62 Dart is getting a 440

[mnnathan]

So the story begins with my brother getting out of the military. He wanted to build a fast car and was not too particular about what it was exactly. This 62 dart showed up for $1400. It had minor rust on the exterior, no motor or trans, V8 k member, limited slip 8 3/4 rear end, and the floorboards were gone. Really a solid car for what we wanted.

At this point people start asking for pics, sometime soon, promise.

So we began the build. Started stripping the undercarriage and engine bay to coat it with POR-15. We made new floor pans (we are cheap) and have fitted them. Still have to weld them in.

Engine is a 1967 440 with 906 heads, stock, resealed, Holley 4-bbl. There is lots of room to upgrade but for now we are more interested in making it reliable than crazy fast.

Trans is a ford toploader, 28 spline, Hurst shifter, 10.5" frankenclutch, 130 tooth flywheel, Quicktime bellhousing. I am using a hydraulic clutch setup with it.

Front end, we rebuilt. 1987 Chrysler Fifth Ave discs fit right on and were cheap.

To power the discs we bought a used hydroboost from an 01 mustang. Fit in with only 1 hole drilled and a modified linkage. It is the same width as the original master. We used a modern proportioning valve as well.

- - - Updated - - -

Right now we have most parts for the build and are putting it together. We are still looking for a manual pedal set. I know brewers performance has one but I was hoping for a slightly cheaper one.

- - - Updated - - -

This is how it looked the day we got it.

 

[Jackpot50]

Good job going with the Hydro booster that what I have on my 62 polara lots of brake.
I also have a 440 only with a 727 in mine need any info just ask.

 

[super-bee_ski]

What a beautiful car!
Darn: Interior is sweet and body looks great.
Congratulations
-so, Im up here by Edwards AFB right?
A few years ago I was poking around "Pearsonville", home to Hub Cap Lucy?...(395 North past Ridgecrest, CA, on the way to Lone Pine and Bishop
She passed now but the "yard" was about 7 acres.

I came across a magnificent 62 Dart 2-door
Looked just like yours but a 2-door

I went back the following week and it was crushed!

F _ C H!

I have always loved the 62s
Couldn't find another so I picked up a 63 Polara

 

[abloch]

I like it! But I'm biased.

 

[mnnathan]

What manifolds do you have on it?

- - - Updated - - -

@super-bee_ski, the interior is pretty cruddy except for the dash. Carpet was trash, headliner is gone, seats are wrong and mounted on wood, door panels are only fair. We are getting a bench seat and new carpet over mass loaded vinyl.

 

[1962polara]

That's a sweet looking dart ...pretty rare sports sweep option and air conditioning too. But a toploader ??

 

[mnnathan]

I was able to find it real reasonable. They are good to about 500hp which is more than this will have.

"Hotrodding in it's purest form is the art of saving money. Any fool can buy a Ferrari." So says my brother...and he is bankrolling the build.

 

[abloch]

Exhaust

Reproduction Max Wedge cast iron manifolds paired up with an Accurate Exhaust Max Wedge system.
(H pipe and knock off plates)

 

[mnnathan]

Reproduction Max Wedge cast iron manifolds paired up with an Accurate Exhaust Max Wedge system.
(H pipe and knock off plates)

View attachment 280597

To put it succinctly...Swwweeeettt

 

[mnnathan]

I hate waiting for parts. We have 15+ boxes on the way but of course nothing is here. Got paint on the engine though. Original (to the '67 block) turquoise.

 

[mnnathan]

Hey, anyone actually run a toploader behind a dodge? I am having some heartache over the length of the input shaft.

 

[mnnathan]

So we got a bit more done. Decided to resell the toploader and upgrade to a Tremec. Probably makes more sense in the long run. The engine is resealed and painted. Finally got an HEI to fit. Carb is on and hooked up. Rebuilt steering gear is in. We went with a 3 core aluminum radiator out of a 65 coronet. I started it on ether for about 2 seconds to verify the timing isn't 180 degrees out (it isn't). For all the pain in the neck HEI's start really nice.

On the interior, we got the driver floorpan made and we will be picking up the passenger one this weekend as well as a bench seat.

Being a ford guy mostly I am thoroughly impressed with the fact that it took all of 10 minutes to drop the engine in. Granted the trans isn't in yet but still.

 

[Homstead]

Looks great! That's going to be one fun ride when its done!

 

[glassman]

If anybody is interested, I have a 99% complete 62 Dodge 330 4 door sedan parts car that I want to sell that has a 318. Body is straight and has a dent in the drivers door that is repairable and it even has a torsion bar that is in the trunk. The torsion bar is why it is a "PARTS CAR". It is located in central Ohio and will be sold in one piece asap. Come on guys, find it a new home with some one to love it. With a little wax, it could sit in front of your house.

 

[mnnathan]

The Beast lives. Started it today. Will definitely need a tune but it started right up. Still need the transmission to get here, exhaust and a pedal set, but we are getting closer.

 

[mnnathan]

Started cleaning up the wiring yesterday. Power steering system and brake plumbing are both done. Someday I will remember to actually get pics posted.

 

[mnnathan]

sorry it has been a while since I posted here is a bigger update. We have been doing a lot of work.

Here is the trunk pan. There are small rust holes but over all it is solid

New speaker mocked in. The PO cut a hole in the dash for a radio so we will be putting in an Alpine single din radio.

The transmission is in. We went with a Tremec TKO. Dodge clutch, Ford 26-spline clutch, Hydraulic throwout bearing, S10 master cylinder.

I wanted modern, blade type fuses. The old wiring was in rough shape so I swapped it out.

Here is the S-10 clutch master installed. It has some angle to begin with but I had to make a spacer to get the angle all the way right.

Interior shot. Pardon the mess. The seat was in perfect shape but we tore it putting it in (FML). It came with the car but it is green.

Sorry the pic is a little blurry. Outer lights are white halogen H4's. Inners are stock.

Hard to see but we put in headlight relays.

Fan and horn relays

Here is our HEI distributor. Had to dent the valve covers to run it.

Electric pusher fan. It is on a 185 degree thermal switch.


We have the brakes finished and bled in. We haven't tested the hydroboost because we haven't run the engine but it is all in.

We still have to finish some of the wiring and wrap it. It is messy now but should clean up nice.

Next up is exhaust. We will be going true duals, no-crossover, 2.5" to flowmaster 40's to 3" dump just in front of the rear axle. We got the flowmaster's used for $25 but my exhaust guy doesn't want to try to fit 3" under the car because of how small it is and how full the Tremec makes it.

After that is driveshaft. then hopefully this beast will move on her own.

If anyone has pic requests or questions I will try to answer them. That makes it easier for me because I don't have to think of what to write.

 

[mnnathan]

Driveshaft is on the way. My brother is on vacation but he left some money for me to try to finish the car. Once the Driveshaft gets here we can take it in for exhaust and run it long enough to tune it.

 

[SSmith440]

Nice project similar to mine. Would you be interested in selling the push button shift assembly bracket to the rear of the dash - or even the push button assembly? I am interested. Thanks. Scott
[email protected]

 

[Homstead]

The car is coming along nicely! Its such a sleeper. Its sure going to be a fun ride! Carry on!