'72 Dart Custom

[sdahmer]

Here is my '72 Dart Custom which I bought about a year ago. Figured It's time to start a thread for it. This is my first classic and my first Mopar. Actually, it's the only car I've really worked on. My dad isn't a car guy and I didn't grow up around car guys, so I just recently got into it, and I LOVE it! You guys here on FABO have made what I've done so far possible, so thanks! My goal with this car is to make it a fun daily driver.



What I've done -Suspension & Steering: MP springs, Bilstein shocks, Poly bushings all around (except strut rods-Moog rubbers), moog pitman & idler arms, tie rods, upper & lower ball joints.
Brakes - Rebuilt calipers, new pads & rotors, new bearings and wheel studs/nuts.
Wheels - American Racing 14x7 sbp with BFGoodrich 215/70 14
Body - Gave the hood, roof, and deck lid a temporary rattle can job to get rid of and protect against rust. The only cancer the car has are just behind the rear wheel wells. Repainted the grill.

Engine - I pulled the engine and trans out a few months ago due to shifting issues and TONS of blue smoke - even got pulled over for it, cop was nice and just talked cars for while and gave me a warning. The 318 had a very worn #7 cylinder bore so I got a 360 to replace it.


When I first got it

 

[sdahmer]

Some more pics

 

[sdahmer]

 

[sdahmer]

A tattoo design for when I finish the Dart

 

[sdahmer]

ENGINE

360 +.060
Stock crank +.010/.020
Stock rods with ARP bolts
Silv-O-Lite cast pistons with Hastings moly rings
Stock pushrods and rocker shafts/arms
"J" heads - 1.8/1.6, new valves, guides
Crower single springs, retainers and lifters
bowl blend by Lary Holt III at Speed Specialties showed an overal 22.3% intake and 33.9 % exhaust flow increase with a high of 47% at .050 lift
Cam- Crower 31241 grind #267HDP
Intake: Duration 267 Lift .474
Exhaust: Duration 271 Lift .485
Summit balancer
Edelbrock Performer intake
MP windage tray
Moroso lifter baffle
MP water pump
Carter fuel pump

 

[sdahmer]

 

[sdahmer]

A bit of an update...

Finished the 360 and 904, and got a PTC 26-2800 stall converter. Got the timing chain installed at 1 degree advance. The 904 has a brass filter in the pic but I will be using the dacron one. Still haven't decided on what pan to use; stock, deep steel or deep finned aluminum. Help deciding would be appreciated

 

[sdahmer]

I was checking out the engine today to see if everything looked okay and I noticed one thing that wasn't. The MP valve covers don't quite clear the Performer intake. Anyone else have this problem? Would it be better to take material off the intake or covers?


And on a side note, would you run headers on a combo like mine? I was thinking of just using the stock manifolds. What kind of gain could I expect? Thanks!

 

[74DartSwinger360]

Deep finned aluminium or Deep chrme with drain plug

 

[sdahmer]

Thanks, I was leaning toward finned aluminum. I'll go with that.

 

[sdahmer]

Waiting to get off work at 0700 so I can finally go patch the AC and heater holes in the firewall. My girlfriends dad will be helping me since I don't own a welder and my dart currently sits in his spacious driveway.

 

[sdahmer]

My first attempt at body work. Hopefully it'll look a lot nicer when it's done.

 

[sdahmer]

I've slowly been working on the gauges. I repainted the originals and started replacing the original clear plastic with lexan. The three autometer gauges will sit recessed in my lexan panel where the ac controls would've been. The glove box door skin will be replaced with lexan to match as well.

 

[sdahmer]

Finished welding and grinding the firewall and got a bit of bondo and sanding done. Hopefully I can finish this Sat and get the engine bay painted Sun. Don't mind the bent brake line, stainless are going in once painted. 8)

 

[sdahmer]

 

[metallidart]

Looks good so far! The more you work on it...the more addicted you will become! lol. Its cool to see a 4-door build. One question, how come you got rid of the a/c?

 

[sdahmer]

Thanks! I've never had working A/C in a car and the one in the dart wasn't working. I'm also a big fan of simplicity, don't like crowded engine bays. It also shaved a good 40-50lbs.

 

[Bulldozer]

Anyone else have this problem? Would it be better to take material off the intake or covers?
would you run headers on a combo like mine? I was thinking of just using the stock manifolds. What kind of gain could I expect? Thanks!

i dont know if you got it resolved but i just marked and took out the material off the valve covers. i would also use headers myself, just because....lol

great work, body color engine bays ROCK

 

[sdahmer]

i dont know if you got it resolved but i just marked and took out the material off the valve covers. i would also use headers myself, just because....lol

great work, body color engine bays ROCK

I haven't taken care of it so thanks! Next time I work on it I'll shave those covers. I've decided to install headers when my wallet allows since I just scored a manual steering box at a yard.

 

[sdahmer]

Got a lot done this weekend.

 

[66340SEDAN]

Looking real good, keep up the nice work :glasses7:

 

[Robj]

Sweet!

 

[sdahmer]

I've slowed down a bit after a wreck early this year and then getting another Mopar! Another '72 but this time its a Scamp

Some updates:
Carb-750 vac sec Holley with Lokar throttle cable
Trans-Summit Deep Finned aluminim pan and Lokar kickdown
Exhaust-Stock iron (for now at least)
Radiator-26" Champion aluminum
Brake lines-All stainless
I went ahead and shaved a bit off the valve covers and they fit great now. I'm also in the process of converting it to a floor shift.

 

[70DartMike]

Very nice! Glad to see a more door getting some attention.

 

[txstang84]

A '72 Scamp, eh?? Excellent choice!

Lookin' good btw!