1965 Valiants and Darts 'Old School'

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69 Cuda 440

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From 1965,,,,,,

The 'dangerous' H/SA Class (15.00 - 15.59 Wt/Hp)

Yes, it's a 1964 Model 170 Sedan, but it warrants a 1965 posting.

1964 Dart 273/180 HP vs 1957 Chevy Model #210 283/220 HP

 
Tony,

In 1965, if you lived in Southern California and wanted your 273/180 HP
2-Barrel to 'crank' in H/S or H/SA.

You had to go to Walker Dodge on Roscoe Boulevard in Canoga Park, California.

They had all 'the tricks'.

Short Block Performance

They'd pull the engine,
A) Deck the block
B) Hone the cylinders for a 'dynamite' cross-hatch finish
C) Balance the pistons
D) Reverse the pistons for less friction
E) Install the best chrome-faced piston-rings
F) Polish the crankshaft
G) Hone out the lifter bores for additional clearance
H) Clevite 77 rod-bearings with fully grooved main-bearings.
I) Install a fabricated oil pan windage tray

That was just a start
 
A couple of 1965 Valiant V-200's with 273/235 HP 'Commando Engines'

The front Valiant 'Lil Brute' is an Automatic, and the back Valiant ''Prince Valiant'
is a very rare 4-Door, 4-Speed.

This photo, from 1966.

The V-200 2-Door (#2750 lbs.) was classed in E/SA
The V-200 4-Door (#2795 lbs.) was classed in F/S.

file.php
 
Any Northeast guys ever see either of the 65's? The four door Commando four speed had to be a special order.
 
Commando 66,

I did. The front 65' Valiant 2-Door was raced by the Centolanza Brothers (Lou and Tony),
and we bought the slicks off that car from them back in 1968.

The 65' Valiant 4-Door, was owned by Ken Connely, and he raced that car until
1969, when it was classed in I/Stock.

That photo (1966) is from Dover Drag Strip, Wingdale, New York, when both cars were classed in
E/SA and E/S respectively. Both were regular class winners.
 
I feel like I'm watching the History Chanel. Thanks for your posts! I really enjoy them and the photos too. tmm
 
69 Cuda 440 said:
Commando 66,

I did. The front 65' Valiant 2-Door was raced by the Centolanza Brothers (Lou and Tony),
and we bought the slicks off that car from them back in 1968.

The 65' Valiant 4-Door, was owned by Ken Connely, and he raced that car until
1969, when it was classed in I/Stock.

That photo (1966) is from Dover Drag Strip, Wingdale, New York, when both cars were classed in
E/SA and E/S respectively. Both were regular class winners.
Click to expand...

Must have been great to see the cars run. Anyone know where they are now?
 
69 Cuda 440 said:
Tony,

They'd pull the engine,
A) Deck the block
B) Hone the cylinders for a 'dynamite' cross-hatch finish
C) Balance the pistons
D) Reverse the pistons for less friction
E) Install the best chrome-faced piston-rings
F) Polish the crankshaft
G) Hone out the lifter bores for additional clearance
H) Clevite 77 rod-bearings with fully grooved main-bearings.
I) Install a fabricated oil pan windage tray

That was just a start
Click to expand...

Two questions:
B. What do you mean by a 'dynamite' cross-hatch finish
and...
D. Reversing the pistons....I've heard this before but don't understand how it would make a difference.
 
Clifftt,

The cylinders would be honed with a 280-Grit stone, and with a 45* (degree) cross-hatch angle.
Then hit with a 400-Grit stone to get the proper surface finish.

Also, to achieve a consistent .0035 piston-to-cylinder wall clearance.

The finish would also have a 25-35 RA (Average Roughness of Surface). This would
ensure a proper seal with less friction.

Then, install a set of 'Perfect Circle' chrome-faced piston rings. This gave the engine an approximate
horsepower increase of nearly 10 HP.

For the pistons in a 273/180 HP engine (Flat Top Pistons), you would install the
left-bank on the right side, and the right-bank on the left side.

What this would do, is reverse the piston-pin off-sets, resulting in less piston
friction, gaining you more RPM's.
 
WOW, very cool old pics and history!!! I noticed Highland Falls, NY on the quarter panels!
 
Wow back in the 60s there wernt many A bobies running around here. In fact I was about the only one. I ran at stuggart,Carlise,Little Rock, Memphis (lakeland)and Hope. I only remember a 66 baracuda and a 66 yellow dart. For some reason you dont see them at car shows either.
 
Ron Root's 1965 D/MP Dart was featured in the October 1965 Car Craft Magazine.

That 273 was running 13.20's @ 107 MPH.

1965 NHRA D/MP record was.........12.92 @ 108 MPH

Modified Production factored the M/P Class by weight divided by cubic inch.

That beast weighed in at #3030 lbs., and was equipped with a massive steel fabricated
traction-bar set-up.

#3030 lbs. ~ 273 Cubic Inches = 11.10 Weight/Horspower = D/MP (Modified Production)
 
Ron Root,

With his 1963 Dart Model #170 E/MP 'Six-Banger'

'1964' NHRA National Record Holder

#2700 lbs. ~ 225 Cubic Inch = 12.00 Weight/Horsepower = E/MP (Modified Production)

attachment.php
 
1965 Valiant Signet

The 273/235 HP 'Signet' weighed in at 2820 lbs., and was heavier than the V-100 or V-200 Valiants, which bumped them up one class.
The 'dressed up' Signet had a 12.00 Weight/Horsepower factor.

Valley Motors Chrysler-Plymouth - Altoona, Pennyslvania

(1966 Photo) In 1966, the 273/235 HP 65' Signet was classed in F/Stock (11.89 - 12.49 Wt/Hp)

Here, the little Signet wants to challenge the 1966 A/S 426 Hemi Belvedere (National Record Holder and World Champion) Jere Stahl.

stahlvalleymotors.jpg
 
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