Need Big Help with this Dart

[MoparGirl]

Okay Guy & Gals,
I had the Dart in for an alignment and took the opportunity to find out what transmission and rear end is in it. The trans is 904A and the rear 276. This makes perfect sense since the car was originally a 225. Whoever had it prior just changed the engine to a stock 360 and left everything else. The 360 runs strong however it does smoke a bit at start up (comes out the exhaust). I know I've probably bitten off more than I can chew but I'd like to make this car respectable. The dilemma....do I chance keeping this motor and rebuilding it or do I buy a crate? The crate option would definitely be easier but also more expensive. I don't have the knowledge nor does my husband to rebuild it ourselves and we don't have any equipment to do testing. If we go the rebuild route, does anyone know of a good Mopar person in the SE Tennessee area (close to Chattanooga or even Knoxville) that could do the work? Also, need recommendations on the trans and rear end. Currently looking at TCI Torqueflight and Dana 60. This car will not be strip, just street that can show the tuners running around here something about power. Sorry for being longwinded. I have soooo many questions.

-73 Dart Sport

 

[briankaplan]

If it only smokes at dtart up. It may only need valve seals. That would
keep it going a little longer while you get the funds for the crate motor.
Take a compression check while you do the seals to check the condition
of the engine. Good luck, Green Duster.

 

[73DartSport340]

Guess id price out the engine rebuild VS a Crate engine price wise for the HP level you want. I have a feeling though that you could probably get the 360 rebuilt cheaper but not sure though either depending on the HP levle you are looking for and ammount of stuff you would have to throw into it in a rebuild to get it to the power levles you want...meaning heads,carb, etc,etc...and how much stuff like that for a rebuild you have laying around that you could reuse for free.

A 727 is pretty much bulletproof although you CAN get the 904 to live under stress with the right rebuild. The Dana is honestly overkill and unless you got a best friend,relative that had one for cheap, or already have one yourself... a 8.75 or even a 8.25 at under 450HP will do just fine in that car...Dana is really just not needed unless you just want to spend the $$$$.


and your kidding right about trying to find a Mopar place in near Tennesee . You got one of the BEST in the business right IN Knoxville Hensley Performance they do ONLY(to my knowledge..read their site call talk and get the catalogue)Mopars and they have IMO even better crate engines than Mopar Performance..

http://www.hensleyperformance.com/index.php


"Hensley Performance has been building Mopar engines, trannys and rearends and selling Mopar parts for over 35 years. Our warehouse and machine shop are located in Knoxville, Tn and we cordially invite you to visit us, take the tour and talk to our experts."

If they can't get you set up I don't think ANYONE can. They carry it all rearends,trannys,crate engines,shortblocks,machine shop...and they seem "local" to you. Ive used them for several things and they have always been nice to me, good for delivery,and the prodcuts are top notch...id rather pay $300 more for a crate from them and KNOW its done right than the MP ones...but thats just me.

 

[Ace]

Heck, 360 in a Dart "is" respectable, if it's runnin' at all!!!

 

[BoredandStroked]

Haha Ace... so true. Well if you are on that side of TN MoparGirl and you want the enegine rebuilt just wait until next June when I move to North Carolina hahaha just kidding. I agree with 73DartSport340... the Dana is overkill. Its used for high horsepower drag racing or rock crawling. The 904 is a good transmission if rebuilt right and everything is checked. Now on to the engine... How much horsepower are you looking for? Something that can go from stop light to stop light (torque) or get on a long high way with those tuners (horsepower)? I would keep the 360 in my opinion. Just rebuild it to the horsepower you want or torque. Torque can get a major boost from storking an engine... horsepower can get a boost from anything you do to an engine.

P.S. Doesnt take much to smoke those tuners in the stop light drags... they hardly have any torque unless they are built up!

 

[rumblefish360]

Hensley Performance is a little expensive even for me, but the have a great reputation and one thats been around for a long time. MoPar only people they are.
I know a few people that swear by TCI.
I also agree on the rear end. A 8-1/4 will do most applications. The 8-3/4 takes care of the rest. There also a bit more expensive because there sought after alot over the 8-1/4.

Now is a good time you and your hubby to get some books on the matter. I would seriously start with the factory service manuals for your car. You should have no problem in getting them, Chrysler provides this service at a reasonable cost.
Get the reprints of the manuals at (What should be) any local MoPar dealer. (Chrysler/Dodge)
And do not be afraid to turn the wrench. You'll just need to find an honest garage. That itself can be hard to do.
Go get'em girl.

 

[MoparGirl]

Nope, wasn't kidding. I'm new to all this stuff and only been in TN a few years. Originally from Detroit and would have known several people up there that would build anything for me, but "I'm not in Kansas anymore, Toto." Thanks, I'll check out Hensley's web site.

Finding a good garage has already proven to be somewhat less than fun. I waited 4 hours yesterday for an alignment because where I took it had only one guy who could line up something that old. In the process of trying to get the car out of their hair, they trashed one of the beauty rings, gave up and just put it in back seat. Not too impressed.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, esp. about the Dana. I thought it may be overkill.

 

[73DartSport340]

Yeah check their site or call or get the catalogue. Lots of stuff in that.

 

[moper]

You may find as you delve into things, that finding a quality place is hard. I'd suggest using the locals as a resource. Ask at shows, cruise nights..anywhere. "Who did what"? and did you have issues with them. Dont trust ads, dont trust a place that says "we cant..." because it's old.

On the engine. If you have a good running one, have it rebuilt by a reputable place. It doesnt cost much to have it shipped somewhere, or take a drive to find a good shop. Hensley might be a good place for that, but there's got to be more in a 1/2 day's drive. TCI used to be a good vender. I would not trust them anymore. I have two TCI trannys here as cores. I do buy thier products for some parts, but dont buy a trans form them. Ditto with crate engines. it's a toss up if you get a good one...Not worth the risk IMO, especially when a shop is doing the work, and their labor is not covered by MOPAR when a warranty is needed.
You dont need a Dana. I'd find an 8 3/4 for it. I'd also keep the 904 trans...lol. Remeber, shipping to get something from a good vender will only cost once.

 

[Longgone]

Mancini Racing has the 360 shortblocks w/cam for $1295.00. You could send the heads to the machine shop for a valve job and you`d practically have a new engine. Just another avenue.

 

[BoredandStroked]

One reason you dont want the Dana 60 is the extra weight... its made for horsepower in the high range. Extra weight always ruins a quick killing of a tuner. 8 3/4 is good if you plan to push on the 500 mark but if you are only messin with up to 450 the 8 1/4 is good. Just dont beat and tear on it so much. Hensley Performance is a good place for crate engines... expensive but good. They are very good at what they do since they only go with Mopar.

 

[73DartSport340]

Ok, I did find my old Hensley Catalogue. for example in the catlaogue I have(its a few years old mabey 2-3)

360 Crate engine 410 HP $4250

Short Block is $2495

just for price comparisons.

 

[superdart]

I'd just build the 360...it's easy and fairly inexpensive if you are looking to stay around 400HP.

Keep the transmission, just have it rebuilt with good guts and a nice shift kit/stall converter.

Are we all assuming the car has an 8.25 rear axle?? I thought the /6 cars also came with the whimpy 7.25s? Or is this only in older cars?

Either way, the 8.25 axle (if that's what you have) should work well like the other are saying.

I have a simple 9:1 compression 360 built with decent off the shelf parts and it runs great..lots of torque, and VERY fun to drive....

 

[rumblefish360]

Mancini Racing has the 360 shortblocks w/cam for $1295.00. You could send the heads to the machine shop for a valve job and you`d practically have a new engine. Just another avenue.

These short blocks are MoPar short blocks that are seasonded/remanufatured by an outsourced company putting one over on Mopar. There machine work is not worth the shipping expensie to use the block as a prop in a joke, on a joker.

My (And other peoples) decks are ill machined. Drivers side pistons were #1 .010 + and slowly rising to .012 @ #7 piston
Passenger side was zero across.

 

[MoparGirl]

I'd just build the 360...it's easy and fairly inexpensive if you are looking to stay around 400HP.

Keep the transmission, just have it rebuilt with good guts and a nice shift kit/stall converter.

Are we all assuming the car has an 8.25 rear axle?? I thought the /6 cars also came with the whimpy 7.25s? Or is this only in older cars?

Either way, the 8.25 axle (if that's what you have) should work well like the other are saying.

I have a simple 9:1 compression 360 built with decent off the shelf parts and it runs great..lots of torque, and VERY fun to drive....

Yeah, the rear axle is the wimpy 7.25. It's on the list to change too. Seems the list keeps getting bigger. As I'm weeding through all the possibilities, t appears that the major changes will be to the rear axle, rebuild the 904, and then decide next what to do with engine. I'm certain I've driven my husband completely insane since I bought the Dart. Everyday I tell him about all the cool stuff ($$$) I want for it. I am also not a very patient person and have a mild tendency to bug and bug about getting stuff for it and learning how to change things on it. I now have a couple of good books. Maybe reading will keep my mind occupied for a while. :angel9:

 

[dustertogo]

Yeah, the rear axle is the wimpy 7.25. It's on the list to change too. Seems the list keeps getting bigger. As I'm weeding through all the possibilities, t appears that the major changes will be to the rear axle, rebuild the 904, and then decide next what to do with engine. I'm certain I've driven my husband completely insane since I bought the Dart. Everyday I tell him about all the cool stuff ($$$) I want for it. I am also not a very patient person and have a mild tendency to bug and bug about getting stuff for it and learning how to change things on it. I now have a couple of good books. Maybe reading will keep my mind occupied for a while. :angel9:

Remember MoparGirl that Mopar wasn't built in a day (or was that Rome?) Anyway, it will all come together eventually. Patience Grasshopper, Patience.

 

[73DartSport340]

Lol yeah need to lose that rearend. get the 904 rebuilt but DON'T just whip a STOCK 904 kit in it get one to beef it up a bit to live behind more HP/Torque....I read a article years ago in a Mopar Magazine and thats what one of the guys that was racing used a beefed up 904(WEIGHT SAVINGS)and was good for mid 11's(don't know the HP). I've heard the MP engines are hit and miss so I cant say whats up with that. Some have said that they are fine and others(on Moparts board) have said they get a engine and tear it down to check tolerances and find them way out of whack...and I think that was a crate HEMI...you would think of all things that would be ready to run being their "marque" engine...

 

[moparodbuster]

The 904 is a bulletproof (and light) tranny for any factory 360 or mild street crate, so I'd say stay wif dat! The puney rr. end will eventually fry though under the added stress of the v-8. One of the best investments into performance for a street mopar (in my oppinion) is a well-geared sure-grip! Your car with a mildly built v-8 would function great on the blvd. and freeway with a 3.55-3.91 ratio!

 

[70Valiant]

If it was an original /6 car they didn't just swap engines they swapped transmissions too. A /6 904 will not bolt up to a V8 engine. You should have a 360 904 in there.

 

[superdart]

Luckily 8.25 rear ends, V8 904s and 360 blocks are a dime a dozen (literally).

 

[MoparGirl]

Luckily 8.25 rear ends, V8 904s and 360 blocks are a dime a dozen (literally).

I've not found that to necessarily be the case. I've been looking for the rear since I started this thread and so far I've only come across one in a salvage yard in Texas. They want $325 for it, which seemed high to me so I haven't moved on it.

As far as the rebuild of the 904A, any recommendations on what kit and torque converter?

Someone wrote about patience grasshopper. I'm a definite A personality with absolutely bare minimal patience. After 36 years on the planet, the A is not getting any closer to being a B. Bummer for spouse & kids! I try to remain on even keel with this Dart, but find that I want everything done like yesterday...so after freaking out about it for a while I go grab a beverage. :drinkers:

Thanks to all who have responded to my endless questions.

 

[Vs29H1B]

Just a thought...

Perhaps buying a done V-8 A body may be a better alternative. There are occasionally V-8 A-bodies on sites like craigslist.org for low$$$, in some cases by original owners.

Atlanta has a craiglist site as well as many other cities throughout the world.

Whichever way you decide to go, best of luck with the A-body!