black954
Well-Known Member
Looking good! I’m loving that red. My 69’ Swinger 340 came with a light blue engine but i have always preferred the red.
Dad’s 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340
- Thread starter jcmeyer5
- Start date
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jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
Been working on the engine and engine bay and the wiring.
On the engine bay, we have been cleaning and sanding it down in preparation for paint. I know Dart's typically have a body color engine bay, but we are going to be different and do a black engine bay, up to the cowl seam. Two reasons. I have black epoxy paint that I need to use up that will look REALLY good there, and with the engine being red, and the body being red, I dont want any mismatch in color to be on full display in the engine compartment. We havent picked the body color yet, but I am betting it will be a different color than the engine. If the engine bay were a different shade of red then the mismatch would be obvious.
Wiring was... crispy. No fire damage, but 50+ years have made some of the wiring, particularly the parts NOT wrapped, very brittle to the point that the insulation snaps when you bend it. So I have been replacing wiring in the harness. I am going to integrate the headlight relays into the wiring harness vs. creating a separate add-on harness.
On the engine... well it's been interesting. I decided I wanted adjustable rockers. I also decided that since I don't have a big cam or a lot of valve spring, I don't need super high dollar rockers. @Valkman had a set of rockers he has reviewed here before and they look like they are well made, bronze bushed, and sturdy enough for my needs. Thanks to the USPS, it took over 3 weeks to receive them from him, but they are going to work. I have test fit them to the heads, and they contacted not only the 1.500" diameter springs, but also the 1.33" retainers. To fix that I did two things. First I purchased different springs - Comp Cams 942-16 - that have the correct seat and open pressures, and are a smaller diameter at 1.437" Second, I clearanced the rocker arms a bit on the underside where they were contacting the retainers (as seen below). You can see where I clearanced on the near side against the stock shape on the far side. It's also circled in yellow.
I also got some assembly work done on the engine. The oil pump and windage tray are installed. I do have a high pressure spring coming for the oil pump, so it will come back off. I also got the timing cover installed. My son wanted to mock the engine up with the intake and a carburetor (heads are final installed, but not torqued yet). He's drooling.
More sanding to do in the engine compartment today. The plan is to have the engine and transmission back in the car and started for Father's Day.
On the engine bay, we have been cleaning and sanding it down in preparation for paint. I know Dart's typically have a body color engine bay, but we are going to be different and do a black engine bay, up to the cowl seam. Two reasons. I have black epoxy paint that I need to use up that will look REALLY good there, and with the engine being red, and the body being red, I dont want any mismatch in color to be on full display in the engine compartment. We havent picked the body color yet, but I am betting it will be a different color than the engine. If the engine bay were a different shade of red then the mismatch would be obvious.
Wiring was... crispy. No fire damage, but 50+ years have made some of the wiring, particularly the parts NOT wrapped, very brittle to the point that the insulation snaps when you bend it. So I have been replacing wiring in the harness. I am going to integrate the headlight relays into the wiring harness vs. creating a separate add-on harness.
On the engine... well it's been interesting. I decided I wanted adjustable rockers. I also decided that since I don't have a big cam or a lot of valve spring, I don't need super high dollar rockers. @Valkman had a set of rockers he has reviewed here before and they look like they are well made, bronze bushed, and sturdy enough for my needs. Thanks to the USPS, it took over 3 weeks to receive them from him, but they are going to work. I have test fit them to the heads, and they contacted not only the 1.500" diameter springs, but also the 1.33" retainers. To fix that I did two things. First I purchased different springs - Comp Cams 942-16 - that have the correct seat and open pressures, and are a smaller diameter at 1.437" Second, I clearanced the rocker arms a bit on the underside where they were contacting the retainers (as seen below). You can see where I clearanced on the near side against the stock shape on the far side. It's also circled in yellow.
I also got some assembly work done on the engine. The oil pump and windage tray are installed. I do have a high pressure spring coming for the oil pump, so it will come back off. I also got the timing cover installed. My son wanted to mock the engine up with the intake and a carburetor (heads are final installed, but not torqued yet). He's drooling.
More sanding to do in the engine compartment today. The plan is to have the engine and transmission back in the car and started for Father's Day.
black954
Well-Known Member
The engine looks awesome! I had the same thought about the engine compartment. My car is red but I wanted a satin black engine compartment. My engine is black, but the heads, intake, timing cover, and accessories are all aluminum so I though the black is just cleaner
jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
Looking good! Are you planning to do all the trim in black too? Dad wants to do that... not sure how to accomplish it.
Is that a 351C cylinder head in the background?
Is that a 351C cylinder head in the background?
black954
Well-Known Member
I’m keeping the trim/bumpers/grill all polished but adding the trunk stripe back on and painting the hood and top of the fenders satin black.
Actually, that’s the original heads that came with my 5.9L Magnum. I went with LA aluminum heads on the 5.9L.
jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
Here's a rendering of what my dad wants to do...
Blacked out trim, shaved bumper bolts, body color bumpers. I wasn't too keen on it, but its beginning to grow on me. Still don't have a plan for the wheels. I've toyed with filling in the bubbles on the hood where the trim is, to make it smooth and doing a stencil or decal, but I like the trim too.
Blacked out trim, shaved bumper bolts, body color bumpers. I wasn't too keen on it, but its beginning to grow on me. Still don't have a plan for the wheels. I've toyed with filling in the bubbles on the hood where the trim is, to make it smooth and doing a stencil or decal, but I like the trim too.
black954
Well-Known Member
That looks badass! I’m gonna side with him and leave the hood inserts, they just look soooooo cool and are kind of a rare option.
jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
Today was productive. Painted a whole mess of parts... and the engine bay. SPI black epoxy primer. Pictures don’t do justice, but here they are.
The parts I painted: bottom bell housing cover, hood latch support, throttle cable brackets, lower steering column mount, battery tray, steering coupler, a couple of brackets that I don’t know, and the outer cylinder head bolts (not pictured).
Started work on the transmission... still digging RTV out of the bolt holes. Found the stamp on the passenger side. If the last 6 are supposed to be from the VIN, then this isn’t the original transmission from this car.
Finally, I worked on the lighting harness for the front of the car. Installed the relays for the headlights. Simple to do really... did it on my Mustang years ago. Here they are.
And that wraps up today. Tomorrow I’m likely going to be cleaning up the A833 and giving it a coat of something, just so it doesn’t look like hell in the pictures. Then maybe I’ll take out the steering linkage to clean it up. Today was a very productive day. I think I might take it easy tomorrow.
The parts I painted: bottom bell housing cover, hood latch support, throttle cable brackets, lower steering column mount, battery tray, steering coupler, a couple of brackets that I don’t know, and the outer cylinder head bolts (not pictured).
Started work on the transmission... still digging RTV out of the bolt holes. Found the stamp on the passenger side. If the last 6 are supposed to be from the VIN, then this isn’t the original transmission from this car.
Finally, I worked on the lighting harness for the front of the car. Installed the relays for the headlights. Simple to do really... did it on my Mustang years ago. Here they are.
And that wraps up today. Tomorrow I’m likely going to be cleaning up the A833 and giving it a coat of something, just so it doesn’t look like hell in the pictures. Then maybe I’ll take out the steering linkage to clean it up. Today was a very productive day. I think I might take it easy tomorrow.
I like red Darts! They build the wheels also in 17 inches, and i love the red of the 2014 Challenger , depends on the style your father wants.
jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
A few things going on. I got the brake lines. I fitted them to the car. All good. A little adjustment needed on each line, but not that much.
Also got the oil filter adapter and water pump painted.
Tonight I think I should be able to get the long block complete with the valve train and the oil pan. Next after that... the engine come off the stand and the flywheel and clutch go on.
Also got the oil filter adapter and water pump painted.
Tonight I think I should be able to get the long block complete with the valve train and the oil pan. Next after that... the engine come off the stand and the flywheel and clutch go on.
jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
I know, I'm posting small piddly updates, but its what I get done each day. Yesterday I got the oil pan on. My method of sealing an oil pan is fairly simple. Permatex Black on both sides (thin film) of the cork gasket, as well as a thin film between the end seals and the (in this case) oil pan. Snug everything up so that you get sealant squeeze, then let it cure. Come back in 2 days to torque to 10 ft-lbs in a criss-cross pattern... first to 5, then to 10. The book says spec is 15. I can’t imagine doing that much.
I cut off the extra nubs that didn't go through the holes that don't exist in the oil pan. I ended up getting a stock Summit oil pan... gold color. I also installed the damper for (I hope) the last time. Yesterday also saw my valve covers show up from Mancini Racing. I really wanted the Mopar Performance ones, but seeing as they have been discontinued, I went with what I could get. I like them. Might try to fashion some "340" badgets for the blank space. The carburetor is for my son... he wanted another picture.
I also worked on the rockers yesterday. As you may remember when @Valkman reviewed these rockers, the larger clamps that go on the #2 and #4 studs to hold the shaft down were too wide. Through some measurement, I figured it to be about 0.100" too wide. No problem, we have a complete machine shop at work. Shaved 0.055" off each side, and the clearance came out about as perfect as it could. Here is the installed (test fit) set:
Today... I dont know. The clutch showed up, and I could take the engine off the stand and install the rear freeze plugs and the flywheel (new bolts), and then the clutch (new bolts as well). I havent done the valve train (lifters, pushrods, and rockers are still out). That said, I dont think it would be a bad idea to just tape up the heads and install it without the valve train, then put it in after. Decisions decisions...
I cut off the extra nubs that didn't go through the holes that don't exist in the oil pan. I ended up getting a stock Summit oil pan... gold color. I also installed the damper for (I hope) the last time. Yesterday also saw my valve covers show up from Mancini Racing. I really wanted the Mopar Performance ones, but seeing as they have been discontinued, I went with what I could get. I like them. Might try to fashion some "340" badgets for the blank space. The carburetor is for my son... he wanted another picture.
I also worked on the rockers yesterday. As you may remember when @Valkman reviewed these rockers, the larger clamps that go on the #2 and #4 studs to hold the shaft down were too wide. Through some measurement, I figured it to be about 0.100" too wide. No problem, we have a complete machine shop at work. Shaved 0.055" off each side, and the clearance came out about as perfect as it could. Here is the installed (test fit) set:
Today... I dont know. The clutch showed up, and I could take the engine off the stand and install the rear freeze plugs and the flywheel (new bolts), and then the clutch (new bolts as well). I havent done the valve train (lifters, pushrods, and rockers are still out). That said, I dont think it would be a bad idea to just tape up the heads and install it without the valve train, then put it in after. Decisions decisions...
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Dartsun
Mopar Dude
This looks great. The magnum 500s look pretty good.
jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
I dont think those wheels are in our future. For the short term, I am going to black out some old Rally wheels. Long term... I'd like steel wheels with dog dish caps.
Joe Mc
No Car Like A MoPar!
Neat build. Great that the kids are involved.
Subscribed.
Subscribed.
jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
Today was busy with much accomplished. I did torque the oil pan bolts to 10 ft-lbs. I also threw a bit of satin black on the bare metal parts of the damper (no, I’m not restoring the bolt). I changed out the pilot bushing for a new one. Went and got grade 8 bolts and attached the motor mounts to the block. I also measured for the water pump bolts because the ones in my kit just aren’t even close.
I also got the wiper motor painted. I went to clean it with brake cleaner, and the old paint melted off. It was crazy. I’ve never seen brake cleaner do that. Speaking of brakes, I got the new master cylinder painted with Eastwood Brake Gray. Supposedly it is resistant to DOT3 brake fluid. It’s also supposedly got 316 stainless steel in it. Who knows, but all the other coatings I have tried failed, so I’m giving it a go.
For my finale, I removed a broken bolt piece from the rear of the driver cylinder head so that tomorrow I can use that hole for the engine leveler I picked up today from Harbor Freight. I didn’t want to use a carb plate to try to put both the engine and transmission in at the same time. Leveler should help that a bunch.
I also got the wiper motor painted. I went to clean it with brake cleaner, and the old paint melted off. It was crazy. I’ve never seen brake cleaner do that. Speaking of brakes, I got the new master cylinder painted with Eastwood Brake Gray. Supposedly it is resistant to DOT3 brake fluid. It’s also supposedly got 316 stainless steel in it. Who knows, but all the other coatings I have tried failed, so I’m giving it a go.
For my finale, I removed a broken bolt piece from the rear of the driver cylinder head so that tomorrow I can use that hole for the engine leveler I picked up today from Harbor Freight. I didn’t want to use a carb plate to try to put both the engine and transmission in at the same time. Leveler should help that a bunch.
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jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
Gah I just realized that in that first picture I have bolts with three finishes (stainless, cad plated, and black). It’s clashing!
black954
Well-Known Member
LOL I’d say it looks just fine! Looking awesome, keep up the great work
jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
So today was quality. I got a few things done, some of which I don't want to discuss just yet.
We took the engine off the stand and put it on the cherry picker. I am using a leveler that I got at Harbor Freight. I grabbed some grade 8 bolts - 2 at 3/8", and 2 at 5/16". Spacers also to keep the chains off the paint.
The boy put the flywheel on. Red Loctite on new bolts, torqued to 55 ft-lbs
Clutch went on next. Using a Ram 88766 B&B setup. I've never done this before, so I hope I did it right... kinda concerned it was too easy. Clean the flywheel with brake cleaner and then wax and grease remover. Same treatment for the pressure plate contact surface. Completed clutch.
I put the bellhousing, clutch fork, and throw-out bearing on for giggles. Still need to get the bolts. It has to come back off. I left the alignment tool in there.
We took the engine off the stand and put it on the cherry picker. I am using a leveler that I got at Harbor Freight. I grabbed some grade 8 bolts - 2 at 3/8", and 2 at 5/16". Spacers also to keep the chains off the paint.
The boy put the flywheel on. Red Loctite on new bolts, torqued to 55 ft-lbs
Clutch went on next. Using a Ram 88766 B&B setup. I've never done this before, so I hope I did it right... kinda concerned it was too easy. Clean the flywheel with brake cleaner and then wax and grease remover. Same treatment for the pressure plate contact surface. Completed clutch.
I put the bellhousing, clutch fork, and throw-out bearing on for giggles. Still need to get the bolts. It has to come back off. I left the alignment tool in there.
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Dartnut
Don't hate me because i'm beautiful
I love the whole thread and all of the detailed pics, but personally, I would have used blue loctite on the flywheel bolts.
From personal experience, red loctite is good, but you need to apply heat on the part to remove the bolt without twisting it off.
And if you use green loctite, you better not plan on ever removing it, it is permanent.
Carry on, you guys are doing awesome work!
From personal experience, red loctite is good, but you need to apply heat on the part to remove the bolt without twisting it off.
And if you use green loctite, you better not plan on ever removing it, it is permanent.
Carry on, you guys are doing awesome work!
jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
I used red on the flywheel bolts, and orange on the pressure plate. Orange is high strength, but removable (supposedly)
Blue didnt seem good enough, and this is my first dance with orange, so I stuck with what I knew... red.
Thanks!
Blue didnt seem good enough, and this is my first dance with orange, so I stuck with what I knew... red.
Thanks!
Dartnut
Don't hate me because i'm beautiful
I have never used orange loctite.
Maybe it's a mixture of red and blue and is a happy medium between the two?
(as far as strength and disassembly is concerned)
There's a scene from "The Wiz" where color is a topic of discussion, with as much importance placed on clothing as currently being applied to the color of a liquid thread locker here. I know it's important, but I can't help thinking...
jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
@Dartnut - red and blue make purple, not orange. What kind of Mickey Mouse art classes did you have in primary school? 
I call it orange because it appeared orange when I used it.
Yesterday was productive but slow. I was worn out from unrelated endeavors, but I did find time to get the bellhousing installed for (hopefully) the final time, install the fittings in the water pump, install the exhaust manifolds (ultra black RTV, no gaskets), and install the spark plugs. A few pictures...
I call it orange because it appeared orange when I used it.Yesterday was productive but slow. I was worn out from unrelated endeavors, but I did find time to get the bellhousing installed for (hopefully) the final time, install the fittings in the water pump, install the exhaust manifolds (ultra black RTV, no gaskets), and install the spark plugs. A few pictures...
jcmeyer5
Token Ford Guy
So last night was a learning experience. Somewhere between "if it aint broke, dont fix it" and "measure twice, cut once."
Not much was to be accomplished last night. I did find during the day that my upper radiator hose is either mismarked or just plain defective. It isnt shaped properly. I got on the horn with Summit Racing, and they are sending me a free replacement (after I price-matched the heck outta that thing from Rock Auto). Here is what they originally sent:
Next up is the transmission. I had no plans to dig into it and rebuild it. It ran fine. When I opened it up it looked good. Synchros and such look new. The only thing I found is that no gaskets were used to assemble it. This meant that the holes for lube in the front and back of the case were partially to mostly blocked as the last guy into this thing had a fetish for RTV. So I went about cleaning it up and replacing with gaskets from Brewers... bearing retainer, side cover, reverse detent housing, backup switch... tailshaft housing (those that know where this is going dont spoil it). Yup. I tried to take the tailshaft housing off... not realizing that 90% of the guts would come with it. Oh and the shift forks were still in! So in the end, I spilled the roller pins out of the input shaft, and yanked apart the 3-4 slider assembly. I did get the slider assemby reassembined and reinstalled. Need grease to do the roller pins. Here is where I left it. Yeah its in a dirty area, but I didnt plan to do this:
Finally, I got to troll my dad and son. Both are Mopar guys, while my inclination is towards Fords. I bought some oil filters for the break-in. I shopped based on application. Turns out the same filters that fit my 351C also fit dad's 340. So I snapped a pic for them!
Not much was to be accomplished last night. I did find during the day that my upper radiator hose is either mismarked or just plain defective. It isnt shaped properly. I got on the horn with Summit Racing, and they are sending me a free replacement (after I price-matched the heck outta that thing from Rock Auto). Here is what they originally sent:
Next up is the transmission. I had no plans to dig into it and rebuild it. It ran fine. When I opened it up it looked good. Synchros and such look new. The only thing I found is that no gaskets were used to assemble it. This meant that the holes for lube in the front and back of the case were partially to mostly blocked as the last guy into this thing had a fetish for RTV. So I went about cleaning it up and replacing with gaskets from Brewers... bearing retainer, side cover, reverse detent housing, backup switch... tailshaft housing (those that know where this is going dont spoil it). Yup. I tried to take the tailshaft housing off... not realizing that 90% of the guts would come with it. Oh and the shift forks were still in! So in the end, I spilled the roller pins out of the input shaft, and yanked apart the 3-4 slider assembly. I did get the slider assemby reassembined and reinstalled. Need grease to do the roller pins. Here is where I left it. Yeah its in a dirty area, but I didnt plan to do this:
Finally, I got to troll my dad and son. Both are Mopar guys, while my inclination is towards Fords. I bought some oil filters for the break-in. I shopped based on application. Turns out the same filters that fit my 351C also fit dad's 340. So I snapped a pic for them!
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Dartnut
Don't hate me because i'm beautiful
I meant STRENGTHS not COLORS.@Dartnut - red and blue make purple, not orange. What kind of Mickey Mouse art classes did you have in primary school?
Yesterday was productive but slow. I was worn out from unrelated endeavors, but I did find time to get the bellhousing installed for (hopefully) the final time, install the fittings in the water pump, install the exhaust manifolds (ultra black RTV, no gaskets), and install the spark plugs. A few pictures...
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Sheesh...........
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