Here is a picture of the engine compartment. I've been installing fluids removed the thermostat per several recomendations from fellow members. I Need to install wires some vac lines and the steering column, then I should be ready to light it up..

Looking great! But, why did you remove the thermostat?

Thanks. Several members have commented on taking out the thermostat because of pressure build up at startup. A Friend on mine had his 68 charger blow a hose off during initial startup and hot water all over his fresh black paint. I also wonder how they got around this in the factory but its an easy removal and replacement specially since I will just use water to comfirm for leaks.

Small issues keep coming up, spotted a leak on my steering box today. It was rebuilt in August so they said to bring it back in and it should be an easy fix. Just a pain but do not want to wait and pull it apart later. Less to do after startup.

Looks like its coming along nicely! Keep up the great work!

Car looks awesome and that garage is going to be nice.

Took the steering box back in to Red Head Steering they replaced the seal. Didnt see anything wrong with the seal but thought the butter lube may have had some separation from sitting. The unit is ready to go back in.

Well I installed the seats and column last week. It looks really nice having them in the car. The Seats look great are very comfortable Thanks Bill Edwards and slide well on the rebuilt tracks. Still working out some wiring issues with the column wiring and want to get the battery installed this week and check out as much as I can before I fire it up.

I will install the console tonight door panels tomorrow and this should just about finish the interior.

Looking forward to hearing that motor purrrrr.

Uhhhhh yeah!!

Had an real exciting weekend working on the car. The wife was out of town so i spent alot of time with my mistress. Finished putting in the fluids, and installed a test battery just to check out all the electrical. Still have some issues under the dash to work out. For the most part all lights work except for the dash guages and I still need to work up under the dash and might need to remove the seats for better access...

Saturday morning I went out and got everything set up to get ready to fire up the motor. Everything looked sweet under the hood no obvious leaks or concerns and it was time to get that baby started up. A good friend of mine that has been assisting me along with this project Charlie (70Mopes) showed up to give me a hand. His help along the way has been greatly appreciated....

He looked everything over and we started priming the motor. We put an oil pressure guage on it and it showed 80 PSI while priming.

Here is a short little video I posted on you tube of the event about 25 minutes or so after the initial fire up. We only had a few small issues 1 minor fuel leak at the thermoquad and also a minor vacumn leak at the back of the carb(I put in the wrong gasket). Stock Exhaust sounds sweeet !!! Time for a Cigar

http://youtu.be/b3wrJbT2nw4

Great job...you should be proud. It's taken a lot of work to get it to this point. It looks and sounds great!

Took out the Cuda for a short drive yesterday. It was a blast getting that car out on the road. Still missing the front and rear glass so it was a little windy. Put about 6-7 miles on it. Drive straight shifts good, Carb works well even the secondaries, the rings should should be well seated. The theory I use is dont baby it and dont beat!

Need to get the mopar battery ordered and installed I think its a yellow cap top. I did get the Cuda emblem installed and some more decals on the door and in the trunk installed. May wait until it warms up some to do the Stock decals on the body...

I Swapped out the wheels yesterday decided to go with the magnums They really make the car. Still working out the issues on the electrical but the motor sounds sweet. I shared it on You tube but you need to open the link with mozilla http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3wrJbT2nw4&feature=youtu.be