1963 Dart Restoration Questions

You are diving into deep waters of expense and headache Nothing you can’t handle with a diesel experience background but oddities and eccentricities abound with your current concept or plan.

Transmission case size is different, shifter cables are different length. Input shaft is different. Output shaft is different and the factory rear end was mated with ball and trunion driveshaft like the old trucks.

Don’t discount the power of a slant/inline six. I’m sure you are familiar being a diesel guy.
it can be a torquey engine with the proper build.

Keeping the slant and push button 904 will be much easier and you can drop that money into disc brakes and upgraded suspemsion instead of retro fits that offer minimal if any improvement.

Just my two cents. Either way- it’s super cool of you to build this for her. Very nice thing to do. Best of luck regardless of course chosen
Brian