Birth of a 1970 Dart Convertible

[muddacres]

Run in couple problems, tried to put the seals on torsion bars and they ripped, sent a email to summit and haven't herd anything yet . I tried to install lower control arms and having a hard time compressing the strut rod bushings.

 

[belmateo]

Hi Jim,
Did you tighten the lower control arm pivot first? That will make it easier, also don't forget to tighten the rear crossmember bolts. It is coming together nicely.

 

[muddacres]

I played for a little wile after work yesterday. It was warmer and I use my sons 2' ratchet and got the strut rods tight. Good eye on the cross member bolts. LOL I was saying to my son the other day I will go over it a couple times to check everything. As always thanks for watching my build.

 

[muddacres]

A little more progress. The sway bar bushings are being a little difficult.

 

[muddacres]

My Dad passed 2/22 so I haven't had no Mo-Jo. The last couple weeks I spent a few hours working on it. I also need my lift for other things. I got my power steering box back from Firm Feel and I got that installed. I got my engine pulleys from FABO member. I went to install the water pump pulley and it lines up with the front pulley on the crank. I took a picture of the numbers on it.
Jim

 

[65Val]

Sorry to hear about your Dad. Progress looking great!

 

[muddacres]

I took my drive shaft and got it cut down, balanced and installed. When I pick up my drive shaft there was a surprise in side. I got different crank and water pump pulleys. The power steering pump pulley don't line up now so I guess I need a different one. I'm waiting on a steering joint, the stock one hit on the headers. I had it RUNNING and it sound great!!!!!

 

[belmateo]

FANTASTIC!
Nice to see it coming together for you.

 

[rapidtransitric]

Nice work.

Morphed

 

[muddacres]

Thanks for the comments guys. Here is a little video.

 

[belmateo]

WOW!
She sounds GREAT and starts right up, what cam did you end up going with?

 

[muddacres]

WOW!
She sounds GREAT and starts right up, what cam did you end up going with?

I think it is this one without looking for the paperwork. OLD AGE
COMP Cams CL20-600-4

 

[muddacres]

Seat is in and it drives, so I guess it is done!!!!

 

[rapidtransitric]

Seat is in and it drives, so I guess it is done!!!!

Pretty RAD.


Morphed

 

[belmateo]

Outstanding!
Have you decided who will paint the car for you?

 

[muddacres]

No not yet. I haven't put much thought into it.

 

[JayinMI]

Just went through this from the beginning to get caught up. Great progress. Looks like you figured out the welder. Sorry to hear about your dad. My condolences.

Jay

 

[Swinger340Canuc]

Have you made any progress on your build Jim?
Danny

 

[muddacres]

I'm sorry to say no. I have been thinking about it a lot lately. It is all about the body work now. I don't know it I can live up to my own standards when it comes to body work. I do have the doors on and started to bolt on the front fenders. I bought a hood from a guy in Az. he sent me pictures all but the dent on the leading edge, he knew a guy going to Carlisle so I paid him shipping and got it from him when we went to the show. There is things like that, makes you to lose interest. To make a long story short it's junk. Sorry for the rant. Thanks for asking Danny. Hope to post something new soon.
Jim

 

[69conv]

Sometimes you just have to step back for a minute. Think about how far you've come and all you have acomplished. Catch your breath, the finish line is right around the corner. BTW magnificent work. I've got a 69 dart conv and love the 70 front so looking forwrd to seeing it done.

 

[Swinger340Canuc]

Sometimes you just have to step back for a minute. Think about how far you've come and all you have acomplished. Catch your breath, the finish line is right around the corner. BTW magnificent work. I've got a 69 dart conv and love the 70 front so looking forwrd to seeing it done.

I agree with 69conv’s comment, these are pretty big undertakings especially if you’ve never tackled one before. Inevitably most of us will have set backs or times it’s difficult to drag yourself out to do the work plus it’s not inexpensive to do a really nice resto or restomod. I was able to use how much of a thrill it was going to be to drive mine out of my garage for the first time in 35 years and all the head turns I’ve gotten as my motivation and I had committed to my Dart buddies I would make the summer Mopar car show. So hang in there and you’ll find the right motivation for you. Remember to ask on things like that dent in your hood, I didn’t see how bad yours was but my hood got nasty little dent when the paint dippers dropped mine on the edge of their tank and dented the rear edge of my hood but I was able to work it out with a hammer and dolly in about half an hour, we might be able to coach you how pull something like that back into shape if it’s possible. I’ll be watching as you progress Jim.

 

[muddacres]

I would like to start getting the rest of the parts I need to finish this project. I need bumpers, top, carpet, seat covers and door windows. Does anybody have suggestions on re-chromed bumpers? I'm going to take a week off in March to try and finish the body work. I'm not looking forward to that, it is going to take a lot of time and pain to get what I want.
Jim

 

[JDMopar]

Tri City Plating in Elizabethton, TN does fantastic work on bumpers, and offers a lifetime warranty.

 

[muddacres]

Tri City Plating in Elizabethton, TN does fantastic work on bumpers, and offers a lifetime warranty.

Thanks
Jim

 

[moparmat2000]

I read your build thread. Lots of good fab work, but i gotta ask, why didnt you just graft a 1970 front and rear clip to the 67 vert shell. Seems to me like that would have been much easier, plus you coulda saved the 67 vert making it a 70 model, and kept your 70 hardtop.