65 Dart Revisited II

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sgrip65

66 Dart GT 273, 65 Dart GT 273 HiPo
FABO Gold Member
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Members. After a bit of a health situation, I am back under a new name with my 65 Dart Revisited. Since I last posted, I have the engine built, and the body painted. My next work will be to take the dings out of the exterior trim and polish those parts. I am posting some of the old pics along with some of the latest work. Thanks for following along. sgrip65

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Members. Here are some additional pics of the progress of old and some later pics. I chose to use a Grant Wood steering wheel on this build. Thanks for watching. sgrip65

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Again, some additional pics of the 65 Dart Revisited build. Revisited is a name chosen due to having a 65 Dart Charger back in 1971. This car will be a clone of the car I had back in the day. I think that the Grant woodgrain steering wheel will be a great addition to the interior of the car. Not OEM, but will be respectable. sgrip65

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Nice work. Glad to see you back at it. Now that I know there is a thread to follow count me in!!
Rod
 
Nice work. Glad to see you back at it. Now that I know there is a thread to follow count me in!!
Rod

Rod. Thanks. I'm a bit behind you on the restoration, but, hopefully, we will both be on the road this summer. Best. JJ
 
For those who are following my build, yes, it has been a while, but some progress has been made. I do have the engine built and placed upon the K-Frame and dolly. As well, I installed the NOICO....similar to Hush Mat sound deadening a few weeks ago, and the Vinyl Top with trim was completed today. On my 66, I bought the vinyl top from a popular online vendor of Mopar Parts, but this time, I purchased the material DLT Upholstery Supply in Warrenville, Illinois. The material I bought was 2 yards of 49 inch material in Landau T 848, 49 inch Levant Black 04. My 66 top cost over $200.00, and DLT charged $34.52 which included shipping. Pays to shop around. Progress should pick up now that what remains is the assembly of the new/painted/rebuilt parts. I will post some additional pics on the vinyl top install. Thanks for following. sgrip65

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Members. Here are some additional pics on the vinyl top. BTW, I used a spray vinyl contact using an old NAPA siphon gun that I used to use to spray my lacquer finish on my interior doors when I had my construction business. Good use for that old gun as it has served its purpose. The gun is now retired and placed in File 13. To complete the job using the spray contact, it takes roughly a quart and one-half to manage two coats on both surfaces. Spray contact, I believe, is already thinned in the can in order to accomplish the spraying capability. Most Watercraft marinas have the spray contact, but I bought the stuff from a company in Texas when we did our 66. The price was right, but the shipping was terrible as this contact adhesive was not water base. Lots of bucks to ship volatile materials....which I did not know when I ordered it. I did check with a local marina, and they had the same product. BTW, the Old Fart in 006, yeah, that's me...just goes to show you that working on these Early-A Cars will turn you into an old man.....or keep you going. Great retirement hobby. Thanks again for following. I would like to thank 65 Dartman, 65 Dartcharger, Rod7515, among so many others for there ongoing support and advice on this project....even through my health situation. A special shout to Rich (SSVDP) who helped me out on the A.C. brackets. I will continue to post as I progress. I hope to be on the road by June 1st.....Hope, I say. Thanks. sgrip65

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That's some very nice work! The bores on those head gaskets are huge. You could have had a bit more compression choosing a head gasket with a smaller bore size. Kinda splittin hairs, but I would have chosen a different set.

But the build is really nice. I am probably going to do something similar to mine.......minus the fancy rotisserie. lol
 
Members. Here are some additional pics on the vinyl top. BTW, I used a spray vinyl contact using an old NAPA siphon gun that I used to use to spray my lacquer finish on my interior doors when I had my construction business. Good use for that old gun as it has served its purpose. The gun is now retired and placed in File 13. To complete the job using the spray contact, it takes roughly a quart and one-half to manage two coats on both surfaces. Spray contact, I believe, is already thinned in the can in order to accomplish the spraying capability. Most Watercraft marinas have the spray contact, but I bought the stuff from a company in Texas when we did our 66. The price was right, but the shipping was terrible as this contact adhesive was not water base. Lots of bucks to ship volatile materials....which I did not know when I ordered it. I did check with a local marina, and they had the same product. BTW, the Old Fart in 006, yeah, that's me...just goes to show you that working on these Early-A Cars will turn you into an old man.....or keep you going. Great retirement hobby. Thanks again for following. I would like to thank 65 Dartman, 65 Dartcharger, Rod7515, among so many others for there ongoing support and advice on this project....even through my health situation. A special shout to Rich (SSVDP) who helped me out on the A.C. brackets. I will continue to post as I progress. I hope to be on the road by June 1st.....Hope, I say. Thanks. sgrip65

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First time ever I have seen someone installing a vinyl roof on an early A-body! Looks beautiful Jerry. Keep up the good work.
 
That's some very nice work! The bores on those head gaskets are huge. You could have had a bit more compression choosing a head gasket with a smaller bore size. Kinda splittin hairs, but I would have chosen a different set.

But the build is really nice. I am probably going to do something similar to mine.......minus the fancy rotisserie. lol

Hi RRR, Yeah, the rotisserie was a must have. When I bought the car, it was drenched in rubber undercoating; therefore, I had to tip it up on the side. Also, I welded in a set of frame connectors from USCT. Working underneath the car in doing welding and etc is a real project without one. I built the rotisserie myself, although a big expense, it was worth it in the long run. Good advice on the compression and head gasket....learn something new everyday. BTW. The rotisserie will be up for sale upon completion of this build. Getting too old for any further projects, but I am not giving up on these great Old Mopars. Many more to buy and drive. Thanks. sgrip65
 
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First time ever I have seen someone installing a vinyl roof on an early A-body! Looks beautiful Jerry. Keep up the good work.

Ulf. Thanks for the encouraging words. Not hard work on the vinyl top, just time consuming. Now, the headliner. In the pics, you can tell I am an "Old Swede." Best. JJ
 
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Ulf. Thanks for the encouraging words. Not hard work on the vinyl top, just time consuming. Now, the headliner. In the pics, you can tell I am an "Old Swede." Best. JJ
Yes, you look like a Swede. Not sure about old!
Where did you get the vinylroof?
 
Wow great build thread, I'm glad to see your back at it. That will be a real nice car when your finished.
 
Yes, you look like a Swede. Not sure about old!
Where did you get the vinylroof?

Hello Ulf. I bought the vinyl as stock, off the roll, yard goods. The number on it is as follows: Landau T-48, Levant Black 04. This was purchased from DLT Upholstery which is located in Warrenville, Illinois, USA, zip code is 60555. and the phone is as follows: 1-800-458-3500, or 708-499-2040. The material comes in a 49 inch width, and, for the 65/66 Dart Landau roof, it takes two yards of material. You might know that the 49 inch material is actually an inch longer, and they do send a bit more than two yards. The Levant, I understand, is the stock OEM grain for the 65, but for others reading this information, correct me if I am incorrect. I did research this, and this material from DLT, as I defined, is what I discovered as the correct grain for OEM, and DLT stated the same as OEM for the 65 Dart. The cost, including shipping, was $34.52 without sales tax; however, that has changed in online purchases as most vendors now charge sales tax. I found the spray contact much easier to work with as opposed to the roll on or brush on type as in what I used to use when building counter tops when I had my construction business. The spray-on seems to lay a bit more flat as opposed to the brush/roll on. I would be concerned with brush marks telegraphing through to the surface on the vinyl material. What I used to be certain of adhesion was to rub it down, after applied, with a damp cloth. Using a roller might cause uneven pressure on the vinyl which could possibly crush the grain or the light batting which the vinyl material has factory applied to the back of the vinyl. I may be over cautious, but an ounce of prevention.....you know what I mean. Keep in mind, that the gun will be tough to clean once it is used to spray the contact cement. It takes about a quart and one-half of spray-on contact to accomplish two coats of spray on both surfaces (Buy Two Quarts). It is best to use a cross-hatch spray pattern on the second coat to insure coverage.....no blank spots. I should have started a How-To on our forum on the vinyl top installation; although there are a number of videos on YouTube which define the procedure. Masking is important as any over-spray would be difficult to remove from a fresh paint job....I am sure. Hope this information helps you and others. Best. JJ (sgrip65)
 
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For those who are following my build, yes, it has been a while, but some progress has been made. I do have the engine built and placed upon the K-Frame and dolly. As well, I installed the NOICO....similar to Hush Mat sound deadening a few weeks ago, and the Vinyl Top with trim was completed today. On my 66, I bought the vinyl top from a popular online vendor of Mopar Parts, but this time, I purchased the material DLT Upholstery Supply in Warrenville, Illinois. The material I bought was 2 yards of 49 inch material in Landau T 848, 49 inch Levant Black 04. My 66 top cost over $200.00, and DLT charged $34.52 which included shipping. Pays to shop around. Progress should pick up now that what remains is the assembly of the new/painted/rebuilt parts. I will post some additional pics on the vinyl top install. Thanks for following. sgrip65

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Thanks for the tip on Noico insulation and sound deadener. I'll be using that product on my build.
 
Members. Here are some additional pics on the vinyl top. BTW, I used a spray vinyl contact using an old NAPA siphon gun that I used to use to spray my lacquer finish on my interior doors when I had my construction business. Good use for that old gun as it has served its purpose. The gun is now retired and placed in File 13. To complete the job using the spray contact, it takes roughly a quart and one-half to manage two coats on both surfaces. Spray contact, I believe, is already thinned in the can in order to accomplish the spraying capability. Most Watercraft marinas have the spray contact, but I bought the stuff from a company in Texas when we did our 66. The price was right, but the shipping was terrible as this contact adhesive was not water base. Lots of bucks to ship volatile materials....which I did not know when I ordered it. I did check with a local marina, and they had the same product. BTW, the Old Fart in 006, yeah, that's me...just goes to show you that working on these Early-A Cars will turn you into an old man.....or keep you going. Great retirement hobby. Thanks again for following. I would like to thank 65 Dartman, 65 Dartcharger, Rod7515, among so many others for there ongoing support and advice on this project....even through my health situation. A special shout to Rich (SSVDP) who helped me out on the A.C. brackets. I will continue to post as I progress. I hope to be on the road by June 1st.....Hope, I say. Thanks. sgrip65

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Thanks for the vinyl top tutorial. I'll be referring to it for my vinyl top installation. Did you use a metal strip to secure the vinyl above the window opening? Did you fill the void between the vinyl and stainless trim that fits over the gutter with sealant?
 
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Thanks for the vinyl top tutorial. I'll be referring to it for my vinyl top installation. Did you use a metal strip to secure the vinyl above the window opening? Did you fill the void between the vinyl and stainless trim that fits over the gutter with sealant?

Hello 65. Regarding the metal strip. I placed the front stainless roof trim prior to the vinyl installation marking a line which would be the leading edge of the trim...then I installed the vinyl to that line. I installed the clips over the vinyl, and I attached the stainless over the vinyl and clips. Be sure to use a marine grade or auto vinyl contact as I do not know if a standard Formica or Weldwood brand interior adhesive will hold up to the outside elements. Regarding sealing the gutter under near the roof rail, I sealed this area prior to painting, and I ran a bead over the vinyl at the joint of the pinch at the gutter. Careful with some of the seam sealer as I noticed some crazing of the paint after application. Thanks. Jerry
 
Thanks for the tip on Noico insulation and sound deadener. I'll be using that product on my build.

Hi 65. I bought the NOICO through Amazon. Far less in prices, and the product has good reviews. Thanks. Jerry
 
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