Opinion needed

[alsant]

I’m new here but have been on FBBO for years , Ive come a cross this 65 Dart

71 318 / new 904 trans that’s all I know right now

Have not seen the car in person yet , the owner is out of town.

Can I get some input what to look for and opinions on pics.

Thanks

 

[Scott_ 69HemiDart]

Welcome from West Virginia.................Lots of great people on here.

What are your goals if you buy the car? Do you want to restore it, drive it, and enjoy it?

 

[alsant]

Thanks for the welcome Scott, just drive and enjoy.

 

[toolmanmike]

Check the lower 1/4's and trunk floor extensions. The tops of the front fenders can rust but that's pretty obvious. Sometimes the cowl's rust but it depends how much debris is left in there and if the cars sat out in the rain for a long time. As always, look under it for rust. Floor pans, rockers, and crossmembers can be effected.

 

[65 Cuda 340]

The brake lines coming off the master cylinder look uncomfortably close to the headers to me.

 

[ch1ll]

The brake lines coming off the master cylinder look uncomfortably close to the headers to me.

I'm pretty sure that's why that tube is wrapped.

 

[alsant]

Will the wrap do the job ?

 

[Professor Fate]

Fenderwell headers can be a pain on the street- they limit your turning circle, rub on your tires, and can limit suspension travel in some instances. Check them (and the tires) carefully for signs of wear. If they're getting rusty, be aware that you can't get new fenderwell headers anymore, so you're going to be looking at underchassis headers or stock manifolds as replacements, and that means patching the fenderwells and paint... and new exhaust to hook them up.
The "bumperless" front end look might be neat to some, but do you really want that on a car that is going to see regular street duty? Have you priced replacement grille/headlight trim ("candycanes") lately? Might want to price out a bumper and brackets right away as well.
JMO.

 

[Murray]

Rust issues, how well does it run? Price?

 

[alsant]

I like the look, where I live a bumper is not an issue.

But the advice is well appreciated !
Headers is one thing I have to look at with tire issues.
Thank you Professor !

 

[Professor Fate]

You said it has a "new" 904 transmission. It's hard to tell in the picture, but I don't believe I see any kickdown linkage on it. Double check that- if it's got an aftermarket cable, or has a manual valve body it'll be okay, if not you may be looking at another new transmission if it continues to be run without a kickdown.
I don't see any windshield washers, lines or bottle/pump, either.

 

[Professor Fate]

While I'm on the subject of transmissions, you need to know what year transmission was put in- the original '65 vintage trans. (or any pre-'68 trans, for that matter) has a small nose on the torque convertor that fits into the crank flange register. In '68 this convertor nose/crank flange register was increased in diameter. What this means is that if an early 904 is used with a later model V8 (like that 318) it needs to have a special reducer bushing installed in the crank pocket in order for it to properly support the convertor nose. Failure to do so can and will result in weird vibrations, cracked flexplates and probably take out the front pump.
Just something to be aware of.

 

[4spdragtop]

I wouldn't trust the wrap. I'd reroute those lines.
Welcome from

Will the wrap do the job ?

 

[mopowers]

I've always thought those bumperless early Darts had an amphicar look to them.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Will the wrap do the job ?

It sure will. It will rust that header tube right on out.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I've always thought those bumperless early Darts had an amphicar look to them.

And somehow, I'm the exact opposite. I think when you take the front bumper off the early As, they look decidedly very incomplete. But I'm weird and I know it.

 

[mopowers]

And somehow, I'm the exact opposite. I think when you take the front bumper off the early As, they look decidedly very incomplete. But I'm weird and I know it.

Oh I didn't say it was a good look.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Oh I didn't say it was a good look.

LOL

 

[alsant]

I already love this place !

 

[MadScientistMat]

Besides checking for rust, rust, and more rust, check how the fenderwells were cut. They're structural, not just splash guards. In particular, the cutouts shouldn't have sharp corners. If they do, check for cracks forming at any sharp points.

 

[JDMopar]

I wouldn't trust the wrap. I'd reroute those lines.
Welcome from

I'm with you Steve, but I'd go one step farther and reroute the headers too.......with a sawzall, to the scrap pile!

 

[4spdragtop]

Agreed, altho I've never owned anything high hp enuf for headers, I've read/heard enough bs about using them.
I get they all have their place, but when they're fenderwells on a 318, off to the scrap pile.

I'm with you Steve, but I'd go one step farther and reroute the headers too.......with a sawzall, to the scrap pile!

 

[alsant]

Some great input from all ! I don’t like the headers myself but that can be fixed. I have to see the car in person and for the right price it could be a done deal. Thanks all

 

[65 Cuda 340]

I'm with you Steve, but I'd go one step farther and reroute the headers too.......with a sawzall, to the scrap pile!

Yep, then drill out the inner fender spot welds, remove them, get a pair of good inner fenders, weld them in, and you're good to go.

 

[69conv]

It would have to be a pretty jazzed up 318 to need fenderwell headers. If its a mild build perhaps a nice dual exhaust would serve. Looks like 2 cables on the throttle area so you may have a cable kickdown installed. I see an aftermarket intake and aluminum rad so I would want to find out at what level the motor was built. What gas it requires.