1968 Dodge Dart GT Mopar Make-Over

[daves66valiant]

Figured I may as well start a thread for my 1968 Dodge Dart GT. Originally built in Los Angeles, California sold in Long Beach and has been in SoCal her entire life as far as I know. Started life with a Slant Six, A/C, power steering, drum brakes, and console automatic with bucket seats. Some work was done by the previous owner. New seat covers and a so-so paint job. The body work sucks in my opinion with sanding scratches, bad door gaps with bondo, some pitting showing in the rear quarters, and some in the rocker areas. I’ll eventually get all that fixed but in the meantime my plan is to swap a 340/727/8.75 into her. Follow along for another 1968 Dart restoration thread.

Homecoming pics around 2006 or 2007

 

[daves66valiant]

Here are the recent tear down pics.

I’ve pulled the Slant, suspension and stripped the engine bay.

 

[daves66valiant]

Got my heart transplant from @JohnnyDart. Of course he kept all the 1970 stuff.

 

[daves66valiant]

Worked on getting it to look like a 68’ 340

 

[daves66valiant]

Found 69 340 valve covers which I like better than the 68s. Doctored them up

 

[daves66valiant]

Suspension work

 

[daves66valiant]

Kframe painted and dolly made for front clip

 

[daves66valiant]

Engine dolly with transmission ready to go.

Borgeson steering box and power steering pump with Bergman column adapter.

 

[daves66valiant]

Pic with power steering pump and lines. (Don’t tell anyone I put them on backwards) doh.

 

[daves66valiant]

Getting engine bay ready for paint with a little help from the elves.

This is where I’m at until I get the engine bay prepped and painted hopefully in the coming months. Getting excited about this swap and burning rubber.

 

[Johnny Dart]

Someone's been busy....Looking good Dave.

 

[65dartcharger]

Yes, you have for sure done a great job. Looks excellent!

 

[66Dartdriver]

Looks great and thats going to be a great runner for sure! Doing nice work there keep at it and you'll be burning rubber in no time!

 

[DARTGAME]

Looking good Dave! Nice to see your boys out there

 

[daves66valiant]

Got fan cleaned up and painted. This P0R-15 chassis paint is a ***** to spray even with a 1.8mm tip. So I reduced it with some xylene. I overdid the reduction. Came out a little too runny. Oh well it’s only paint. Doubt I’ll sand out the run on one of the blades. Couple of BALLS joints too

 

[daves66valiant]

This is what I started with

 

[daves66valiant]

Got the engine bay painted. Working on getting new stainless fuel lines and brake lines done. Will mask and paint wiper and heater motors soon. Wanted to let paint cure a bit longer before masking. Pretty happy with the results. Motor could go in as soon as next week!!!

 

[turbodart68]

Sweet! I am in SoCal too, hope to see you around sometime.

 

[daves66valiant]

Sweet! I am in SoCal too, hope to see you around sometime.

Thanks! Think I saw your dart at the fall fling. Maroon/burgundy one? Hoping I’m driving in time for the spring fling

 

[Alex5280]

Looking good! I should have my 68' Dart arrive here next week. Looking forward to starting on her! Yours looks great!

 

[turbodart68]

Thanks! Think I saw your dart at the fall fling. Maroon/burgundy one? Hoping I’m driving in time for the spring fling

Thats the one. I should be at the Fling. We do the Malibu cruise every year, its awesome.

 

[mygasser]

top tip for masking brake lines, wiring etc when painting an engine bay, use kitchen aluminum baking foil. you can scrunch it small round most anything and it's easier to remove from pipes and wires than masking tape.
regards, neil.

 

[daves66valiant]

top tip for masking brake lines, wiring etc when painting an engine bay, use kitchen aluminum baking foil. you can scrunch it small round most anything and it's easier to remove from pipes and wires than masking tape.
regards, neil.

Good tip. In my case all new stainless brake and fuel lines.

 

[daves66valiant]

Moving right along

 

[Johnny Dart]

I'm just trying to figure out how you got such cute kids. Must have a pretty Mama.