1969 Plymouth Barracuda Restoration Thread

[MJM]

Another detail fixed. The drivers side tail light was not flush at the top of the 1/4 panel. I thought this was due to filler. Once the existing paint and filler was removed from the car, I reinstalled the tail light to find out it was a manufacturing error when the 1/4 panel was spot welded in. It's the only thing I can come up with since there is no visible damage to the 1/4 panel tail light housing that I can see. I know the lower section I fixed didn't push up the tail light housing, I think I would see some highs or wrinkled metal. No indication that I can see. Anyway it's now fixed.

1/4 panel to tail light not flush.

Cut a relief slot so I could hammer up the 1/4 panel tail light housing metal.

Sitting flush with the top of the 1/4 panel

 

[JimKueneman]

You are spending way to much time on this Barracuda. .

 

[texasking]

Panel alignment was not a big priority back then. Nothing fit perfect.

 

[JimKueneman]

Panel alignment was not a big priority back then. Nothing fit perfect.

I’m not one to throw stones!

 

[Dean Jenkins]

Attention to detail pays off! Makes the difference between an OK "driver" and a truly custom restoration. Keep it up!

 

[MJM]

You are spending way to much time on this Barracuda. .

It sure feels like it. This was no strip the paint and repaint as much as I wanted it to be. Way more time fixing little details that have bothered me about the car for the last 30 years. Add to that my inexperience so it's a bit slow going to avoid or minimize mistakes. I'm holding on to the old saying, good things come to those who wait, lol

Got the roof sprayed tonight after filler work.

 

[MJM]

Attention to detail pays off! Makes the difference between an OK "driver" and a truly custom restoration. Keep it up!

Thanks Dean, like I stated above, these little details that weren't done some 30 years ago have bothered me for 30 years. The car won't be a Barrett Jackson contender but, maybe it'll hold it's own in our local car show. As of now, I'm more than content with what I'm achieving. It also humbles me to really understand what a true craftsman in this profession can do. I consider myself fortunate to be guided along by the members here. Without them, this wouldn't be possible for me to do what I'm trying to do. I can't hold a candle to them but, I'm giving it my best effort.

 

[Dean Jenkins]

Thanks Dean, like I stated above, these little details that weren't done some 30 years ago have bothered me for 30 years. The car won't be a Barrett Jackson contender but, maybe it'll hold it's own in our local car show. As of now, I'm more than content with making it happen. It also humbles me to really understand what a true craftsman in this profession can do. I consider myself fortunate to be guided along by the members here. Without them, this wouldn't be possible for me to do what I'm trying to do. I can't hold a candle to them but, I'm giving it my best effort.

I'm with you. Learning and mostly having fun. I know from my last restoration that all I see are the little imperfections. Drives me crazy. So trying to hold those to minimum.
My neighbor is a car guy too, but he builds "drivers" that look good at 20 feet. Thinks I'm nuts for the time/expense I put in. Sometimes I wish I could be ok with ok like he is, but I'm just not

 

[Dean Jenkins]

It sure feels like it. This was no strip the paint and repaint as much as I wanted it to be. Way more time fixing little details that have bothered me about the car for the last 30 years. Add to that my inexperience so it's a bit slow going to avoid or minimize mistakes. I'm holding on to the old saying, good things come to those who wait, lol

Got the roof sprayed tonight after filler work.
View attachment 16933

View attachment 16934

View attachment 16935

You can come skim my roof anytime you want! And quarters, hood, fenders . . .

 

[MJM]

Panel alignment was not a big priority back then. Nothing fit perfect.

I think what should have been done was to drill out the spot welds and realign the 1/4 panel. I took a short cut by making a relief slot in the tail light bracket that's welded to the 1/4 panel and hammering the bracket upwards so the tail light would align with the 1/4 panel. I didn't hammer the 1/4 panel down because I had a flush alignment with the trunk lid. That 1/4 panel in all regards should be replaced. At this moment in time, that's out of my league. I think I would screw it up trying.

 

[MJM]

You can come skim my roof anytime you want! And quarters, hood, fenders . . .

LOL, okay but, it's going to have to be in the winter so I can work the skim coat, lol. That was a learning lesson for me trying to do that in 90* + weather, wasn't going to happen......but getting up at 3:00am when it's 65 degrees out sure made the world of difference. When I finish the Barracuda, I'm going to either do my 68 Dart or 70 Dart next. Those two cars will be done on a rotisserie, and body work/ filler work will be done during the winter months.

I have many more autobody tools to buy but, my next purchases will be a good mig / tig welder, larger sand blaster, rotisserie and air dryer for my 80 gallon compressor.

All the best to you and yours,
Mike

 

[JimKueneman]

LOL, okay but, it's going to have to be in the winter so I can work the skim coat, lol. That was a learning lesson for me trying to do that in 90* + weather, wasn't going to happen......but getting up at 3:00am when it's 65 degrees out sure made the world of difference. When I finish the Barracuda, I'm going to either do my 68 Dart or 70 Dart next. Those two cars will be done on a rotisserie, and body work/ filler work will be done during the winter months.

I have many more autobody tools to buy but, my next purchases will be a good mig / tig welder, larger sand blaster, rotisserie and air dryer for my 80 gallon compressor.

All the best to you and yours,
Mike

those are tools that make doing the job not suck as bad for sure. I can not wait to get the Valiant on the hillbilly rotisserie.

 

[Dean Jenkins]

LOL, okay but, it's going to have to be in the winter so I can work the skim coat, lol. That was a learning lesson for me trying to do that in 90* + weather, wasn't going to happen......but getting up at 3:00am when it's 65 degrees out sure made the world of difference. When I finish the Barracuda, I'm going to either do my 68 Dart or 70 Dart next. Those two cars will be done on a rotisserie, and body work/ filler work will be done during the winter months.

I have many more autobody tools to buy but, my next purchases will be a good mig / tig welder, larger sand blaster, rotisserie and air dryer for my 80 gallon compressor.

All the best to you and yours,
Mike

Since you gave your tool "wish list," I thought I'd share what I found. Bought many of the same in the last year.

Welder: Lincoln Power Mig 210 MP. I love it! Has processor that you can select the type of welding, wire, and metal thickness and it gives you nominal settings to start with (which you can tweak.) It runs on 120V or 240V and can stick weld as well.

POWER MIG® 210 MP® Multi-Process Welder

POWER MIG® 210 MP® multi-process welder is portable for MIG, stick, TIG, and flux-cored welding. The Power MIG 210 MP (K3963-1) is being fully replaced by the Power MIG 215 MPi (K4876-1). Limited supply available. Please check with local retailer or distributor for availability.

www.lincolnelectric.com

Rotisserie: Tuxedo CR-3000. Perfect for my el Camino. Should be for your Mopar's as well.

Tuxedo CR-3000 Car Rotator

Tuxedo CR-3000 Car Rotator 3,000 lbs. CapacityOur customer kept asking us where they could find a quality auto rotisserie, but at a reasonable price. We've seen the cheaper ones out there, and quite frankly, we just weren't impressed. We also saw a very nice model that was very expensive. We...

www.asedeals.com

And the really cool thing was, when I was done, there were guys lining up to buy it from me.

Air Dryer: Barry highly recommends Arrow. I got the full 5-stage kit.

Arrow StageAir Desiccant Dryer C7612XL, Zinc & Aluminum Bowl, 1/2" NPT, 250 PSI

Arrow StageAir Desiccant Dryer C7612XL, Zinc & Aluminum Bowl, 1/2" NPT, 250 PSI. Buy it and Save at GlobalIndustrial.com

www.globalindustrial.com

If you already have good filtration, they sell just the Air Dryer by itself.

Hope that helps.

Dean

 

[JimKueneman]

This is the only way to go for an air dryer.

Schulz ADS-35 ADS 35 Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer 35 CFM 115V 1-Phase

Buy Schulz ADS-35 Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Schulz ADS 35 Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer (35 CFM 115V 1-Phase) ratings before checking out.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com

 

[Klleetrucking]

Thinks I'm nuts for the time/expense I put in.

I get that remark as well.

M, IMHO I can't emphasize enough the value of a rotisserie.
As I stated in another post that the comfortable working positions one provides is huge for me.
I always look forward to your updates.

 

[MJM]

Since you gave your tool "wish list," I thought I'd share what I found. Bought many of the same in the last year.

Welder: Lincoln Power Mig 210 MP. I love it! Has processor that you can select the type of welding, wire, and metal thickness and it gives you nominal settings to start with (which you can tweak.) It runs on 120V or 240V and can stick weld as well.

POWER MIG® 210 MP® Multi-Process Welder

POWER MIG® 210 MP® multi-process welder is portable for MIG, stick, TIG, and flux-cored welding. The Power MIG 210 MP (K3963-1) is being fully replaced by the Power MIG 215 MPi (K4876-1). Limited supply available. Please check with local retailer or distributor for availability.

www.lincolnelectric.com

Rotisserie: Tuxedo CR-3000. Perfect for my el Camino. Should be for your Mopar's as well.

Tuxedo CR-3000 Car Rotator

Tuxedo CR-3000 Car Rotator 3,000 lbs. CapacityOur customer kept asking us where they could find a quality auto rotisserie, but at a reasonable price. We've seen the cheaper ones out there, and quite frankly, we just weren't impressed. We also saw a very nice model that was very expensive. We...

www.asedeals.com

And the really cool thing was, when I was done, there were guys lining up to buy it from me.
View attachment 16936

Air Dryer: Barry highly recommends Arrow. I got the full 5-stage kit.

Arrow StageAir Desiccant Dryer C7612XL, Zinc & Aluminum Bowl, 1/2" NPT, 250 PSI

Arrow StageAir Desiccant Dryer C7612XL, Zinc & Aluminum Bowl, 1/2" NPT, 250 PSI. Buy it and Save at GlobalIndustrial.com

www.globalindustrial.com

If you already have good filtration, they sell just the Air Dryer by itself.

Hope that helps.

Dean

I'm really liking that rotisserie. Looks well built and priced reasonable. Thanks for the link. The Lincoln 210 looks like a nice welder. I've made up my mind to get a Miller 215.

 

[MJM]

I get that remark as well.

M, IMHO I can't emphasize enough the value of a rotisserie.
As I stated in another post that the comfortable working positions one provides is huge for me.
I always look forward to your updates.

I'm in full agreement. Being in a comfortable position to block makes it well worth it. I'm not enjoying the sanding on my back for the lower portions of the car.

 

[MJM]

This is the only way to go for an air dryer.

Schulz ADS-35 ADS 35 Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer 35 CFM 115V 1-Phase

Buy Schulz ADS-35 Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Schulz ADS 35 Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer (35 CFM 115V 1-Phase) ratings before checking out.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com

Are you using that model air dryer?

 

[JimKueneman]

Are you using that model air dryer?

yes. It has worked great.

 

[MJM]

Busy weekend. Made some templates for the sheet metal body "wings". I've decided to make a theme car, and my theme will be to make the car look like a common household fly. I think I've nailed it!

Actually that was protection so I could media blast the trunk channel.

Two coats of epoxy