Duff's - 1971 'Cuda 383 4spd B5 Blue

Author Topic: Duff's - 1971 'Cuda 383 4spd B5 Blue  (Read 51087 times)

Offline Duff

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #45 on: January 04, 2013 - 06:19:51 PM »
Awesome.  Thanks again for the advice guys!  I suspected they were junk.  AMD here I come. 




Offline 360FISH

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #46 on: January 06, 2013 - 08:49:28 PM »
Duff!  I totally missed this until now.  Congratulations on the Cuda!    :woo:

Enjoy the build!

Alan
1973 ‘Cuda   Semi-Pro Touring
360 SB - 518/OD auto tranny - FAST EZ EFI - Edelbrock Fuel sump - HHR fan
Hella H4 headlights on relays - 97 Dodge Avenger seats - Chin spoiler - Bumpers pulled in to ’72 offset

Build: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=74674.0

Offline crocha617

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #47 on: January 14, 2013 - 01:51:10 PM »
In case you didn't know that 956 radiator is worth some money.

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #48 on: January 14, 2013 - 03:28:36 PM »
In case you didn't know that 956 radiator is worth some money.

Oh yeah.    :money:

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline Duff

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #49 on: January 17, 2013 - 09:16:57 PM »
How much???  I think i'll keep it until i'm done building just in case mine isn't cutting it for some reason, but it'd still be nice to figure out what it's worth.

Offline anlauto

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #50 on: January 17, 2013 - 09:25:09 PM »
Depending on condition...$400-$500 as a core. Prices on originals have dropped now that Glen-Ray is doing very nice reproductions. :2cents:
I've taught you everything you know.....but I haven't taught you everything I know !
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Offline Duff

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #51 on: February 21, 2013 - 07:44:20 PM »
Finally making a slight bit of progress on the 'Cuda.  Got my driver's floorpan in from AMD this week (and 15% off for having an auto shop, weeeeeeee).  Also got my oil pan off and rotated the engine over a bit.  Seems to rotate great and the cylinders aren't leaking.  Ordered a cam (Thanks CODY for the recommendation!  Got it and some lifters from Bob).  Next up, get some cam bearings in, check torque specs on pistons and main caps, service the heads, install, and do a compression check. 

Offline Duff

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #52 on: March 15, 2013 - 05:22:54 PM »
Started diving into my driver's floorpan ripping things apart getting very aquainted with my grinder and cutoff wheel.  So far i've got the floorpan almost all the way out.  When I got it out I took a good look at the frame rail underneath and found some not so nice news as I started poking my screwdriver around.  Then I had the bright idea to check the right side of the car's frame rail and found out it was worse!  OUch.  Time to learn how to patch frame rails.  Anyone have advice on where to buy the correct thickness of metal for these patches???  Here's where i'm at right now:

Offline anlauto

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #53 on: March 15, 2013 - 06:03:04 PM »
To restore this car properly, it should be stripped 100% and sand blasted. It's not until then you will find all the hidden rust. :2cents:
I've taught you everything you know.....but I haven't taught you everything I know !
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Offline Duff

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #54 on: March 15, 2013 - 09:31:25 PM »
Unfortunately, 2 years and $60,000 isn't an option for me.  However, 3 months and $25 is  :roflsmiley:

The goal right now is get it on the road and operating so I can drive it a couple years here in Hollywood, CA until I can get the dough together for a full-on perfect job.   
« Last Edit: March 15, 2013 - 09:35:28 PM by Duff »

Offline jimynick

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #55 on: March 15, 2013 - 09:58:21 PM »
Unfortunately, 2 years and $60,000 isn't an option for me.  However, 3 months and $25 is  :roflsmiley:

The goal right now is get it on the road and operating so I can drive it a couple years here in Hollywood, CA until I can get the dough together for a full-on perfect job.
Be that as it may, if you don't pretty much change that rail you're begging for trouble. One good, hooked-up launch and the old girl will start to tear herself apart. AMD sells rails and you can buy used ones- I did. Use 18 gauge steel if you must, but remember, this is the base upon which your butt will be riding and if you hurt yourself or someone else or just mangle the car; where did you win? Just my  :2cents:

Offline brads70

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #56 on: March 16, 2013 - 09:48:55 AM »
That can't be a CA car? :scared:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline anlauto

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #57 on: March 16, 2013 - 10:00:33 AM »
Line the inside of the frame rail with duct tape. Then from the outside cover the frame rail with some long strand fiber fill. Once dry grind into shape and load on the undercoating.
That should stay within your budget and cover your beer drinking tab too. :2cents:
I've taught you everything you know.....but I haven't taught you everything I know !
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Offline 360FISH

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #58 on: March 16, 2013 - 01:56:35 PM »
<snip>  That should stay within your budget and cover your beer drinking tab too. :2cents:

 :roflsmiley:

 :drunk:     :woohoo:    :cheers:
1973 ‘Cuda   Semi-Pro Touring
360 SB - 518/OD auto tranny - FAST EZ EFI - Edelbrock Fuel sump - HHR fan
Hella H4 headlights on relays - 97 Dodge Avenger seats - Chin spoiler - Bumpers pulled in to ’72 offset

Build: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=74674.0

Offline Duff

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Re: Duff's Dream - 71 'Cuda 383 4spd
« Reply #59 on: March 16, 2013 - 04:33:20 PM »
So I've decided that the best thing for the frame rails is to take some scrap metal and cut it to size, then screw it using drywall screws to the frame rails, that way it'll be stiff enough for the hemi i'm installing....  :roflsmiley:

Actually I've thought about just buying a new cross member, so i'll start checking that out with AMD and see what it would take.  Looks like a solid chunk of work, but necessary. 

Until further work on the crossmember and floorpan, I took the driver's door off, realized my lower door hinge needs to be new or rebuilt cause the lower hole is out of round, took my front grill out, took the driver's fender off (first time it's been off the car), and did some rust recon.  At this point in the build, i'm both extremely excited to be getting on a roll with daily work on the car and i'm diving in far enough that I feel like i'm opening can after can of worms.  Stuff is so easy coming off and since I know it's slower and tougher going back on, it seems daunting.  I think the key to getting through it for me is just going to be daily progress, so I look forward to posting on this forum to keep my motivation up!