Hi folks! My name's Don, I'm 50 and live in the Portland, OR area. I'm mainly an Oldsmobile guy but have owned a few Mopars. Anyway, I find myself checking out the 67 - 72 Darts on craigslist lately. Not sure I'm going to buy one. But thought I'd join here and ask a few questions just in case I do. And I seem to buy a car then wish it was a year or two older or newer after the fact. Maybe I can avoid that this time and pick the right year Dart! Right year for me anyway!

So is it Ok to ask a few question here? Or should I start new threads for each? Like I think I pefer the 67-69's but the 70-72's look good too. And I want a small block. Should I avoid slant 6 cars? The list goes on.

Don

 

Just buy a Mopar, we will figure out everything else.. & welcome

 

welcome to the forum, each set of years have their own pros and cons. the 6 is the way to go if you just want a nice driver. basically main. free. if you want a small block, and you get a 6 car. then schumakers makes all the eqip. neded to convert. on the 67-70 cars watch for rot in the inner fender and rocker areas. badd for this. the 71-5`s are notorious for the spare tire well, the tops of the front fenders and teh frame crossmember pieces from the rocker area to the trans tunnel.

 

welcome to the forum
slant six's are great engines, not power wise, but they'll never give you trouble

 

Thanks for the replies guys! So rr69half6bbl, the 70 looks more like the 71's, but gets grouped with the 67-69's is that correct? And thanks for the heads up on the places to check for rust. Do any have rust problems around the rear torsion bar mounting area?

So changing from a 6 to a small block would only be motor mounts and not the K member, is that correct? And I would be looking for a small block trans as well? And radiator.

I've been around Mopars enough to know the slant 6 is a great engine. But I prefer a V8. There seem to be a lot of 318's around, I see them more often than 360's. So I'd be Ok with a 318. But I find some info that the 318 changed at some point. Guess what I want to ask is what year range engine, 318 or 360 should I consider for a rebuilder?

Thanks guys! More questions to follow....

Don

 

welcome to the forum!

I love the 68-69 darts. They are gorgeous!

The 318s are a very strong and dependable motor. You can build them up but they won't make the same power that the 360s would if you build them up the same way. A 340 would be best though. SB 727 trannies are cheap and easy to upgrade. you will want one with a short tailshaft though to give you a little more driveshaft length.

 

Welcome Don and i have always loved the 67 68 and 69s and if you can find a 340 dart i would start there but all engine sizes are good in them darts and yes i would check to make sure the torsion supports are in good condition as would it be for any make and as far as a year engine any 1967 till present would be a good choice ..... have fun in here and ask questions when ever needed

 

67-70 are the most popular years, in 71 they started making suspension changes, times were tight too so alot of the small block cars started getting the cheaper parts in them unless they were ordered. like the frint disc brakes, 8 1/4 rear , yes any part of the frame rails were more open to rust inb the 71-5 yrs. thinner metal less cars undercoated unles ordered. just one of the issues w/ those cars. any earlier yr. blocks for 318 or 360 are the best , they had a highrer nickel content till 74, from there they were a thinner cast block. including the cyl. walls. you cut them more then .30 over and you run probs. w/ over heating.