New to Mopars, 76 Cordoba - Restoring.

[w0lf19]

So I acquired a '76 Chrysler Cordoba from my better half's mother - it belonged to her father who passed far too early, and she didn't want to just let it go to someone who wouldn't appreciate it. It currently doesn't run, but did eight years ago when it was parked. 75k Original miles. Just needs the lines flushed and the fuel tank cleaned to start. Now, I am not a mechanic - but I have a friend who is when I run into any real trouble. I am learning about doing this as I go along, and have a trusty service manual at hand.

My plan is to eventually over the course of a year or two restore this car. First order of business is getting it stripped down, as I will eventually want to media-blast the shell, and have it undercoated to keep any more rust from forming. I want to rebuild the engine. It has the V8 400 in it, and I have found a few rebuild kits online. Currently looking at this one: http://greenbaypartsworld.net/websto...iew&page=c400a
I've ordered a book/manual on rebuilding this particular engine, and plan to read it extensively before digging in - and also bribing my mechanic friend with food to get him to help me out.

She needs a new wiring harness thanks to the previous owner letting someone try to start it, them connecting the battery backwards, and melting part of the harness somehow. Also, in the pics I will post below you can see someone had an aftermarket stereo put in, and the wiring is still there. It was all duct taped together so it wouldn't fall down in front of the pedals.

I also want to rebuild the transmission, and switch it from column shift to floor-shift automatic with a Hearst shifter. The interior is a bit trashed, and it needs new fuel lines/rubber all around as it has hardened like steel in 8 years of sitting in Nevada heat drying out.

I was thinking of going with something like http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-23062 but my concern is that with the connectors it seems I will have to make changes to my gas-tank? Because I am pretty sure the stock gas-tank does not have that kind of fitting. I did, however find this stuff on fleabay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-8-X-25-Stainless-Steel-Braid-Braided-Hose-Fuel-Line_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27a77c7554QQitemZ1 70313676116QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAcc essories that seems to use a hose-clamp disguised as a fitting. Would this work fine, or are there any suggestions?

Basically, I plan to tear her down to the shell, and start with the engine and tranny, put in electronic ignition, replace any shot parts such as the AC compressor and alternator, revamp the suspension if necessary, then have the shell media blasted, rust treated, and primed. From there I plan to paint the engine bay and put her back together. Have the interior redone, and then paint. Does this sound about the right way to do things? Again, I am really new to this all, and it seems like it will be a fantastic journey and a great learning experience.

Any advice, suggestions, etc. are apreciated.

[w0lf19]

Here are some pictures I took just the other day - no real body work necessary as she is in pretty good condition. A little rust, but not a ton.

[w0lf19]

[270SE]

That's a cool car. Good luck. Love the pics.

It'd look great with dual exhaust out the back.

[speeddemon]

Take your time and have fun doing it. The car should already have electronic ignition. Use the fuel lines that are on it if they are not plugged. Just replace the rubber lines.

[270SE]

Originally Posted by speeddemon

Take your time and have fun doing it. The car should already have electronic ignition. Use the fuel lines that are on it if they are not plugged. Just replace the rubber lines.

1976 400 goes either way. But if it runs good and has good timing, it's fine. When you start building the motor and don't have the tools to do the timing or the lean burn is in poor condition, then it becomes an issue.

[w0lf19]

Originally Posted by 270SE

1976 400 goes either way. But if it runs good and has good timing, it's fine. When you start building the motor and don't have the tools to do the timing or the lean burn is in poor condition, then it becomes an issue.

Yeah I didn't want to deal with the lean burn and the chance of it crapping out. It will be going away and being replaced with electronic ignition conversion for sure.

Also, I really WANT to go headers and dual exhaust, but I can NOT find an exhaust kit OR headers that are specifically listed to fit this car for this year. It is frustrating. Any advice here would be HUGELY appreciated.

[CudaZappa]

w0lf19,
First off welcome to 'style!!! You've found the best site for help with restoring a later mopar.
Next, post over in MagnumGT.com section in the future. While your car is a B-body, the 75+ section is there and there's a lot of rabid fans that hang out in that section.
Last, cool car. I've always loved big block 'dobas and they are among my favorites and I hope to own another someday. Personally, I'd paint your undercarriage before undercoating. Undercoating has been known to trap the stuff that causes rust rather than prevent it!! Undercoat generally is a sound deadener and there's better materials out there that do the job better, and lighter!

BTW: because of CA emissions laws, you'll find that applications that affect emissions controls end at '74. Cool thing is you car is nearly identical underneath the sheetmetal to a 73-74 Charger/RR etc etc. So look under those apps.

Good luck with the project hoping to follow it along!