AlV 69 Dodge GTS project

[bvt69dart]

Engine sounds great. I like the idea of the run stand! Project is proceeding nicely with great organization. Awesome job Alv,

 

[dbphemi]

340 sounds good!

 

[AlV]

I smell exhaust, yea!!!!!! Good job guys, I'm happy for you.
Martin

Thanks Martin!

It was really good to hear it fire and smell the smoke.

I am really pleased with the result so far.

-AlV

 

[AlV]

Great project, always liked those darts.

Thanks Kenton!

It's been a great undertaking so far, stumbling my way through. lol

Take care and stay tuned.

-AlV

 

[AlV]

Engine sounds great. I like the idea of the run stand! Project is proceeding nicely with great organization. Awesome job Alv,

Thanks, bvt69dart!

It was so loud that I couldn't hear the engine but I was able to listen with a stethoscope.

The run stand worked great I just wish I could have had the headers glass pack on for the video.

 

[AlV]

340 sounds good!

Thanks dbphemi.....IT smelled good too.

 

[AlV]

Just a little more progress.

Starting the right side.. Stripping the paint to see what lies beneath.

Looking Goood!

 

[AlV]

I'm preparing to rebuild the front end. To start I picked up a nice small block K-frame from a 69 340 barracuda S. This piece will replace mine which was butchered ( see second pic).

I'll clean it then apply POR to seal it.
I'm planning to remove the original front end from the dart on Saturday. Then install a PST polygrahite super front end kit.[

 

[2fine69s]

Hey"V",
What are your plans for the front suspension? Disc brakes? A Arms? Sway Bar? Struts? etc....

 

[jamesdart]

That notch in the in the K frame almost looks like for a BB oil pump.

 

[AlV]

QUOTE=2fine69s;1970398031]Hey"V",
What are your plans for the front suspension? Disc brakes? A Arms? Sway Bar? Struts? etc....[/QUOTE]

Martin,

We're doing a pretty basic rebuild, but will be converting from 10" drums to K-H 11" discs to keep it period correct.

The original set up on the GTS was pretty good. We'll transplant most of the hard parts including the sway, center link, Lower control arms etc.

I'll pull the K out of the Dart and break it down. Once it's apart we'll blast all of the pieces clean then treat them with POR and transfer the parts to the new (used) K we picked up.

Sourced parts list for this rebuild -
*New (Used K from a 69 340 Barracuda S)
*New (Used complete K-H setup from a 68 Barracuda)
*PST polygraphite super kit

K Frame:
We are prepping the K frame (cleaning and sealing)

Brakes:
We've already cleaned, treated and assembled both sides. They are up on the shelf for now.

PST Polygraphite super kit:

We are also planning to rebuild the steering gearbox and have been considering sending it to firm feel. We're not sure which way to go yet.
Antoher thought we had was purchasing a set of the PST 1.03" torsion bars now that they have update the indexing.

The Goal is improved handling and feel while maintaining the original primary pieces.

-AlV

 

[AlV]

That notch in the in the K frame almost looks like for a BB oil pump.

Hi James,

That's a good guess.

Unfortunately the Notch was created to make room for the power steering hose. Apparently when the previous owner installed the 318 (the original 340 was pulled out of the car) the power steering pump sat very low in the engine bay which cause the metal elbow of the hose to hit the perch.. And instead of getting new brackets they notched the K to make room for the line.

:/

I wish it was for a big block! lol

-AlV

 

[AlV]

It's been a few weeks since our last post and I'm happy to say that we keep stumbling along

Lets pick up where we left off. Thinking we needed a K frame we picked one up from a member here on the forum. Once it arrived we started to strip and clean it and all I can say is that without a sandblaster this one messy awkward job.

Our methodology:
We started by pressure washing it, then we hit it with a bunch of different wire wheels followed by a long soak in degreaser. After that we hit it with the spot blaster and then another run under the pressure washer.

Here's what it looked like in the soak.

It turned out pretty good but I have to be honest I was really surprised by the welds. I kind of thought they would look a bit more finished but they looked like they were just done quickly.

Pulling the Front End:
Got the front end pulled from the Dart last Saturday.

Big thanks to Mark and Tom for letting me use the garage. Those guys rock and are great to hang with.

The process was straight forward and with access to their lift man was it nice.:thumbup:

The Steps:
1. Remove the wheels
2. Removed the Brake lines
3. Removed the upper control arm Bolts
4. Pulled the upper arms from the frame
5. Removed the shocks
6. Removed the splash shields
7. Placed a trans jack under the K
8. Unloaded the torsion bars by backing out adjusters (till they flopped)
9. Removed the torsion bar clips by the cross member
10. Removed the 4 K frame Bolts.
11. dropped the K about an inch
12 Using a wooden dowel and a hammer I persuaded the bars out of the cross member.
13 With the bars free it was a matter of lowering the whole assembly down and out of the way.

Using the jack it was easy to load into the bed of my truck. Once I got it home I used the Engine Hoist to unload it and now it's in my garage ready for disassembly.

Even got to get my first weld repair in. It turns out the K wasn't as hacked up as I originally thought. Tom gave me some pointers and I welded in a filler piece I need more practice lol

Once it's cleaned up and painted It'll be hard to notice.

Next steps:
Power wash the whole setup and break it down. We order the Super Kit from PST and will get that rolling when it arrives.

Oh, one last thing...we saw one of the forum members posted a great idea for an engine dolly, so we built some for the 318 and the 340 this site is so helpful.

Thanks for the idea!

 

[burdar]

Have a close look at the welds. It's somewhat common for the steering box mounts to break. I had my K completely welded around the outside and the steering box mounts reinforced. Also look at the LCA pivot point. That's a weak spot on the A-body K's. A washer can be welded onto that area to give it some more strength.

 

[AlV]

Have a close look at the welds. It's somewhat common for the steering box mounts to break. I had my K completely welded around the outside and the steering box mounts reinforced. Also look at the LCA pivot point. That's a weak spot on the A-body K's. A washer can be welded onto that area to give it some more strength.

Good advice! Thank you.
With this all out now is the time to do it.

-AlV

 

[2fine69s]

Have a close look at the welds. It's somewhat common for the steering box mounts to break. I had my K completely welded around the outside and the steering box mounts reinforced. Also look at the LCA pivot point. That's a weak spot on the A-body K's. A washer can be welded onto that area to give it some more strength.

I agree. I welded my K completely also.

 

[AlV]

I agree. I welded my K completely also.

Thanks Guy's!

Now that I have to K frames I don't see why I wouldn't try my hand at welding one.

I'm borrowing a welder later tonight

Thanks for the Info on the BBQ place I am planning on making my way down to NC starting the May 10th.

I'll shoot you a PM in case you're around.

 

[AlV]

Some more cleanup work.

Blasting ...

Priming ...

More to come

 

[2fine69s]

Thanks Guy's!

Now that I have to K frames I don't see why I wouldn't try my hand at welding one.

I'm borrowing a welder later tonight

Thanks for the Info on the BBQ place I am planning on making my way down to NC starting the May 10th.

I'll shoot you a PM in case you're around.

Hey "V"
Your detailed cleaning and striping will pay big dividends later. Paint is only as good as whats under it. Great Job! Looking forward to the PM
Martin

 

[burdar]

It's always good to see paint going on...even if it's primer!

 

[340sFastback]

Looks like shop doing a great job.

 

[4spdragtop]

Been a while since Ive checked in...great progress and nice work!! Love the video with the 340 too. Sorry if I missed it, but did you mention/post any info on the engine stand??

My K wasnt as nice as I thought it should have been. I POR'd mine, but never did any welding or grinding to it. Sandblasted and then POR'd....I may now have to strip mine down....
Keep up the great work and documentation!
What model of Hurst was your factory shifter?

 

[AlV]

Hey "V"
Your detailed cleaning and striping will pay big dividends later. Paint is only as good as whats under it. Great Job! Looking forward to the PM
Martin

Thanks Martin... I have a couple of great guys working on the car.

Hopefully, we can catch up in a few weeks.

AlV

 

[AlV]

It's always good to see paint going on...even if it's primer!

Thank you! I am stoked because it's cool to see this part progress.. but there is still a lot of straightening left to do.


AlV

 

[AlV]

Looks like shop doing a great job.

Indeed. I totally agree.