speedog24

So I've been doing enough work on my car I figured it would be easier to just start a build thread for advice and inspiration. My plans are for a complete restoration, in the time frame of the next 3 years or so. Mainly depending on funding (how much the wife lets me spend). So if any have seen my intro thread https://moparforums.com/forums/f4/new-dart-block-15940/ here's more of my progress. I almost have the car rotisserie ready, thanks to Christmas break from school. I'm looking into the possibility of a parts car, mainly for interior/dash pieces. Anyways, here's pictures:

mr340

I would get some better support under there, jack stands are pretty inexpensive safety. that wood may not be stable enough to support the car for very long.

KSBbody

Morning fellow MOPAR person. I just joined so I can get some info and find some parts I hope and to post picts as I get my car done. How do I start a thread post for looking for parts ? Thanks. Matt

RacerHog

I got my eye on this build...
Hope this is a nice long well documented thread...
My 1974 Scamp thread I kind of fizzled out on...
Keep that Razor back alive.. X- (MarkTree AK) Boy

speedog24

Yes, jack stands are definitely in order, Santa already put some under my tree I also am building a rotisserie, even better
And thanks racerhog, I'll definitely keep it going for ya! Hopefully I'll have the time for a lot of posts (meaning a lot of work being done!)

chlngr1970

Some thoughts on your endeavor.


Definitely replace the leaning tower of power with a healthy V8. If you can get ahold of one of those 340s, that'd be awesome. Replace your rear end with at least an 8.25, if not an 8.75, as the 7.25 won't last long with a healthy V8 behind it. Also, upgrade your brakes...


The roof joint looks like mostly filler compound missing. Most every car I have seen from that era looks similar under the paint. Don't sweat that.

I have never seen the dash rust like that . WOW! That too, is easy to replace. Just don't forget to port over your VIN to the new dash frame.


I am VERY jealous of your shop, as I haven't had one in two years, and my poor cars are sleeping out in the weather This is a great project you have, and I'll be keeping track of it and living vicariously through you till I get my shop built...


j

YellowThumper

Nice to see another getting the "treatment".
You will have some long days but I see you have planed ahead and already have the requisite shop mattress. lol
How about the shop dog? lolx2

Mike.

speedog24

J, I am definitely thinking of upgrading the engine, but I'll have to find a deal first, I'm in college and on a tight budget. My roof joints are missing the filler, but are also rusted out from it being missing too long.... I've already run across reasonably priced dashes in good shape, but not any close enough to get yet...just still looking... I'm lucky to have the shop, its my wife's parents property so they let me use it


Thumper, No shop dog yet, but one may be here soon, thanks to the wife unfortunately, after our bonfire last night, the shop matresses are no more

unfortunately, the dart is out of the shop right now, have to have room to work on my friends ride....but it'll be worth it when he lets me drive it

Buffalojoe426

I love me a good build thread. Keep the updates and pictures coming in please!

speedog24

So I've been looking hard for parts, and finally found some! I found an ad on Craigslist. The guy is a great mopar guy, and had lots of parts. I got a 72 swinger parts car. It's minus the motor but practically rust free! Definitely a score. Plus I also got a running 440 w/ 727 that came out of a motorhome with 15,000 miles! Now I know that's too much motor for an a-body, but I'm thinking of putting it in my ram charger. And turns out my dad has a 340! So I'm hoping to rebuild it for the dart. So I'm pumped about getting back to work on it. Oh! And I picked up the car and motor for only $1200. I'm going to get it this weekend so I'll have pictures to follow!

RacerHog

Sounds like a great deal....

TVLynn

Re do the 72 if it is in better shape ??

pro-tech

Forget the mattress there is a refrigerator and where there is one there are long nights ahead...The years of neglect have got the poor ole girl in dire need of TLC and you are the one to do it...There are alot of 440 A bodies out there...I have never done one but alot of guys on here could walk you through what is needed....Bill

DanK

"Too much motor" ... There's such a thing??

moe7404

just hop up the slant six. mod the one barrel manifold to a two barrel 318 carb. and mild cam. .430 lift and 268 degree . same as a 1965 300 L cam. i had one it gives 20 more HP on a 413. and no loss in MPG from a stock 413. it would do good in a slant 6. you would not need to mod valve guides. i put a 318 two barrel on stock 1964 slant 6 it was like adding a second engine. didnt need to re-jet the stock 318 carb.

speedog24

Yeah I know, no such thing as too much motor! But my wife and I are determined on taking it on the hot rod power tour when it's done, so gas mileage is important. I'm thinking of staying with the six moe. Where can I get the cam you said? Comp? Would I be better finding a two barrel manifold, or just adapting a 2bbl to my 1bbl intake? Would headers be of much benefit? Or should I just get a less restrictive pipe/muffler setup? Since the 72 I squired requires a lot less body work, I'm going to use it, so I'll have more of my budget for the drivetrain. I want mild performance with great drive ability and easy for the wife to handle too. It'll probably turn into my daily driver so I can finish my truck and other things, so I definitely want reliability over high performance. But I can't leave it stock either lol!!!

YellowThumper

There are many turbo /6 builds out there. Gas mileage and performance

Mike

speedog24

Alright guys, here's my midnight update. I'll be so glad when I'm out of college and find out what sleep is..... Anywho I had my father-in-law haul my new dart and 440 back for me on Saturday. He was happy to do it for the price of his gas, and I was glad to use his truck and trailer lol. Its in great shape compared to my other dart. There will be a lot less rust repair and bodywork. The previous owner never did anything with the car because he bought a barracuda right after. But the previous owner before him had started taking the car apart. It was clearly repainted at some point in its past to a darker shade of green, but the interior was very well kept for its age. No busted or faded plastics or trim and it was full of parts. All of the screws were bagged and labeled, and there are duplicates of a lot of parts. That plus parts off of my other dart, and I shouldn't have to buy many for this car. I plan to use this body instead and part out whats left of the two after I finish. I found the build sheet in this car too, so I'm 2 for 2 on build sheets

Heres some questions:

1. The first dart had factory installed a/c, and this car has the dealer installed a/c. So which would be better? pros or cons to either? whichever I don't use I'll sell as a complete setup for somebody else.

2. In one of the pictures below, there's a black plastic "Thing" laying on the hood. It was in the car, but what is it? Is it even part of my car? I haven't been able to find any markings or part numbers on it....

3. I got two gauge clusters in this car. one looks in great shape, inside and out. How hard are they to test/rebuild? And is there any possibility of an aftermarket volt gauge to replace the amp gauge?? If not I need to get my engineering buddies started on one....

And now for pictures:


the picture from the craigslist ad


home in my shop!




adds nostalgia right???


And after a good polish, I'll be able to run these!

speedog24

Here's another question, for all you body people. I cleaned way to much filler out of the quarter last night, it was almost 3/4" thick in places! It's about as rough as my gravel drive, so I want to replace it, probably with the quarter off my other dart. How do I go about replacing a section of a panel like this, I understand doing floors and have laps and spot welds, but would I cut a piece and but weld in the hole? How do I keep from burning through? I know how to weld, but not sheet metal. Any advice us greatly appreciated!!

speedog24

Update on my Dart! Got our tax refund, so my wife let me spend it on the sheetmetal I needed. Got a new pass side front floor pan, one piece trunk pan, and a battery tray! now its time to start replacing panels! I already got the floor cut out, and am getting the new pan prepped for install. Hopefully will have picture updates soon! Also planning on retrieving my ramcharger over spring break, so I'm definitely going to stay busy!