1966 Dirty Dart

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So today I got online to research some things for my car. I have owned this car close to three years and I still have not got it running yet.
I have install the engine, transmission, and the fenderwell headers.

I lack the fuel system, brakes and electrical required to make it start.

I have no idea what I am doing or how to proceed. In fact all the information I have found so far, is from this site.

Just getting frustrated with car I guess because my original plans were for it to be running a long time ago.
 
dirtydart said:
So today I got online to research some things for my car. I have owned this car close to three years and I still have not got it running yet.
I have install the engine, transmission, and the fenderwell headers.

I lack the fuel system, brakes and electrical required to make it start.

I have no idea what I am doing or how to proceed. In fact all the information I have found so far, is from this site.

Just getting frustrated with car I guess because my original plans were for it to be running a long time ago.
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Keep the faith you are close now. It took me about 15 years to be close to finishing mine, waiting for children to grow up... By the way you are never done.
 
66fs said:
Keep the faith you are close now. It took me about 15 years to be close to finishing mine, waiting for children to grow up... By the way you are never done.
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Well said! Keep plugging away at it. You have the hardest parts done. tmm
 
Stay the course DD! Mine is three years in and I just got it running, still putting in the suspension. And the outside and interior havent been addressed yet. It's my stress reliever, i work on iit to enjoy myself.
Relax, enjoy the ride, push when you can, find small tasks if you need a break from the heavy stuff. Best to you!
 
I was just venting after receiving a variety of jabs directed at me by co-workers, friends, family etc over a conversation about bad investments and my car was tossed into the mix. I never really considered it an investment.

Once again I got lost on this site, found all sorts of information to satisfy my questions about the fuel system.

I have been researching brake setups and I am leaning towards the right stuff 4 wheel disc kit.

I ordered a correct starter from Mancini Racing for my 273.

I forgot the key to my storage unit at home about 5 hours away so I cant work on the car today!
 
I made a new discovery, my engine is taller and now I must cut the hood open or just roll around without a hood. This is last on my list of things to do though.
 
Explain taller? Did you add a different intake? If the motor is a 273 then the engine shouldnt be taller then before with the exception of the intake or air cleaner. Are the mounts that you replaced the same as the old ones were? Dont cut the hood until you figure out why its up that high. Back in the early 80's I had a 66 Dart that I put a 340 with an edelbrock high rise intake and it fit. Im not sure about the 360 I just installed in mine now but I think the hood will fit.
And by the way, I am pushing towards 3 years since I bought the 66 Dart I am doing now and it still hasnt seen road in that time either. As for good investment, I can tell you we wont see our money back but the pleasure of working on it is priceless! As others have said stick with it. If theres anything I can hep with just give a shout!
Best of luck
Rod
 
rod7515 said:
Explain taller? Did you add a different intake? If the motor is a 273 then the engine shouldnt be taller then before with the exception of the intake or air cleaner. Are the mounts that you replaced the same as the old ones were? Dont cut the hood until you figure out why its up that high. Back in the early 80's I had a 66 Dart that I put a 340 with an edelbrock high rise intake and it fit. Im not sure about the 360 I just installed in mine now but I think the hood will fit.
And by the way, I am pushing towards 3 years since I bought the 66 Dart I am doing now and it still hasnt seen road in that time either. As for good investment, I can tell you we wont see our money back but the pleasure of working on it is priceless! As others have said stick with it. If theres anything I can hep with just give a shout!
Best of luck
Rod
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The engine builder installed a higher intake or victor jr intake. He machined it to fit.
 
Been awhile since I posted on here:

Im headed to sea for the rest of winter and hope to be off for the summer to get the car running.

I need only a few things:

  1. Wire up battery and starter
  2. Install fuel lines and pump to the fuel tank.
  3. Brake kit
  4. Transmission Shifter
Whatever misc stuff Im forgetting. Im just rambling off whatever I can remember.
All this seems to be a bit overwhelming to me because I do not know how to install any of this stuff. I had help with everything then my friend had to bail out and concentrate on his family plus his wife's car. Now things are calming down and he says we're so close and that we can get it running next time I visit.
 
Missed your post in December, but im glad to hear you have not given up yet. What you listed as left to do shouldnt take you all that long. You are on the home stretch! I am now over 5 years and engine was started for the first time over 2 years ago and yet I have not had it on a road yet. I finailly finished paint and have been working on putting all glass and trim back on.
Point is stick at it. Imagine the smile on your face when you take that first drive. That moment is now just around the corner for you. Throw up some posts once you get back with some pics. Im sure that other 66 Dart owners will help to push you over that finish line.
Best of luck and looking forward to your completion.
Rod
 
Keep things simple. Did it have a shifter when you got it? Most likely you can use the stock shifter. Does it still have the original fuel line in good shape? If so, re-use it.
 
Sounds like you are getting close. Keep us posted on the progress. I love the early Darts ( own 2 '65' GT's).
 
I have to laugh at the chain autoparts store people gaffes. I deal mostly with rockauto now, but sometimes deal with my local vatozone. When i come in the one parts counter lady i do deal with usually asks me "frankenstein again" to which i reply either yes or no to. She would look up everything i needed knowing i wasnt gonna bring it back. There used to be a retired military mopar guy who knew his stuff and would help me, but he's gone now.

So are you located in San Angelo? I saw where you took your engine to a machinest there. I am located in Abilene. Theres a couple mopar guys here, and a few on fabo from here besides myself.
 
KosmicKuda said:
Just saw your post so here's my 2 cents.
$9200 for the rebuild is shocking but at least it's over 300 HP. Too bad you don't have a 4 speed behind that screamer. As Martha Stewart would say, THAT would be fun.

We have lots of swap meets in Ohio but I only attend Mopar only, about 4/year. Otherwise too much time wasted wading through the other junk.

The comment about the 2013 darts is a classic. Made me laugh. When those guys try to ask dumb questions to look up a part I just say, hey just look up THIS part. I helped an old friend get his Firebird running again last week after sitting for 6 years. needed bowl gaskets for a 600 CFM Vacuum Holley and they wanted to know what year car? Huh? The factory Quadrajet is long gone. It's sad when I know more about all kind of cars than the counter monkeys.

Keep at it and enjoy yourself. Thanks for serving.
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Want to get em to chase their tails for awhile, tell em you need a radiator , thermostat, or water pump for a 1969 VW bug lol.
 
I do hope your planning on updating to a dual chambered brake master cylinder, and disc brakes in the front before you plan on driving it.
 
I started mine on November 2016 and I just got it painted. Collecting all parts has been a challenge. Now I am starting putting everything back together and I hope I remember where all the parts go. So keep going and good luck.
 
Commando66 said:
Keep things simple. Did it have a shifter when you got it? Most likely you can use the stock shifter. Does it still have the original fuel line in good shape? If so, re-use it.
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The column shift parts got lost before/after engine removal. My friend was saying that this stuff is cheap and easy to replace. I haven’t had any luck finding replacement parts. I’m lost on what type/brand floor shifter to buy. Mainly looking for something easy to install and dummy proof.
 
Well I went to sea and have been gone 195 days which has given me plenty of time to think things over aaand look at parts online.
I have pretty much made it a goal to get this thing running for my fortieth birthday in December.

I’ve made an extensive list and I have begun ordering small parts. It’s back on again.

I’m watching random YouTube videos and discovered a show called scott’s speed shop. He is fixing up a dart that is the exact same car as mine. He referenced Abodiesonly several times. A little bit of inspiration.
 
I bought new tires for my car and to my surprise Discount Tire actually had the 13'' tires except they sold me trailer tires. Now I can roll it in & out of the garage and onto the car hauler. Im going to upgrade the wheels when I do the brake kit.

So I bought a bunch of new parts

I went to Angelo Bolt and got the correct transmission cooler NPT fittings. I forgot that I ordered a few parts. Its been a few years since I messed with the car.

Parts I forgot that I ordered:
  • Fuel Sending unit
  • MSD 6AL
  • MSD Coil
  • Fuel tank grommet/neck gasket
  • transmission cooler lines
  • Correct starter--Thanks Mancini Racing
  • Complete color coded wiring diagram
  • New AGM batter with vintage appearance. 6v not 12v like I had ordered.
Parts I ordered this week:
  • Hurst Pro-Matic 2
  • Mopar temp sender
  • Holley fuel line
  • MSD coil wire
  • Mopar voltage regulator
  • Engine wiring harness for Electronic Ignition
  • Crankshaft pulley from March
  • insulation pad for fuel tank top
  • trunk filler neck gasket
 
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The radiator is in and looking good. Looks like it clears the pulleys which is good.
 
Well the Hurst shifter linkage is installed and the headlights came on when the battery was connected although they were a little bit dim. Getting back at it again.

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