74 Dart Sport Frankenstein

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mickey_bigdaddy

mickey_bigdaddy

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Okay, here's my first post (kinda) on my new build project. It's a 1974 Dodge Dart Sport; very small amount of rust w/none in the pans, a little front frame damage and a pretty clean body. It's a slant (can't) 6 with a pretty whimpy drivetrain.

I've just brought home the 400 big block (1976 Dodge Charger Daytona) that hopefully will make it into the car. Hope you guys enjoy the journey as much as me.....looking forward to your comments and support.
 

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Numbers on the 400 block & heads. Block Casting #4006530-400-4 & Head Casting #4006452:
 

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Debating on whether or not to put in the 9.25". I got the whole drivetrain from the donor car so I have it.........now what to do with it.
 

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9 1/4 will be to wide to fit under the car. Looks like a good starting point.
 
Out of curiosity how heavy is the 9 1/4 compared to the 8 3/4? Is it in the Dana 60 weight class?

Looks like you have some work ahead of you. Always keep the potential in mind and I'm sure you will rock it out :)
 
:happy1:OO-ooh boy!

The cost for modding that 9 1/4" to fit the car vs. buying an 8 3/4" might be a toss up...really depends on the availability to your locale. I know 9 1/4"s are still used in the late model trucks, so if you want to pick up a used set of gears on a trac loc diff, you can find them relatively easily...3.55s, 3.73s, 3.92s. But, I don't know how much you'll spend on the axles.
 
What's do you want out of it,??¿?? Expectations? .,.....You tell us..(shrug)......
 
txstang84 said:
:happy1:OO-ooh boy!

The cost for modding that 9 1/4" to fit the car vs. buying an 8 3/4" might be a toss up...really depends on the availability to your locale. I know 9 1/4"s are still used in the late model trucks, so if you want to pick up a used set of gears on a trac loc diff, you can find them relatively easily...3.55s, 3.73s, 3.92s. But, I don't know how much you'll spend on the axles.
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Good idea on the gears. I checked this one and it's a 3.21. Remember this one is pretty much a gimme since it was such a cheap buy. I'm not going to find an 8.75" that is going to fit this car so I'm going to have to mod it anyway.
 
My first owned Mopar was a 76 Charger Daytona had the 400-4bbl Lean Burn engine. Was actually a "Non Catalyst" car (had a factory sticker saying so) and ran on leaded regular gas. Sold it when the drivers side rear frame rotted out and the leaf spring shackle went up through the trunk floor.
 
Abodybomber said:
What's do you want out of it,??¿?? Expectations? .,.....You tell us..(shrug)......
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What do I want? I don't know, I guess we'll see.

This isn't a freakin' enterprise application and integration program that I have to deliver to a client. Those kinds of plans stay at work. This is my hobby and time waster that uses up my bonus checks. I'll figure it out as I go.
 
My 72 340 said:
My first owned Mopar was a 76 Charger Daytona had the 400-4bbl Lean Burn engine. Was actually a "Non Catalyst" car (had a factory sticker saying so) and ran on leaded regular gas. Sold it when the drivers side rear frame rotted out and the leaf spring shackle went up through the trunk floor.
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Those were odd cars, no offense. I found this one pretty much complete. Was your's the "P" or the "N" 400? This one was a "P."

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=275318

I got 400 drivetrain pretty cheap!!! If it turns out bad, then I've got a 340 and 4 speed ready but, I'm kinda saving these.
 
Looks like a good start there. I'll follow along and see where it goes.:coffee2:
 
I love the Dart Sports, i'll be following this build a lot.
Can't wait for more progress updates......
 
mickey_bigdaddy said:
Yeah, I was planning to shorten it or an 8.75" up. Just own the 9.25" already.
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By the time you modify that 9.25 to work you might as well get a new Dana or a used 8.75. But, unless you can find an 8.75 that will fit (A or B), have a posi and have the right gears and brakes i'd go with a new dana.

My Dana from Strange is tricked to the 9's and was just over 3k delivered. The comparable 8.75 is about 5600 delivered.

A used 8.75, ready to go is worth about a grand but finding one in that condition is not always easy.

Good luck with the car. I've done 2 big block darts. They are impressive machines
 
mickey_bigdaddy said:
I'm not going to find an 8.75" that is going to fit this car so I'm going to have to mod it anyway.
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Why do you say that? They are out there. Look on Craigs List, I found two for 100 bucks each and built one for my 74 Dart Sport. It's a B body rear and it fits perfectly with the perches moved in to match the spring width. I took my time, gathered parts and rebuilt the center section. I now have an 8 3/4 3.55 sure grip in my car for a shade over 600 bucks.

One of the pluses was it moved the rear tires out enough to match the width of the front track. If you currently have the 7 1/4 look at the track width front and rear, the rear is narrower.
 
Bad Sport said:
Why do you say that? They are out there. Look on Craigs List, I found two for 100 bucks each and built one for my 74 Dart Sport. It's a B body rear and it fits perfectly with the perches moved in to match the spring width. I took my time, gathered parts and rebuilt the center section. I now have an 8 3/4 3.55 sure grip in my car for a shade over 600 bucks.

One of the pluses was it moved the rear tires out enough to match the width of the front track. If you currently have the 7 1/4 look at the track width front and rear, the rear is narrower.
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Because this is Texas and nothing about old cars is cheap here. Even the Pick n Pull junkyards are about a $150 for a plain old rear end. And all the guys with 8-3/4" rear ends on Craigslist are not selling them for $100. I was quoted $1000. BUT ANY OF YOU GUYS IN TEXAS THAT ARE WILLING TO SELL AN A-BODY 8-3/4" FOR $100, I WILL DOUBLE IT AND GIVE YOU $200. I'M WAITING PATIENTLY.

On a lighter note, I did buy a 8-3/4" housing today from an A body so that's a start.
 
roccodart440 said:
By the time you modify that 9.25 to work you might as well get a new Dana or a used 8.75. But, unless you can find an 8.75 that will fit (A or B), have a posi and have the right gears and brakes i'd go with a new dana.

My Dana from Strange is tricked to the 9's and was just over 3k delivered. The comparable 8.75 is about 5600 delivered.

A used 8.75, ready to go is worth about a grand but finding one in that condition is not always easy.

Good luck with the car. I've done 2 big block darts. They are impressive machines
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How did the suspension take that extra weight up front? Did you do anything to compensate.
 
Met a guy down in Abilene today that had a nice collection of Mopars. Pretty good guy and I will keep in touch with him for sure. Was impressed with his collection of 5, yes I said FIVE, 426 Hemis. :prayer: Some people have all the fun!!!
 
mickey_bigdaddy said:
Met a guy down in Abilene today that had a nice collection of Mopars. Pretty good guy and I will keep in touch with him for sure. Was impressed with his collection of 5, yes I said FIVE, 426 Hemis. :prayer: Some people have all the fun!!!
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Hemi orange Daytona?

If it's the same guy I'm thinking of, he lives over off east lake road behind ft phantom.
 
mickey_bigdaddy said:
How did the suspension take that extra weight up front? Did you do anything to compensate.
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What extra weight?

A 440 with aluminum heads, aluminum intake, aluminum radiator, headers anda glass hood. I'd be hard pressed to believe there is much more if any adittional weight up front over a stock SB. The difference isn't much anyway.

To answer your question specifically I did nothing. Literally.. If anything when I re-installed the T-bars maybe they needed a few more cranks. They had a ton of adjustment left so it couldn't be working them too hard.
 
roccodart440 said:
What extra weight?

A 440 with aluminum heads, aluminum intake, aluminum radiator, headers anda glass hood. I'd be hard pressed to believe there is much more if any adittional weight up front over a stock SB. The difference isn't much anyway.

To answer your question specifically I did nothing. Literally.. If anything when I re-installed the T-bars maybe they needed a few more cranks. They had a ton of adjustment left so it couldn't be working them too hard.
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Got it. I guess I assumed that you had a slant 6. Mine is a slant 6 and going to the BB 400. Thanks.
 
The only one I know of is on the pig, but there's bound to be something stamped into the housing...do you need to know some measurements?
 
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