Keystone
Well-Known Member
Hello everyone,
Last month I bought my first old car, a 73 Dart Swinger. It needs some work, but it’s a running, driving car with a mostly solid body. It’s a 318 with the 904 trans.
The previous owner started fixing it up. Just off the top of my head: new shocks, front brakes, ball joints, brake booster, master cylinder, rebuilt engine (I was told the block is an ’87, a Summit low-end cam, and headers with 2 ½” dual exhaust. He also removed the vinyl top and patched the area below the rear window which had apparently started to rust.
On my list right now is rust repair in the trunk and floors from damage caused by a water leak, new leaf springs, bigger torsion bars, fuel gauge sender, get the dash lights working, identifying and fixing some oil leak(s), either reupholstering the front split bench seat or replacing it with buckets, and fixing anything else I find along the way.
Eventually I’d like to add 15" wheels/tires, upgrade to an 8 ¼” rear with limited slip and better gears, paint it, and move to EFI, but that’ll be down the road a ways.
As for me I’ve been doing my own maintenance and repairs on my cars, trucks, and motorcycles for years. I’ve been wanting an old car for a while now, but the last few years I’ve been fixing up the house and property I bought. Now that the homestead is under control, it’s time for something fun.
Last month I bought my first old car, a 73 Dart Swinger. It needs some work, but it’s a running, driving car with a mostly solid body. It’s a 318 with the 904 trans.
The previous owner started fixing it up. Just off the top of my head: new shocks, front brakes, ball joints, brake booster, master cylinder, rebuilt engine (I was told the block is an ’87, a Summit low-end cam, and headers with 2 ½” dual exhaust. He also removed the vinyl top and patched the area below the rear window which had apparently started to rust.
On my list right now is rust repair in the trunk and floors from damage caused by a water leak, new leaf springs, bigger torsion bars, fuel gauge sender, get the dash lights working, identifying and fixing some oil leak(s), either reupholstering the front split bench seat or replacing it with buckets, and fixing anything else I find along the way.
Eventually I’d like to add 15" wheels/tires, upgrade to an 8 ¼” rear with limited slip and better gears, paint it, and move to EFI, but that’ll be down the road a ways.
As for me I’ve been doing my own maintenance and repairs on my cars, trucks, and motorcycles for years. I’ve been wanting an old car for a while now, but the last few years I’ve been fixing up the house and property I bought. Now that the homestead is under control, it’s time for something fun.
