New Project - Grandpa's 1962 Dodge Dart 330 Wagon

[Rich Kinsley]

Just got in line for the new 4bbl manifold - going to be based on this beauty:

http://chryslerpower.com/webstore/Poly-SS-Manifold?filter_name=ss

View attachment 147838

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Yep, I'm in the loop on this new manifold too. I loaned Michael Harding my Weiand 7503 as a test mule to compare to the new manifold on the dyno. He's currently driving around with my manifold so he can compare mileage and track figures too in addition to the dyno. It's great to finally get some options for our poly's. Here's a pic of my 7503 that is prepped for EFI.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh yes and as you can see I have temporarily sealed the injector ports for use with a carb or TBI. I was also measuring hood clearance in the second photo for reference as to how the new design will fit under the hood.

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Very nice Rich - you must have a stroker Poly......

:icon_cool:

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Driver's side spring installed last evening - a bit of a battle to get the old rear shackle out and new shackle in - with the wagon side gas tank in the way. Plus half inch thick undercoating reducing clearance. Dodge really poured on the undercoating back then!

Old U-bolts were extra long - cut them off flush with the nuts - made for easier unbolting. Tightened down new U-bolts to what felt good, went in and looked up the torque spec - 50 ft lbs. Went back and tightened them quite a bit more before the torque wrench clicked. Glad I checked - will re-torque when on the ground and again after driven some miles.

Just discovered another good leaf spring source - ESPO:

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?64287-Leaf-Spring-Source-ESPO

:icon_bigsmurf:

 

[moparsteve636]

Made that pull up Vantage many times when I lived in Spanaway! Only a couple of miles from the fair grounds ,where the Sunbust show is held! Glad to see it's still thriving! I helped getting that show started many years ago! Your wagons going to be a cool ride I'm sure. Is the show still put on by the Tac. chapter of Mopars Unlimited?

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Made that pull up Vantage many times when I lived in Spanaway! Only a couple of miles from the fair grounds ,where the Sunbust show is held! Glad to see it's still thriving! I helped getting that show started many years ago! Your wagons going to be a cool ride I'm sure. Is the show still put on by the Tac. chapter of Mopars Unlimited?

They sure do - best organzed show!

Finished up putting on the new rear springs on my ’62 Dart wagon last night - rides a bit more compliant - and sits over an inch higher. So the old springs were tired for sure. Was a bit concerned the ride would be too high and too stiff, but this is perfect. The wagon springs are rated at 880lbs each!

Front suspension next on the agenda.......

Happy Holidays!

 

[Plucked Chicken]

No longer a Mopar torsion suspension virgin. Have the new front suspension parts all in. Bit of a chore with the learning curve, but did figure out no torsion bar removal tool is needed when removing lower control arms too.

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Remove A-arm bumper (Before raising car).
Raise car / Remove wheels.
Release torsion bar tension by removing adjustment bolts.
Remove torsion bar rear clip and clean out grease from rear socket.
Remove front strut rod nut. Then remove strut rod rear nut.
Remove lower ball joint nut, and tie-rod nut and break them both free with pickle fork.
Remove LCA pivot shaft nut.

No torsion bar removal tool needed when removing the LCA and torsion bar together as follows:
Tap pivot shaft back and pry LCA out of K-member, driving torsion bar out of rear socket.
Knock lower control arm free from torsion bar with large rubber mallet.

Rebuild A-arm before or after LCA, if you wish to leave brakes connected.
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Have a ball and trunion conversion drive shaft coming, so leaving it on jack stands for now. Then will set it down, torque strut rod bushings to spec...... Set the torsion bars for a little rake, then off to the alignment shop.....

:glasses1:

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Alignment shop could not get her to come in - prime suspect is cheap repro upper A-arms. Going to rebuild the originals and try again. Does drive OK, but caster is way positive. Adjustable strut rods would help too. Asked them to look for something loose because still had a suspension rattle. Turns out the disc brake caliper bracket grade 5 bolts had come loose, one missing! No lock washers, so got all new grade 8 bolts, washers and lock washers. No more rattle.

Ball and trunion conversion driveshaft came - all installed - works very nice and top quality - good people to order it from:

http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/Left-Column/Antique-Classics.html

 

[conv67bdere]

WOW ! ! ! This build is looking GREAT ! ! !


Great progress and everything looks like you've paid attention to detail ! ! Love it . . . I keep looking for your updates. Thanks !

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Thanks - Here's how she sits with the new leaf springs and .92 dia torsion bars - much more compliant and "modern" ride quality:

View attachment 161462

 

[roadrunnerman]

Great looking stance. Love those old wagons.

 

[ct71rr]

That looks great!

 

[GrabberOrange69]

Looks great - keep the progress reports coming!

 

[F.C.Fury]

This thing is cool! I want a wagon so bad!

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Rebuilt the original A-arms - glad I did even if the cheapo-repro A-arms were not the alignment culprit. Upper ball joints loose and barely threaded into the repro A-arms when tight. Back to the alignment shop when the weather permits. Also changed out the bullet shaped strut rod bushings for MOOG K7039 donut shaped, much better design.


Found some old family pics at Grandpa's house with the Dart in the background circa 1990.

 

[snakeyes]

cool thanks for sharing

 

[Rock Hornbuckle]

Great wagon. I've always liked the '62's. The Sunburst in Graham is a good one. It's closw e to where I live. I'ld love to see your car.

 

[Plucked Chicken]

My wagon suffered a mishap during the test drive - after the front end alignment - at the hands of the alignment shop.

Anyone have a line on a solid R/F fender? I imagine 2dr or 4dr sedan would be the same.

Eyebrow above the headlight, and the headlight bezel are toast.

Pretty stuffed around the headlight, so not sure I want it straightened.

Heck of a way to get the alignment and bumper redone on the shop’s insurance....

I hear the Honda car it tangled with did not fare well......

 

[khryslerkid]

So I'm taking it that the mechanic couldn't get the caster to come in and used a Honda instead? That sucks. Good luck on the fender hunting. There's a few out there. I was enjoying your thread till now but I'll still be checking in...

 

['67Satellite]

So much for the cool original paint. Doesnt look too bad, should fix up nicely.

 

[snakeyes]

looks like it will repair and just replace trim and repair and rechrome the bumper ,unless there is some hidden damage that we cant see from the photos :eusa_think: