72 Cuda Resurrection

[Edison1970]

After about a year of reading and learning from all of the posts on this site, I am finally putting my project up here for all to see my progress as I convert this 72 Cuda from what was a race car back to it's roots as a street car.  The last owner started but must have realized he was over his head.  The car was in reletively good shape when I picked it up.  340 and 4 speed are gone and replaced with a 440 and automatic.  Roll cage is removed but the plates are still there and need to be removed.  Hole in trunk floor from fuel cell.  Missing dash pad and rear seat.  Must have had fiberglass nose at one time.  No radiator support.  Nice things included:  new inner fenders, trunk pan, gas tank ralley wheels and tires, disc brakes and power brake booster.  I have been collecting parts over the past year and have slowly started to disassemble.  Wish me luck.

[Jamiez]

Looks like a fun project.  Keep us updated with pictures.

Also....hood pins on the trunk?

[brads70]

Looks like a pretty solid car! 

[Edison1970]

Yes.  Hood pins on the trunk.  There are more surprises to come.  One thing I missed during my inspection before purchasing was the poor condition of the fire wall.  Since funds have dwindled, I have started to patch it instead of replacing.

[72cudamaan]

Looks like a fun project.  Keep us updated with pictures.

Also....hood pins on the trunk?

'
Nooo... those are obviously trunk pins, not hood pins. 

[Jamiez]

'
Nooo... those are obviously trunk pins, not hood pins. 

It's so fast that you have to worry about the deck lid flying open when backing out the driveway!

[dutch]

looks like a good start     good luck with the project 

[Edison1970]

Took the fenders and motor out first to see what needed to be done from the front back.  This is when I realized how bad the fire wall was.  Not only does it have rust but it looks like someone unloaded a shot gun at it.  I have to weld up many holes.  Also, it appears that they removed the radiator support leaving the front frame rails with no bracing.  One rail tweeked about a 1/4 inch higher than the other.  Possibly from the torque of the engine?

[miketyler]

Been there with my 72 as well. The more l looked the more I found. I did end up replacing it. At the time there were no repos available. Be sure to check your center drain as well.

[brads70]

looks like LOTS of patching?
http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/product_info.php/body-inner-structure/cowl-firewall-a-post/p/70-74-e-body-firewall-w-o-a-c-upper-lower-set/cPath/131_134_270/products_id/3547

[Edison1970]

Patches in top of firewall just about complete.  Today stripped the firewall of paint and circled all of the holes I need to weld up.  Goodmark cap looks good.  Will need a little work to make it fit properly.

[brads70]

Wow! That was pretty quick! Good job!

[72cudamaan]

   Looks real good. Looks like the metal is quite a bit more solid than
you had suggested. 

[Edison1970]

The hardest part was to weld in the patch where the vent was.  A friend of mine made up the ring and flat piece.  Pretty good fit.  The metal was shot on the edge from the top of the brake master cylinder all the way to the drain under the wiper motor.  We brazed those areas.  Next, I'm going to weld up the holes that are throughout the firewall.  Then weld on the cap.  By the way, does anyone know the best way to seal the top cap onto the lower cowl?  When I removed it, there was a sealer used from the factory. 

[74ralley]

The sealer is body schultz or body sealer available from most auto parts stores that deal with body shop supplys, it comes in tubes for use with a calk gun.