Author Topic: Work has begun...Topcat  (Read 261829 times)

Offline Topcat

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #315 on: July 17, 2010 - 10:26:19 PM »
A long journey of compiling parts and storing away till build time has finally come to an end. Today I finished putting the Hemi together.

This is a big relief for me to see it almost finished. Now I just sit there staring at it. Almost like I can't believe it's really mine.

Moparshop Ed sold me the wrong wire harness and there's a few bolts I need to get but that's about it.






« Last Edit: November 16, 2014 - 05:35:41 PM by Topcat »
Mike, Fremont, CA.





Offline 67vertman

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #316 on: July 17, 2010 - 11:17:35 PM »
 :droolingbounce: :cooldancing: LOOKING GOOD Mike!  :cooldancing:  :droolingbounce:

I bet you can't wait to put that Elephant in your car!  :2thumbs:




Ron - Born and raised in Southern California

I got the 1970 Cuda, but still need the hot blonde to ride shotgun!

First car -1969 Road Runner 383 4sp

Current ride - 1970 Barracuda 440-6 4 sp Dana 60  (4:10)

Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #317 on: July 17, 2010 - 11:42:33 PM »
:droolingbounce: :cooldancing: LOOKING GOOD Mike!  :cooldancing:  :droolingbounce:

I bet you can't wait to put that Elephant in your car!  :2thumbs:

 :burnout:  :burnout:  :burnout:  :burnout:  :worshippy Mike . lookin GREAT!
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Offline Challenger III

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #318 on: July 18, 2010 - 12:24:57 AM »
 :wow: Awesome, Mike! Glad to see you making so much progress!  :2thumbs:
Mike    Yakima, Washington

Resto Thread:  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=66668.0

Offline Street_Challenged73

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #319 on: July 18, 2010 - 12:52:23 AM »
That's really cool to see your Hemi all assembled now, Mike!!! :cheers: :grinyes:  A lot of work has gone into making that thing what it is today, so I could imagine you must feel relieved to have it all together now. ;)  It's going to look killer between the frame rails of your 'Cuda! :drool: x10,000 :biggrin:
1973 Dodge Challenger......................The ongoing project. (00/----\00)
1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin-Turbo....The sunny day cruiser (RTBoost)
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All-American Muscle: 'Cudas and Challengers...Still the Elite and always will be.

                                                                                             
                 
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Offline dutch

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #320 on: July 18, 2010 - 04:43:52 AM »
Ooooooh.... does that looks SWEET!!!  :clapping:   :cheers:   
will you testrun before you wrestle it into the car?
*** Bart ***

Offline whitesatinmopar

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #321 on: July 18, 2010 - 07:23:46 AM »
 :2thumbs:  Congratulations Mike, another step closer to peein down your leg when you stomp that accelerator.   :dogpile:   :cheers:
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Offline Topcat

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #322 on: July 18, 2010 - 11:22:11 AM »
Ooooooh.... does that looks SWEET!!!  :clapping:   :cheers:   
will you testrun before you wrestle it into the car?

Thanks everyone.

I plan to dyno it prior to install. Right now funds are hitting redline as I still continue looking for a new position.

A few things still left to get:
Flywheel
battery cable
engine harness
Schumacher mounts.
correct Heater hose
correct coil bracket bolts
alt front mount point bolt
V/C gaskets
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline IMNCARN82

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #323 on: July 18, 2010 - 05:13:48 PM »
DAMN!   :faint:
'73 340 5 speed,RMS,BAER,... "Supercuda" (O[   ]||||[   ]O)  
'69 Dodge Charger 383,Auto                  (OiiiiiiiiiiIiiiiiiiiiiO)
13' Challenger R/T BlacktoP  6spd. (OO________OO)
71' Demon
75' Duster
87' Conquest TSI
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Boulder CO
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Offline E-Body Products

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #324 on: July 19, 2010 - 10:35:48 PM »
Awesome Mike!  You are getting one sweet ride there.  Keep up the work.

Offline Topcat

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #325 on: August 05, 2010 - 10:01:27 PM »
Bodywork is still chugging along. Was out there a few times this week sanding away including today.

Right now I'm finishing up the passenger side. It's the side that had the least attention done the first time it was painted. The dry summer heat is a mixed blessing in that I can leave it out for a few days with the metal exposed till I come back to finish where I left off. While working on it, I wear a wet towel draped over my head to keep me cooled off.

Pics soon once I have the passenger side dialed in.
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline The Cuda Guy

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #326 on: August 06, 2010 - 07:31:05 AM »
Mike,

Did you ever decide on a color?  I know you mentioned EL5 Bahamma Yellow was the color of choice....  :smokin:           :poopoke:

Seriously, I know you were talking about Winchester Grey or B3 Blue???  Have you made a decsion?

Either way your cuda is going to be bad a$$!

Don     
The Cuda Guy Project is on going!

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Offline Topcat

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #327 on: August 06, 2010 - 10:05:50 AM »
Mike,

Did you ever decide on a color?  I know you mentioned EL5 Bahamma Yellow was the color of choice....  :smokin:           :poopoke:

Seriously, I know you were talking about Winchester Grey or B3 Blue???  Have you made a decsion?

Either way your cuda is going to be bad a$$!

Don   

Since the whole car is going to be painted inside and out, I need to do some investigating on costs, brands, and types. i.e: PPG vs. House of Color/Chromabase.

Here in the bay area, only water bourne paint is allowed. I don't want to choose that route. So what I also need to do is drive 50 miles out or have him meet me here and meet with the guy I'm pretty certain will paint my car.

The paint store in Santa Cruz already told me I may end up needing 4 gallons of material if I go 2 stage.

After I figure out everything, it will help me narrow down what color.
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline 72hemi

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #328 on: August 06, 2010 - 10:35:42 AM »
Mike go with PPG. I have had huge success with them on the last half dozen cars or so that I have painted. My painter friend up north will only spray PPG and all prefer the global line. FYI the global line is a bit pricey, but totally worth it. Definitely go base clear. My Dad is old school and still prefers single stage where my brother and I prefer base clear and the difference is night and day between the quality of the finish. the base clear just looks so much deeper when we are finished with it. I don't know if anything has changed with House of Color (someone with a little more knowledge on their product line feel free to chime in), but in the past House of Color paint did not fair well with time in the sun. My uncle painted my cousin's 65 Mustang fastback with House of Colors and the sun was not kind to it after a few years. Personally I like B3 blue, B5 blue, black, curious yellow and plum crazy on 71's, but that's just me.
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Offline E-Body Products

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #329 on: August 06, 2010 - 12:15:27 PM »
Go with the PPG brand whether or not you choose base coat clear or single stage.  Our challenger was painted with base clear and the cuda was painted with single stage PPG.  I wanted the cuda to have more of an original "old school" look and so I chose that route.  I couldn't be happier, although the paint is not as glossy as the clear, it still shines up very well after a wet sand and buff.  The cool part is maintenance down the road, I don't have to worry about problems with the clear (cracking, fogging, scratches, lifting, etc..).  This is just my experience and what I chose for my car.