Got the Barracuda home today, interesting trip. Apparently, the left rear tire has tread separation, quite visible and evident. No spare, no jack, no lugwrench but I do have an extra hubcap. The suspension is, hmm, loosey goosey, and it pulls to the right under braking. The wipers don't and the washers don't either. However, as I was surveying the washer system I noticed a MoPar part number on the remains of the reservior, 2497502. For giggles I called the dealer to price it. $32 and change, in stock. I was amazed, not that it was available but that it was in stock. I bought it. I also bought the plastic connector that connects the pump output hose to the two washer hoses, a backwards F shaped piece was also in stock, part number 2258912. The pump, which is in serious need of replacement was N/A. The dealer gave me part number 2580408 as the correct number for the washer pump. After running it thru Partsvoice it appeared that only Mitchell's (I'll spit on the windshield first) had it and Brad's. I called Brad. They got it, $188. However in conversation with the man he told me that if I only needed the pump the correct number is 2495540, which is only (!?!) $60. So what is the correct part number for the windsheild washer pump on a 65 B'cuda? At $188 I'll be using something else but at $60 I'll do it right. Also, the AC system appears to have no pressure limit switches anywhere. It doesn't cool so I'll most likely have it checked for leaks. One thing, it has a funny look reciever drier that is in line with the hardlines, by inline I mean the input is at one end of the cylinder and the output is on the other end of the cylinder, the R/D lies along the top of the inner fender. I've never seen this particular setup before, is the R/D hard to find for this?
This has been a busy week for me. I fixed the wipers by installing a later model wiper switch, see the parts interchange section. I fixed the heater control and blower problems, again see the parts interchange section, with later model parts. Fixed the cigar lighter problem, blown fuse. The only electric problem remaining is the AM radio. The radio itself is bad so I'll most likely leave it installed and add a modern radio with CD changer. NO, I will not hack the Cuda to install this. Put in new plugs and replaced the windsheild washer system with all new, and available from the dealer, parts (except the pump itself which only needed new nipples so I epoxied on some tubing). New Trico wiper blades, 13" refills that is, and a cleaning of the metal squirt nozzles rounded out the washer/wiper fixes. Cleaned up everything I removed from the dash in the process of fixing things and took her for a wash and thourough vacuuming. Adjusted the hood and trunklid fit as well as greased all the hinges on the car. Still waiting on the rebuild kit for the master cylinder. I found out I have 10" drums not 9".
Following entries into the diary will be linked from this page. I plan on a monthly format.
Month one update.
© 1998 Steve M. Knickerbocker