1975 Swinger 383 Project

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75GrandmaDart

Stromboni
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
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Location
San Antonio
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So I've just started making head way on my swinger this weekend and it's got me motivated to start posting about it. The car is a 1975 Dart Swinger Special that originally came outfitted with a slant 6. So far I've cleaned up the floor boards and ground off what rust was there as well as in the trunk. From there I've rebuilt the front suspension all the way out to the 10 inch front brakes which I pray will stop this thing before I put it into wall on I-10. I've just swapped the 7 1/4 out of the rear and plopped in a 8 3/4 that I had to dig out of a dudes backyard, no idea on the ratio or status of the internals so the first whole shot will be very interesting. I've also just bolted the engine in using Schumacher conversion mounts which are a life saver for anyone going from slant six to big block. The 383 I put in is also kind of a mystery as far as the specs, but the guy said it was hopped up a bit with a aftermarket cam and some 906 heads. The next order of business is to put in my 727 that is stock other than a few custom wasps nest that have cultivated in the bell housing. If y'all have any questions or comments I'd love the input.
 
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View attachment 1715141353 So I've just started making head way on my swinger this weekend and it's got me motivated to start posting about it. The car is a 1975 Dart Swinger Special that originally came outfitted with a slant 6. So far I've cleaned up the floor boards and ground off what rust was there as well as in the trunk. From there I've rebuilt the front suspension all the way out to the 10 inch front brakes which I pray will stop this thing before I put it into wall on I-10. I've just swapped the 7 1/4 out of the rear and plopped in a 8 3/4 that I had to dig out of a dudes backyard, no idea on the ratio or status of the internals so the first whole shot will be very interesting. I've also just bolted the engine in using Schumacher conversion mounts which are a life saver for anyone going from slant six to big block. The 383 I put in is also kind of a mystery as far as the specs, but the guy said it was hopped up a bit with a aftermarket cam and some 906 heads. The next order of business is to put in my 727 that is stock other than a few custom wasps nest that have cultivated in the bell housing. If y'all have any questions or comments I'd love the input.
Nice 75GrandmaDart
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!!! Here is my 75 dart swinger special with a 383 and 727 reverse valve body transmission.
 
View attachment 1715141353 So I've just started making head way on my swinger this weekend and it's got me motivated to start posting about it. The car is a 1975 Dart Swinger Special that originally came outfitted with a slant 6. So far I've cleaned up the floor boards and ground off what rust was there as well as in the trunk. From there I've rebuilt the front suspension all the way out to the 10 inch front brakes which I pray will stop this thing before I put it into wall on I-10. I've just swapped the 7 1/4 out of the rear and plopped in a 8 3/4 that I had to dig out of a dudes backyard, no idea on the ratio or status of the internals so the first whole shot will be very interesting. I've also just bolted the engine in using Schumacher conversion mounts which are a life saver for anyone going from slant six to big block. The 383 I put in is also kind of a mystery as far as the specs, but the guy said it was hopped up a bit with a aftermarket cam and some 906 heads. The next order of business is to put in my 727 that is stock other than a few custom wasps nest that have cultivated in the bell housing. If y'all have any questions or comments I'd love the input.
Are you going with the Schumacher headers as well?
 
Your 75 dart looks freakin sweet, is the 383 enough motor for you in your dart? Starting to second guess not doing a 440 swap
 
The 383 is enough to burn rubber easy enough. When hopping up the engine, remember it is a short stroke big bore engine. It will like to rev up quickly and keep going!

Be aware that to big of a cam can cause a loss of low speed torque quickly. B block engines think there a big small block. (Stroke reference- 3.31 = LA, 3.38 = B engine. Not much of a stroke increase. But the bore difference is huge.)
Don’t forget this fun episode!
 
Your 75 dart looks freakin sweet, is the 383 enough motor for you in your dart? Starting to second guess not doing a 440 swap
The 383 I have is stock, it’s a nice cruiser and I can light up the tires no problem. It has plenty of power but I’m wanting more..so I purchased another 383 along with a Lunati Solid Roller Cam, KB flat top pistons,comp cam solid Roller Lifters, crane cam Rockers..and much more...I like the 383s power, it’s pretty fast and sounds great but I’m also wanting to go down the track every now and then so that’s the only reason why I’m having another one built with performance parts. I’d try out your 383 and see what you think. I was to thinking about a 440 swap and to be honest I think the 383s are the under dogs and can be just as fast. I’ve seen some pretty nasty 383s.
 
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Nice Dart and very nice progress. I have a looooooong way to go as I still have the /6 in mine but hopefully this weekend I'll be picking up an Explorer 3.73 LSD rear end and start from there on to the front. I'm still undecided on what power plant I want to stab in there but what I do know is that I want Fuel Injected. Good Luck and keep posting _ i'll be following.
 
I've finally got a chance to start working on the car a little bit more and made a tiny bit of progress up in the engine bay. I decided to go with a 770 Street Avenger and a Pro Billet distributor, dont know much about them but Im hoping they will do the job. Im sending off the transmission to be rebuilt with a shift kit but I dont know what kind of torque converter to run. I want a little bit of a stall but Im not sure what kind will keep good street manners. Im also in the process of searching for a center section for my 8 3/4 probably going with a 3.73 sure grip if I can find one. I have not posted to many pictures of the car so here are few. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

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I've finally got a chance to start working on the car a little bit more and made a tiny bit of progress up in the engine bay. I decided to go with a 770 Street Avenger and a Pro Billet distributor, dont know much about them but Im hoping they will do the job. Im sending off the transmission to be rebuilt with a shift kit but I dont know what kind of torque converter to run. I want a little bit of a stall but Im not sure what kind will keep good street manners. Im also in the process of searching for a center section for my 8 3/4 probably going with a 3.73 sure grip if I can find one. I have not posted to many pictures of the car so here are few. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

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I’ve been using a stock converter, I think it is 2000 0r 2200 stall!?! It works great with the 383 cruising the streets.. this summer I’m installing a 10” TcI Street fighter 3500 stall converter along with the new engine.
 
I’ve been using a stock converter, I think it is 2000 0r 2200 stall!?! It works great with the 383 cruising the streets.. this summer I’m installing a 10” TcI Street fighter 3500 stall converter along with the new engine.
Do you think you will be able to put the power from the new engine to the ground? Whats your rear end set up right now? Im about to start researching tires and rims for my car and Im kinda curious how bad the traction issues are going to be.
 
Do you think you will be able to put the power from the new engine to the ground? Whats your rear end set up right now? Im about to start researching tires and rims for my car and Im kinda curious how bad the traction issues are going to be.
As of now I have a Ford 8.8 with 373 gears I also have Super Stock leaf springs and Monroe coil over back shocks. I have old school gorilla rims on my car, the tires I have now are 215/65/R15 I’m definitely going to need to go with a fatter tire with the new engine. With the current stock 383 I scratch the tires when I shift from 1st to 2nd to 3rd... that’s if I’m stomping on it. I have a Reverse valve body in my 727 transmission.. and it shifts hard.
 
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