New South Florida Dart owner (convertible)
OK guys- Im finally getting around to introducing myself (sorry) as Ive been on here since June asking questions and taking advantage of years of experience and knowledge.
I grew up around MOPARs with my 1st car being a '72 318 Charger SE while my brother had a '69 440 Road Runner. My dad owned a local Goodyear so as you could imagine the compressors were usually running way past closing time!
Well its been 25yrs since I sold my baby for $1500 to buy a Trans Am (ugh) because I was told I could only have 1 car (thanks Dad). But- IM BACK!!!!!!
I recently told my wife I was getting either A: an older car or B: a younger girlfriend no ifs, ands, or buts... and SHE could choose. And although she did give the ok on the car, she has recently said a girlfriend might be cheaper in the long run and would probably take up less of my time (?). lol
Heres my story: Im a Professional Baseball Scout, and was out in Memphis watching some games this summer when I noticed an ad for a car in Oklahoma. I had originally wanted a Cuda or Challenger but realized they were way out of my price range. So, here was a 69 Dart convertible B5 Blue w/white top looking a little rough but could see it had potential. I told my wife if I didnt check it out- Id kick myself later. So I rented a car and drove 7hrs to see if it was a keeper. As soon as I saw the car- I knew I wanted it convertible in South Fla? Whatdaya think? We cranked it up, brought it to a local shop and put it in the air, test drove it, and told him I was gonna spend the night and sleep on it. Made an offer the next morning and then actually made a deal to pay him and his buddy to trailer it down to me the very next day! I flew home with the title for my new car and it showed up 2 days later.
Dont get me wrong- shes far from perfect and the pictures actually make her look better than she is... but shes MINE! Dont have a very big budget but gonna work with what I have. Starting with engine and drive train- putting on new carb, elec ignition- have to put on new exhaust manifolds as the 340 Xheads didnt line up real well with the 273/318 factory ones that were left on (tick tick tick). Converting Automatic from column to console and rebuilding tranny. Had no kickdown linkage which I put on right away. Had some overheating issues-got a 22 radiator from SGBARRACUDA and had it 3x recore, took out the 195 thermostat and gutted it, and putting on a new shroud and Viscous clutch fan. All the gaskets (intake/valve cover/etc) redone due to somebody going crazy with silicone. Learned about LH lugnuts the hard way (duh) and have changed out the drivers side to all RH. My last big issue will be trying to figure out a wiring problem. Seems someone used some tin foil on a fuse and the relay to the blinkers gets real hot. If anybody has any suggestions- please thinking of new underdash harness but thats getting expensive.
Last will be interior, new tires, and paint (typical rust behind doors and behind wheel wells). when the funds are built back up. All still have a little life left and will be fine for the time being. She looks pretty good when clean.
I dont know what I would have done without this site, and many of the the members who have stepped up and given me well-needed and informative advice and great deals on needed items. I have been collecting parts and getting ideas the past few months as I prepared to dig in. SGBARRACUDA was actually the 1st person I had contact with and bought parts from, and we still stay in touch having run into him @ Garlits Mopars event in Ocala in Nov. Great guy and never too busy to answer questions many many other FABO members have been great to me and I cant say enough about this site and how helpful everyone is.
Thanks in advance for all of your help, and I will look forward to sharing my progress as I go hope my endless question log doesnt offend anyone. Now excuse me as I try to get the rest of the clay and hornets nest out of the undercarriage. DougC.
OK guys- Im finally getting around to introducing myself (sorry) as Ive been on here since June asking questions and taking advantage of years of experience and knowledge.
I grew up around MOPARs with my 1st car being a '72 318 Charger SE while my brother had a '69 440 Road Runner. My dad owned a local Goodyear so as you could imagine the compressors were usually running way past closing time!
Well its been 25yrs since I sold my baby for $1500 to buy a Trans Am (ugh) because I was told I could only have 1 car (thanks Dad). But- IM BACK!!!!!!
I recently told my wife I was getting either A: an older car or B: a younger girlfriend no ifs, ands, or buts... and SHE could choose. And although she did give the ok on the car, she has recently said a girlfriend might be cheaper in the long run and would probably take up less of my time (?). lol
Heres my story: Im a Professional Baseball Scout, and was out in Memphis watching some games this summer when I noticed an ad for a car in Oklahoma. I had originally wanted a Cuda or Challenger but realized they were way out of my price range. So, here was a 69 Dart convertible B5 Blue w/white top looking a little rough but could see it had potential. I told my wife if I didnt check it out- Id kick myself later. So I rented a car and drove 7hrs to see if it was a keeper. As soon as I saw the car- I knew I wanted it convertible in South Fla? Whatdaya think? We cranked it up, brought it to a local shop and put it in the air, test drove it, and told him I was gonna spend the night and sleep on it. Made an offer the next morning and then actually made a deal to pay him and his buddy to trailer it down to me the very next day! I flew home with the title for my new car and it showed up 2 days later.
Dont get me wrong- shes far from perfect and the pictures actually make her look better than she is... but shes MINE! Dont have a very big budget but gonna work with what I have. Starting with engine and drive train- putting on new carb, elec ignition- have to put on new exhaust manifolds as the 340 Xheads didnt line up real well with the 273/318 factory ones that were left on (tick tick tick). Converting Automatic from column to console and rebuilding tranny. Had no kickdown linkage which I put on right away. Had some overheating issues-got a 22 radiator from SGBARRACUDA and had it 3x recore, took out the 195 thermostat and gutted it, and putting on a new shroud and Viscous clutch fan. All the gaskets (intake/valve cover/etc) redone due to somebody going crazy with silicone. Learned about LH lugnuts the hard way (duh) and have changed out the drivers side to all RH. My last big issue will be trying to figure out a wiring problem. Seems someone used some tin foil on a fuse and the relay to the blinkers gets real hot. If anybody has any suggestions- please thinking of new underdash harness but thats getting expensive.
Last will be interior, new tires, and paint (typical rust behind doors and behind wheel wells). when the funds are built back up. All still have a little life left and will be fine for the time being. She looks pretty good when clean.
I dont know what I would have done without this site, and many of the the members who have stepped up and given me well-needed and informative advice and great deals on needed items. I have been collecting parts and getting ideas the past few months as I prepared to dig in. SGBARRACUDA was actually the 1st person I had contact with and bought parts from, and we still stay in touch having run into him @ Garlits Mopars event in Ocala in Nov. Great guy and never too busy to answer questions many many other FABO members have been great to me and I cant say enough about this site and how helpful everyone is.
Thanks in advance for all of your help, and I will look forward to sharing my progress as I go hope my endless question log doesnt offend anyone. Now excuse me as I try to get the rest of the clay and hornets nest out of the undercarriage. DougC.
