Just bought another Dart and I wanted to post my progress on the site as I get her roadworthy again.

The fuel pump was leaking gas into the crankcase so I replaced it. Also did the fuel line modification.

Found oil in the air cleaner so I've replaced the PCV and the Breather. I also cleaned up the air cleaner and changed the oil with Napa Gold filter.

Pulled the plugs and found Autolite 55s with the washers on them. All plugs were oil fouled except #4, which was dry and light gray and #1 which was caked with carbon. Going to get NGK ZFR5Ns (remove washers and gap to .040) and tube seals.

Also going to replace cap and rotor with Standard-Bluestreak CH-410X cap and a NAPA Echlin long-tip rotor # MO-3000.

Replaced thermostat with Superstat 180 degree. Also going to replace water pump while I'm in there. When she's back together I'll flush out the cooling system.

Then I'll check all the carb hoses, make sure they are routed properly, put a timing light on it and dial back around 10 degrees BTDC.

After that I want to run it for a while, make sure all these modifications have been properly completed, and see how she drives. After a week or so of driving I plan to adjust the valve lash and clean out the engine with Dan's soup recipe.

I'll take pics this weekend. Real excited to be back on the board. Thanks to all who have helped me out so far.

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God took you away, then brought you back to me.

Cool! Show us some pics over in Slixers Gallery...and post a transcript of the fender tag.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

After replacing the water pump, thermostat, lower radiator hose, heater hoses, PCV, breather, spark plugs, cap, rotor, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel line and the oil I took the Dart out for her maiden voyage and she ran great.

She still feels a little underpowered, but I haven't done the valve lash, timing or fuel/air yet. And I have a feeling a good meal of soup will help her run a bit better as well.

Next up is installing a tach and dialing up the idle speed, timing and fuel/air. But first I'm going to wash her and take some photos. Will post soon.

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God took you away, then brought you back to me.

Finally got time to post some pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/matthew.wyne/DodgeDart#

I included pics of the old and new spark plugs.

Old plugs were badly oil fouled. New plugs have about 600 miles on them. Only thing that threw me was a yellow deposit on #3? Looks like dried egg yolk. Still seeing ashy deposits but I haven't run the soup yet.

And what is a fender tag?

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God took you away, then brought you back to me.

That is a very nice car!

A fender tag is a tag somewhere on your car that looks like this.

Danny

Thanks and thanks
I'll get a shot of the fender tag too.

My first Dart had sat in a field for 3 years, had no headliner, a destroyed dash pad and ripped up vinyl seats, not to mention holes in the floor pan and body panels big enough for Fred Flintstone brakes and squirrel acrobatics. Finding this one with no rust and great interior was a dream come true.

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God took you away, then brought you back to me.

Nice looking '74, wish mine had a body like that!

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Grandpa's 1974 Dart Custom 4 door 225 auto, Aluminum Radiator, 1920 Holley.

The fender tag is about a 2" x 3" metal plate on the driver's side inner fender, stamped with letters and numbers.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.