CultClassik
Well-Known Member
I figured it's about time to show some of what's been done, where I'm at, and generate some additional motivation.
I've had several classic cars, but most never saw completion for various reasons. Two Mustangs, a 66 and a 65 (I do still like the fastbacks, these were the hum-drum coupes), a 1966 Dart 270 that fell by the way side mid build due to military service, a 1969 C10 stepstide (swapped from a 350 to a 454, would have been fun), and then in 2012 my buddy forwarded a Craigslist ad for a 67 Dart. I always loved the 67+ Darts. I had actually been looking around for a Belvedere, thinking a big car with a big block would be fun. No matter what, I really dig the Mopar bodies.
Anyway, I couldn't pass this car up. Very nice body considering the age, all original. The previous owner had it for about 5 years. The 273 2bbl engine was seized. He had already pulled it along with the trans. He told me how he wanted to "pep up" the 273, but I wasn't going to spend the money to rebuild an engine on a 273 (he seemed a little disappointed that I wasn't going to keep the original baby V8). I ended up getting the car for $3000, I think he was asking 3500.
Had it towed home and tossed the drivetrain stuff in the corner. Even though it had the 7-1/4 rear, I was impressed that the original owner had coughed up the ($12 I think) dough to get the sure grip. The car still had the 1978 inspection sticker and 1975 plates. No rust, and it seemed to have been garaged for many years, thank goodness.
My buddy tries to keep me on track, and he did a pretty good job. Just get it on the road was the goal, and I did. Right off the bat, I had to replace the fuel tank, other usual items like brakes, new fuel line, etc. All new suspension components, new tires for the 14" wheels, grabbed some dog dish caps since I dislike full wheel covers and didn't want to buy SBP wheels knowing a BBP swap would be in the car's future. The same buddy picked me up one day and pretty much insisted that I buy this engine from Craigslist. We go and check it out, the guy pulled it from a Charger. Now usually I'm skeptical of used engines and transmissions, but he had the car there and said he just wanted a big block, and it did have a fresh 383 in it. Under the valve covers was very clean so I took a chance. $500 for the 318 with iron 4bbl intake, carter 600, 727, all with a claimed 2000 miles since the Chargers's previous owner had had them rebuilt. I ended up selling the 727 and rebuilding the original 904.
Now that I'm almost 3 years in to this project, I'll just start posting some of the pics. It was inspected, running and driving, but thanks to a stupid mistake on my part, being a first time 904 rebuilder, I had to pull the trans. At that point, I didn't want to pull the drive train again so I decided to start on that paint. I'm relying on a friend's kindness and spare time to do that, so the going is a bit slow. We're getting there, and I've decided to go ahead and do the disc swap, 8-3/4 swap and new wheels while it's sitting around. Hopefully soon we'll be able to pull it out for body work, paint it, and then a new top. After that we're so close to done!
Next up, pictures of progress. Here's the one from the original Craigslist ad.
I've had several classic cars, but most never saw completion for various reasons. Two Mustangs, a 66 and a 65 (I do still like the fastbacks, these were the hum-drum coupes), a 1966 Dart 270 that fell by the way side mid build due to military service, a 1969 C10 stepstide (swapped from a 350 to a 454, would have been fun), and then in 2012 my buddy forwarded a Craigslist ad for a 67 Dart. I always loved the 67+ Darts. I had actually been looking around for a Belvedere, thinking a big car with a big block would be fun. No matter what, I really dig the Mopar bodies.
Anyway, I couldn't pass this car up. Very nice body considering the age, all original. The previous owner had it for about 5 years. The 273 2bbl engine was seized. He had already pulled it along with the trans. He told me how he wanted to "pep up" the 273, but I wasn't going to spend the money to rebuild an engine on a 273 (he seemed a little disappointed that I wasn't going to keep the original baby V8). I ended up getting the car for $3000, I think he was asking 3500.
Had it towed home and tossed the drivetrain stuff in the corner. Even though it had the 7-1/4 rear, I was impressed that the original owner had coughed up the ($12 I think) dough to get the sure grip. The car still had the 1978 inspection sticker and 1975 plates. No rust, and it seemed to have been garaged for many years, thank goodness.
My buddy tries to keep me on track, and he did a pretty good job. Just get it on the road was the goal, and I did. Right off the bat, I had to replace the fuel tank, other usual items like brakes, new fuel line, etc. All new suspension components, new tires for the 14" wheels, grabbed some dog dish caps since I dislike full wheel covers and didn't want to buy SBP wheels knowing a BBP swap would be in the car's future. The same buddy picked me up one day and pretty much insisted that I buy this engine from Craigslist. We go and check it out, the guy pulled it from a Charger. Now usually I'm skeptical of used engines and transmissions, but he had the car there and said he just wanted a big block, and it did have a fresh 383 in it. Under the valve covers was very clean so I took a chance. $500 for the 318 with iron 4bbl intake, carter 600, 727, all with a claimed 2000 miles since the Chargers's previous owner had had them rebuilt. I ended up selling the 727 and rebuilding the original 904.
Now that I'm almost 3 years in to this project, I'll just start posting some of the pics. It was inspected, running and driving, but thanks to a stupid mistake on my part, being a first time 904 rebuilder, I had to pull the trans. At that point, I didn't want to pull the drive train again so I decided to start on that paint. I'm relying on a friend's kindness and spare time to do that, so the going is a bit slow. We're getting there, and I've decided to go ahead and do the disc swap, 8-3/4 swap and new wheels while it's sitting around. Hopefully soon we'll be able to pull it out for body work, paint it, and then a new top. After that we're so close to done!
Next up, pictures of progress. Here's the one from the original Craigslist ad.
