Slow, Driving Rustoration 1972 Dart
Ok, here goes...
1972 Dart, 318, 107,000 miles, found on Craigslist 500 miles from me in Iowa. Bought from pictures only and talking with owner over about 10 days. My plan is to get it running great and drive it. Slowly as money and time allows I'll start working on the rust, the other exterior issues, and fixing up the interior. My goal is a nice looking daily driver. I'll update this along the way. It's going to be a long trip.
I had a 1970 Swinger /6 car, that I dropped a 360 into, from 1989 - 1992. I had to sell it when my dad was moving while I was away at college. Over the last 30 years I told the story of the one that got away so many times. The 72 is filling a Dart sized hole in my soul! I called the 70, Dart'n'lo. Here is the whole story if you care to read it: What a long strange trip it's been
So here's my plan, and yes it's not for everybody. I'm ordering the following items right off the bat. I got the car for less than I had planned on spending so I have the luxury of getting it running right quickly. The seller said it needed brake work, he said it stops but just not well, also needs carb work ... but it runs well. Don't they all. The transmission pan looks wet.
New wheel cylinders, shoes, and drums.
Brake Master Cylinder
Fuel tank and sending unit
Fuel pump
Carburetor
Muffler & hangers
Power steering pump & lines
Radiator & hoses & thermostat
Voltage Regulator & Alternator
Drive belts
u-joints
transmission filter kit
shocks
Air conditioner drier and 134a conversion kit (just in case the compressor isn't frozen and the condenser doesn't leak)
and
Wiper blades
I'm drop shipping the parts to the location of the vehicle, because ... I'm driving it home.I'm taking the amtrak My 79 year old father is driving me to Webster City Iowa from Kansas and fixing it there a la Roadkill™ It may not even need all of this stuff but I'm a former boy scout and we like to be prepared as much as we like a cool adventure and anything it doesn't "need" I can return.
The tires are supposed to be roadworthy and the front end has new parts. Also I'm not dumb and if it's absolutely not safe I'll rent a uhaul, but I'd rather have a nice leisurely road trip in it. Something I never really did when I was younger and last had a dart. I'll be taking older US Routes and state highways home to properly take in the scenery and have chats with locals that want to talk mopar with me at gas stations.
I really wanted a 1970 with a slant 6 but I just couldn't wait to get my hands on an A-body. But If you want a 318 car and have a slant six in reasonably similar shape, I'd be willing to discuss ... I won't be able to pick it up for about a month so all I can do is plan and salivate.
Your thoughts and concerns are appreciated. Especially any parts you think I'm lacking short of a tow vehicle and new motor and transmission ;)
Ok, here goes...
1972 Dart, 318, 107,000 miles, found on Craigslist 500 miles from me in Iowa. Bought from pictures only and talking with owner over about 10 days. My plan is to get it running great and drive it. Slowly as money and time allows I'll start working on the rust, the other exterior issues, and fixing up the interior. My goal is a nice looking daily driver. I'll update this along the way. It's going to be a long trip.
I had a 1970 Swinger /6 car, that I dropped a 360 into, from 1989 - 1992. I had to sell it when my dad was moving while I was away at college. Over the last 30 years I told the story of the one that got away so many times. The 72 is filling a Dart sized hole in my soul! I called the 70, Dart'n'lo. Here is the whole story if you care to read it: What a long strange trip it's been
So here's my plan, and yes it's not for everybody. I'm ordering the following items right off the bat. I got the car for less than I had planned on spending so I have the luxury of getting it running right quickly. The seller said it needed brake work, he said it stops but just not well, also needs carb work ... but it runs well. Don't they all. The transmission pan looks wet.
New wheel cylinders, shoes, and drums.
Brake Master Cylinder
Fuel tank and sending unit
Fuel pump
Carburetor
Muffler & hangers
Power steering pump & lines
Radiator & hoses & thermostat
Voltage Regulator & Alternator
Drive belts
u-joints
transmission filter kit
shocks
Air conditioner drier and 134a conversion kit (just in case the compressor isn't frozen and the condenser doesn't leak)
and
Wiper blades
I'm drop shipping the parts to the location of the vehicle, because ... I'm driving it home.
The tires are supposed to be roadworthy and the front end has new parts. Also I'm not dumb and if it's absolutely not safe I'll rent a uhaul, but I'd rather have a nice leisurely road trip in it. Something I never really did when I was younger and last had a dart. I'll be taking older US Routes and state highways home to properly take in the scenery and have chats with locals that want to talk mopar with me at gas stations.
I really wanted a 1970 with a slant 6 but I just couldn't wait to get my hands on an A-body. But If you want a 318 car and have a slant six in reasonably similar shape, I'd be willing to discuss ... I won't be able to pick it up for about a month so all I can do is plan and salivate.
Your thoughts and concerns are appreciated. Especially any parts you think I'm lacking short of a tow vehicle and new motor and transmission ;)
