My Bare Bones 71 Cuda Convert Build

[ToxicWolf]

          It's Alive!

[dutch]

way cool Tom! I love the sunglasses and the moves 
you are one Lucky dude it didn`t backfire on you 

[Topcat]

    Congratulations.

[ShelbyDogg]

Nice to see it running. I kind of laughed watching you spray gas out of that spray bottle.

Remember, that you can fill your float bowls through the vent tubes, and drain them through the bowl screws.
I use a red ketchup dispenser that you buy at Walmart to squirt down the tube.
Don't do it while it is running and have a fire extinguisher close by. This will get you running a little longer.

[johns cuda shop]

 

[CudamanTom]

Thanks everybody for your comments. 

I realize the spray bottle thing isn't a great way to get it running. But I would spray a bit, then crank till I adjusted the distributor to get the timing close. I know, I know, redneck approach. 
Then once I got that figured out, called the wife out to assist in running it a short period. 
BUT, I did not think about going thru the vent tubes/float bowls. Nice to know that. 

And lastly, a fire extinguisher was right by my feet. 

I couldn't wait to hear it run once I saw I had spark. I really needed to get my fix!!!   

[ShelbyDogg]

But I would spray a bit, then crank till I adjusted the distributor to get the timing closeI couldn't wait to hear it run once I saw I had spark.

Before I fire up the 1st time, I pull all of the plugs, confirm TDC compression with my finger, drop in the distro to #1 plug, then set timing with the starter. Lock down the distro. No hand turning of the distro while trying to start.
If you are trying to break in a cam there is no time for playing around..

[CudamanTom]

Before I fire up the 1st time, I pull all of the plugs, confirm TDC compression with my finger, drop in the distro to #1 plug, then set timing with the starter. Lock down the distro. No hand turning of the distro while trying to start.
If you are trying to break in a cam there is no time for playing around..

Thank you for the info Rob.
The motor is not newly rebuilt.
I purchased a running 440 so no new cam is involved.
But that is good info to keep in mind.

Thank you,

[CudamanTom]

Well just little progress (helped my son search and purchase a car Saturday. Today, Mother's Day and knew I better be a good boy/father) 

Got the shifter and shift rods installed Saturday.



Snuck out to the shop for about 30 minutes today (Mother's Day) to get the Z-Bar installed. 





Just have to put on the retaining clips on both ends. Clutch feels go though.

Next week, receive and install electronic fuel pump. Install radiator, fan and such to get running for longer period of time.
Then the driveshaft. 

[crocha617]

Looking good Tom. We're neck and neck with our 71 convertibles. I heard mine run last night. Just need to get the interior in & finish the brakes.

[CudamanTom]

Looking good Tom. We're neck and neck with our 71 convertibles. I heard mine run last night. Just need to get the interior in & finish the brakes.

Thanks Chris.
That sure is cool your at the running engine stage.

And for two 71 converts at the same time, that's rare and pretty cool. 

Got my fuel pump in on Monday.    so no more spray bottle. 
I've been doing short engine runs, checking oil pressure, temp and doing a little dialing in. I'll even go out there and just fire it up just to listen to it. 
I'm going to post another update this weekend.

I'm working my brake issues as we speak.
The interior will be a little bit down the road. Have to return to weld shop for sub-frames now that the area is paint free. 

[crocha617]

I bought an aftermarket disc brake conversion kit dirt cheap off a friend that got it in a car/parts deal. I'm struggling with a couple of missing / wrong parts but I think the last 2 pieces are in the mail to me now. I actually backed it in the garage the other night but its scary with now brakes.... My seats are just going in as is and I will recover them later. Tomorrow is door rubbers, light bulbs, misc. trim and interior. If the brake hoses and missing piece shows up tomorrow it will be driving on Sunday

[CudamanTom]

I bought an aftermarket disc brake conversion kit dirt cheap off a friend that got it in a car/parts deal. I'm struggling with a couple of missing / wrong parts but I think the last 2 pieces are in the mail to me now. I actually backed it in the garage the other night but its scary with now brakes.... My seats are just going in as is and I will recover them later. Tomorrow is door rubbers, light bulbs, misc. trim and interior. If the brake hoses and missing piece shows up tomorrow it will be driving on Sunday

Chris,
I too bought a disc brake conversion (for the front) which I haven't got to yet. So I too have no brakes at the current time.  But hopefully soon.
Hope all goes your way for a Sunday Drive 

[CudamanTom]

A busy week.
Gotta love gettin them parts.

Got my electronic fuel pump and installed.
A used Mallory 140M for $47 with shipping included.




Now she runs without the spray bottle assist 
Still have to make adjustments and check the lifters. But oil pressure and temp look good so far.



Installed the driveshaft.

THEN, started the swap from drums to disc in the front.
Let me tell you. The pickle fork days are gone!!! Now more fork for the tie-rod ends or ball joints or what ever needs a pickle fork.
This puller is the cats meow!!! 
And got it today at Harbor Freight for $21.00 




All you need to do a whole spindle swap from drum to disc is four tools.




Disc are on!!! 







Working rear wheel brakes too.



And installed my emergency brake cables and brake lines in the rear.






Waiting on new brake pads and other hardware but I hope to get her road worthy by next weekend. Maybe not legal on the road but at least road worthy. Hopefully...

[anlauto]

Is that an aftermarket disc brake set-up that hangs the calipers on the rear like that ?