Topic: My Dart thread

[wardenerd]

I had a 64 Baracuda for a first car in 1970.  Gold on gold , bucket seats and a pushbutton operated torqueflight.  The buttons and park lever were on the left side of the steering wheel on the dash.  273 2 barrel   big steering wheel and torsion bar suspension

[my78k]

Thanks Mike! I will definitely check it out!

[my78k]

Well progress has been slow but I definitely have got a few things done. Mainly sorting out lots of wiring issues such as getting all lighting and the horn, radio etc to work. Still gotta wire up the Tach but it's low priority since it's an auto anyways!

Got the brakes bled to the point where it is atleast somewhat safe to drive. MC was drained when it arrived and I suspected a weep on the drivers side front but since refilling and draining it is far better. I did order and receive speedbleeders for all 4 corners so I gotta get around to installing them and properly bleeding them. They are vastly improved but still a little soft.

The biggest accomplishment was sorting out my oil leak! I was sure it was the rear main but thankfully after a bunch of searching etc I proved it to the oil sender and changed that out and it seems to be holding nicely. At least I can now work on it without it dumping TONS of oil all over my garage floor or the driveway. It was leaking so bad that after idling for 5 minutes there would be about 1/2 cup of oil on the ground. I still need to wire the sender to the dash to ensure the light works but that again is low priority.

I put on an aftermarket Edelbrock aircleaner that my dad had bought for his Bonneville. I will likely go with the stock one but until I get it it is better than nothing.

Next on the agenda:
Figure out the fuel sender
temp sew the headliner
still need new rubber all around (need cash first!)
wire the tach properly
Figure out a way to keep the plug wiorres from hitting the exhaust manifol
Adjust the mounts for the exhaust
Make a trip to my bro's for the keys for the exterior keys, spare keys, air cleaner etc
install the speedbleeders and bleed the brakes
wire the oil sender
figure out why there is no emergency brake (adjustment or busted line?)
Change the oil and filter
Drain and refill the tranny fluid
Properly mount the window strips
And lots lots more....


My kids are gone for the weeknd and the wife works Friday night and Sunday so with any luck I will get a few more jobs off the list...

[bill440cars]

       Ah yes, it IS cool to have a car that you can actually work on, without special tools, test equipment and a degree, eh?

[bucky katt]

  One of my all time favorite cars that I have owned is a '66 Valiant 200 wagon. It had a slant 6 with a 3 on the tree...I used to fantasize what it would have been like with a 273 under the hood although it was plenty of fun to drive as it was.

   Another thread here started me searching. I haven't checked this site out much Dennis but it might have some good info for you. http://www.valiant.org/index.html There's some good history there and links nonetheless.

Mike

i had a 65 with a pushbutton trans on the dash, 225 slant six from a later model valiant i think.

[my78k]

Yes it is Bill...the only challenge is finding parts. So far no major issues though! Took a little while to find the proper oil sender but I now know which stores to avoid due to lazy parts people!!

I am hopeful that I will have it on the road by summer (mid June) biggest challenge as always is money!

[my78k]

Wired the tach up today and cleaned up some of the under dash wiring today.

[bill440cars]

Yes it is Bill...the only challenge is finding parts. So far no major issues though! Took a little while to find the proper oil sender but I now know which stores to avoid due to lazy parts people!!

I am hopeful that I will have it on the road by summer (mid June) biggest challenge as always is money!

   I hear ya, I'd give bout anything for a good GTX grille and one of those "Air Grabber" cold air induction systems.

[Grnrngr]

Been about 30 yrs now, but I seem to remember my '68 318 having a bad shake because a few teeth broke off the nylon timing gear..sure do miss that car. And I used to get 25+mpg with it, so it shouldn't cost too much to take some old geezers out for a ride..

[my78k]

Hey, I figured I haven't updated this in forever so I should...

Well I finally got it plated and insured (thank god for collector insurance!)

Just got it done today so I haven't had time for much of a shakedown just a casual spin around the neighbour hood....can't figure out if the brakes are shot or just not used to driving 4 drums w/o power assist!!

Probably tinker a bit and hopefully sneak out a bit this weekend...in between bathroom and bedroom reno's! (why is it that when I have a new toy there's no time to play?!?!?!)

Dennis

[mark]

.... just not used to driving 4 drums w/o power assist!!....

that's probably it.

[bill440cars]

  Hey Denis, good to see an update on this. Yeah, those non power drum brakes ain't the best (that's what the GTX has also (so far). I'd be tempted to do a bleed and adjust on them, if you haven't done so. I found that the proportioning valve on mine, was stuck and I was only running on front brakes! Not COOL!