1974 Dodge Dart Swinger 2dr
In case I missed it in the thread, what is the black coating that you are putting on the floor pans to cover the rust? My son and I have the Avecado Green, 74 Dart Swinger that is also listed under the restorations section and will be doing the same thing. I wish our dash panels looked as good as yours do.
The black paint we are using is a product called Hammerite Rust Cap.
It is a paint and a rust sealer all in one, and effectively "caps" the rust, preventing it from doing any further damage.
I have been following along with your project and I will be posting updates to mine soon.
As for the dash panels, I'm getting ready to redo the dash in black as the rest of the interior is now black (one of those updates I haven't done yet)
Nice project.
I suggest you seek and cure the water leaks that caused the floor rust. Otherwise your new carpet will mildew and smell. Wiper pivot seals are a llikely culprit.
A new truck lid seal will help back there too. Exact replacement is available but a more modern type (hollow tube on U shaped channel) can be found at most any parts yard. I used a door jamb seal from a ford pickup. Takes a little more effort to close the lid but it dont leak. Happy moparing :)
We found the leaks that caused the floor rust, actually, it was two small holes on the driver's floorboard that had continuously soaked the carpet and insulation, creating the rust on the other side.
The car had not been driven in rain of any kind when we got it and the pad was still soaked, presumably from the winter or the last time the previous owner drove it in the rain.
We've had new carpet in the car since June, and have had no issues with it getting wet, and we have been checking.
Although, the car is garaged and it is rare for us to drive the car in the rain, so take that for what its worth...
As for the trunk gasket, I actually picked one up at Carlisle 08 for a decent price and we installed it. It is the U shaped style you discussed.
At first we had some real issues closing the trunk, but its starting to flatten the gasket out now and hopefully will settle down, as the trunk sits about a tenth of an inch above the surface of the body now...
No more leaks there.
Still, I appreciate the advice!
Updates soon, I promise.
