Project Beater

[mguner]

I picked up this 68 Dart 2dr Sedan a few weeks back. It's not really a restoration at this point but more of a "throw together". Looking for a cool older model car to drive that gets decent mileage. I had a really badly burned 74 Duster given to me which turned out to have a decent running slant six. I've started knocking out a few dents here and there, picked up a late model fender and pulled and cleaned the fuel tank. I also replaced the upper control arm bushings and swapped in the 74 K member and large ball joint suspension parts so the disc conversion will be easier in the future. The interior is pretty decent (except no front seat) and the dash pads are perfect. Maybe one day I'll paint it up like a super stock clone or something....

 

[RedFish]

Comming right along.

 

[mguner]

To remove the crease a 4x4, small hydraulic jack, body hammer and small section of channel iron work wonders.

Converting a 75 fender to a 68...

Should be able to weld up the old marker holes tomorrow.

 

[rumblefish360]

WOW! What a cool deal. Something to just thump about.

 

[chryslerfat]

Thats a clean little cruiser.

 

[sneke_eyez]

Thats definitely a nice looking project right there!!

I spy a first gen Intrepid next to it!!

 

[jamesdart]

isnt the headlight bucket different on the late model fender?

 

[tomt966]

Nice project - watch those post cars!! They look like a /6 - I bought mine as a clone, but guess what? Its mine and I love it.

 

[sublime green]

looking pretty good, what happened to that duster?

 

[1967DartGT]

isnt the headlight bucket different on the late model fender?

I'd like to know this as well. I know the headlight bucket is the same for 67-68, but different for 69. But I have seen fiberglass fenders that advertise interchangability between 67-68 and 73+ (might have been 72+).

 

[jamesdart]

i know they can be made to work but i forget what it takes to modify them.

 

[70dart]

looks like a great project, keep us updated!

 

[mguner]

I got to drive the little car around the block today. The grille and bumper are back on after a little time in the press and a few more dents are popped out. I improvised a wider late model radiator and soldered in a smaller outlet so it should handle A/C in traffic. I'll post some pics tomorrow.

 

[1964 hippo]

what was on the front of the red car?????

 

[mguner]

looking pretty good, what happened to that duster?

It lost 80# off the nose and improved cooling for the big block.

isnt the headlight bucket different on the late model fender?

They are a little different but I had all the parts from both models. I think it's only the screw hole spacing on the retainer ring.

what was on the front of the red car?????

I ran over a bookshelf on the way to the meet!

 

[TexasStroker]

Define "drive the little car around the block" 8)

:burnout:

 

[mguner]

Define "drive the little car around the block" 8)

:burnout:

It went around the neighborhood under it's own power maybe getting up to around 45 mph. I still hadn't cleaned the plugs so it wasn't in top form but it rode nice and quiet. I heard the left lower ball joint pop backing out so theres another $27 but other than that and probably some brake shoes she'll be fine.

 

[TexasStroker]

very cool! Can't wait to see it out and about 8)

 

[howco4]

I've always preferred the 2dr post body style. Much easier to get the sleeper look out of them. Keep the pic's coming.

 

[mguner]

Starting to look like a car... need to scrub all the tree sap off. I had to replace the starter today. Apparently the Duster fire cooked the windings to the point of too much draw. Still need to pull the carb and clean it out. I have debris occasionally affecting the idle circuit but other than that it runs very smooth and quiet.

 

[jamesdart]

really, what is the "bookshelf"? i like the sedan.

 

[mguner]

really, what is the "bookshelf"? i like the sedan.

here ya go.... http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=36716
The Duster Nose Job post which is very political and controversial!! :snakeman:

 

[mguner]

Received the hubcaps today. Too cold and rainy to get much else done.

 

[moparsegura]

please, take that off the front of that car!

 

[mguner]

I have been saving some wheel well mouldings from a 5th Avenue with a thought in mind. I used the moulding as a pattern to draw a line on the body. Using a whiz cutter I removed the outer layer and then took a panel cutter and cut the outer wheel house leaving plenty of material to bend out and attach to the quarter panel. Slots are cut in the outer wheel house to help it bend outward to match the contour of the new opening. Using a 2 lb shop hammer the metal is bent outward and then welded in place. Excess material is then cut off and ground flush. In areas where there is no lip left to attach the moulding small angle material is cut and notched on either side to allow bending and then it is placed between layers of outer and inner body banels and welded in place. Now a 275-60-15 on an 8 inch rim fits easily.

You get started on something and it just snowballs! I swapped out suspension with a B-body 8 3/4 and 5th Ave front disc.
The before pic...

Looks like Bubba used a claw hammer on this side....

The stud welder has to be one of the coolest tools ever... I used to weld on strips of metal and then use vice grips, and a ball joint fork leveraged against a board to pull out spots like this.

Had to seal things up in case it rained, now I have a good guide coat and next will come some spot putty work with some thinset...