Rusty's not very quiet cuda progress

[RUSTY Cuda]

Now that I think about reassembly the top of the dash is held in by 4 small bolts that go in at each end of the defroster slots, so that's not it!

 

[RUSTY Cuda]

So the Boy also reported he had no heat, so I checked that out today, the cable popped out of the clip on the valve on the inner fender, I do remember it was right on the edge to get the full throw on the valve, so I tried slicing a hard plastic tube to extend it fully into the clip, looked like a good fix, go in to move the lever & it was tight, so tight I ended up kinking the cable under the dash, just the job I wanted, more crawling under there, taking half the damn dash apart!
Now where did I get that cable, going searching in a while!

 

[RUSTY Cuda]

Found the bill, bought again from same place, price the same, shipping about doubled!
Should be here in a day or 2.

 

[68R/T]

With things like that I usually try to squeeze some wheel bearing grease into it before installation. Then work it back'n'forth for a while, while adding more grease. Whether it helps or not, I don't know. But it gives me a little peace of mind.

 

[RUSTY Cuda]

I did something like that with the hood release cable (not sure what I put down it, WD40, or just plain oil?)
Anyway was thinking of oiling the new one.
I did see a post on the cables, mine seemed a touch long, I had it way back at the edge of the clip, that's what popped out. but was the only position I could get full throw on the valve.
In the post another guy said he had the same problem & put in a self adjusting cable clip, no part # or supplier, tried to google it & came up empty.
Bet Jass would have a part #, I miss you Bud.
Anyway I'll get pics if it's the same on this one!

 

[68R/T]

WD40 will dry up over time, whereas oil won't. For more permanent lubing go with oil.

 

[RUSTY Cuda]

Cable has arrived, now let's see how long I put off crawling under that dang dash!

 

[RUSTY Cuda]

So after wasting 1/2 hour taking trim off the front of the dash & see no way to get the heater control out I crawl under to find 3 screws from the back!!!
So I fight with that for a while & get it to a position I can put the cable on the control.
When I lined up the 2 cables the new looked like it may work, slightly more cable cover on it? Get it all layed out & same problem, at full open for heat the cable cover is just outside the clip.
One of the comments on the post I found said you could rebend the wire shorter so I gave it a try, cable cover fully in the clip.
suckycess, not a perfect bend but it works!
So for the hell of it I straightened out the kink, I probably just could have done that & rebent the cable at the valve, I stuck it in my spare parts box in the trunk.

Another shortcoming, rubber gromet ay the firewall doesn't snap in just layed there, I siliconed it in like the first one.
I did drip some oil & work the cable quite a while, not sure how far down it got, but it operated pretty smoothly!

Found another job, after the ride I didn't see that the retractor on the rear belt won't go back in, gotta pull the seat to get it out!

 

[RUSTY Cuda]

Seat back out, my old seat foams not doing so good......................Gave that area a good clean up & while the vac was out I hit the front too.
1st page of the sheet I threw in when my son took it to work
On to the retractor, pretty nasty in there, I had to pop the plastic off the rivits to get the cover off.......At that point it did unlock & roll up, so I poured oil on all the outside spinning stuff & a bunch down the middle where the spring is, seems to be running smooth now.
I was just about to glue it back on when I noticed the holes in the plastic were smaller than the rivets, took a small screwdriver I managed to work it back under the rivets, one is perfect, the other a little beat up but even with out those it was on there pretty tight.
All cleaned up back there & back together! Wonder if I could find or make a cover for the front retractor only thing not finished back there, missing both!
I noticed this the other day. dash in the thin areas by the vents seems to be sagging, not sure if there's metal in there or just the pad? I could lift it a touch with my fingers?

 

[68R/T]

I noticed this the other day. dash in the thin areas by the vents seems to be sagging, not sure if there's metal in there or just the pad? I could lift it a touch with my fingers?

Prop something like a paint stir stick under it and prop it up slightly above where you want it. Then carefully apply heat with heat gun or hair dryer to soften plastic. Allow to cool and check it out.

 

[RUSTY Cuda]

sounds like a plan, I'll give it a try when I get brave enough to believe I won't melt the dash!!

 

[RUSTY Cuda]

So the other day I took it out for a ride to test the heater, didn't even get out of the garage, no blower motor now, didn't check yet hoping one of the wires on the control popped off?

Today I had my bro in law over to kill time while the ladies were at my sons wifes baby shower. was just gonna cruise the local streets till he says I've never been in a muscle car before, I detoured to my kick down test area & gave it a blast, this time it fishtailed violently on me, that was Fun!
But letting off for that I never made it to the chirp into second, maybe next time he said!

 

[RUSTY Cuda]

Had to move everything around to get the snow blower ready, all mopar driveway again after the traitorous kids are all gone!

 

[RUSTY Cuda]

Took her out for the first ride yesterday, all went well no glitches I could pick up.
Ran into another car guy, the hometown show never got rescheduled last year, maybe she'll make a show this year?