problem from the cold?

keep at it. my dart is only my second project car and I started from ground zero. At least you aren' trying to learn on a honda. winter is not a good time to start fiddling with your ride, you will have to do it all over again when the weather warms up. thats the breaks of having a hot rod they need constant tinkering but the payoff is being able to drive it.
Do you have a shop manual? its a necessity for any older car, it will make your life so much easier.
-Tim