clogsmith
Member
Hello,
New member here, looking forward to getting some information/advice on how to proceed with a project. I inherited a storage unit. Upon first look from one side, I was immediately thinking there would not be much interesting to be found.
Alright, let's go take a look at the other side of the unit.
Not sure what I am looking at, but I can tell I am interested. Let's get some junk out of the way. After making a pathway, I can read the word "Dart" on the fender. Does it have a V8? Don't know, can't get the hood open being parked under shelving and piled with what appear to be the remnants of a light and housing fixtures store that went under. Don't see a clutch pedal, bummer. Being a Jeep guy and liking Mopar, I decide to try to get some air in the tires, roll this thing out, and call the tow truck. It was last registered in 06, but it looks like the tires are going to hold enough air to roll it. I go to pop it in neutral and discover you need the ignition key to do so, and the steering wheel lock is going to make pushing it less convenient. I decide to get more trash off the hood, and find a small key labeled fuel. The key works on the gas cap, let's go deeper and hope the ignition key is around here too. I get to the last plastic bag on the hood and no sign of keys. There's a couple Hershey bar wrappers on the cowl, let's throw those out too. Why is this wrapper folded up and heavy...ignition and trunk key found within. Tow time.
Have it dropped out front and listen to multiple people complain about my new driveway decoration for about a week. Get it in the backyard, tackle the piles of garbage inside the car, and give it a quick wash. Looks like I have a 1974 Dodge Dart Sport, 225 slant six, 3 speed auto. Someone's car with a green interior donated various pieces to this one. Custom rear panel upholstery for aftermarket Pioneer speakers. The car is looking a little better than my initial impressions, so I decide to start to tinker a bit.
Oil is full and doesn't look too bad, engine isn't locked up and spins by hand, radiator is empty, brake pedal sinks to the floor and the master cylinder is bone dry. A few hammer taps got the starter spinning, but no amount of starting fluid or gas in the bowl can get it to idle. It wants to start so bad, does a little cough out the carb and sputters, but just won't go all the way. Spark components probably need looking at and replacing at this point, but when cranking the starter the engine will do a sporadic jerk and clunk while cranking. At this point, I am okay with paying someone who knows what they are doing to make some progress.
I am not sure of what direction I'd like to take the car from here, if any. I have a few thoughts and would love to get any and all input that anyone here is willing to give.
Option 1: Get the car running with what its got now, rebuild engine, freshen up what needs it, enjoy it for what it is and work on the interior.
Option 2: Rebuild and hotrod the slant six.
Option 3: Find a 318, 340, or 360 to put in it.
Option 4: Gen 3 Hemi swap.
Option 5: Let it be someone else's problem.
I would love for the car to be a manual transmission, but could tolerate an auto for the character of the Dart Sport. Thinking I would pay for major mechanical work and work on the interior and cosmetics myself. I appreciate anyone's input/opinion about any of this. Thank you.
New member here, looking forward to getting some information/advice on how to proceed with a project. I inherited a storage unit. Upon first look from one side, I was immediately thinking there would not be much interesting to be found.
Alright, let's go take a look at the other side of the unit.
Not sure what I am looking at, but I can tell I am interested. Let's get some junk out of the way. After making a pathway, I can read the word "Dart" on the fender. Does it have a V8? Don't know, can't get the hood open being parked under shelving and piled with what appear to be the remnants of a light and housing fixtures store that went under. Don't see a clutch pedal, bummer. Being a Jeep guy and liking Mopar, I decide to try to get some air in the tires, roll this thing out, and call the tow truck. It was last registered in 06, but it looks like the tires are going to hold enough air to roll it. I go to pop it in neutral and discover you need the ignition key to do so, and the steering wheel lock is going to make pushing it less convenient. I decide to get more trash off the hood, and find a small key labeled fuel. The key works on the gas cap, let's go deeper and hope the ignition key is around here too. I get to the last plastic bag on the hood and no sign of keys. There's a couple Hershey bar wrappers on the cowl, let's throw those out too. Why is this wrapper folded up and heavy...ignition and trunk key found within. Tow time.
Have it dropped out front and listen to multiple people complain about my new driveway decoration for about a week. Get it in the backyard, tackle the piles of garbage inside the car, and give it a quick wash. Looks like I have a 1974 Dodge Dart Sport, 225 slant six, 3 speed auto. Someone's car with a green interior donated various pieces to this one. Custom rear panel upholstery for aftermarket Pioneer speakers. The car is looking a little better than my initial impressions, so I decide to start to tinker a bit.
Oil is full and doesn't look too bad, engine isn't locked up and spins by hand, radiator is empty, brake pedal sinks to the floor and the master cylinder is bone dry. A few hammer taps got the starter spinning, but no amount of starting fluid or gas in the bowl can get it to idle. It wants to start so bad, does a little cough out the carb and sputters, but just won't go all the way. Spark components probably need looking at and replacing at this point, but when cranking the starter the engine will do a sporadic jerk and clunk while cranking. At this point, I am okay with paying someone who knows what they are doing to make some progress.
I am not sure of what direction I'd like to take the car from here, if any. I have a few thoughts and would love to get any and all input that anyone here is willing to give.
Option 1: Get the car running with what its got now, rebuild engine, freshen up what needs it, enjoy it for what it is and work on the interior.
Option 2: Rebuild and hotrod the slant six.
Option 3: Find a 318, 340, or 360 to put in it.
Option 4: Gen 3 Hemi swap.
Option 5: Let it be someone else's problem.
I would love for the car to be a manual transmission, but could tolerate an auto for the character of the Dart Sport. Thinking I would pay for major mechanical work and work on the interior and cosmetics myself. I appreciate anyone's input/opinion about any of this. Thank you.
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