My first project

[GranCuda1970]

I just saw on the news too much popcorn will give you alzheimers    ---- oh!! and sour stomach. 

[hpe600rt]

 

[Joethesmith]

Ok, so i put down the popcorn and actually did a bit of work today. Aired up the tires put it back on the ground and rolled it out into the beautiful sun today. And that was about the end of the easy bit. The drivers side fender had been replaced at some point and whoever did it, did not know what a u-nut/nut plate is. so EVERYTHING had a nut on the other side. Not even a normal nut, a stinking nut with silicone on the inside... Now i know why that used that kind, but that was a huge pain the ass  but then as I get towards the end, and can see the light at the end of that tunnel, I find that they even nicely put a nut in between the fender and the grille filler panel. after almost 45 minutes getting one of them out, I Couldnt take it anymore and Mr. Sawzall to the rescue for the last bolt. So now the front of the car looks like this 

here is an inside shot with most everything removed:

The new metal that is just waiting to be installed (front/rear/footwell floor pans, trunk floor, and trunk dropoffs)

My sad looking lower back seat (oooohhhh! that might just be a build sheet!!)

Sorry to get your hopes up, but this is all that was left of the poor build sheet:


So All in all it was a productive day, I need many more like that in order to get this done within the next 10 years though.  I will be making a resto page as soon as a think I've actually started restoring the car instead of just taking it apart.   oh, and what is the name of the part that is below the grill and bumper, it has the fog lights in it. You can see it in the upper right hand corner of this final comedy picture. just look how i had to take the think apart 


Joe

[MOPAR FANATIC]

  THE part below the grille is called a lower valance panel.

  Dave..............

[Joethesmith]

Thanks Dave
 

[jimynick]

Joe, a decent oxy-acetylene torch is your friend when working/disassembling one of these old girls. Generally, heat the nut or bolt to a bright red and don't be slow taking it apart. Bag and tag everything, because, in 2-3 years you won't remember where they all went. Have fun.

[Joethesmith]

Yup, a torch is on my to buy list. I had been using something called liquid wrench and it worked pretty well. As far as bag and tag, I think I already have 35 or so zip lock bags tagged with bolts/parts. And a few boxes tagged with the bigger stuff. I'm being pretty anal about keeping everything together. I have a room set aside that is just for part storage.
The game plan is to get the car completely stripped to just a shell within the next two months. And get the major body work done by March. 

[Joethesmith]

I have a question, as you can see my rear seats are pretty much trashed/rotten away. will these fit my 71 barracuda? They are listed as 70-74, but I was under the impression that 72-74 were different from 70-71.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/70-74-CUDA-CHALLENGER-REAR-BACK-SEAT-GREAT-CONDITION-/180969956601

['Cuda Hunter]

As far as I know, rear seats are all the same. 
Functionality never changed on these.

The upholstery would have been different.

I have taken a 70 and used it in my 73.

Anyone else know something I don't.

[Joethesmith]

Ok, so another question that I am having a hard time finding the answer to.
I have a line on a 1968 340 out of a "68 demon duster" (I could have sworn those were 2 different cars) but the motor runs really well and best of all its really cheap. Would it work without much modification to my car, or better yet, just drop right in when the time comes to do that? I currently have a 727 transmission.

[TorOrange]

Can't answer you questions, but just wanted to say I'm pretty sure the Demon is a 71-72 Year only car and the Duster is a is a 70-75 or 76 year car. They are basically the same at least it seems like that.

['Cuda Hunter]

The motor will work.  Get numbers and pictures.

The A body mounts won't work on the E body.

Exhanst manifolds are probably different also.  Not positive they will or won't work though.
I bet they would work.

A motors a motor for the most part between I think 64-76.

Years of cars are correct Tororange. 

So the motor is a 68 but it is not out of a duster or a demon.

[Joethesmith]

Thanks guys    I will be getting the motor in about 2 weeks, I will see if I can get pics and numbers before then.

Will the mounts from my 318 work on the 340?

[MOPAR FANATIC]

  YES your 318 motor mounts will work on your 340.

[Joethesmith]

Thanks )