1963 Dodge Dart 270 Convertible for the Wife

[66Dvert]

So another question, if this is a '68 and up block how did they get the old trunion PB transmission to work with it? I thought there was a break there that had to do with the cranks? Or is it you can't use an older engine on a newer transmission?

probably used a spacer ring to bring the old smaller snout up to the later models larger crank hole. you can go that way but not backwards unless you gte a custom converter made to go later trans with smaller snout welded on the converter to fit the engine crank hole.

 

[slantsixdan]

If you want to know more about this engine, find and report the stamped figures (numbers and letters) at the top of the block, facing the sky, below the № 1 (front) spark plug, just inboard of the coil and alternator lower bracket. There might be grease to scrape away to find the stamping.

Be very careful before you decide to spend any money with Clifford. They have a long and ugly reputation for being a bunch of clowns; see for example here, here, here, here, and here. Much of what they sell is inaccurately described, and a lot of it is not even slightly cost-effective. The good news is that you don't need to go to Clifford to get hot rod parts for slant-6s; there are lots of other, better options. See for example Dutra Duals and header options discussed in this thread and this one, Erson custom cams, HEI ignition upgrade, Mike Jeffreys windage trays, Hurricane intakes, other exotic intakes. Hi-perf engine buildup here, high-perf parts and build info here.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

the glass one won't fit and even if it did you would break it when the top went down (the plastic curtain folds a little bit when lowered since the window is bigger than the well by about 2 inches.)

Yea I looked at the unopened box and there is no way a piece of glass that large could be in it. Need to open it and see what is there.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

If you want to know more about this engine, find and report the stamped figures (numbers and letters) at the top of the block, facing the sky, below the № 1 (front) spark plug, just inboard of the coil and alternator lower bracket. There might be grease to scrape away to find the stamping.

Be very careful before you decide to spend any money with Clifford. They have a long and ugly reputation for being a bunch of clowns; see for example here, here, here, here, and here. Much of what they sell is inaccurately described, and a lot of it is not even slightly cost-effective. The good news is that you don't need to go to Clifford to get hot rod parts for slant-6s; there are lots of other, better options. See for example Dutra Duals and header options discussed in this thread and this one, Erson custom cams, HEI ignition upgrade, Mike Jeffreys windage trays, Hurricane intakes, other exotic intakes. Hi-perf engine buildup here, high-perf parts and build info here.

Dan, Do you do this for a living? I would like to just talk to you and get a plan together and parts identified.

 

[slantsixdan]

Dan, Do you do this for a living?

Not really…matter of fact I thought I'd quit! X^) PM sent.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

A weekend of riding dirt bike in Colorado then monsoon rain after work this week it is finally a clear night. We swapped places with the Duster and got the Dart up on stands to see how she really looks. There is a surprise on the passengers floor but that is easy to fix correctly. I knew about the rear quarter so that was no a surprise. There is a bit of filler hiding things in the rear quarters. I think it is minimal and an easy fix. Other than that she is solid. I know my northern brethren will chastise me for whining about "all this rust" but I am quite lazy!

Hood hits the chrome. This fender and hood have been replaced so there may be a bit of accident damage lurking under here.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

More underbody, for 55 years old she is in better shape than me.... I think something fell between the quarter and trunk extension and remained there for a long time. The other side the extension is rock solid.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

A few more for completeness, and the Rube Goldberg patch that needs to be fixed right.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

And finally.

 

[Stephen Hotz]

Wow that is not bad at all.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

So what do you guys think? My dad had '67 dark turquoise Belvedere and I have been wanting a turquoise mopar since he passed. I convinced the wife to keep the original turquoise/teal interior and shoot the exterior with a modern turquoise with period correct white stripes to tie in the white top....

I think it will look amazing in this combo with Crager SS wheels.

 

[Stephen Hotz]

That sounds like a nice combo.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Are you out of your F'ing mind..... they had better fly them out personally and install the damn things.....

Tail lamp lenses, bezels and gaskets for 1963 Dodge Dart 270 and Dart GT

 

[trapster]

Yep those are getting hard to find.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Yep those are getting hard to find.

Found a nice used one on eBay for $65. It is on it way.

 

[trapster]

If you aren't replacing the rear springs, and you probably should, move those helper springs to in front of the axles instead of behind. It will give that cal-trax feeling for cheap.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

If you aren't replacing the rear springs, and you probably should, move those helper springs to in front of the axles instead of behind. It will give that cal-trax feeling for cheap.

Those helper springs have to go is all I know

 

[63DropTop]

Hello Jim, my wife is also the reason I'm in deep with 63 Dart convertible. I've seen multiple grins as the build has progressed and bless her heart she's a patient woman. Good luck with the new car, I'm sure your wife will love it and I'll be sure to follow your adventures.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Hello Jim, my wife is also the reason I'm in deep with 63 Dart convertible. I've seen multiple grins as the build has progressed and bless her heart she's a patient woman. Good luck with the new car, I'm sure your wife will love it and I'll be sure to follow your adventures.

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I’m thinking John Deere green for it now. Nice Johnny Popper!

 

[63DropTop]

I’m thinking John Deere green for it now. Nice Johnny Popper!

Thanks the barn has a habit of finding old oddities to fill the insides with.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

And so it begins. We will be either closer than ever or divorced when this is over! The interior is stripped and we can see some of the big hacks throughout the 55 years of life this car has had.

The rear convertible trim is brittle and just falls apart. Thank goodness a member here from Florida is creating a mold to make new ones I am on the list for the upper trim and the small triangle trim that cover the top here.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Just more reference shots for myself and folks to understand how to reassemble in the future.

'63 bulkhead connector had solid connections to get the ammeter current through it!

Parking brake.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Here is the reason you can't put a V8 in a '63 without effort. This bump out hits the distributor..

Rotating throttle linkage... cool....

Pushbutton transmission shift cables and a thread on speedo cable baby!

Some ding-dong tried to open the seized vent door and broke off the fiberglass.... repairs needed...

You can see where the ding-dongs put galvanized sheets on all the floor pans and screwed them down. All it did was trap water.... Why did they do this? The floors are super solid....

Some seal washers on the wiper motor studs.

How the blower stuff stacks up..

Ground strap and blower grounds here....

 

[Jim Kueneman]

And here we are after lunch. We will pick up again tomorrow. Going to town to celebrate the youngest birthday.

There was not a damn thing wrong with this floor. I think someone took that piece to fix another car. The only rust is what started because they put that galvanized down over everything...

This piece is suppose to be chromed plastic but it is brittle as hell and flaked off. Does anyone make reproductions of this piece?

Boxes of parts to restore are accumulating!

 

[63DropTop]

And here we are after lunch. We will pick up again tomorrow. Going to town to celebrate the youngest birthday.

There was not a damn thing wrong with this floor. I think someone took that piece to fix another car. The only rust is what started because they put that galvanized down over everything...

View attachment 1715376619 View attachment 1715376620 View attachment 1715376621

This piece is suppose to be chromed plastic but it is brittle as hell and flaked off. Does anyone make reproductions of this piece?

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Boxes of parts to restore are accumulating!

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Hey Jim, I feel your pain. I was mortified after seeing car after sand blasting. Lots and lots of Bondo from factory, poor repairs for minor dents, etc. I have tons of pictures also if you get stuck putting something back together. I've just started putting mine back together, starting to build new wiring harness next. Haven't found an after market supplier for that particular piece but Classic Industries does have the push button trim piece. That is on my list to try and 3D print.
Classic also has new dash vents and tubing.