72 Cuda Resurrection

[Edison1970]

I gave it a lot of thought last night.  The patch wasn't as bad as I made it sound.  I guess that I was expecting it to need less adjusting than it did.  I bought the AMD patch because most of the other members said that it was better than the Goodmark products.  My thoughts are maybe if you do this for a living and try different manufacturers you can see the difference but I found the gauge and contour of the rear quarter patch I used from Goodmark no worse off than the patch from AMD on the fender.  Not trying to offend all of the AMD guys. 

[Edison1970]

Just about finished the passenger fender tonight.  Had  a small rust hole on the top of the fender, fill in the antena hole, 3 splits in the steel, a few drilled holes and filled in the side marker.  Just have to grind off a few welds on the marker area and fill in some more holes that were drilled by the hood bumper.  When I get this done and I can start spreading the filler on the whole car.

[johns cuda shop]

,Yep ,looks so much better than the without the side markers and antenna sticking through the fender.. 

[Edison1970]

Tomorrow I am going to put the front suspension back on so I can move the car again.  I have a question that maybe someone can help with.  I noticed that when I turned the wheel full left or right (before I disassembled it), the tire touched the frame rails.  Is my steering box bad or is there an adjustment for it?  Any other ideas?
Thanks

[johns cuda shop]

Sounds like a wheel or tire issue,but it could be possible its something else. Are you running sock wheels and tires? 

[Edison1970]

The car came with brand new rally wheels when I bought it.  They look like 15x7s on the front and 15x8s in the back.  I'll check to see if they are stamped on the back some where today.  If they are 15x7s, they should be ok right?

[Edison1970]

Does anyone know if the hood latch top plate was different between cudas and challengers?  I have two of them.  Both came out of challengers.  Mine was non existent when I got the car.  I can't see any of the holes lining up to the header panel.

[mrbill426]

According to my (1972) Mopar parts book, the 'Cuda and Challenger used the same hood lock support.

 

[Edison1970]

Just in case anyone else needs to know, there is a small difference in the top latch support.  I picked one up locally and took a picture of the two I have.

The bottom one appears to be for 72 and later.  The gold one is what I think is a 70 or 71.  The person I got the gold one from had several ebodies but he said he thinks it's from a 71.  Small difference is the mounting surface that attaches to the radiator support has a cut out for wire harnes clip.  The gold has mounting holes for latch lever. 

[Edison1970]

It's been a while since I posted any progress.  I came to the conclusion that I need front frame rails straightened more.  So until that happens, I have been doing some small repairs.  Last year I patched the lower passenger quarter in front of the wheel.  I wasn't happy with the repair so I decided to cut it out and weld in a patch panel I picked up a Carlise last year.



Also welded up the rear marker light holes.

[usraptr]

Nice work! 

[daaboots]

Excellent job and a great inspiration for me!

[Edison1970]

Thanks for the kind words.  Progress slowed down when I realized the frame was still tweaked.  I started some bondo work while I waited for my buddy to have some free time to use his frame machine.  We did it today and I was finally able to close the hood.  Everything is pretty close.  Still some minor adjustments but that will come over the next few weeks.  I hope to finish the passenger side body work over the next few weeks.




It felt good to get it out of the garage.  I'm thinking of getting the engine compartment done so I can put the motor back in.  Will make it easier to take it outside and work on it. 

[mrbill426]

Love watching this project  , we are several steps behind you on ours; it will need a frame machine soon too.

[johns cuda shop]

  Looking Good Dave..  Getting closer.  When do ya think you have it ready for the motor...