Did all the 64 Darts come with Spark Plug Tubes?

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leftiesRcool

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My slant 6 dart doesn't have spark plug tubes, I'm having trouble getting the spark plugs out. I saw another slant 6 (same year) that had these spark plug tubes and they are easily accessible. Did they make some of these without the tubes? I thought this car was original (maybe not now) -- I'm having trouble even getting a tool in the area to get to the spark plugs. Suggestions appreciated. thanks.
 
Yeah I think they did. Pretty brave screen name. ....around here anyway.
 
All slant-6 heads made through the 1974 model year had the spark plug tubes, yes. The '75-up heads have no plug tubes and use a smaller, taper-seat spark plug. Plug access is generally clear and easy no matter which head you have, so I'm not sure what difficulty you are encountering getting a tool onto the spark plug. Make sure you're using the correct socket.
 
StrokerScamp's comment is a reference is to the moronic belief that all car enthusiasts are (straight white Christian male) right-wingers.

No it wasn't. It was a statement of fact that that is the majority makup of the forum.
 
Welcome to FABO! Post a photo.....maybe we can see what the problem is.
 
My slant 6 dart doesn't have spark plug tubes, I'm having trouble getting the spark plugs out. I saw another slant 6 (same year) that had these spark plug tubes and they are easily accessible. Did they make some of these without the tubes? I thought this car was original (maybe not now) -- I'm having trouble even getting a tool in the area to get to the spark plugs. Suggestions appreciated. thanks.

sounds like you have a later model slant 6 in your car , i know all /6 had tubes til at least 1970 i think when the 198 cid replaced the 170 cid all / 6 went tubless. i know mid 70s up are tubeless. only suggestion is to use long 3/8 drive extentions on the end of your spark plug socket/ you may even try a 6pt deep socket instead of a spark plug socket.
 
update your engine is 1974 or newer, see copied from allpar.com


Spark plug washers: only to be used on slant sixes from before 1963, after 1974
Most notably (and thanks to Ben Deutschman of the Slant Six Club of New York/New Jersey for pointing it out), 1963-74 engine owners should not put on spark plugs with the "crush washer" (the loose metal washer at the end of the plug). When buying plugs wtih preinstalled washers, they should take off the washer first, if they have a 1963-1974 engine. Owners of engines made during these model years should also replace the plug tube seals when changing the plugs.
Before 1963, the crush washers were needed. Then, in 1963, the slant six heads were redesigned, with a new relief at the top of the spark plug hole. According to Daniel Stern, the spark plug tube acted as a seal with this design; using the crush washer moved the electrodes so they're incorrectly placed in the chamber, while interfering with heat transfer from the plug to the head.
After 1974 (starting in 1975), the head was redesigned, the plug tubes were eliminated, and taper seat plugs were used. As part of the 1975 change, if you plan to replace lifters, you must do it while the heads are off.

link to more / 6 stuff http://www.allpar.com/slant6.html
 
oh, hmm, didn't think about the consequences of revealing I was a lefty...seeings that we've had lefty presidents that were extreme to the right and left, I hadn't thought about that. Well, some other pretty famous leftys are H.G Wells, Paul McCartney and both of the Everly Bros. ---- I will try to post a picture when I figure out how to do that here. thanks
 
oh, hmm, didn't think about the consequences of revealing I was a lefty...seeings that we've had lefty presidents that were extreme to the right and left, I hadn't thought about that. Well, some other pretty famous leftys are H.G Wells, Paul McCartney and both of the Everly Bros. ---- I will try to post a picture when I figure out how to do that here. thanks

It's no big deal man. I was jokin around.
 
:thumleft: I like jokes.
Here is a pic of the valve cover/engine, the side of the cover and one of the spark plug via a mirror... Is this an engine from another year? thanks
 

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Yup, or at least the head is.
 
Well there's your problem! At least we know now that the top half was changed. Thanks for the info. These numbers were on the block, are they a code for something?
12 9 63
2463430-7
 
the 75-225 I just put in my Dart has tubes and the casting dates show 1-19-75....????
 
Well there's your problem! At least we know now that the top half was changed. Thanks for the info. These numbers were on the block, are they a code for something?
12 9 63
2463430-7

12-9-63 casting date....early production 64
 
Looks like some one put a 75 and up head on your /6.
 
Well there's your problem! At least we know now that the top half was changed. Thanks for the info. These numbers were on the block, are they a code for something?
12 9 63
2463430-7
Looks like a '64 block with a later head on it. If someone put in plugs for a '64 head, that would explain your difficulty in getting a socket on. The '60-74 head used a plug with a 13/16 wrench size whereas the '75 and newer head uses the 5/8 wrench size. There's not enough room on the late head for a 13/16 plug and a socket unless it's a real thin wall and the plug isn't in all the way.
 
This is the best site! I'm not experienced with working on cars but I took a leap and bought a 64 dart that my son and I are learning to work on together. So far we've managed to break the lug studs off the left rear. (oh that's what the L was for) That shows you how much I (don't) know, I'm going to be reading lots of posts on this board from now on. It's going to take a miracle, and this board to get this car together. Thanks for the info.
 
This is the best site! I'm not experienced with working on cars but I took a leap and bought a 64 dart that my son and I are learning to work on together. So far we've managed to break the lug studs off the left rear. (oh that's what the L was for) That shows you how much I (don't) know, I'm going to be reading lots of posts on this board from now on. It's going to take a miracle, and this board to get this car together. Thanks for the info.

Fun! I am sure you and your son will have lots of good times learning and wrenching on the sweet Mopar.
 
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