64 dodge dart

[liljoe]

Does anybody have any expierience with putting a 500 into a 64 dodge dart. I have a 72 sedan deville and found a great deal on an engineless dart.

[Ted in Olympia WA]

This one I would say no to. They are very tight with the small block mopar and were never offered with a big block. The only ones I seen with a big block were early race only cars with stright axles.

These were not great cars and the brakes were horrible.

If you want a light car look for a Fox Mustang.

TED

[dave_brode]

liljoe,

It ain't a typical easy "swap", but it would be quite do-able for a serious street/strip deal. Might have to move the firewall a bit, esp if the engine to dart steering box clearance is an issue. Rack and pinion could be mounted to the dart's K-frame to help there. Some of the inner fender structure might have to go, but there are plenty of early mopars hacked in such a manner. A full cage with forward bars to brace the unibody "frame", or at least braces to the firewall would be a must imo. Chassis or even fenderwell style headers could be fashined.

A somewhat hard to find early A body 8 & 3/4" rear, and a pair of mopar performance super stock springs would be my choice for the rear, assuming it would not be back-halved.
Dave




"]Does anybody have any expierience with putting a 500 into a 64 dodge dart. I have a 72 sedan deville and found a great deal on an engineless dart.[/quote]

[Busguy71]

they managed to squeeze hemis and 440s in those things, although I think they had to modify the shock towers to get them in..... :?: But I'd say go for it. because hey, you only live once :P

[dave_brode]

Busguy71,

You may be thinking of '67 up dart bodies. A 383 was offered in that chassis from the factory. The '66 and older Dart chassis is much more cramped, and afaik, a small block was all that was ever fitted. I doubt that a B/RB/Hemi would fit without some major work [like I described].

Btw - at least on the '67 and later Darts, there are no shock towers, if you are thinking of shock towers like in Fords and early Novas. The inner fenders are just tin, and the shocks mount to heavy structure that comes up from the bolt in "K member". I'm not sure if the '66 and older Dart chassis is as such though.
Dave

"]they managed to squeeze hemis and 440s in those things, although I think they had to modify the shock towers to get them in..... :?: But I'd say go for it. because hey, you only live once :P[/quote]

[Busguy71]

I'm by no means a mopar guy. My buddy is, and he has mentioned how they fit big blocks in darts- like you said, late 60's darts. And no, I didnt pay close attention to what he said :wink: but hey, you can fit a big block in a nash metropolitan if you want to, so go ahead and cut up that dart and make that caddy motor fit! Who cares if its a lot of work, all cars are a lot of work. DO IT!!! :twisted:

[cadipacer]

If your up to the challange do it,, be prepard for set backs as you get into the project,, we brainstormed the PACER project for 3 nights in row with a engine crossmember cradle on the floor, w/simulated install of the actual 500 into cradle noting all interference and this proved to work good ,took only 9 months to run/drive , and still working out the small stuff.

[liljoe]

thanks for the responses guys

The car is in my backyard now so there is no turning back. As far as fitting goes I only need an extra inch on each side from my measurements. Also, the fender wells have been cut open already as if someone was already dealing with putting a big motor in it. First things first though I need to stat cleaning up my cad motor.

[Ted in Olympia WA]

Sounds good, mopars are hot right now so you can't loose.

The only header available for those early A Bodies were fenderwell headers so maybe these are holes you see. These header are no longer available. I got mine out of JC Whitney in about 1976, I still cannot belive my Dad helped me cut up those fenderwells in the 66 convert.

The thing I'm worried about are the torsion bars limiting your space down below, might have to go with a mustang II or something to make it work.

My first car was a 66 Dart Convertiable until I let my friend drive it into a tree. Then I transferred the running gear to a 65 hardtop. Latter it transformed into a 340, 4 speed with a 8 3/4 inch posi. Very fast in stright line but would not corner at any speed. I love the headlights on the 64 and always wanted to costomize one without the bumpers.

One more problem with these Darts were the 4 inch bolt pattern for the wheels. Very limiting. I know that the 67 plus years can be converted to later disc brakes but I don't think the 64-66 can.

One more note, Years ago I thought about buying a 68 GTS with a 383 4 speed. The car was horrible to drive with the big block, drove like a 2 ton truck and handled way worse. Even though the factory did put big blocks in these cars I do not think it was a good idea.

Good luck with your project and have fun.

TED

[suburban509]

Yes disc brakes can easily be adapted from a newer 73 to 76 abody. Also some believe that you can use a readily available volare or Aspen setup. I have done the change to my 64 and it stops as well as anything on the road. A very easy conversion. Many of the 64 to 66 have now been changed to big block mopar so they will fit. Information on the Mopar big block and any and all brake and suspension questions can be answered at www.bigblockdart.com.

[suburban509]

Also the brakes convert to the bigger wheel bolt pattern. Later Mopar a-body rears or even a Ford nine inch from a granada will bolt right in and be plenty strong and will match the bigger bolt pattern of the front.

[Rem]

I would say go for it. May involve a little wrestling, but you would have the unusual when done. Besides. the Cad engine resembles the Mopar motor except for the distributor angling the opposite direction.