New Dart Owner

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cmpierce-1

cmpierce-1

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All,

I am new to the group. I recently purchased a 1964 Dodge Dart Convertable (Golden Anniversary Ed.). It has a push button auto (Torqueflight) and 225 Slant-6. I am thinking about swapping the motor (not original) to a 273 LA.

Thoughts?

Craig
 
Welcome.My opinion,if its not original and you want a v8 a 318 is easier to find and easier to build good power with.Or a 360 which is abundant but costs a little more.Any v8 conversion uses the same parts so unless you already have a 273 or want it to be era correct I think you would be more satisfied in the long run with the bigger engine.
 
Welcome to the 64 club if you're going to put a v 8 your most likely going to replace the entire drive train brakes transmission driveshaft rear end etc
 
mopar410 said:
Welcome.My opinion,if its not original and you want a v8 a 318 is easier to find and easier to build good power with.Or a 360 which is abundant but costs a little more.Any v8 conversion uses the same parts so unless you already have a 273 or want it to be era correct I think you would be more satisfied in the long run with the bigger engine.
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x2

mopar410 hit the nail on the head,good advice there!


And welcome to the board!
 
Welcome, and nice Dart vert...........I'm just learning about the early "A's". I think there is a difference in the torque converter snout and there is some type of spacer that can be used. Just going by a few things i read. Lots of guys here will be able to answer that question.
 
Welcome to FABO. 64 Darts are my favorites although I have owned a 65 and currently a 66. The v-8 swap is a good plan but like the others mentioned you will want to update the drivetrain also. The brakes are a safe idea too. Sorry but the /6 tranny won't work with a v-8. You will have to find a v-8 pushbutton 904 for the swap. tmm
 
You can keep the pushbutton controls, but you'll need a new transmission; V8 engines don't mate up to \6 transmissions. Also you'll need to upgrade the brakes substantially, and the front and rear suspension, and the radiator, and sooner than later the rear axle, too. Just because a V8 will fit the existing K-frame does not make this a simple or inexpensive swap.

The \6 has an enormous amount of potential; you may want to give some thought to keeping it and hot-rodding it to whatever extent you want. You'll hear the name "Clifford" come up, but be very careful before you decide to spend any money with Clifford. They have a long and ugly reputation for being a bunch of clowns; see for example here, here, here, here, and here. Much of what they sell is inaccurately described, and a lot of it is not even slightly cost-effective. The good news is that you don't need to go to Clifford to get hot rod parts for slant-6s; there are lots of other, better options. See for example Dutra Duals and header options discussed in this thread and this one, Erson custom cams, HEI ignition upgrade, Mike Jeffreys windage trays, Hurricane intakes, other exotic intakes. Hi-perf engine buildup here, high-perf parts and build info here. And that's without even getting into extreme stuff (supercharged EFI, etc.) such as you can see here.
 
if I did the V 8 swap ide try to keep the push buttons,,,any donor car 1964 or 1965 with a cable shift trans from a 273 or a 318 poly will fit the 273 318 340 360 v 8 and allow you to keep the push buttons..but as stated you should up grade the brakes at least to the 10 inch drums of that era if you can find a donor car with everry thing you need,,disc brakes would be the best way to go up front,,,,its gets costly,,, drop the top and driver it like you stole it,,, welcome
 
Welcome aboard! You have a great looking fart there, and you will unnoticed it here. As you can see there are lots of great members with tons of info.
 
Welcome to FABO!

You will enjoy this site. Great people and great information!

Ma Snart
 

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