1965 Dodge Dart Charger convertible

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Finally the short block is ready. The engine block seems to be factory stuff. Late September casted for a mid December assembled car.
The heads was 66 and 69!! So I need to restore a set from late 64 to get it right.

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Next step is done. The short block is painted. Tomorrow the intake manifold, lower control arms, strut rods and the K-frame will get glass beaded.
My friend Jan will do a set of heads I found from September of 1964. Hope to get the engine completly assembled within a couple of weeks!

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After years of searching me and my buddy Johan wanted once and for all to get to the bottom with the differencies on the 1965 Kick down linkage.
Johan took some pictures and here is the differencies between the two setups. The only difference is the kick down bracket at the rear of the left cylinder head.

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So, after some glass beading the k-frame, lower control arms and the strut rods are ready for assemble.
Bolts and washer cleaned and greased. Strut rod bushings ready in K-frame.
Santa came early this year!

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65dartcharger said:
.When I did the Dartcharger hardtop there was kits with factory chrome valve cover bolts with SEMA on the head. Now they seems to be no more on the market. Any FABO member who knows who might sell them or have a new set for sale?

Thanks FABO!
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I will look and see what I have
 
I have 10 brand new valve cover bolts in a sealed bag that’s marked Mopar/Jeep/Ram etc but the heads are not mark “SEMA”. I found 5 or 6 used bolts with a “C” on the head. I might have some more used ones in storage but will have to check.
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65 Dartman said:
I have 10 brand new valve cover bolts in a sealed bag that’s marked Mopar/Jeep/Ram etc but the heads are not mark “SEMA”. I found 5 or 6 used bolts with a “C” on the head. I might have some more used ones in storage but will have to check.
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Can it be that Chrysler back in the day had more then one supplier? I have only found SEMA bolts but those C bolts looks spot on except the SEMA text on the head.
 
65 Dartman said:
I have 10 brand new valve cover bolts in a sealed bag that’s marked Mopar/Jeep/Ram etc but the heads are not mark “SEMA”.
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65dartcharger said:
Can it be that Chrysler back in the day had more then one supplier? I have only found SEMA bolts but those C bolts looks spot on except the SEMA text on the head.
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I bet they did have more than one supplier for the bolts as we have seen on other parts! The bolts in the bag are the “C” style which came with a set of chrome 65 valve covers I bought. The 6 bolts with the “C” I remembered is for a slant aluminum vakve cover. I knew I needed bolts for my Commando valve covers and sure enough they were in my storage and they are marked with the SEMA on the head!
 
Today more progress was made. Power steering unit is cleaned and waiting for a new lower seal on the shaft and some painte. It seems to factory unit. Casted Spetember 29 and assembled Oktober 11, 1964.
The K-frame starts to get some add-ons! I even found the clamp that holds the power steering pressure hose in place.
The engine brackets was glass beaded and got some new paint. Starts to come along as planned.

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your going to need an intake. The 66-69 heads used the 3/8 bolts and no angle. Your 64 (and 65, especially the early builds) used the odd 5/16 bolts at the shallower angle. I think the guy just cobbled together a 4bbl top end on a 2bbl block. Sorry. Nothing on the block will distinguish it from a 4bbl so your 'good' on the 4bbl engine restoration. Did it have a dual point distributor? Policy on suppliers was at least 2 due to strike/labor concerns. didnt want to halt the line because a bolt supplier was on strike.
 
pishta said:
your going to need an intake. The 66-69 heads used the 3/8 bolts and no angle. Your 64 (and 65, especially the early builds) used the odd 5/16 bolts at the shallower angle. I think the guy just cobbled together a 4bbl top end on a 2bbl block. Sorry. Nothing on the block will distinguish it from a 4bbl so your 'good' on the 4bbl engine restoration. Did it have a dual point distributor? Policy on suppliers was at least 2 due to strike/labor concerns. didnt want to halt the line because a bolt supplier was on strike.
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Everything is datecoded correct except for the head 66 and 68 casting! Redrilled the holes in the intake to go 3/8 bolts. Correct Prestolite distributor with correct codes.
 
After two hours of cleaning and sanding the lower pullley got a coat of paint and is now at the right place with the correct H head bolts.

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Some progress was made today. The heater hose connection on the intake manifold was rusted beyond repair and I had an NOS o e too. I twisted of the old one so I used a small grinder to make the remains in to halfs. It worked out great and the rest was a walk in the park.
The choke unit on the exhaust manifold was tight so to speak. You can even say it was stucked. Two hours of knocking the shaft back and forth including lots of WD40 made is to start loose up. After cleaning everyting up I used Mopar exhaust manifold solvent to grease up the choke unit. It feels like brand new. Even the factory spring I could reuse. It was in the K-frame!!

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The power steering box has got new seals and a fresh coat of paint. Now the cast code and assembly code is visible.
Tomorrow the new pitman arm shows up. Life is good!

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The lower control arms are back in place with new bushings and a new coat of fresh paint.However on each side there is some stampings.
Anyone knows what it stands for? Pictures in front left, rear left, rear right and front right order.

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Don't know about the "VL" represents (maybe a vendor mark?), but the obvious is "LF" means Left Front, "LR" means Left Rear, "RF" means Right Front and "RR" means Right Rear.
 
Could the "VL" marking mean Valiant and Dart? In the Parts Book the Valiant is shown as "V" and Darts as "L's". A "VL" marking on the parts would indicate to the assembly line worker it fits only Valiants and Darts. Just my observation!
 
65 Dartman said:
Could the "VL" marking mean Valiant and Dart? In the Parts Book the Valiant is shown as "V" and Darts as "L's". A "VL" marking on the parts would indicate to the assembly line worker it fits only Valiants and Darts. Just my observation!
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Excellent observation.
 
Don't Darts and Valiant serial numbers start with "L" and "V' after 65? LP27 for a convert or VL29 for I think a Duster, for example?
 
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65ChargerDart said:
Don't know about the "VL" represents (maybe a vendor mark?), but the obvious is "LF" means Left Front, "LR" means Left Rear, "RF" means Right Front and "RR" means Right Rear.
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Thanks Jim, that seems right!Just so the assembly line workers mounted the LCA on the right side.
 
65 Dartman said:
Could the "VL" marking mean Valiant and Dart? In the Parts Book the Valiant is shown as "V" and Darts as "L's". A "VL" marking on the parts would indicate to the assembly line worker it fits only Valiants and Darts. Just my observation!
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Don, I think you're right. If I'm right Valiant and Barracuda was V and Dart was L. That made it easier at the plant. Thanks Don!
I wonder how it looks on a LCA from a B or C-body from 1965?
 
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