70 dart 340 4spd inspection

-

Bennoel 10

FABO Gold Member
FABO Gold Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2022
Messages
1,001
Reaction score
928
Location
Toronto, Ontario
Going to look at a 1970 dart 340 4spd car this weekend. Advertised as an original 340 car, fender tag is M.I.A. If my memory serves me all 70 340 swingers came standard equipped with power assisted brakes and should have tourque boxes. The washer or coin should be visible on the frt of the K-frame. Car has nice paint so probably not going to allow me to sand down the rad support to expose the vin #. Going to look on the driver's rear trunk gutter rail for the same.
Anything else anyone can think of would be appreciated.
Thanks .
 
I did a quick Google search and all I can find out is that they did come with disc front / drum rear but no mention of power brakes.
 
I drove to Baytown Tx to look at a #s matching Green on green 340 4 speed Dart. That car was made low cost on options. But had 340-4 4 speed and had 4.10s It ran like crazy, yes it did have the Kelsey Hayes disk brakes and was 5x4 bolt pattern. Stopped ok, yes OK! Not stopping power like today's cars. The owner or i drove it. had frame damages not fixed 100% right may years ago. I was not even going to test drive it but seller said maybe you will change your mind after a drive. Manual Disk, manual steering car and Fender tag said so too. It was a runner though and I almost bought it anyway but did not need something that needed fixed that much.
 
Last edited:
I did a quick Google search and all I can find out is that they did come with disc front / drum rear but no mention of power brakes.
So, you don't know but will answer anyway? He knows How To Google Dan.
 
The fifth digit of the VIN should be a H if it truly is an original 340 car. Clearly visible through the windshield, no need to scrape paint anywhere.

I don't believe torque boxes were ever put on 1971 Darts. They were used on convertibles and earlier big block cars.
 
On the rad support, use your phone to take a pic of stamping from underside.
Would the 5th digit be H or P ? Check drivers side trunk lip for stamping.
Also didnt all 340 cars have rally dash?
Good luck!
 
Check the VINs on the block and transmission to confirm they match the dash VIN.
I believe the original engine and trans are M.I.A. that's part of the issue. Am I really looking at a 70 340 car ??? Or just a dash with a vin tag. Seller says yes but you never know. Also no fender data tag ?
 
Yes to all above. Also check for the unique 4spd interlock rods going to the one year only steering column.
 
vin is also in the trunk opening i forget what side maybe passenger side under or near weatherstripping. 70 Swinger 340 dead giveaways yes the H in the VIN, Ralley Dash, KH discs up f font sway bar. It will have 4 speed hump. 10 inch rear drum brakes I think they are german army helmet if orginal drums. Thats all that comes to mind maybe evidence of a bumble bee stripe in pock marks or rust in the paint etc.
 
Am I really looking at a 70 340 car

Pretty sure the k-member and torque boxes will help identify the correct body.

Just remember it is sellers responsibility to verify his claim. Second body vin is on trunk lip, driver side, under the weather stripping.
 
I believe the original engine and trans are M.I.A. that's part of the issue. Am I really looking at a 70 340 car ??? Or just a dash with a vin tag. Seller says yes but you never know. Also no fender data tag ?
Have you got a link to the car?
 
-
Back
Top