72 Cuda Resurrection

[Edison1970]

It's been a while since I updated my progress.  Ready to take it to a friend of mine that has a body shop.  He is going to straighten the drivers side frame rail.  It sits about 3/4" higher than the pass. side.  I figured I'd get that done before I start to weld up the inner fenders and radiator support.  This past week, I started to fabricate the corner of my trunk gutter.  I cut out  all of the rust.  I was a little nervous since I have just started doing my own welding over the past 6 months.  The floor pans didn't bother me so much since you will never see it.  But this area is pretty vissable.  I think it came out pretty good.  I have a little more to do but the hard part is done.  I have a question for the experienced welders on this site, what amount of gas do you allow during welding.  I have a harder time welding on vertical surfaces.  I was thinking I may have the gas pressure to high?

[mrbill426]

   Keep the photos coming 

[Edison1970]

Did some more to the Cuda this weekend.  A high school buddy of mine has a body shop about 45 minutes from my house.  He offered to straighten the frame and weld the cap on the firewall.  No objections here.  Driver's frame rail was bent upward 1 inch.  It's dead on now.  Thanks Tommy!
Now I am getting ready to install the inner fenders, radiator upper and lower support, and inner fender braces.  Anyone have any pictures of the inner fenders where they attach to the firewall?  The reason I ask is I have used sheet metal screws to fit them and have noticed that the bracket that attaches to the upper cowl doesn't seem right.  I thought that the inner fender would attach to that bracket closer to the cowl.  Any advice on the best way to fit the entire front end sheet metal would be appreciated.
Thanks

[usraptr]

Nice work!

[brads70]

Nice ! Your doing a great job! I usually set my gas pressure to 10-12 psi

[GranCuda1970]

Another one returns from the brink!! 

[mrbill426]

Looks good!   

[Edison1970]

It's been a while again but did get some work done.  Welded the inner fenders in, shock tower supports, brace to firewall and upper and lower radiator support.  Next, clean sand and prime.  Any recommendations on the primer I should use?  I was thinking a filler primer to take care of the sanding marks from sanding the plug welds.  Haven't been up to date on the body work world for at least 12 years.  I also added a picture of a part that I don't know what it is.  Anyone know?

[Jamiez]

That is the cross over box.  Used in all 3 and 5 speaker combinations (aka Stereo)  It splits the radio's output into Highs and lows and the attached harness sends them to the proper speakers.

[Edison1970]

Thanks for the info.  I'll probably put it up for sale.  I have no need for it.

[bandt]

Not sure how original you want to keep the car.
 I did a version of this to my shock towers. For a couple extra hours and a little bit of material its a good way to reinforce your shock towers. Basically two scab plates, one welded to the outer firewall the other welded into the shock tower, run a brace from one plate to the other, really ties the front end together. You can also run a rad support brace from one fram rail to the other.
I used square tube to mimic the factory support. Ran it right underneith it on the same angle, you can hardly notice it.

This pic is not of mine I used it just as reference.

Brian

[Edison1970]

Any issues with tire clearance with the added brace?  A picture of the radiator support addition if you get a chance.

thanks

[bandt]

Here is a pic of the frame rail support. I didn't do this, I was concerned about interference with the factory rad support. I would make sure the rad support and rad were installed before attempting it to make sure there are no clearance issues.
 As far as the shock tower braces go if you run them directly under the factory support there are no issues with tire clearance.

Brian

[Edison1970]

Weather has been right so I did a little work.  Started to disassemble the front suspension. As usual, the lower control arm bushings were shot. I almost forgot what a pain it was to get the old ones out.  With a lot of help from a good friend, we got them out a pressed in the new ones.  We also put the strut bars on the press to get them straightened out.  I have never seen them bent as bad as mine were.  Straight as an arrow now.  I cleaned and painted as much as I could this weekend.  I'll try to finish them during the week. 

[Edison1970]

I forgot to add a few questions.  Has anyone had any issues with the EDP coatings on new parts?  I had to strip the coating off of my inner fender because I started to see rust coming from under it.  Also, I have this control box that I purchased with a pile of parts.  I am assuming it is a factory chrome one but I never saw one with the black fins on top.  Any thoughts?