New to Mopars! Father/Son project.

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rub2stix

rub2stix

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Joined
Dec 29, 2013
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Location
Clancy, MT
Hi all,

I started life as a Ford fan, just because my Dad was. As I began actually working on and modifying cars I switched my allegiance to Chevy. I worked as a mechanic for about 9 years and grew to respect the Mopars - they seemed a fairly solid rig, well engineered.

Now I guess I'm going to delve into the Mopar side of things, because my son and I have committed to restore/modify a 1970 Dart Swinger together. I'm learning some new lingo -- "purple camshaft", "J heads", etc. It should be a fun journey. Look for pics of our Dart and its 318 build. Feel free to email with advice and jibes alike!

Am I still a Chevy guy? Or becoming sold on Mopars? Time will tell. Always, though, I've appreciated a well-done ride!

JD,
Helena, MT
 
Welcome! I grew up on Ford,couldn't afford it. Chevy ,was cheaper, Mopar ,won out.
 
Welcome to the best MoPar site on the interweb :cheers:

Another Mopar word you will need to know is "sure grip" :burnout:
 
Yeah, 66340Sedan, I do know "Sure Grip" now. I was talking to a guy about buying his 3.91 geared 3rd member and I thought was describing it as "Sugary". He clarified, I learned. I guess I've gotta stop saying "Posi", huh?

And, Abodybomber, I converted to Chevy from Ford for the same reasons. My buddy had a Chevy, I had a Ford. Every time we went to the parts store or junkyard the parts for the Chevy were cheaper and THERE, as opposed to waiting for expensive Ford parts.

Gotta say, though, it seems Mopars aren't nearly as well-supported in the aftermarket as GMs or Fords (especially Mustangs, of course). And the rarity/scarcity factor also seems to drive up Mopar prices. So I'm glad there are forums like this, and I'm glad we bought a mostly all-there car!

About to go sip some coffee, I am,
JD
 
Welcome aboard JD! Sounds like a fun project. You'll find this forum very helpful. There is a great bunch here.
 
We welcome you with open arms! I know a lot of the junkyards around my area are owned by gm guys and they didn't like mopars, so they crushed them instead of parting them out. Look forward to seeing your progress.
 
Welcome to FABO. I hope you and your son have a great time building your Swinger. That's the main objective, not the brand. Mopar folks are the best. That's what makes it and we have the best of the best here. Have fun and take lots of pictures...........we love pics.
toolmanmike
 
Since I only had girls I am a bit jealous of your father son project! Enjoy your time with your son and make sure you take LOTS of pics for us to see. You will find that anything is possible with the wealth of information you can find of this great site.
 
Welcome to the site JD ! Now that you've gone Mopar , your going to find that you love it . It's good to hear that it's a farther/son project , keep us posted .
 
Welcome to the site:) I'm in the process of a father/son restoration of a 72 Dart. It truly is a remarkable experience, to share building and taking trips in something you both shared in building:)
 
Welcome aboard this great site,like everyone has said we have the best of the best folks and Tec advice and help when we need it, one thing I can add about mopars is that I see part lasting 3 times longer then other makes on the track and off. Jump on in and enjoy this great site, it has been a life saver for me and many others. Looking forward to this father and son time enjoy life around a great choice off a car to build
 
JD,

Welcome to the addiction! Good to see another parent getting kids involved in our hobby. Good stuff right there man! :D Look forward to following your build.

Be well,
Pat
 
1968dartman said:
Since I only had girls I am a bit jealous of your father son project! Enjoy your time with your son and make sure you take LOTS of pics for us to see. You will find that anything is possible with the wealth of information you can find of this great site.
Click to expand...


Hey Dartman, nothing says the ladies can't get involved brother. :D

Ask my two little angels about working on "their" car! :cheers:






 
gotta ask, toolmanmike... what is your screen name about? Are you a tool dealer? (that was also one of my past careers!)

JD
 
Love that! You go, girls! I worked with a woman mechanic in one shop once. She was respected, too.

JD
 
I work in heavy mechanics, industrial size stuff. 10lbs. break shoes, rotors @ 35 inch diameter, etc... stuff like that. There are some women I just rather work with over 95% of the guys. Better, more serious, no B.S., just a great "gett'er done" mood.
 
rub2stix said:
gotta ask, toolmanmike... what is your screen name about? Are you a tool dealer? (that was also one of my past careers!)

JD
Click to expand...

I've been a MAC Tool dealer for 25 years. What's your scoop?
 
Stranger things have happened..I came over to MOPAR from British cars...and have a ford for fun..

I am doing a father / Son / Daughter '75 Duster project... it is an incredible way to bond and to get to know your kids..and have something to point to...

Welcome to FABO and don't forget to post pics...we like pics..

Ian.
 
Welcome!! You'll have fun with your Dart! Small block stuff isn't to bad $$.
 
toolmanmike said:
I've been a MAC Tool dealer for 25 years. What's your scoop?
Click to expand...

I was a MATCO tool dealer in Denver for 4 years, and then moved that business up here to Helena, Montana where I ran it for another 3 years. Moved from that into being a full-time musician (again!). And now I only play part time, but I have a full-time piano service business (tune, move, sell, repair, restore, etc.)

I still, as always, love tools, though! Piano service has its own line of specialty tools, of course, but I never got rid of my automotive tools. I've always preferred doing my own work if I had the time, know-how and tools -- that I way I know that all the parts made it back home to their proper places!

My son is the instigator of this project because now at age 30 (in a coupla weeks) he wishes to learn his way around a car and a toolbox. Of course I'm all for it. Anything for us to spend that time together. We never DID finish a 67 El Camino I tried to bring him in on, and I finished his 95 Ford Probe project myself. That gave him the bug. He especially wants to do the body/paint and design some custom graphics.

Thanks for asking. I hope I didn't ramble on too much!

JD
 
grassy said:
Stranger things have happened..I came over to MOPAR from British cars...and have a ford for fun..

I am doing a father / Son / Daughter '75 Duster project... it is an incredible way to bond and to get to know your kids..and have something to point to...

Welcome to FABO and don't forget to post pics...we like pics..

Ian.
Click to expand...

Cool for YOU! How old are your offspring in this project? My son's soon gonna be 30. I just turned 59. Got to thinkin' lately that the most important thing in life from here on out oughta be time with friends and family. Work needs to start taking something of a backseat now that my business is seemingly lucrative, sustainable and putting $$ away for retirement (providing the Dart doesn't steal it!)

I've been asked a couple of times now to post pics. I'll be glad to. Maybe somebody could point me to the best place/forum/page in which to do that!

Thanks for all the welcomes, all.

Oh, and speaking of "thanks", I note that many posters have a little tag saying how many "thanks" they've received. If I want to thank someone, how would I do that? Or is there an etiquette/protocols page somewhere here?

JD
 
At the bottom right corner of a member's post should be a "Thanks" button, simply click it if you want to thank them for their post.

And welcome, enjoy the time spent with your son on your project, may it be a memorable experience for the both of you for years to come.
 
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