Lots of smiles, but lots of miles ahead

[Popdart]

Ok, I guess this is the way to start the project. No better place than here to get ALL the answers to all my trivial questions . . . . I guarantee there will be more than a few. I took possession of my 1973 Dart Swinger last night, it arrived from Iowa (ran out by the floods . . .). I'll be posting pics and as much history as I am privy of (which ain't a whole helluva lot . . ). Previous owner didn't do anything to the car, wasn't his "dream", and has since bought a 68 Charger. He doesn't know anything about the internals of the drivetrain or its condition. ottytrarevious owner #2 holds most of the info I need, did most of the work to the car. I have a name, need to get ahold of him, the search begins (I know yer out there . . . and I'm coming . . .). It started out as a 318 auto car rolling off the assembly line here at Dodge Main in Hamtramck, Mi.. Since then, it has evolved somewhat (I quote from previous owner #1) "It has a 383 big block with a nice cam and Holley carb and Edelbrock intake with go fast chrome parts. It does have the correct factory manifolds. It is mated to a 727 built with a shift kit and Hurst rachet shifter. The motor also has a new fuel pump and a mini starter. It has the 8 3/4 rear axle with I believe 4.56 gears. It has brand new SS springs and shackles and shocks." As you will soon see maybe this weekend in pics, I have alot of nights in the ole pole barn ahead of me. I know, "welcome to the crowd". Well I'm glad to be here.:cheers: Rog

 

[OldVart]

Well it sounds like you have yourself a nice project there. Good luck with it.

I've gotta get me some of those go-fast chrome parts!

 

[redfastback]

i bet you my chrome is faster than yours.

i haven't been chrome bench racin' in awhile................

can't wait to see pics!!!

 

[Popdart]

i bet you my chrome is faster than yours.

i haven't been chrome bench racin' in awhile................

can't wait to see pics!!!

yeah . . whats with that "go fast chrome parts"?:dontknow: Rog

 

[spikekid999]

whats wrong with chrome??

 

[Popdart]

whats wrong with chrome??

Spike's gots us beat Red!! lol

 

[Captainkirk]

Way cool, Rog! Glad you got your car before it drowned!
Looking forward to a great new resto-thread from ya. I wish I'd started taking pix from day one (or even CAR one!-I'd love to have some of the pix I took of the L'il Red Minx but have long since misplaced!)
Anyway, please include us all with your project!

 

[Longgone]

Sounds like lots of goodies there to start with, and remember that no question is trivial, if you don`t know the answer.

 

[Popdart]

Way cool, Rog! Glad you got your car before it drowned!
Looking forward to a great new resto-thread from ya. I wish I'd started taking pix from day one (or even CAR one!-I'd love to have some of the pix I took of the L'il Red Minx but have long since misplaced!)
Anyway, please include us all with your project!

Thanks Cap'n, nice note . . . will I include you guys?? I'll be abusing that, with all my questions . . . you all will prolly throw me out of this site and take back my FABO decals . . . lol Rog

 

[Popdart]

Sounds like lots of goodies there to start with, and remember that no question is trivial, if you don`t know the answer.

Yeah seems to be some good goodies there . . . problem is I have no history, and I trying to track down the owner who did the work. I have no idea what has been done with the engine, trans, or rear. Thanks, Rog

 

[Captainkirk]

Yeah seems to be some good goodies there . . . problem is I have no history, and I trying to track down the owner who did the work. I have no idea what has been done with the engine, trans, or rear. Thanks, Rog

I wouldn't get too bothered with tracking down the PO...usually they'll exaggerate about the good things they claim to have done, and outright lie about the bad things and/or cover-ups they want to hide anyway. My advice to you is this.....make a serious assessment of the vehicle based on your own personal observations, and/or the opinions and observations of other professional mechanics (not friends or relatives!). Start a list, prioritize, then dive into the deep end. Good luck!!!!!! Cap

 

[waggin]

nuthing wrong with chrome,will you please paint the engine and under hood of your car to match the quality of the exterior?I'm not into the lowrider thing but your car is nice and just a few cans of grabber green under the hood would make all of us DROOL!!!!!

 

[Longgone]

Yeah seems to be some good goodies there . . . problem is I have no history, and I trying to track down the owner who did the work. I have no idea what has been done with the engine, trans, or rear. Thanks, Rog

I guess there`s always exploratory surgery but only if you really need to know.

 

[68gts340]

It has a 383 big block with a nice cam and Holley carb and Edelbrock intake with go fast chrome parts. It does have the correct factory manifolds. It is mated to a 727 built with a shift kit and Hurst rachet shifter. The motor also has a new fuel pump and a mini starter. It has the 8 3/4 rear axle with I believe 4.56 gears. It has brand new SS springs and shackles and shocks."




nice list of parts ya got there, now take her out and flog er good ...if it scares ya its just right.......


if i remember right ,,,the fastest chrome parts were the 1965 s

 

[spikekid999]

nuthing wrong with chrome,will you please paint the engine and under hood of your car to match the quality of the exterior?I'm not into the lowrider thing but your car is nice and just a few cans of grabber green under the hood would make all of us DROOL!!!!!

green,,,,naw, thats for the dart. green dont match my 5th, its black,blue,and well,,,CHROME!!:toothy10:

 

[Popdart]

Seriously, have all you guys recently escaped some state institution? You guys are crazy!!! I fit right in!! lmao . . . Rog

 

[Popdart]

It has a 383 big block with a nice cam and Holley carb and Edelbrock intake with go fast chrome parts. It does have the correct factory manifolds. It is mated to a 727 built with a shift kit and Hurst rachet shifter. The motor also has a new fuel pump and a mini starter. It has the 8 3/4 rear axle with I believe 4.56 gears. It has brand new SS springs and shackles and shocks."




nice list of parts ya got there, now take her out and flog er good ...if it scares ya its just right.......


if i remember right ,,,the fastest chrome parts were the 1965 s

I hear that, but she's in not condition to be taken out and flogged . . . . if I flog, I think I'll walk. There are some wring issues, no exhaust, alot of crude, backyard work done that cannot be trusted. I'll show what I mean soon through pictures. But do you think I should get it drivable to see what I have first before teardown? Rog

 

[Captainkirk]

I hear that, but she's in not condition to be taken out and flogged . . . . if I flog, I think I'll walk. There are some wring issues, no exhaust, alot of crude, backyard work done that cannot be trusted. I'll show what I mean soon through pictures. But do you think I should get it drivable to see what I have first before teardown? Rog

Absolutely.

 

[spikekid999]

i would, that way you can see,feel,hear whats wrong with it and what needs to be fix/repaired/redone, and you can get that stuff done 1st before you start doin what you WANT to do to it,and you wont be goin in blindly

 

[68gts340]

yup ..what they said ..as long as the motor sounds ok,,, i would get it into driving condition , drive it a little bit, the car will tell you what it needs...

 

[Captainkirk]

Rog, What? No pictures yet? C'mon....don't be teasing us. At least give us a starting point......:clock:

 

[Popdart]

Rog, What? No pictures yet? C'mon....don't be teasing us. At least give us a starting point......:clock:

Laffs . . . . this weekend I'll try to post some . . I've been busy on the house (ya know, gotta get the chores done before you can go play!!) Barring any more thunderboomers, I'll roll her out and snap some photos . . . Rog

 

[Captainkirk]

Hey Rog, what's the prognosis on the Dart? We're still waiting for pix, and an idea of what you've got planned....enquiring minds want to know!