1968 Dodge Dart GT Sleeping Beauty?

[hcallaway]

Wheel adapters/spacers pushed wheels out about 2”. The tires almost touch the top of the wheel arches. After a call to Moser they will drill my axles to 5 x 4.5 plus plug the holes and drill my brake drums for $300. One day turnaround and ship them back to Virginia. More than fair in my opinion. I hope to pull the axles this week.

10” x 2” shoes and drums. 7 1/4 rear was out of a 72 Duster. 2.76 gear with the 318 a highway cruiser.

 

[mygasser]

i've had pcd adapters as thin as 11/16 to 3/4 thick. would that work out cheaper/better than redrilling the axles?
neil.

 

[hcallaway]

I did the treadmill, pulled the axles and still got to work early. I used a chain with a hook in the big hole on the shaft. They didn’t budge so I wrapped the chain around a 5# hammer and got the momentum needed.

 

[hcallaway]

i've had pcd adapters as thin as 11/16 to 3/4 thick. would that work out cheaper/better than redrilling the axles?
neil.

Cheaper, but I am not sure about better.

 

[hcallaway]

Moser got the axles on a Thursday and on Friday they drilled the axles and drums. Welded up any extra holes from the old pattern and pressed the new bearings back on. Shipped them back to Virginia on Monday. Delivered on Wednesday. Less than $300 total including new screw in 3” studs 1/2”. Beautiful packaging to boot.

 

[hcallaway]

I am going to install Felpro axle flange gaskets without any sealant. I have read posts including Felpro and they suggest no sealant.

 

[hcallaway]

She is a roller again. Torqued the axle fanges to 20# I could not find the values. Plenty of clearance on either side.

 

[RogerRamRod]

I am on my way to pick the car up in NY. I have to get some sleep as I am about 2-3 hours outside NYC and I plan on a turn and burn.

Richmond to NY in 2-3 hrs? I thought getting from Chesapeake to NY in 6 hours was doing good. Must have a faster car than a Dart in your garage too.

 

[hcallaway]

Richmond to NY in 2-3 hrs? I thought getting from Chesapeake to NY in 6 hours was doing good. Must have a faster car than a Dart in your garage too.

I was outside NYC and still had to drive early AM after sleeping into Long Island. Seems like I loaded 4-5 AM in LI and was home in Richmond by 12-1. Quick trip just not as fast as I may have implied.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Torqued the axle fanges to 20# I could not find the values

 

[hcallaway]

Cutting the windshield gasket makes a mess. Makes your hands sore and makes them dirty!!!

No rust anywhere around the windshield frame.

Hard to believe it was a NJ car for all of it’s life as best I can tell.

It will clean up great.

 

[hcallaway]

Cranked up the pressure washer after using a wire brush.

It wants a home. Starting to head in the right direction.

 

[hcallaway]

Filling trim holes.
Fenders are probably 16 GA door panels are not as thick. Very easy to blow holes as I try to close the holes.
I am going to pull the interior door panels so I can use a copper backing place to weld against.

 

[Troub]

Filling trim holes.
Fenders are probably 16 GA door panels are not as thick. Very easy to blow holes as I try to close the holes.
I am going to pull the interior door panels so I can use a copper backing place to weld against.
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Great Project and fun post to follow. Keep it up!

 

[hcallaway]

This car has been a pleasure to work on. I cannot believe it has never been apart. Pulled the door cards to plug some more trim holes.

 

[hcallaway]

Nice to have the trim holes filled and ground down. I hit the spots with an acid etch primer. My shop now needs a big clean up with all the grinding I did.

 

[hcallaway]

I watched the replacement of a roof on a Duster. It was not for the faint of heart. This was the only surface rust. Again for a NJ car pretty darn solid.

I tried multiple techniques. The razor blade worked best. Wire wheel on the rain channels. I have to use a solvent on the next step.

 

[hcallaway]

Before work I wanted to see what getting all the glue off would be like.
Thinner and scotch-brite pads.

 

[Kendog 170]

I used lead on my holes on my hardtop. I chamfered the holes and put foil tape on the back. A lot less heat and less distortion. Been 10 years now with no issues.

 

[Kendog 170]

It's been so long but I think I used a propane torch not oxy/ace.

 

[hcallaway]

Lucky that the roof has no holes.

 

[hcallaway]

First wipe down.

 

[qkcuda]

Is the vinyl top going back on? Looks good enough for paint.

 

[hcallaway]

I am going back paint.
Today I did the final wipe down and then an acid etch primer. Then I removed all the rear window clips. Dremel tool was good for cutting slots when the Phillips heads are gone. Window corners were rusted out. All that was repaired when we did the other panels. The plan is coming along.

 

[hcallaway]

Next is vinyl top trim holes and cleaning the front window channel.