LH23H2R
Well-Known Member
Since the '75 / '76 360 "A" thread I've started is so popular , and since a fellow member inquired about the 1974 360 models , I decided to start a thread that's dedicated to the 1974 models .
1974 Dart , Dart Sport , Duster , Valiant and Scamp .
Lots of changes , even over its 1973 predecessor :
- 5 MPH impact rear bumper standards
- Smaller-width bumper guards were phased-in
- OSAC valve moved to air cleaner base
- "Uni-Belt" seat belts
- Seat Belt Interlock ( :angry7: ) with its override button under the hood
- 1974-only positive battery cable , as a result of the aforementioned seat belt arrangement
- 360 replaces 340
- Last year for a 4 speed behind a performance motor
- Last year for all models to run on leaded gas
- Disc brakes standard with 318 ( delete option )
- Power-assist disc brakes standard on 360 models
With the 340 being emasculated ( first smaller intake valves , then a shitty cast crank ) , and more and more smog junk being added , the 360 was the natural choice .
Introduced for 1971 in 2 Bbl only form , and only in "C" Bodies , the long-stroke 360 was a torque monster , having a longer stroke than the B-Motors .
For 1974 , the performance goodies from the 340 were tacked onto the formerly lo-po 360 ; mostly , the cam and induction , as the heads already were shared with the 340 .
The dreaded "Uni-Belt" was a (surprise!) government mandate , as was that (stupid) Interlock setup , wherein the car could not be started if the driver's seat belt wasn't fastened .
Under the hood , on the left-side shear panel ( i.e. , inner fender ) , was an override setup : pop the hood , press the red override button , and fire the car off without wrestling with those uncomfortable , pain-in-the-*** seat belts .
With the fuel crisis in full-swing within the first month of the then-new 1974 models ( the oil cutoff occurred on 21st Octobre 1973 ) , and with the insurance companies penalising any car that had more than a tiny V8 in them , 1974 would prove to be a poor year for performance models; the Duster 360 and Dart Sport 360 would be no exception .
In a case of irony , 1974 would prove to be the best year for "A" Body sales , exceeding even earlier years' sales .
After '74 , sales would fall off monumentally .
___________________
Please , share your projects , stories , info , etc. , about these special models 8) .
1974 Dart , Dart Sport , Duster , Valiant and Scamp .
Lots of changes , even over its 1973 predecessor :
- 5 MPH impact rear bumper standards
- Smaller-width bumper guards were phased-in
- OSAC valve moved to air cleaner base
- "Uni-Belt" seat belts
- Seat Belt Interlock ( :angry7: ) with its override button under the hood
- 1974-only positive battery cable , as a result of the aforementioned seat belt arrangement
- 360 replaces 340
- Last year for a 4 speed behind a performance motor
- Last year for all models to run on leaded gas
- Disc brakes standard with 318 ( delete option )
- Power-assist disc brakes standard on 360 models
With the 340 being emasculated ( first smaller intake valves , then a shitty cast crank ) , and more and more smog junk being added , the 360 was the natural choice .
Introduced for 1971 in 2 Bbl only form , and only in "C" Bodies , the long-stroke 360 was a torque monster , having a longer stroke than the B-Motors .
For 1974 , the performance goodies from the 340 were tacked onto the formerly lo-po 360 ; mostly , the cam and induction , as the heads already were shared with the 340 .
The dreaded "Uni-Belt" was a (surprise!) government mandate , as was that (stupid) Interlock setup , wherein the car could not be started if the driver's seat belt wasn't fastened .
Under the hood , on the left-side shear panel ( i.e. , inner fender ) , was an override setup : pop the hood , press the red override button , and fire the car off without wrestling with those uncomfortable , pain-in-the-*** seat belts .
With the fuel crisis in full-swing within the first month of the then-new 1974 models ( the oil cutoff occurred on 21st Octobre 1973 ) , and with the insurance companies penalising any car that had more than a tiny V8 in them , 1974 would prove to be a poor year for performance models; the Duster 360 and Dart Sport 360 would be no exception .
In a case of irony , 1974 would prove to be the best year for "A" Body sales , exceeding even earlier years' sales .
After '74 , sales would fall off monumentally .
___________________
Please , share your projects , stories , info , etc. , about these special models 8) .
