1966 Dodge Dart

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Dragnut, no I am not running rear disc brakes. I may go to them at some point but probably only if I am driving the car a lot or if the drum brakes would give me a stopping issue when I race it but I'm doubting that's going to be an issue.
Rod
Ok... I’m running 4 wheel disk on my Dart and trying to determine if I need to run a power booster with the dual master cylinder.. seem like there is an argument for both sides...I want to get it right the first time and not have to redo everything...
 
you need to check the pedal ratio, 4/5:1 for power brakes and about 6:1 for manual brakes. to check measure from pedal pivot to centre of foot pad, then pedal pivot to cylider pushrod attachment point/clevis. divide one by the other to get the ratio.
example pivot to pad 10", pivot to pushrod clevis 2" you have a 5:1 ratio.
manual brakes are just fine if the pedal ratio is right.
neil.
 
you need to check the pedal ratio, 4/5:1 for power brakes and about 6:1 for manual brakes. to check measure from pedal pivot to centre of foot pad, then pedal pivot to cylider pushrod attachment point/clevis. divide one by the other to get the ratio.
example pivot to pad 10", pivot to pushrod clevis 2" you have a 5:1 ratio.
manual brakes are just fine if the pedal ratio is right.
neil.
It’s was manual brakes from the factory
 
Dragnut, mygasser, this conversation should be taken to a new thread so anyone that wants to ever search or know what has been done can and also it doesnt take my restoration thread on the wrong path.
Thanks Rod
 
Dragnut, mygasser, this conversation should be taken to a new thread so anyone that wants to ever search or know what has been done can and also it doesnt take my restoration thread on the wrong path.
Thanks Rod
Sorry rod... will do
 
I havent had much time to work on the car lately but if anyone saw in the heating and cooling forum I have had issues cooling the car. Im trying to systematically eliminate one issue at a time and it appears that I may have to go try a mechanical fan. Im not a fan of the flex fan but Im going to order some spacers and see if removing the shroud I made and the electric fans if that will solve my overheating issues. This has been my main focus if I find any spare time at all to work on the car so no other new progress to report. I still have a lot of little things to take care of as well and one of them is to put the seat belts into the car. Ive done 3 road and eeach time out I worry if I were to be pulled over they will not be happy with no belts and also I need to put on the wipers cause they might not like that either. These are the most obvious things to get harassed about.
I'll still need to finish the polishing of the grill and install that and then the polishing of the rear trunk plate and install. If anyone can take a photo of how the jack assembly goes in the trunk I would appreciate that as I havent figured that out yet.
Well thats about it until I get some additional things done. I will update as soon as I do.
Thanks for following along as its been close to 6 years now!
Rod
 
I havent had much time to work on the car lately but if anyone saw in the heating and cooling forum I have had issues cooling the car. Im trying to systematically eliminate one issue at a time and it appears that I may have to go try a mechanical fan. Im not a fan of the flex fan but Im going to order some spacers and see if removing the shroud I made and the electric fans if that will solve my overheating issues. This has been my main focus if I find any spare time at all to work on the car so no other new progress to report. I still have a lot of little things to take care of as well and one of them is to put the seat belts into the car. Ive done 3 road and eeach time out I worry if I were to be pulled over they will not be happy with no belts and also I need to put on the wipers cause they might not like that either. These are the most obvious things to get harassed about.
I'll still need to finish the polishing of the grill and install that and then the polishing of the rear trunk plate and install. If anyone can take a photo of how the jack assembly goes in the trunk I would appreciate that as I havent figured that out yet.
Well thats about it until I get some additional things done. I will update as soon as I do.
Thanks for following along as its been close to 6 years now!
Rod

Hi Rod. Overheating? Any answers at all from anyone? Hopefully, the summer will move forward with some answers on your situation. Best to you on getting this problem figured out. sgrip65
 
Havent posted in quite some time as this build has driven my nuts! Some of you may have seen I had an over heating issue that I dealt with for quite some time. I started with electric fans but ended up using a 6 blade 15" fan without any shroud. So far it seems to be working but the summer heat is just now hitting and the in traffic temps I am not convinced will stay cool enough.
I still believe that electric fans can be used but you have to have enough clearance to use 1 large fan that covers almost all of the radiator. The 2 fan setups just dont seem to cover enough of the radiator, but thats just my opinion.
Once the overheating seemed to be conquered my next issue was the fuel lines were getting to much heat transfer from the exhaust. I put heat shield with velcrow on all my fuel lines from the tank to the regulator. Helped some but still having some issues. That one will be a work in progress!
My wiring seems to be good with the exception of my fuel gauge not working. And I still need to wire in my volt meter, trans temp gauge.
I still need to finish painting the underneath the car and also I have to get into the fender wells and cover all the seams with a seam sealer then paint.
I sure there are many more things that need completed and I will get to each one.
Almost forgot I am having the front end aligned on Wednesday next week if the weather cooperates.
I will keep you updated as I go but I can tell you this, this has been a lot of fun as well as very challenging.
Thanks for following along!
Rod
 
Havent posted in quite some time as this build has driven my nuts! Some of you may have seen I had an over heating issue that I dealt with for quite some time. I started with electric fans but ended up using a 6 blade 15" fan without any shroud. So far it seems to be working but the summer heat is just now hitting and the in traffic temps I am not convinced will stay cool enough.
I still believe that electric fans can be used but you have to have enough clearance to use 1 large fan that covers almost all of the radiator. The 2 fan setups just dont seem to cover enough of the radiator, but thats just my opinion.
Once the overheating seemed to be conquered my next issue was the fuel lines were getting to much heat transfer from the exhaust. I put heat shield with velcrow on all my fuel lines from the tank to the regulator. Helped some but still having some issues. That one will be a work in progress!
My wiring seems to be good with the exception of my fuel gauge not working. And I still need to wire in my volt meter, trans temp gauge.
I still need to finish painting the underneath the car and also I have to get into the fender wells and cover all the seams with a seam sealer then paint.
I sure there are many more things that need completed and I will get to each one.
Almost forgot I am having the front end aligned on Wednesday next week if the weather cooperates.
I will keep you updated as I go but I can tell you this, this has been a lot of fun as well as very challenging.
Thanks for following along!
Rod

Rod. Thanks for the update. These issues have been puzzling for you, and I hope you get them dealt with. Did you use an OEM radiator? Just curious. I have been giving some thought to your over-heating issue, and the radiator was the only thing that I could come up with as you seem to have addressed most other issues. Could the radiator veins be plugged in some way, but I am sure you tested that? I am still working on my 65...slow but sure. Been doing a few posts, and I hope to get the car completed within the next few weeks. Best to you on your great looking 66. sgrip65 (Jerry)
 
Time for an update for those that may be following. I continue to chase a resolution that will help to make the car run cooler. This time I may have found it!
Since my last post i have tried to get the car to run cooler. I think I am finally there. I ended up buying a universal shroud from summit and cutting it to fit.
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I tried this with the 15" fan but temps were still a little bit higher then I wanted so I decided to try the 17" fan. I also at the same time went back to the 180* thermostat. The fan just nipped the top of the shroud so I had to make some additional adjustments. So I cut the top out and added a bow for clearance.
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Had my buddy weld it in for me and i put it back together and it cleared for a test drive. This time my temps stayed at 190* or less with outside mid 80 temps and very high humidity.
Ive also gotten the alignment done and it seems to drive pretty good. We kinda set it up between a street setting and a race setting. Heres where we ended up.
20190703_101237.jpg

Ive still got to make some guards for the fuel lines. I made a list of things that need done and it looks like I still have 40+ hours of work to do. May be more but the longest part will be the sanding and polishing of the front grill and rear trunk plate. Another big job will be the seat harnesses along with a fuel gauge repair. Then many little things that i will update as I go here.
Oh, I almost forgot that I started the install of the serpentine kit I bought from CVF Racing. The lower pulley was to long and the fan hits it so I had to send it all back and exchange it for the V-belt system. I used the lower pulley and the water pump pulley so far but will be changing over to a one wire Gm style alternator and will have to run a new heavier wire to the battery as well as disconnect the original style regulator . That will prove to be a chore since all my wires are run inside a pipe under the passenger fender.
Hey, let me know what you think.
Thanks Rod
 
What radiator did you end up using Rod? And are you still running an electric fan setup?
 
Time for an update, with pics!! i am 98% done with this car. With the exception of going back and reworking stuff that I didnt get right or nice enough to suit me the first time. SO to keep your interest I will post pics right off the bat! These where taken today at my dads as thats where the car has been for the last month because he has full size lifts while I only have the Maxi lift that only goes up about 4.5 ft.
Anyway here are todays pics.
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I took 2 days off work this week to complete this. The reason for making sure it had to be done by tomorrow morning at 10 AM is because I am off to the Ridgley Md car show and thats the time the group pulls out. This show is very special and the only show I normally attend because Richard Petty comes to this every year to help raise money for his charity, however this is the last year for him to be there and I didnt want to miss it again as I have been trying to get my car there the last 2 previous years! This year I have chosen to put my car in the Petty Coral which they only take 21 cars in. I had to donate $543 dollars to the Petty charity to get there. This gets Richard right there at my car as he spends time with each donor. Rumor has it I will even get a Richard Petty belt buckle but i'll wait and see on that. I also get pics with him and my car as well!! Since I just finished the car officially today I am going to trailer it to the hotel and driving to the show from there which is 13 miles one way.
The car looks great in my opinion and it cleaned up fantastic. There are always those few nicks or scratches that you have to live with but I am so happy with the final results. The only thing Im not sure about is if it is to white and may need a pinstripe or something on the sides. Im sure I will see that guy or multiple guys picking it apart as they walk around it but I wont care because I did it my way. Are there somethings I would do different? Sure. But its small stuff.
here how the car sits as of today:
Body is all metal with everything being welded. Any rust was removed and replaced. The car was originally a 270. Now its a cross between a standard Dart and GT Dart. All molding side trim has been removed and some of the GT lettering added.
The rear is a 3:91 posi and I also have a 4:56 posi for it as well to go racing. The rear is sitting on super stock springs and the car was tubbed and frame rails have been welded in. The shifter is a Hurst Pro-matic but Im not happy with it so I may change to something else. However it looks good coming thru the a factory console.
The engine is a 408 with a single 4 bbl, however this winter or next it will be getting the Edelbrock heads I had refinished along with the Edelbrock TR5 2x4 setup.
The trans is a built 904 with a 3800 converter if I remember right.
The interior has been changed which means the rear seat is no longer in the car. The front seats have been updated to some cheaper racing seats. The carpet and headliner are all new and were fun replacing. The dash has been slightly changed for all my gauges.
All the wiring has been removed from the engine bay and run up under the fenders which makes a very clean looking engine bay.
I reworked all the trim on the car, whcih meant straightening and polishing until the cows come home. Bad thing is I want a nicer job so a lot of it will get re worked in the next 2 years.
I know I have way more money in it then I will ever get out of it but I had a blast building it. I really want to thank the guys on this site for all the information you have passed my way. I couldnt have done it without you.
If you have any questions about the build feel free to post or ask me. I want to help anyone that may be building one of these themselves!
Thanks again,
Rod
 
Time for an update, with pics!! i am 98% done with this car. With the exception of going back and reworking stuff that I didnt get right or nice enough to suit me the first time. SO to keep your interest I will post pics right off the bat! These where taken today at my dads as thats where the car has been for the last month because he has full size lifts while I only have the Maxi lift that only goes up about 4.5 ft.
Anyway here are todays pics.
View attachment 1715396990 View attachment 1715396991 View attachment 1715396992 View attachment 1715396993 View attachment 1715396994 View attachment 1715396995 View attachment 1715396996 View attachment 1715396997
I took 2 days off work this week to complete this. The reason for making sure it had to be done by tomorrow morning at 10 AM is because I am off to the Ridgley Md car show and thats the time the group pulls out. This show is very special and the only show I normally attend because Richard Petty comes to this every year to help raise money for his charity, however this is the last year for him to be there and I didnt want to miss it again as I have been trying to get my car there the last 2 previous years! This year I have chosen to put my car in the Petty Coral which they only take 21 cars in. I had to donate $543 dollars to the Petty charity to get there. This gets Richard right there at my car as he spends time with each donor. Rumor has it I will even get a Richard Petty belt buckle but i'll wait and see on that. I also get pics with him and my car as well!! Since I just finished the car officially today I am going to trailer it to the hotel and driving to the show from there which is 13 miles one way.
The car looks great in my opinion and it cleaned up fantastic. There are always those few nicks or scratches that you have to live with but I am so happy with the final results. The only thing Im not sure about is if it is to white and may need a pinstripe or something on the sides. Im sure I will see that guy or multiple guys picking it apart as they walk around it but I wont care because I did it my way. Are there somethings I would do different? Sure. But its small stuff.
here how the car sits as of today:
Body is all metal with everything being welded. Any rust was removed and replaced. The car was originally a 270. Now its a cross between a standard Dart and GT Dart. All molding side trim has been removed and some of the GT lettering added.
The rear is a 3:91 posi and I also have a 4:56 posi for it as well to go racing. The rear is sitting on super stock springs and the car was tubbed and frame rails have been welded in. The shifter is a Hurst Pro-matic but Im not happy with it so I may change to something else. However it looks good coming thru the a factory console.
The engine is a 408 with a single 4 bbl, however this winter or next it will be getting the Edelbrock heads I had refinished along with the Edelbrock TR5 2x4 setup.
The trans is a built 904 with a 3800 converter if I remember right.
The interior has been changed which means the rear seat is no longer in the car. The front seats have been updated to some cheaper racing seats. The carpet and headliner are all new and were fun replacing. The dash has been slightly changed for all my gauges.
All the wiring has been removed from the engine bay and run up under the fenders which makes a very clean looking engine bay.
I reworked all the trim on the car, whcih meant straightening and polishing until the cows come home. Bad thing is I want a nicer job so a lot of it will get re worked in the next 2 years.
I know I have way more money in it then I will ever get out of it but I had a blast building it. I really want to thank the guys on this site for all the information you have passed my way. I couldnt have done it without you.
If you have any questions about the build feel free to post or ask me. I want to help anyone that may be building one of these themselves!
Thanks again,
Rod

Rod. What else need be said......EXCELLENT. Have a great time at the show. Question...what paint did you use? You have listed that before, but curious. Thanks. sgrip65
 
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Very nice, do you have a picture of the engine compartment? Thanks
 
Keith, yes the day has finally arrived. Although as I said I trailered it down because I just wasnt sure and it is to far to have a problem.
Just dont have enough testing on it to be sure. By the way I got your text and I will get back to you probably on Monday.
Coalman, heres a pic of the engine compartment. If you need more let me know.
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Thanks to everyone's compliments, they are greatly appreciated.
Rod
 
Keith, yes the day has finally arrived. Although as I said I trailered it down because I just wasnt sure and it is to far to have a problem.
Just dont have enough testing on it to be sure. By the way I got your text and I will get back to you probably on Monday.
Coalman, heres a pic of the engine compartment. If you need more let me know.
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Thanks to everyone's compliments, they are greatly appreciated.
Rod
No, that is fine, great job really nice engine compartment and car!!!
 
Had a fantastic weekend that included meeting Richard Petty. I trailered my car 120 miles to Denton Md on Saturday morning. My truck towed great as it was the first time that I used the trailer and truck but the fuel mileage was aweful @ 9.4 MPG for the entire trip. I unloaded the car Sunday morning around 5:00AM and drove to Ridgley, it was about a 12 mile ride and my temps stayed at 180*. It was a nice drive and everything electrical was fine, headlights are nice and bright. Im still struggling with the Hurst Promatic shifter going into 3rd gear but that something Ill need to work with in the next few weeks.
Anyway Heres how the meeting went. Richard arrive by motorcade, was taken into the soda store and I was the first person he met when he came outside in to the Kings Court. He said hello and asked how I was doing, then he asked what I wanted signed. I ask for him to sign the car so He signed under the hood on the passenger side inner fender.
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I guess I will shoot some clear coat over it to preserve it.
Then he signed a small truck hauler for my dad. Then him and dad joked about the money dad spent having his Mustang done in a Petty car in his shop. Then Richard ask if I wanted pics with us together so here they are.
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Thats my dad in the background and Im beside Richard.
My parking spot was great because it was the first car that Richard had to go to but it was back in a corner and wasnt easily seen for those at the show.
I wasnt allowed to leave the show because of being parked in the Court until the show was over so it became to be a very long day. I got there at 6:00 AM and didnt pulled out until 5 PM.
On the drive back to the trailer I was able to run the car hard a few times. It has great pull and the 3:91 gearing is a good road gear. I can run at 55 - 60 MPH at 2800 - 3000 RPM's.
So after just over 7 years to get this car on the road, my first trip was to put it in front of Richard. Not a bad start!!

I have 200 pics of Mopars that were at the show. Ill figure out how to download them and make a link in the next few days so you can see the Mopars that were there. I bet there were at least 15 or more hemi cars there. They had 5 superbirds! Its been an awesome show over the years but this is the last year for Richard and the lady that runs it is leaving as well so Im sure the show will downsize or be cancelled in the future. They bring in Linda Vaughn, They had some of the cast from the moonshiners, and the always have look a likes from the Dukes of Hazard. All and all its a great show.
Here are some other shots from my day.
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Below is Richard laughing at my Dad because of the money he took from him to do a Petty mustang for him. It was funny to listen to the 2 of them laugh!
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Below is getting ready to load up for the first time.
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This is the group that I traveled with to the show. Way to many Mustangs!! lol
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Rod
 
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