Author Topic: Work has begun...Topcat  (Read 260516 times)

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #630 on: September 23, 2012 - 02:24:11 PM »

I'm envious your windows are in....

 :working:
1970 Cuda Clone 440 4 speed - sublime green
1970 Cuda 383 4 speed - yellow - SOLD




Offline brads70

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #631 on: September 23, 2012 - 06:34:15 PM »
Looks great Mike! :2thumbs:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Topcat

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #632 on: October 15, 2012 - 12:57:59 PM »
Just received my top of the door trim back from Ano-Tech. What a great company!
They picked them up last Wednesday and delivered all four. $64.97.

I would highly recommend them if you need trim anodized.
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline EB3-GranCoupe

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #633 on: November 10, 2012 - 04:39:26 PM »
I think you are really going to get a lot of response with the GB2 paint.  I was at the 25th Anniversary Mopars with Big Daddy Don Garlits show with my car last weekend, and i can't tell you how many commented on the EB3 blue paint on my car.  I was nice to see something other than the High Impact colors get some attention!!   :cheers:

Offline Topcat

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #634 on: November 10, 2012 - 08:00:34 PM »
Thanks,

Been focusing on the dash the most lately. I now have almost everything to start re assembly except the center speaker and shaker cable. Waiting for items to arrive is (and has been) a delay as I'm sure alot of you can relate.

We don't have any one stop Mopar parts shops out here like Year One, Roseville, Classic Industries etc.
Some of you near those kind of places I envy the convenience it must be. 
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline wally426ci

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #635 on: November 14, 2012 - 09:22:02 AM »
Mike, did you already order a speaker from somewhere? I think I have an nice extra one if you need it.
{OOI====I====IOO}
      '71 Challenger
      [O[]=====[]O]
      '68 D100

Offline Topcat

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #636 on: November 14, 2012 - 11:01:23 AM »
Mike, did you already order a speaker from somewhere? I think I have an nice extra one if you need it.

PM sent
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline RB2929

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #637 on: November 25, 2012 - 11:24:45 AM »
Hi Mike, your Cuda is looking great. I've enjoyed watching the restoration unfold (and come back together again).  You mention that your putting the interoir together, including the dash. Question; did you install all the electrical wiring, already?  I don't remember the wiring install updates.

From my experience, the wiring was the most frustrating segment of the rebuild. Because the car itself is the ground, keeping the wires in permanent good ground is difficult. My Cuda passed State Inspectoon back in 1998. All the lights, turn signals, horn, etc worked. It didn't take long, though, driving on these bumpy Oklahoma roads that bad connections developed. Chasing down loose connections isn't fun.

Make sure to scrape away some if that gorgeous paint job to make a good ground connection.

Looking forward to more Cuda updates.
Ron. 

Offline Topcat

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #638 on: November 25, 2012 - 11:49:14 AM »
Hi Mike, your Cuda is looking great. I've enjoyed watching the restoration unfold (and come back together again).  You mention that your putting the interoir together, including the dash. Question; did you install all the electrical wiring, already?  I don't remember the wiring install updates.

Looking forward to more Cuda updates.
Ron.

Thanks Ron,

Once the main wiring harness inside the dash is arranged in it's right locations, I'll connect up the bulkhead.
 
The dash frame/pad are on a work bench right now. Forward wire harnesses are already in engine compartment.

2 hold ups right now are delaying re-assembly:

Wrong length Bendix Booster push rod.
Clock & Tach were sent out for re-build.
(I wasn't able to get the tach operating after conversion I bought from Mr. Heater Box.)
so I sent them both out.
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline RB2929

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #639 on: November 25, 2012 - 05:52:09 PM »
Mike, did you wire the headlamps, turn signals, and (if you have them) Road Lamps, and brake lights?  If had issues with brake lights and a short somewhere with the turn signals. Luckily, Oklahoma doesn't really enforce turn signal use 

Anyway, watching 49ers and New Orleans. Waiting on Packers game.

Offline Topcat

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #640 on: November 25, 2012 - 06:15:24 PM »
Mike, did you wire the headlamps, turn signals, and (if you have them) Road Lamps, and brake lights?  If had issues with brake lights and a short somewhere with the turn signals. Luckily, Oklahoma doesn't really enforce turn signal use 

Anyway, watching 49ers and New Orleans. Waiting on Packers game.

Going to do all that pretty soon.

The car will stay on the rotisserie until the Dana 60 unit comes. Hopefully between now & Spring.
That prevents front & rear lower valence to be put on till after it comes off.

I'm about 4 grand away from real progess. Staying away from the Credit cards.

Let's Go 9'rs!  :2thumbs:
Wife wants new Leather couches right now.  :crying: Another delay!   :pullinghair:
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline RB2929

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #641 on: November 25, 2012 - 06:40:30 PM »
"wife wants new leather couches, another delay"
- I'm on my new IPhone and don't know how to copy and post yet. So, the quote is almost a quote.

Well, FWIW, I'm man enough to know that my wife is in charge. When the wife is happy, we're all happy. 
I've been rebuilding my Cuda since '97. Yes, she's road worthy and looks nice (especially from 20 feet away).
Bottom line, your Cuda looks awesome. You're rebuilding her the proper way. And a minor delay in restoration to keep the wife happy is ok. At least she supports your Cuda addiction. And what's a few extra months in the scheme of things?

NO21 49ers28

Offline DoNotChallengeHer

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #642 on: November 26, 2012 - 09:20:14 PM »
Mike, It's been awhile since I looked at your thread. The work that you have done is amazing.  :2thumbs: :2thumbs: The Cuda looks fantastic.

Offline Topcat

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #643 on: December 09, 2012 - 06:26:19 PM »
The Rallye guage cluster is now complete.
Now I can re assemble the dash assembly.

New speedometer worm gear
New foam gaskets
New Odometer numbers
Calibrated/tested Speedometer, tested trip Odometer
Re faced Tach and electronic conversion
All 4 readout guages checked to be accurate
Clock re faced and converted to Electronic
Electronic voltage limiter installed
New Light tubes
New clock re set cable
Lens polished



« Last Edit: December 09, 2012 - 06:32:05 PM by Topcat »
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline AndrewW

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Re: Work has begun...Topcat
« Reply #644 on: December 09, 2012 - 07:04:45 PM »
Looks great! Who did you use to overhaul your instruments?
1970 Challenger RT