Brad' second '70 Cuda and first (and last) restoration project

[Cudaragtop]

Very nice work on the Cuda!

[usraptr]

Thanks everybody.     I'm currently rebuilding my steering column.  I have it completely apart and I'm media  blasting all the old paint off it at the current time.  Going to be a lot of traveling in the next two months so I'm not sure when I'll get it done. 

[HP_Cuda]

 

Did your guy use rubber spacers at the bottom of your rear window, can't see any but it looks like it might be in the right position.

When done right the window trim will lay flat against your window, whereas if the window is set to far in you will see gaps.

B

[usraptr]

He used wooden shims/spacers which have now been removed.

[usraptr]

Almost two years ago I thought I'd be finished with the restoration and have my '70 Triple Black matching No.s 440, 4-speed 'Cuda back on the road again.  However, my back had other plans.  After two major back surgeries, discectomy and fusion, back to back in 2014 (L3 &4) and again in 2015 (L2), my Dr. finally gave me permission to resume normal activities.  Two years ago I had just removed and completely disassembled my steering column and started media blasting the painted parts.  Two years later my steering column is still in a thousand parts.  Fortunately I took a lot of pictures while disassembling it and have a manual, so when the time comes hopefully I'll be able to get it back together.  Today I went back out to my shop and finished media blasting the rest of the painted steering column.   Next is to strip the dash frame in preparation for primer.  Then I'll spray both the dash frame and steering column parts.  In anticipation of putting the dash back together, I'm going to send my original AM 8-Track radio in for refurbishing and repair of both the radio and 8 track.  I considered doing one of the modern digital conversions to AM/FM, etc, but considering the radio was a one year option, I think I'll leave it stock as it's sort of rare.  Besides, I'll be listening to the beautiful 440 most of the time anyway.    I've talked to both S/M Electro-Tech and Retro Radio Restoration.  They are the only people I've found who will still work on 8 track radios.   They both charge about the same and have the same back log (15-16 weeks).  I haven't decided who to go with yet; any suggestion, past experience, recommendations?   

I'm also going to send in my power brake booster to "Booster" Dewey at Power Brake Booster Exchange to be rebuilt next week.

It felt really good to be working on the 'Cuda again, but my lower back muscles aren't to happy right now with all the leaning over while blasting the parts.  Thanks to all of your who have continued to post your restoration progress as it has kept me motivated to get back to mine.    Hopefully, the back will hold out this time I'll be able to continue to make progress. 

[loco340cuda]

Glad to hear you are back at it!  Post some picts and share some details on the column restoration.  I will be restoring my column in the next couple of months and it would be good to see how others have gone about it.

[sadil340]

I spent a fair amount for tunes in my car and like you said I rarely use it because I prefer to listen to the 340.

[mrbill426]

These things take time.  With ever-changing priorities and budgets, our car has been in pieces for 11 years now.  It is what it is.

 

[usraptr]

Okay, finally made some progress worth reporting.  I've been working on restoring my dash, steering column and center console for several weeks now.   It's amazing how much time it takes when you're re-doing/cleaning/painting every single screw,bolt, nut, chrome piece, and trying to sand/polish out all the fine scratches on the plastic cover that goes over the Rallye dash gauges.   Anyway, I finally finished the center console today.  In addition to giving it a good cleaning and new paint job, I removed the old wood worn grain decal and added a new (correct for 1970) decal.  I don't know if it was just the lack of technology in those days, or assembly line workers, etc. but the fit and finish on these plastic center consoles leave a lot to be desired.  Especially how the console door fits when closed.  I seem to remember that my original '70 'Cuda console door didn't fit very well either, but this one is really bad, even after adjusting the hinge, and latch several times.  I also stripped my entire metal dash frame down, primered it and re-sprayed with the factory correct suede lacquer.  I'm still waiting for my new dash pad, so it isn't done yet, but these two pics give you an idea how the paint turned out on the metal portion of the frame that shows. I was ready to start the reassembly on the steering column when I accidentally dropped the column tube and chipped the paint.    so I've got to sand, re-primer and paint it again.    

[loco340cuda]

That looks great.  What paint did you use for your dash frame?

[lulurocks]

 

looks very nice.  I'm doing the same thing as we speak , I cant believe how much time.... AND MONEY... I have into my dash gauges to do it right.

and im just building a driver ...


again looks sweet .

ken

[usraptr]

That looks great.  What paint did you use for your dash frame?

I used an acrylic lacquer that is supposed to be the same stuff they used at the factory.  $90 a pint!    I only used it on the portion of the dash frame that is exposed.  I used a flat black on the rest of the frame that is covered.  I also used the acrylic lacquer on the steering column.

[usraptr]

looks very nice.  I'm doing the same thing as we speak , I cant believe how much time.... AND MONEY... I have into my dash gauges to do it right.

and im just building a driver ...


again looks sweet .

ken

I agree about the money.  Fortunately, my Rallye dash gauges are all functional according to a bench test and are in good shape cosmetically.  I did have to buy a new clock though since the original was missing when I bought the car.  That was a few years ago and if I remember right it was north of $300.     I've lost count of the number of hours I've spent sanding and then polishing the plastic cover that goes over the gauges in an attempt to get rid of the scratches.  Every time I think I'm done, I look at it again and find more scratches and start over again.  And the sad thing is once it's inside the car/dash with the indirect lighting the fine scratches I see when I hold it up to the light with probably not show.  I hate being OCD about stuff like that.   

[Challenger in NC]

Is there another source for the black dash paint? What would be a close match? Not sure I want to pay $100 for it. If I can find something in a rattle can that is close, I'll go with that.

[Edison1970]

If you are not doing a factory restoration, SEM Landau Black came out nice on my dash frame.