Dart Lite Resto (sorta, kinda..)

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DartLite

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Joined
Jan 12, 2005
Messages
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Location
Kennesaw, GA
Hey everyone. I'm Blaine.
Starting on a build up, not so much restoration, nor modded out, somewhere inbetween.

So I’ve been a member here going on 16 yrs. I rarely post, but do a lot of reading and sourcing info. I’ve finally got enough parts/tools/info to get my Dart back on the road (“Lizzie”). I’ve worked on cars since I was 14, early on mostly out of necessity, sometimes for the hell of it, and plenty of maintenance along the way. Alarge part has been on Lizzie, as I started driving her when I was 15. (I'm 55 now)

I think one reason to post these images, is most probably to be able to go back and look at my progress. She has sat for many years due to dangerous steering issues, and I’m the kind that tends to want to have everything in place when I start, and make sure its as right as my knowledge allows it to be. (which may not be much)

I’m starting with the suspension, on Lizzie, but the first item I actually did was to start on the underside with a few minor things. Cleaning, which led to the fuel tank, and inspection of other odds and ends.

This is how she looked when I rolled her out to start a clean-up:

IMG_4250.jpg
 
So Lizzie is a real Dart Lite? That's a rare car.
 
I see you are averaging just over 2 posts a year, looking forward to a bunch more. My brother had one like yours, he's gone now, so I'll be watching your resto with interest!
 
Dart Lite was 1976 only option package along with Feather Duster.
Exactly. It was an economy stab on its last year. I believe both were rated at 34 hwy/26 city. Lizzie was still getting 30mpg back at 100k miles.
The best numbers say
1500 Dart Lites
3000 Feather Dusters
(Approximately)
 
I really like the "Lite" cars because they are so different, especially with the 4-speed
 
You may want to save the original ring for seating the sender. Many of the new ones are made with thinner metal and won't hardly seal.
 
I did compare them, them seemed similar and seated pretty well.
And there have been most of us that have had accuracy issues with the aftermarket sending units. If your original sender is in 1 piece you might want to get it rebuilt.
 
And there have been most of us that have had accuracy issues with the aftermarket sending units. If your original sender is in 1 piece you might want to get it rebuilt.
To be honest, the sending unit quit working around '94, so if it doesnt worked well it won't be out of the ordinary. :rofl:
 
Great clean car! I sold my Feather Duster years ago and started looking for a Lite. Still haven't found one that I could pull the pin on. I did get some fender decals from a guy in Canada. Car was so rusty, he cut these off and sent them to me. The Feather Duster is off the crunched passenger side fender I had to replace.
IMG_0623.JPG
 
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