Mopowers' 66 Dart Build

[mopowers]

Looking good man, glad to see you tackling the wiring!

Thanks man. I hate wiring. I spent quite a bit of time drawing out the circuits, so hopefully everything works as it should. I have my doubts. Haha

@Demonx2 , @crackedback, and others have been a huge help to bounce electrical questions off of. If **** doesn't work, I blame them.

 

[memike]

Some super work going on here, congratulations on getting past all that wiring you have behind you, in great fashion I must say

 

[fishmens67]

Nice

 

[mopowers]

Some super work going on here, congratulations on getting past all that wiring you have behind you, in great fashion I must say

Thanks. Don't congratulate quite yet though. I've yet to throw the master cutoff switch. I'm waiting for my fuse order to arrive to load up the fuse panel before crossing my fingers and flipping the switch. Hopefully I don't let the smoke out.

 

[mopowers]

It's a runner!

I had two wires swapped in the trunk (alt CD relay and the Ford starter relay). Once I fixed that, it fired right off and idled immediately with the old trusty Holley 1850 on top. I still need to plumb the fuel system though. To start it, I just filled the carburetor bowls.

Everything seems to be functioning properly except the tachometer. I'll have to check the power input on that. Should be a simple fix. Other than that, the lights all works, blinkers, fuel pump, line lock - pretty much everything. It's such a huge relief.

I just need to make up some fuel lines and install the shifter cable and it'll be on the road.

Here are the two wires that I had switched. Stupid mistake!

And after swapping. Green goes to alternator CD relay and yellow goes to starter relay.

 

[MidnightSwinger]

Yeah buddy!!!!

 

[mopowers]

Yeah buddy!!!!

I'm sure my 340 Dart would blow it's doors off, but for a gutless 7.something :1 smogger 400, it sounds pretty decent. The tubular manifolds I made seem to work pretty well with no leaks or anything too.

I'm hoping the wheels and tires I picked out should make for an improvement, appearance-wise.

I'll see if I can get a a video uploaded.

 

[MidnightSwinger]

I'm sure my 340 Dart would blow it's doors off, but for a gutless 7.something :1 smogger 400, it sounds pretty decent. The tubular manifolds I made seem to work pretty well with no leaks or anything too.

I'm hoping the wheels and tires I picked out should make for an improvement, appearance-wise.

I'll see if I can get a a video uploaded.

Slow is fast! Get that chassis dialed in and then you can turn up the wick and do it all over again lol

 

[mopowers]

Slow is fast! Get that chassis dialed in and then you can turn up the wick and do it all over again lol

That's basically the plan, to enjoy cruising it around while I build the 470. That actually reminds me - I still need to renew the registration tags and get it insured.

What insurance carrier do you use on your old Mopars?

 

[MidnightSwinger]

That's basically the plan, to enjoy cruising it around while I build the 470. That actually reminds me - I still need to renew the registration tags and get it insured.

What insurance carrier do you use on your old Mopars?

Hagerty, not necessarily the cheapest but still cheap and they are no hassle.

 

[memike]

That's basically the plan, to enjoy cruising it around while I build the 470. That actually reminds me - I still need to renew the registration tags and get it insured.

What insurance carrier do you use on your old Mopars?

Have had zero problems with Grundy after 18 years

 

[mopowers]

Hagerty, not necessarily the cheapest but still cheap and they are no hassle.

I just switched back to Hagerty from American Collectors because they wouldn't cover the '66 when I wanted to add it.

I didn't check with Grundy, but a good portion of these classic car insurance companies won't even consider covering a 99% street car that makes a periodic trip down the 1/4 mile. Sucks that you basically have to lie to them if you ever plan on making a "fun run" at a local drag strip.

 

[memike]

I just switched back to Hagerty from American Collectors because they wouldn't cover the '66 when I wanted to add it.

I didn't check with Grundy, but a good portion of these classic car insurance companies won't even consider covering a 99% street car that makes a periodic trip down the 1/4 mile. Sucks that you basically have to lie to them if you ever plan on making a "fun run" at a local drag strip.

Yep, agree, I think getting to the car show or Dragstrip even just to watch is WAY more dangerous then getting involved with eather of these events.

 

[mopowers]

Yep, agree, I think getting to the car show or Dragstrip even just to watch is WAY more dangerous then getting involved with eather of these events.

Exactly! For me, it's not even that they won't cover the car during a 1/4 mi run. I wouldn't expect that. It's just that they won't cover the car at all if you ever make a trip down the track. I think that's a little ridiculous.

When I inquired about it with American Collectors, I asked what if someone lies and says they never race their car, but actually do from time to time (or even just once). She basically conceded and said there'd be no way they'd know. At least Hagerty flat out says they don't care. I'll have to check with Grundy too.

 

[MidnightSwinger]

Exactly! For me, it's not even that they won't cover the car during a 1/4 mi run. I wouldn't expect that. It's just that they won't cover the car at all if you ever make a trip down the track. I think that's a little ridiculous.

When I inquired about it with American Collectors, I asked what if someone lies and says they never race their car, but actually do from time to time (or even just once). She basically conceded and said there'd be no way they'd know. At least Hagerty flat out says they don't care. I'll have to check with Grundy too.

Hagerty is chill, that’s why I stick with them. It’s no one’s business how you use your vehicle. Now if they deny coverage because they can PROVE you wrecked it in a racing/competition setting, that’s just par for the course. But to just straight deny coverage because you like to go fast 1/4 mile at a time is bullshit.

 

[mopowers]

It's been a while on this one. I got the fuel lines plumbed with ptfe line and got it insured and registered. It runs great for a stock 7.something to 1 compression 400.

 

[mopowers]

Also got some new shoes. The 295/65/15s fit like a glove.

 

[mopowers]

How do you guys like the stance? It's a tad low for my liking. I may end up getting some new stock-height Calvert rear leaf segments to add an inch to the back end and screw in the front coil overs a bit to raise the ride height a tad. It's got -1" Calvert mono-leafs in it now. Maybe it'll grow on me as I cruise it around.

 

[Kern Dog]

As long as there is a rake, I like a lowered look.

 

[rmchrgr]

Agree it's a bit too low. Standard height springs would probably be good.

 

[MidnightSwinger]

I wouldn’t change a thing, looks great man.

 

[mopowers]

Thanks guys. We'll see how it plays out as far as the ride height. The low look may grow on me, but we'll see.

Once I finish the 408 build/motor swap for the orange car, I'll get started on the 470 build for this one. One of the bigger decisions to still be made is solid flat tappet, hyd roller, or solid street roller. I'm leaning solid flat tappet, but we'll see how brave I am when the time to place the order comes.

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy driving the piss out of this smogger 400.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I like the stance. It looks great. That said, it's a "little" low for me. But I still like it.

 

[fishmens67]

I like the stance. It looks great. That said, it's a "little" low for me. But I still like it.

Believe me, when he gets on it the height will be just right.

 

[Kern Dog]

Thanks guys. We'll see how it plays out as far as the ride height. The low look may grow on me, but we'll see.

Once I finish the 408 build/motor swap for the orange car, I'll get started on the 470 build for this one. One of the bigger decisions to still be made is solid flat tappet, hyd roller, or solid street roller. I'm leaning solid flat tappet, but we'll see how brave I am when the time to place the order comes.

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy driving the piss out of this smogger 400.

Over the winter, I'm going to pull out my Lunati solid to make a roller cam swap.

If you are at all worried about wiping a cam, a known good used cam with matching lifters and springs is a huge relief! Send me a PM or text me to let me know what you think.
In 2020, I built a 383 with a used 280/474 from a FBBO member. It had matching lifters and it has been fine. This allows you to start it up and forego the nervewracking break in anxiety.