1970 Cuda resurrection

[HP_Cuda]

Fixed all leaks and now I'm working on interior.

Did I ever mention I hate interior work. It seems to be coming along. As everyone has said whoever makes the A-pillars did a really crappy job at molding them because wow they suck. Seats are still being worked on as well so I can get as much headroom as possible.

Hopefully run it around the neighborhood soon!

[HP_Cuda]

I got the driver side seat installed and wow that took some time.

I think I may know the problem with the small drip at the end of the 833. I think my driveshaft might be too long and bottoming out when the rear suspension is under load. Although I don't think the difference between 43.6" and 44" would cause this. I'll have to get her back up in the air and support the rear suspension or heck just find a four post lift.

I'll post pics soon.

[CudamanTom]

I'll post pics soon.

Looking forward to pics Bryan. 

[HP_Cuda]

Here are some pics of my driver side seat.

As well, I have included a pic of my driveline which I don't believe is bottoming out on the 833 but if anyone thinks otherwise let me know.

Enjoy,
B

[Challenger in NC]

Fixed all leaks and now I'm working on interior.

Did I ever mention I hate interior work. It seems to be coming along. As everyone has said whoever makes the A-pillars did a really crappy job at molding them because wow they suck. Seats are still being worked on as well so I can get as much headroom as possible.

Hopefully run it around the neighborhood soon!

Who did you get your A-pillar and interior trim from? I think I bought some years ago from Legendary which I have yet to install. Guess I should prepare myself for poor fitting pieces. Can anything be done to improve the fit or is it pretty much fixed out of the box?

[usraptr]

Looks great.    I know what you mean about interior work.      I finally at the point where I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, I hope.  However, I started at the back of the car and am working forward, so I still have my drive train to do.   

[HP_Cuda]

This is what I believe has happened over time with current A-pillar products for Ebodies.

In the beginning the repops probably fit pretty well but over time the molds distort and provide what you see today. No one wants to invest in new molds and so you get A-pillars that do not form correctly to a stock A-pillar frame. What you will find is they are actually short.

What this means is that if you push the A-pillar all the way on so the bottom mates up with the dash top you will not get the top screw holes to line up, so this leaves you with pulling them up and exposing a gap between the A-pillar and dash so you can line up the screw holes.

Very frustrating!!!

Who did you get your A-pillar and interior trim from? I think I bought some years ago from Legendary which I have yet to install. Guess I should prepare myself for poor fitting pieces. Can anything be done to improve the fit or is it pretty much fixed out of the box?

[HP_Cuda]

Finally fixed the problem. Hopefully this will help folks in the future with A-pillar problems.

I had a hell of a time trying to get the driver side A-pillar plastic cover to fit and the longer I looked at it I noticed that the lip and goes under the window channel was getting hung up. This is because the lip that comes off the plastic on that side is TOO LONG!

I took out my trusty file and started taking some of the material down. It took me about 1/2 hour of filing but I finally got it down to the point where the A-pillar was not pushing out from the center and sat flush - FINALLY! As well, that helped me line up the screw holes with the metal window trim on top and the holes I pre-drilled on the A-pillar itself.

Did I say that I hate doing interior work???

 

[YellowThumper]

One more trusty tid bit of information to log away for future endeavors.
Glad you got it sorted.

Mike

[dodj]

I think I may know the problem with the small drip at the end of the 833.

The rear seal for the 833 has a hole in it. Is it possible the seal is in wrong?  Hole should be pointing up. If it was down i would assume it would seep a little oil.

[HP_Cuda]

Yeah the hole is pointing up. We have a guess that the guys that did the exhaust pulled the drive-line out and corked it, letting some trans fluid get into the rubber area and has been leaking ever since. It's pretty slow and is almost completely stopped but somewhat infuriating.

On a positive note, I sanded down the passenger side A-pillar and got it mounted up and then added the trim pieces over both doors. At least the last part was quick and easy!!!

Rear window trim is next, wish me luck as I hate interior work.

[rt green]

i heard through the grapevine that you hate interior work. is this true?   lol   sorry couldnt resist. keep up the good work

[sadil340]

Read this thread for the first time. I have one word for this project: heroic.

[HP_Cuda]

Thought I'd post some pics to get my point across on the A-pillar pieces.

As you can see from the pics I have sanded down the outer portions that tuck under the window channel while I barely sanded the interior portion where it is between the windshield and the A-pillar itself.

As you can see the passenger side has a huge gap and it's a real bummer since the top lines up perfectly. Oh well....

[HP_Cuda]

Here are some trunk shots I never posted!!!