1969 Dodge Dart GTS

[68GTconvert]

I painted the trans Zink phosphate like the color for rally center caps. Trans is not numbers matching. Oh well. I need to put a inspection cover gasket in it. I think that is where it was weeping from. Clean up my shifter rods and my driveshaft.

 

[DARTGAME]

Numbers or no numbers, it still looks good.

Ian

 

[Mad Dart]

Looks good, I like the color. I painted my Trans in the 70 I had Flat BBQ Black. Looks about the same as that.

 

[68GTconvert]

Looks good, I like the color. I painted my Trans in the 70 I had Flat BBQ Black. Looks about the same as that.

Thanks. It has alot of metalic flake in it actually but it is hard to see in the pics. Anything is better then rusty cast iron.

I am trying to figure out a way to clean the bottom of the car without a lift or a rotisorrie. I am thinking about lifting it with my engine hoist and some straps on the rear bumper bolts? I need to pressure wash the bottom so I can re undercoat this thing. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[mopardude318]

man. everything looks great man! good job!

 

[813Demon340]

Yes, the seat is in my 72 Demon. Thanks again!

You might want to be careful about lifting it by the bolts, you can tweak/ bend that area. You could always use jack stands with block under them. Or fab a "U" shaped piece that solidly bolts to the rear bumper mounts and you can use the hoist. Heres a pic of something similar I built for the front of my Duster.

 

[68GTconvert]

Thanks mopardude318.

 

[68GTconvert]

Yes, the seat is in my 72 Demon. Thanks again!

You might want to be careful about lifting it by the bolts, you can tweak/ bend that area. You could always use jack stands with block under them. Or fab a "U" shaped piece that solidly bolts to the rear bumper mounts and you can use the hoist. Heres a pic of something similar I built for the front of my Duster.

Yeah I meant put a strap through somewhere not on the actual bolts. I like what you came up with here. Thanks for the pic. It gave me an idea.

 

[gts4fuji]

Thats going to be one sweet GTS. Love it being a 4-speed car.

 

[68GTconvert]

Pressure washed the underside of the GTS and started to redo the undercoating. I just put on the first coat. It looks way better in person. Pics look crappy. I also redid my bumper brackets.

 

[68GTconvert]

Got the second coat on today. So I am going to put the gas tank and rear back in then move onto the front suspension.

 

[68GTconvert]

Today I got the new hotchkis leafs, KYB shocks brake lines and rear end in the car. I had to get a new brake line to the rear end. I am waiting for some gas tank sealer to come in before I install the tank. It had some rust dust in it afterall. I had to touch up the paint on the 8 3/4(I dropped it) so I will put it on the ground tomorrow and take pics of the ride height.

I also got some evaporust, I can't wait to try it out. This is challenging to do by yourself, I could have used another person to help lift the 8 3/4. That is why the paint got messed up.

Anyone need some rear shackle bushings? I didn't use these since my other ones were new. Pay shipping and they are yours.

 

[68GTconvert]

Man it is really low. I think when I put the motor in it will help some. It doesn't come close to rubbbing the tires on the upper wheel well. Here are a few pics. This is with 17's.

 

[Mad Dart]

I believe the rear will drop more when the driveline is installed.
My 70 dropped at least another 1.5" in the rear when the drive line was installed & the suspension loaded.

 

[68GTconvert]

I believe the rear will drop more when the driveline is installed.
My 70 dropped at least another 1.5" in the rear when the drive line was installed & the suspension loaded.

I guess I have to wait until the driveline is installed before I worry about it. I mostly worry about having people in the back seat and hitting a bump.

I have modified my plan a little bit. I will be painting the floors white. I will also restore the dash. I really wanted to get this car running and driving quickly but my money for getting it painted is gone. So I am just going to go through and restore the car in sections. The rear is done except for the sway bar being installed. I have a picture in my mind of how I want the car and I have all the parts(mostly) to come out with the finished product. So I will just do stuff that doesn't cost money just time and sweat.

 

[68GTconvert]

Not sure if anyone cares but I got the front suspension out last night. Man I got struck on two upper control arm bolts took me a half hour. Probably work on cleaning and taking it apart today. It looks like I will be needing upper and lower ball joints. I may have to save my pennies and get a new PST kit. We get a discount on here don't we?

 

[68GTconvert]

Took apart the front suspension and cleaned it pretty good. I need new upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends. Anyone know what kit to get with kelsey hayes disks? I also may need some new sway bar brackets. The ones on there don't look right.

 

[68GTconvert]

Put some parts in evaporust. It works pretty good. I don't think I will buy more of the stuff. Painted the hood latchs with zinc phosphate. Painted some other parts too.

 

[OneOfMany]

Coming along good.. The sway bar brackets look correct from memory. They capture the bushing.

Grant

 

[68GTconvert]

Coming along good.. The sway bar brackets look correct from memory. They capture the bushing.

Grant

Thanks for the info. I may buy a new kit with new brackets anyways because these ones look a little bent.

 

[68GTconvert]

Here it is all done. I really like that zinc paint. Looks nice. Evaporusted the bolts and painted them also.

 

[68GTconvert]

Well I was fortunate enough to sell some parts so I could buy a new Performance Suspension Components PSC super front end poly graphite kit. I got everything for $324 shipped. I also scored a recurved distributor from MadDart for a killer deal. swinger340 hooked me up with a 318 motor mount for shipping cost. Thanks for the deals.

 

[Mad Dart]

Well I was fortunate enough to sell some parts so I could buy a new Performance Suspension Components PSC super front end poly graphite kit. I got everything for $324 shipped. I also scored a recurved distributor from MadDart for a killer deal. swinger340 hooked me up with a 318 motor mount for shipping cost. Thanks for the deals.

You have really picked up the pace lately. Nice work!

 

[68GTconvert]

You have really picked up the pace lately. Nice work!

Thanks.

 

[68GTconvert]

I saw evil340's resto thread and decided to restore my seat belts. The seat belt buckles were pretty rusty so I used evaporust on them. The buckles came out rust free, I just have to paint them tomorrow. I then cleaned them in soapy water. I let them dry, then I dyed them black since many were fading. They came out pretty nice. $3 for Dye instead of $475 for a reproduction set.