73 Cuda resto 2nd time

[johns cuda shop]

Nice work. You wont regret the installation of the torque boxes or subframe connectors. 

[edl94]

So it was a rough day. I painted the lower grille and let it dry. I wanted to see the color better so I took it outside it slipped out of my hand fell to the pavement and broke into 3 large and 4 small pieces. I almost cried. After picking up the pieces and staring at it for a while I decided to try and fix it. So out came the super glue. After glueing it back together I used 2 part epoxy on the back side to add strength. I let it set up and skimed the top wth filler. After sanding the finanl result is pictured below. Not bad considering it was in pieces on the ground this morning.

[brads70]

Wow great job! 

[edl94]

As I said in the privous post it was a rough day. I was looking at the rear frame and noticed something inside. My missing prybar is inside the frame rail. It must have fallen in there before I installed the trunk floor. CRAP I will open up the frame between the two holes get it back and weld it back up.
I also painted the upper grille it was painted red. I masked off the chrome inserts but they have red overspray on them. I need to remove the chrome inserts and clean the overspray off of them. I don't see an easy way to remove the retainer clips (pictured last). Can they be removed and reused? Does anyone sell them?

[dutch]

wow... bad day for sure...... the insert looks awesome from where I sit. nice work!     most start with a bunch of pieces or cracks, so...
I also love the way you prybar found it`s way into the frame hahaha,  you could fix it with a tighwrap through the holes so it won`t rattle...     just kidding bro...     really sucks to have to cut open the framerails... can`t you slide it out with one side of the hole hit upwards and the other side pulled down a bit? 
before taking the trim off the grill ,I would try to polish off the red with a small screwdriver and one layer of cloth over the tip, dipped in a bit of lacquer thinner.   

[Jocigar]

looks great! for my future reference... is there a factory (silver) paint you used?   thx

[edl94]

Yes there is a factory correct paint but it costs alot. I did a bunch of research on grille paint and found several options. Year One sells argent silver for over $100.00 if you are doing a concorse restoration I guess that is the way to go. Totally Auto sells a custom mix argent silver in a spray can for $24.95. The third and cheepest option is  Krylon K02522000 Fusion For Plastic Textured Shimmer silver. Many people have used it and say it is almost an exact match. I think it looks real good although I don't have a sample to compare it to. By far the cheepest option. 

[edl94]

 I have not posted in a while, but I have been busy. I got my pry bar back from the frame rail it did not give up easy but it looks ok after welding. Painted the sub frame connectors and torq boxes. I have taken the car off of the rotissserie and installed the K member and the rear diff. Today I worked on the front end changing all ball joints, tie rod ends, and bushings etc... I decided to make it a roller, install the engine and tranny then final bodywork and paint. Less chance of paint damage during asembly. A couple of pictures.

[usraptr]

It's looking good.  We're about at the same place on our restorations.   

[edl94]

Well I have not kept up on this thread very well but I have been busy. Started working on the interior. I put sound deadener down on the floor, installed the headliner, heater box, and started to lay out the main harness. I also started hanging stuff on the firewall. I made a major shift in direction and picked up a 440. So out came the check book. Motor mounts, headers, water pump housing with right outlet... the list goes on and on. Here are some pics.

[vinb]

Lot's of hard work, Looking real good..

Keep going you'll be done before you know it...

[mopar12372]

nice work!! if 440 source hasnt reworked their aluminum waterpump houseing i would remove that oun and install a stock peace or a mopar performance  or zeiker.

[brads70]

nice work!! if 440 source hasnt reworked their aluminum waterpump houseing i would remove that oun and install a stock peace or a mopar performance  or zeiker.

 I have that housing as well. I've read/heard lots of complaints with overheating issues with 440 source housings but ( I could be wrong?) I think it was the housing that exit on the other side that had/has the issues? I have only had 1 overheating issue and that was sitting at a border crossing while coming back from Carlisle. After over an hour sitting in 90 degree plus temps with no air movements it started to creep up, and I had to pour a few water bottles over the rad for the next half hour till we got through.
 That being said what I DID have issues with is when I went to bolt on the brackets for the alternator and power steering pump. I can't remember the exact numbers but I think they were out like .300" on the boss lenghts. 

[edl94]

I hope that there are not any overheating issues with that housing. I need the right hand inlet.

[brads70]

I hope that there are not any overheating issues with that housing. I need the right hand inlet.

Have you got any assesories bolted on yet? I didn't have any over heating issues.