72 Dart 440 4-speed build

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I’m finally back at it trying to piece the Dart back together however it seems to be one step forward and two steps back.

I got the shifter installed only to find out that the treads on the shift levers are all in worse condition than I had hoped. The nuts want to strip before they get tight.

I also got the z-bar in however the fit with the Schumacher tri-y headers is worse than expected. I intentionally got the headers in raw steel knowing I would have to modify them but I’ll have to do some more research to see if anyone else has crossed this bridge before.

I got the Denso alternator mounted along with the cooling fans and shroud. Note the shroud is flipped and mounted backwards. Even with button head bolts on the water pump pulley I couldn’t get the fans to clear. With the shroud flipped there is about 1/2” of clearance to the radiator. Hopefully this setup works okay.
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I ended having to modify both the Z-bar and the header to make it work. I took some material off the Z-bar as well as bent the lower arm the heap clear the space for the header.
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I got the Z-bar and header modification all wrapped up. I bought a set of cast aluminum valve covers from Mancini and they came in with mismatched finishes and one had a crack in it.
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Jakeofalltrades said:
I got the Z-bar and header modification all wrapped up. I bought a set of cast aluminum valve covers from Mancini and they came in with mismatched finishes and one had a crack in it.
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View attachment 1716544715View attachment 1716544716
Click to expand...
:( for the valve covers
your Z-bar reminds me of one I made up ages ago for a BB/A-body combo. the one you did is much more refined, mine was just straight pieces of strip welded in that shape.
Nice work!
 
abdywgn said:
:( for the valve covers
your Z-bar reminds me of one I made up ages ago for a BB/A-body combo. the one you did is much more refined, mine was just straight pieces of strip welded in that shape.
Nice work!
Click to expand...
Yeah, bummer on the valve covers. I'm sure Mancini will make it right.

This was a brand new and very expensive Z-bar from Brewers that I had to modify. I was hesitant to modify it but ultimately it had to be done. I'm happy with the results.
 
I got the brake master cylinder installed and hooked up using a 3/8” rod end. Pretty happy with this solution so far. I was also able to reuse one of the factory power brake lines but had to replace the other one to match the fitting size of this new master.
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Jakeofalltrades said:
I ended having to modify both the Z-bar and the header to make it work.
Click to expand...
Too bad they just didn't make the manual trans the standard to model off. I almost went with tri wy knowing they would need the modification. At the time the set I acquired were chrome, so I nixed that idea.
One mod image I found on the net....
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I also considered using the TTI bell crank in place of the stocker....
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Daves69 said:
Too bad they just didn't make the manual trans the standard to model off. I almost went with tri wy knowing they would need the modification. At the time the set I acquired were chrome, so I nixed that idea.
One mod image I found on the net....
View attachment 1716546585


I also considered using the TTI bell crank in place of the stocker....
View attachment 1716546584
Click to expand...
I used that photo and post as reference when modifying mine. It's deceiving, it not only required the extended length but it has to twist around the torsion bar. It's completed now and I'm really happy with the results, especially considering I'm using a big scatter shield as well.
 
I got the main portion of the exhaust built using a universal 2.5” mandrel bent kit. Really happy with how it turned out and how high up I was able to tuck it. I’ll build the tailpipe section when I can get it on a lift. It’s using straight through mufflers and sounds great!
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Chit man, it looks like you had more room going over the Z bar, but not bein there in person it's hard to tell.
 
After waiting almost a month for Mancini to send a battery tray I figured I would check my local bone yards. They ended up having a 72 four door. No battery tray but I did score some other good parts. I took the front bench seat and all four arm rests along with a few other small parts.
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The 4 door seat isn’t designed to fold forward but can easily be modified to do so. It even has the build in hinges.
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The new driveshaft is in and it moves under its own power for the first time in about 15 years! I ratchet strapped the battery to a couple blocks of wood and drove it around the block. So excited to start driving this thing for real. I have a punch list to finish this weekend and the Mancini order is finally coming today. Hoping to have it all buttoned up and ready to rock by the end of the weekend!
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