1969 Dart GT Convertible

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Well it's been 2 1/2 months since the engine trans combo went in. Although no pictures there has been much done. The engine is all dressed, and running and driving....or should I say "was" running and driving. First start up was uneventful. First clutch press was Noisy as all hell. After much speculation, and subsequent tearing out of the transmission, there was a flaw in the machined surface of the brand new pressure plate. Like something hit the edge after machining. That caused a raised area which rubbed against the clutch disc and made a helluva noise. It's been machined down (dremel tool - it was a small spot) and the transmission is back in, but I have yet to install everything else. Hopefully the exhaust, driveshaft, linkage, etc, etc will only take a few hours to put back together and adjust and I can drive it around the block again Saturday. The to do list still includes windshield, exterior side trim, top, and most of the interior as well as a chasing a few electrical gremlins. I did manage to make a short trip up the block last week which is the first time the car has moved under it's own power in 28 years, which is quite an accomplishment.

:drinkers:
 
Quite the accomplishment indeed. I hear ya on that mine hasn't moved under it's own power since 92 . . . Congratulations!!!
 
Turns out there was a manufacturing defect on the surface of the pressure plate which created a small raised flaw, which ground on the clutch disc, or vice versa. Manufacturer warrantied the part, and all is good, (although still waiting on new pressure plate to be delivered). Which in turn led to major problem #2. In the diagnosis of the noise there was a possibility that the flywheel bolts to crank were a smidge too long hitting the block/rear main cap. While it turns out they were not hitting I did find that there was WAY to much end play in the crank. Spec for a 340 is .002~.007". Mine measured .052". (insert more cursing and alcohol consumption here). Once I get the trans back in I'm going to have to pull the oil pan and pull the thrust bearing and see where I stand. Keep fingers crossed for a new bearing and no crank/block damage. Surprisingly this engine was rebuilt a while ago (stock spec 340) and has seen less than 25,000 miles in my challenger. Never with an ounce of problems. So once again it is up on all 4s in the garage with most of it's guts scattered underneath the car. I guess it just leaves me more time to polish all this stainless trim that i need to put back on.

:wack:
 
Well one step forward 8 giant leaps back. After bolting the trans back together I was able to drop the oil pan and remove the #3 main cap. The bearing is toast and the crank was severely grooved. Took 7 hours from draining the radiator to having the bottom end of the motor spread across the workbench. Tomorrow the crank gets dropped off at a reputable shop for weldin and grindin. Hopefully I can get it back together relatively soon. I really can't tell ya how sick I feel over this. In the mean time enjoy the carnage......
 

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Wow. So sad to see the damage. Hopefully once it's repaired, it'll be smooth sailing from there. Good luck with it. And I'll say it again, that is one beautiful Dart. :prayer:


Wylde1.
 
So.... The crank came back and looked good got cut down to .03 under. Once i mocked up the thrust bearing it was still out of spec allowing .017" clearance or thrust in the block. So out it came and its back at the machine shop. Im asking for more patience for Christmas, mine is wearing thin
 
Crap, once again two months of progress has slipped by with no update. As i said in the beginning, i spend more time in the garage than screwing around on the computer. So the motor went back together, new bearings, new gaskets obviously, and I'd like to say it was a piece of cake and only took 15 minutes, but i can't. Holidays, family time and life takes it's toll on my car time. Regardless it's all back together and I was able to get on with other things.
I never had mufflers so I decided on Walker Sound F/X in 2 1/2" offset combo and I am quite pleased with them, but to date I only have about 20 miles on the car. They are very throaty in low rpm acceleration, but once at cruising they are very quiet. The car has Accurate LTD stock pipes with turndowns in lieu of chrome tips. So once i had the car running could turn my attention to the list of things to fix and dial in. The dash electrics were sporadic so the first thing was to change the dash limiter to a more steady voltage with the regulator upgrade (radio shack parts $5), then while the cluster was out I cleaned all the circuit board contacts for lights, grounds. It was then I noticed that a few pins were loose, including the ones for the limiter so they got soldered tight, and I also soldered the tabs for the limiter where it meets the circuit board. that got me everything working but the oil pressure light. A little thinking and I remembered that the sending units are different for gauge versus light and since the motor came out of my gauge equipped Challenger a simple swap will fix that.
I've also cleaned the original seat belts and while they turned out fabulous I'm not satisfied so I will dye them so brighten up the black...if that makes sense. The windshield was installed with the original 1969 gasket which was not dried brittle or shrunken, no small feat in Arizona. In lieu of using the shitty pre-made lines for the convertible top, I had a shop make up some quick disconnect fittings, not cheap, but will make life easier when it comes time to replace the lines. Ive installed the sunvisors, windshield header panel, and removed some things from storage for installation.

Yesterday I was able to take it to a shop for a front end alignment which was great until he told me that the valve for the power steering box is shot (rebuilt and still under warranty thankfully), and he liked the way the power steering felt, except for the bad valve. I rebuilt the power steering box and when I did I shimmed the valve in the pump...a lot and it feels a lot less assisted that the factory let it out with. Its a simple upgrade that those that love to drive their cars will love.
I swapped the yellow plug wires for a more tame set of black wires in the similar 8.8mm size. Ive found that with a 340, 3speed overdrive, 4:10 gears and shortish tires, 1st gear is useless, unless I need to tow, which I doubt. But at 4th gear the car settles down, quiets down but with a mash of the vertical pedal will let you know that it is still running. thanks for letting me ramble which is merely an introduction for the pictures, enjoy:
 

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:burnout:
 

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I'm in the beginning stages of a 69 dart gt vert. Your detailed progress will be much appreciated. Especially the body prep work, mine has a LOT of rot. Thanks for all your posts!!
 
So it's been a month or so since my last post. 1 step forward, 2 steps back...again. I had ordered and received my convertible top (not a factory unit) and glass back window. Delivered the car to the guy doing the interior and top. After a few days get a call "You know they made the material around the back window in the wrong fabric?" Ugh, 3 more week delay for them to correct their screw up. In the mean time, found one of the top tension cables needed to be replaced. Except that there "were" no cables available for a 69 Dart. I sent my one good original to Convertible Top Specialist in Inverness Florida and for the princley sum of $40 shipped I have a set of way better than new cables. They also now have them available for a 69 Dart (which are different than barracuda, ask me how I know!!). Today the car went back to the top shop for top install. I've also decided on some color and material choices for the interior - definately not stock, but also not wild custom either...like the pink snake skin vinyl that I saw at one shop. I'll keep all that under wraps until it is done and I'll post some pics. It is definitely different but looks awesome.
In the mean time, I had the 2 core 22" radiator sent out as the top tank had developed 2 pinhole leaks. Since the radiator was going to be apart I opted for a 3 row to be installed in it's place. When it came back wouldn't fit back in the car. Once of the F'n new guys used too wide of a top plate sending the fins into the fan upon installation. 8 days later all was better. I was surprised to see the original 2 row chock full of RTV of every color imaginable. Surprised it flowed at all. Now the newly built radiator is full of distilled water and water wetter and cooling just fine in the 100+F AZ sun.
As of 2 weeks ago I might have had 150 miles on the car just taking it on short trips, but I had signed up for a driving event in AZ that was going to take me 350 miles horizontal and 7,000 feet vertical. I signed up for this event months ago on the hopes that at least the top would be done. Since the parts for the top were not in and I wasn't getting any work done on the car while it was an hour away in someone else's shop I repossessed the car, put the radiator in, and took it. No top, hardly any interior save for front and rear seats and arm rests, no heat (37F in Flagstaff Sunday am), no A/C (94F cruisin in Phoenix), no wipers (shorted a wire in the motor, still work, but with issues), no side trim (still haven't painted it), my 11 year old daughter and I went anyhow. The car was flawless and the only road issue was a loosened top shock bolt caused the washer to rattle and drive me crazy till I figured out what it was. The event featured about 30 cars of different vintages, makes and manufacturers, rolls royce, 55 T-bird, fire truck, handfuls of corvettes, mustangs, Fiats. And 2 Dodges, my Dart and a 4WD power wagon (late 70's). The event was billed as the Cannonball, so true to the event my daughter and I dressed as Civil Defense workers and played on the theme of radiation engineers complete with a radiation survey meter, full body suits with hoods and 1000' of Hazardous area tape. (there were none in the real event, or the subsequent movies, but we tried to be original). We finished the event and took home a few awards. The best part was how well received the car was by the general public, and fellow Cannonballers. I wish I had some better shots of the whole car, but I was busy driving while my 11 year old navigator shouted directions. I am sure I won't have too may complaints of the photos I was able to get......anyone??????

At one point I had 4 Cannonball women in the car, but I was too busy to take photos. I'm gonna love driving this car.....
 

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Well the long wait is over. The car is done and in 4 days i'm going to drop the top, put on my shades and head east for 6,000 miles of fun. Yep, you heard that right I'm taking the car around the country. Planned stops in Dodge City KS (almost a requisite), Hudson, IA, Downers Grove, IL, Cleveland, OH, Woodbury, CT, Hershey, PA, VA tech; Nashville, TN, OK, Dallas.

I've got some decent miles on the car so far (maybe 1,000 if I'm lucky), but nothing has fallen off, and it looks amazing. Thank you all for the help along the way to getting this car finished. Once I get to CT the family of my friend John that owned the car will finally get a chance to see it. Very emotional time for all of us. My 11 year old daughter will be riding along, and another member Mike (hotwheelsjr) is going to be co-piloting the first leg to Iowa. We've got a lot of cool stuff planned. Ever cruised Manhattan in a 43 year old, V8, 4 speed convertible???? Bucket list item. Rock and Roll hall of fame museum, done. Route 66? not the whole way, but we'll cover some of it.

The trip will be about 6,000 miles, over 17 states, 19 days. I've set up a blog to record the trip for those that want to cruise along with me in cyberspace.

Johnjdolan.blogspot.com

I'm going to post over on the general forum to, but you all have been with me from the beginning. Thanks.
:burnout:

Obligatory Car ****....

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