My latest project: 1970 Dodge Dart 512 C.I. Bracket Racer

Some of you may remember that I used to have a 1972 Dodge Dart which I drag raced.

Well, I got the itch to get back into racing Our new house is only 3 miles from the Speedworld racetrack and I can faintly hear them running the cars from our house. It was just too much for me to bare I haven't been doing much in the way of local fourwheeling, so I thought drag racing would give me something to do on the weekends.

A couple weeks ago I bought a 1970 Dodge Dart off of E-bay. The car was located in New Jersey, a mere 2500 miles from home I decided this was the right car for me mainly because I really needed to get out of the house on my own for a couple weeks and this was just the excuse I needed

The car is going to be stripped and repainted. It will get new quarter panels, at least one rocker, one floorpan, new door hinges, fiberglass hood, bumpers, and most likely trunk lid as well.

The new color will most likely be orange, but it just may end up being red, like my old one. Plans for it include a 650HP, 512 CI, big block Mopar and an automatic transmission. I'm just not sure if it will be from BB or SB or whether or not it will even be a Mopar I plan on ditching the torsion bar front suspension for an aftermarket K member which gives you rack and pinion steering, upgraded brakes, and the choice of coilover shocks or airbag suspension.

The rear end in the car right now is a trussed Mopar 8 3/4", with a three link suspension and coilovers.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The Wilward brake fluid has an extremely high temperature rating. Is this only available if you buy it directly from the manufacturer?

 

[Rick]

You can get it from Jegs, Summit, etc.

 

[Burns]

Your electrial work just sets me back. Its just flawless

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Your electrial work just sets me back. Its just flawless

He learned from his mistakes on the Explorer. I've seen him a couple of times chasing the missing ground or power on the ARB's and such.

 

[Rick]

He learned from his mistakes on the Explorer. I've seen him a couple of times chasing the missing ground or power on the ARB's and such.

Yeah, the Explorer had everything added to the electrical system one piece at a time which made for a mess in the long run. I helped things by adding an auxilary fuse box under the hood, but there are still a few relays and fuses which aren't in a central location.

I'm making a schematic for the Dart to help with troubleshooting down the road. There is no schematic for the Explorer which leads to a lot of pulled hair...

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

There is no schematic for the Explorer which leads to a lot of pulled hair...

I know the feeling. People always ask why I still have carpet. I just tell them cause I don't have enough zip ties an/or wire loom Just had my first hair puller with why I had power to my ARB pump, but not my switch. Had to dig out a 10 year old ARB drawing to figure that one out

[END HIJACK]

 

[Rick]

Busted my drivers side window trying to install it

Haven't found a replacement yet. No one makes them new.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Oh man, that SUCKS!!!


But isn't it a race car? Won't a net suffice?

 

[Rick]

This class needs all windows installed. They can be Lexan, but they have to be there and rolled up.

 

[Cobraguy]

I know someone who knows someone. Let me see if they have a window they will part with.

Just for grins and giggles, I went back to the very first post to remind myself of what you started with. Do you realize the 3rd anniversary of this thread (and this job) is coming up?

 

[Rick]

Yes, I sure do... Three looong (but fun) years

When I started someone asked me how long I thought it would take. I told them 5 years. Then people convinced me that it wouldn't take that long so I cut the number down to 2 years... By the time it's all wrapped up it will be close to 3.5 years.

It would be great if you found a window locally. I'm having a hard time finding one at all and the ones that I have found, the people don't want to ship...

 

[Maniak]

It would be great if you found a window locally. I'm having a hard time finding one at all and the ones that I have found, the people don't want to ship...

Rick,

Have you tried Hidden Valley Auto parts? (aka "the Maricopa Junk Yard"). They are sort of local.. only on the other side of the Phx metro area (sort of )

~Mark

 

[Rick]

I have one coming from Minnesota. The guy even talked like a hoser aye.

 

[Rick]

..

 

[Rick]

...

 

[Rick]

Lokar Locking Dipstick NHRA Approved

Lokar did a great job with this dipstick. Not only is it NHRA approved as a locking dipstick, it also comes with a sealing plug for the tranny. With the plug you can pull the dipstick using a quick release coupler, then plug it for transportation or storage.

 

[Rick]

..

 

[techieman33]

why does the dipstick need to lock?

 

[Rick]

So it doesn't blow out and puke tranny fluid. The Mopars aren't known for that, but the new rule demands that if you run faster than 11.00 you need a locking stick now.

It's a good rule actually. It helps to keep the track open due to less oil downs, and helps protect the driver and vehicle from a tranny fluid fire.

 

[Maniak]

Do you have a hose you can fit into the top of that dipstick? Thats my biggest complaint with the local dipstick tube on our 700r4. Its hard to get fluid in.

~Mark