And So It Begins.... 1970 340 Cuda Restoration

[loco340cuda]

While i have the car apart I will need to replace all the front end steering pieces (i.e. ball joints, tie rods, etc).  I'm also thinking about replacing the torsion bars because I don't know how old they are.  Anyway to figure out if they are worn out or not?

Do you guys have some recommendations where to source this stuff from?

-Thanks

[sadil340]

While i have the car apart I will need to replace all the front end steering pieces (i.e. ball joints, tie rods, etc).  I'm also thinking about replacing the torsion bars because I don't know how old they are.  Anyway to figure out if they are worn out or not?

Do you guys have some recommendations where to source this stuff from?

-Thanks

Don't know if it matters to you or not but I kept my torsion bars and they have almost 200,000 miles on them...

[dfrazz]

While i have the car apart I will need to replace all the front end steering pieces (i.e. ball joints, tie rods, etc).  I'm also thinking about replacing the torsion bars because I don't know how old they are.  Anyway to figure out if they are worn out or not?

Do you guys have some recommendations where to source this stuff from?

-Thanks

Do your research on parts/prices from the vendors below.  Dave at Roseville can get you anything stock if you are strictly going OEM, but these vendors provide higher performance and better handling products

Firm Feel - larger t-bars and anti-sway bars, bilstein shocks, upper/lower arms, struts, etc, front end rebuild kit, best rebuilt tighter steering box
PST - bilstein shocks, front end rebuild kit
Hotchkis - TVS, t-bars, springs, shocks, struts, etc but will be performance handling
Rockauto - Moog rebuild kit
ESPO - best rear springs

[loco340cuda]

Thanks dfrazz.

Sadil340,  at this point I would prefer to just keep them to save money but was not sure if they need replacing or not.  I think I will move forward with the ones I have, as the old saying goes.... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[anlauto]

Torsion bars don't really "wear out"...you should be okay.

[sadil340]

Do your research on parts/prices from the vendors below.  Dave at Roseville can get you anything stock if you are strictly going OEM, but these vendors provide higher performance and better handling products

Firm Feel - larger t-bars and anti-sway bars, bilstein shocks, upper/lower arms, struts, etc, front end rebuild kit, best rebuilt tighter steering box
PST - bilstein shocks, front end rebuild kit
Hotchkis - TVS, t-bars, springs, shocks, struts, etc but will be performance handling
Rockauto - Moog rebuild kit
ESPO - best rear springs

Great info!

[70chall440]

  on Firmfeel, awesome guys and great stuff.

[loco340cuda]

I have made some progress on tearing down the car this last weekend. I removed the interior of the car with the exception of the dash. I also removed all the bolt on stuff on the exterior of the car (i.e. bumpers, mirrors, trim, grille, etc).

Next up is the engine compartment (engine, tranny, etc).      After that will be the dash removal.

Can someone outline the sequence (steps) to remove the dash?

-Thanks

[ShelbyDogg]

 Unplug all connectors at bulkhead and firewall. Unclip fuse panel then unscrew wiring harness bulkhead connector from firewall, unplug speedometer cable, take off kick panels, unplug rear tail light harness by parking brake, unplug heater resistor pack, drop steering column to seat and unplug connectors ( or better to take it out completely). Loosen bolts at the bottom, exposed once kick panels came off, take out (4)7/16" headed bolts at defroster vents with a long 1/4 drive swivel, easier if windshield is out. Swing whole dash down, while unplugging anything still hooked up. Lift dash up and out.   

[loco340cuda]

Great, thanks ShelbyDogg! 

[loco340cuda]

I have made a lot of progress this week tearing down the car.  The car is basically a roller (interior, engine, tranny, glass have all been removed).  The car will be going to the body shop the week after next so I am now starting to focus on figuring out how to get the pile of parts in my garage cleaned up (restored) so they will be ready to go back into the car when it returns.

I have two parts that I need to send out for resto, they are the wiper motor and brake booster.  Anyone have recommendations on where to have these parts restored?

[Topcat]

I have two parts that I need to send out for resto, they are the wiper motor and brake booster.  Anyone have recommendations on where to have these parts restored?

www.boosterdeweyexchange.com/

www.passion4mopars.com/

[loco340cuda]

Thanks Top Cat!

[sadil340]

If your K-frame looks anything like mine did the best cure is Easy-Off oven cleaner followed by a power washing.

[loco340cuda]

If your K-frame looks anything like mine did the best cure is Easy-Off oven cleaner followed by a power washing.

Sadil340, thanks for the advise.  Yeah, it is pretty grimey.  I think every possible mechanical item in the engine bay that uses fluid was leaking onto it, what a mess!  The bodyshop will be removing the k-frame and as of right now the plan is for them to clean and paint it.  Depending on what cost estimate that comes back at I might just have them remove it and I will clean and paint it my self.