528-NEW-BBM-/182363474487?hash=item2a75b5ca37:g:kGMAAMXQzopRytUw

Anyone had experience with this shop or possibly purchased a motor from them?  Seems like a good deal at 8k for a 510hp balanced and blueprinted 440 with a 2 year warranty?


392 Crate Motor Option
https://www.mopar.com/en-us/store/parts/crate-engines.html
This option looks awesome but I'm a little worried about a conversion of this magnitude.  I see Dfrazz did this recently to his 70 and it looks friggin awesome!

Well there is it.  3 options.

This is my first Plymouth and engine drop so any suggestions and help provided would be very appreciated.  I also haven't had a chance to view some of the Cuda-Challenger.com vendor offers here so I'm curious about those as well.

Thanks

Great looking car to start with, if your considering a crate motor check out my nightmare here under CRATE HEMI DISASTER, it will change your mind.

[rUNCHARGER]

I would build what you have if you have an engine machine shop near you that does good work.

Sheldon

[Rolling_Thunder]

where are you located?  House looks like socal ?

[70cudaFun]

Looks like a nice ride.  We need more pictures!   

Thank you.  Here are a couple more.  I need to get the camera out this weekend and shoot some nicer pics.

[YellowThumper]

Congratulations.

Don't forget lots of pics. We have an affliction...

You are guaranteed to find any and all information in this site. Use it. You won't be sorry

Mike

[70cudaFun]

Congratulations.

Don't forget lots of pics. We have an affliction...

You are guaranteed to find any and all information in this site. Use it. You won't be sorry

Mike

Thank you Mike.