Starting the project. Will have a S**T Ton of questions!

[eagetal96]

Hello my name is Chris and I am attempting to bring this car back to life. It is a 1970 barracuda 318 auto that now has a 340 6 pack and a 727 tranny. This is my first true project car so I have been taking things kind of slow but I am now in attack mode. First question is about the rear springs. I have removed the old rearend assembly and I will be replacing it with an 8 3/4 3.91 489 case setup that is ready for install. I have springs out of a 6 pack car that in need to get in as well. While removing the old springs I broke a shackle. Any recommendations for where to get these? This is about the best I can find so far but I wanted to get some sound advice first....http://www.ebay.com/itm/Prothane-4-1010-BL-HD-Spring-Shackle-Bushings-Rear-Dodge-Challenger-70-74-/310376884880?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%252BFICS%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D190767001312%26ps%3D54

    I will also need bushings for both sides and I believe this kit comes with just one. I am looking forward to getting some feedback. Thanks in advance! Included are a car pic, broken shackle pic, and bushing pic.

[eagetal96]

Thanks for the quick info! That's exactly what I need.

[gunslinger]

Sweet lucking ride!!
I'm a new guy here and have been spending the past few weeks going back through the posts in the tech sections and using a note taking app for keeping track of interesting posts and answers,
A wealth of info on this forum, Can't wait to see your progress!!
Good luck

[anlauto]

Shackles are also available at NAPA and they look just like the originals.

[eagetal96]

Thanks gunslinger! I am lucky to have a friend that has been helping me who has owned E-bodies for the past 25 yrs. Today we attempted to mount the springs to the rearend but realized that the brackets I have are not correct. There is no place to mount the shocks so I will have to purchase some new shock mounting plates. Got the shocks put in though, and hopefully will have the new fuel tank installed tomorrow. My goal is to be have this car driving sometime this summer. In my stock pile of parts to install I have what you see below. Front floor pans, carpet, seat upholstery, driveshaft and others. Big items I still need to get are an AAR hood, and a radiator.

[gunslinger]

those aren't the correct plates??, the shocks mount on the end of the stud.

[anlauto]

The first picture shows a pair of correct (except T/A) 1970 shock mounting plates. The second picture shows one shock mount plate (right) and one sway bar mounting plate (left).

[Cuda Cody]

1970 is a one year only shackle size.  1971+ is about a 1/2" different if I remember correctly.  Buy a new set so they match.

[eagetal96]

We figured it out, the one bracket is the sway bar mount, I guy here had the correct shock mount bracket for the 8 3/4 rear. Got it all put in!

[gunslinger]

Good stuff!!,

[eagetal96]

   Spring is near, time for another round of questions! I am in the market for a radiator. Original had a part number of 38086. I remember seeing a sponsor somewhere on this site who was selling new radiators at a good price. With the light mods this motor has what should size should I be looking for?

Next question has to do with floor pans. Drive line is complete minus the drive shaft. Will I need to remove the motor and trans before I have this done? Also what should I expect to pay someone to do this? I have a few people in mind here in central Iowa but I am open for suggestions if anyone happens to know a good place to have this kind of work done. THANKS!

[eagetal96]

Floor pans in and now the car is off to get body work and paint done. I will have the seats done while its gone and try to get a few other things ready to go. I ordered an AAR Fiberglass hood but I still need to order the AAR spoiler and template. Its going to look good pretty soon! I am hoping to have it done by this fall and get a few drives out of it.

[Edison1970]

Floor pan came out nice. Are you going to keep it the same color? That color has really grown on me.

[eagetal96]

Its going to be FJ5, same as engine bay in my profile pic. Dad has a 70 lime green 440/6 Challenger...... I fell in love with that color while I was young! I am really excited to have this done, its been a lot of time and money. The first dairy queen run on a friday night with my wife and kids will make all of that other stuff a distant memory.

[daaboots]

Nice start so far. Funny, a trip to DQ with the wife and kids is my end goal as well!