72 Dodge Dart Swinger

It has been a month since finishing my dash and last posting. Been frustratingly busy .. . . . Since pulling the dash I have gotten to know the wiring system intimately. It's been a domino effect of problems. I think I have them figured out - for now- fingers crossed I can work on the original projects before the dash and gauges took my time and money.

Ground issues in trunk with ground wire :BangHead: tail light wasn't grounding to housing unit :BangHead: wire connectors in trunk for brakes and signals were or had invisibly burnt or broken, had to rewire :BangHead: replaced turn signal cam only to have a part of the unit melt and burn a wire - pulled wheel twice and replaced entire cam unit second time :BangHead: found a burnt wire going into the steering column which effected the brakes :BangHead: had an issue with the fuse panel blowing fusses and then not showing a blown fuse :BangHead: poor contact when wire blocks make connection ......:BangHead:

None of these threw up a white flag and said, HELLO YOUR PROBLEM IS RIGHT HERE!!!!!
Thank God I know how to use a voltmeter and have learned how to read the wiring schematics.....


225 single barrel is a dog! Rebuild kit on the way.
Pertronix II ignition kit / Flamethrower on the way.
ESPO springs ordered - 3 month back order
need to get a vacuum gauge.

Tomorrow I am going to set valve lashing. I have never done it but am confident with engines. If YouTube videos are accurate it should be easy and I am hoping for solid gains - for a 225 I mean. . .

I am only getting about 9 miles to the gallon so ..... ouch.....

I can smell gas in the exhaust while it runs. Today I readjusted the idle air mixture and it seems to be ok at 1.5 - 2 turns. Messed with the idle screws a little but without a vacuum gauge I'm not getting anything done I don't think. I did get RPM to about 800 in neutral.

While at idle I did close the air mixture screws and the car didn't die. It did skip a little but ran. Hopefully means no compromising vacuum leak is present.


Moved the accelerator pump / throttle response J hook wire to the fast response hole ( I don't know what it is called). Actually gave it a little more throttle response. Still a dog, just a little bit bigger one.

I need to figure out how to adjust kick down as I don't think it is accurate either.

Oh yeah, fuel sending unit is bad - ran out of gas at 3/4 of a tank :rofl:

I am not winning and races or contest but am enjoying driving it around town. And when somebody asks who is doing my work ....... THIS GUY!