Anyone ever turn an old Dart into an ultimate daily-driver?

Where in Iowa are you? Maybe we can find someone local to you willing to lend a hand.

Everyone's hit on the basic tune-up stuff, which is where you should be starting. Ignition (plugs, wires, timing, distributor cap/rotor) and carb (check/adjust choke so it's open when the car's warm). All of this stuff can be done with basic hand tools and a timing light, which would be a good investment or you may be able to borrow one. You could fiddle with the idle mixture or a carb rebuild, but I would recommend starting with all those other items first.