1963 Dodge Dart 270 Convertible for the Wife

-
The flat spots on the carbs are where you drill for ported and non ported vacuum. Who will tell me the length of the tube so I can get that in? AMK vacuum fitting so no more 3 reducer Frankenstein adapter. Distributor cover installed. Groovy sticker for the oil filter after the break-in oil is changed. New oil and water sensors installed.

DSC_0186.jpg
DSC_0187.jpg
DSC_0188.jpg
DSC_0189.jpg
DSC_0190.jpg
DSC_0191.jpg
DSC_0192.jpg
DSC_0193.jpg
DSC_0194.jpg
 
Got one vacuum nipple installed then things went sideways... This is a 5mm x 0.8mm thread with a 1/16" hole into the bore.... Need to take the other one to the machine shop to get done with better tools. Someone on Facebook finally gave me the measurement of 2.75" for the dipstick tube. Cut it, installed it and with 4 quarts of oil in the pan read exactly full! AMK makes nice motor mount bolts with attached washers. On the LCA don't tighten those nuts till after you have the torsion bars adjusted up. Laid out the exhaust and it is very close so I finished up the collector.... I have no idea if I can get those pipe out now they are connected.... I hope I never have to. The driveshaft is restored with NOS parts and my custom exhaust is very close to matching the factory exhaust... minimal work to get it connected to the Accurate Exhaust 2.25" center pipe after the power train is installed.

DSC_0195.jpg
DSC_0196.jpg
DSC_0197.jpg
DSC_0198.jpg
DSC_0199.jpg
DSC_0200.jpg
DSC_0201.jpg
DSC_0202.jpg
DSC_0203.jpg
 
Last edited:
So close yet so far.... here is the disaster of breaking a 1/16 drill bit in the second carb.....

DSC_0204.jpg
DSC_0205.jpg
DSC_0206.jpg
DSC_0207.jpg
 
Thank goodness.... I was going bat crap crazy imagining that somehow a nut fell into a head port or something... when installing the manifolds I was missing a nut and it was driving me crazy but I just picked up another and moved on.. after that I was having nightmares about the original in some horrible place.... the power of photos.... there are 13 studs total with the end two the special castle nuts so there should have been 11 in my stash... counting.... 1..2..3..4..5.....10! I was missing one from the start!

DSC_0154.jpg
 
Rolled my own with 2 sockets. The rolled edge will keep the fabricated bracket from cutting through the oil cooler lines. Torque converter time... use blue locktite and torque... Upsy-daisy.... I did not take many photos putting it in as most of the time you are on your back.....

DSC_0208.jpg
DSC_0209.jpg
DSC_0210.jpg
DSC_0211.jpg
DSC_0212.jpg
DSC_0213.jpg
DSC_0214.jpg
DSC_0215.jpg
DSC_0216.jpg
DSC_0217.jpg
 
Tons of details putting it back in make it look clean.. the 1968 B-Body starter cable is PERFECT as was the 1968 B-Body neutral safety switch wire from M&H. Transmission cables all snapped in and adjusted ready to roll.... Double check you tightened everything. You don't torque the LCA nut until the LCA is compressed with the torsion bar. Boy the edge of the front cleaner kisses the cross brace in the hood. Need to look for a air filter that is not quite as tall.

DSC_0218.jpg
DSC_0219.jpg
DSC_0220.jpg
DSC_0221.jpg
DSC_0222.jpg
DSC_0223.jpg
DSC_0224.jpg
DSC_0225.jpg
DSC_0226.jpg
DSC_0227.jpg
 
First early A Body radiator Bob said he has done... beautiful and perfect fit. Just some glamour shots.... Next is getting the exhaust finished and hopefully Dave will have the carb fixed for me by Friday.

DSC_0228.jpg
DSC_0229.jpg
DSC_0230.jpg
DSC_0231.jpg
DSC_0232.jpg
DSC_0233.jpg
DSC_0234.jpg
DSC_0235.jpg
DSC_0236.jpg
DSC_0237.jpg
 
slants give you so much room to work. you can just about hook up the starter from a lawn chair :lol:

test drive before xmas?
 
I am done laying on my flipping back! Accurate Exhaust modified to meet up with my collector.. I needed to do a little jack tweaking of my pipes as they started to head down at the end :( . Sucked but no harm done other than bruised ego... The Accurate Exhaust uses such heavy gauge you have to really attack the clamps... got a little to rambunctious on one of them.... Restored original driveshaft in with NOS parts. Parking brake adjusted and she is on the ground under her own full weight for the first time in over a year! Done for the day, need to help around the house for tomorrow.


DSC_0238.jpg
DSC_0239.jpg
DSC_0240.jpg
DSC_0242.jpg
DSC_0243.jpg
DSC_0244.jpg
DSC_0245.jpg
DSC_0246.jpg
DSC_0247.jpg
DSC_0249.jpg
 
Nice cool day finally so it was nice in the garage. Did the hillbilly alignment to allow us to test drive it and get it to town for a real alignment without tearing up the tires too much... The RH tire was hitting the fender when turning and I torqued and bent it as much as I dared... I think the fronts should have 195's instead of 205's... No harm done as the 205's can go on the Duster when it needs tires if I decide to order the narrower ones. Steering column in in and wheel centered. The DMT kit did not have the exact '63 gasket but by cutting a 4th hole it all worked out... Installed the freshly chromed horn ring. Need to figure out how to restore the center piece now....

DSC_0251.jpg
DSC_0252.jpg
DSC_0253.jpg
DSC_0254.jpg
DSC_0255.jpg
DSC_0256.jpg
DSC_0257.jpg
DSC_0258.jpg
DSC_0259.jpg
DSC_0260.jpg
 
The well liner I bought is not quite right.. the early A ragtop expert says only Legendary liners are correct especially for the '63 as it has a different liner, top and boot cover than '64 and up... I decided to pull the threads on the rolled edge along the pinch and use that fold as the marking line. It sets down in deeper and does not have a wad under the pinch rail... it will work for now. I may order a Legendary.... someday as it will take 6 months to get it anyway.

DSC_0261.jpg
DSC_0262.jpg
DSC_0263.jpg
DSC_0264.jpg
DSC_0265.jpg
DSC_0266.jpg
DSC_0267.jpg
DSC_0268.jpg
DSC_0269.jpg
DSC_0270.jpg
 
Dave at the machine shop fixed my broken bit and the carbs are done. Found a Wix filter that is the right diameter and 3/4" shorter for the front filter to help gain hood clearance. It will look cool with a step from the front to rear filter.

DSC_0271.jpg
DSC_0272.jpg
 
Looking good! What'd you use for the rubber isolater around the steering column, where it mounts to the dash frame?
 
mopowers said:
Looking good! What'd you use for the rubber isolater around the steering column, where it mounts to the dash frame?
Click to expand...

The original rubber inner tube was still there. Just cleaned and reused it. You can see where the old notch was for the pin in the clamp on the backside... I put it on backwards and was not about to take it back apart but after this photo I regret that :).
 
Pushed her outside so I could open the door and work on the throttle linkage. Throttle linkage all functional and ready for carb synchronization. Hooked up a few minor items like the fuel line, Pertronix 12V line and then topped off all the fluids.... so does it run?

DSC_0273.jpg
DSC_0274.jpg
DSC_0275.jpg
DSC_0276.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top