A couple of weeks ago, I added a 73 Dodge Dart 4-dr to my stable. Saw it in a guys yard, started talking mopars, and he offered it to me free. It has 48K actual miles and everything works (gauges, etc). Of course the /6 runs like a top, no smoke, etc. The tires were nearly as flat as they could be. I brought along the air tank, pumped the tires up, quick shot of starter fluid, and off I went for home. Then....as I was nearing the turn off to my house, I hit the brakes and I can only best describe what happened by saying that it felt like I had a flat tire! It slowed fine, but I didn't chance it much further. The car, to the best of my knowledge has been sitting for a long while. Today I pulled the front brake drums off and found rust patches (where the shoes weren't in contact with the drum) but no grooves, etc. Shoes look nearly new. I got some 320 grit sandpaper, sanded the inside of each of the drums, and put 'em back on. If I had the money, I would have stripped brakes, wheel cylinders,etc., off and completely rebuilt everything, but I am confused why the flat tire feel when I hit the brakes. While the tires were off I looked them over for bubbles, etc., but they appear o.k. I wondering if maybe the problem could be (1) the rusted areas on the drums, or (2) maybe the tires have some internal damage to them. Might be a combination of both, too. I hope it isn't a warped drum because 10" brake drums don't come cheap around here. Give me your thoughts will you? I'm headed to the tire store tomorrow to replace the front tires at least.

Make sure you check the wheel bearings if it is a "wobbly" feeling when you hit the brakes. Is one side grabbing more than the other, too?

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'68 Dodge Dart 4dr Sedan

Whatever the problem was, it is solved! Yesterday, put on new front tires and shocks, took the car for a spin, and smooth braking resulted. At the tire store, I had a chance to examine the old tires and found several flat spots on them, thus prompting me to also replace the front shocks. My grandson and I pulled the old shocks off and found them to be the originals! Driver's side was still relatively firm, but the passenger side was definately shot. With the new front tires and shocks in place, the 73 took on a new stance too! Since we were on a roll, we also replaced the two rear tires after examining the brakes (they were in great shape). Right now we're waiting on a pair of shocks for the rear. Hopefully the rear of the car will come up just a tad after installing them, because it sits a bit low in the rear. Most likely though, the rear leaf springs will need some attention. Summary: It was nice to resolve the braking problem, but much more satisfying to see a 17 year old working on his first car! He is really enthused about it and now wants to tear apart everything and "fix" the car.

At the very least, I would replace all the wheel cylinders and the master cylinder. Moisture collects in brake fluid and causes corrosion in the brake system. I say this because the right rear wheel cylinder rusted solid on my Satellite last year....and its daily driven!

Gotta love a free mopar!!!!

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

Good work Dad!
My son managed a valve adjustment the other day. The car ran much better. Alex felt he had really accomplished something. Its a good thing to try because it can easily be re=adjusted or corrected. Allow 2 hours for first time...new valve cover gasket on hand is a good idea.
If the valve adjustment goes well you can move to minor carb seasonal adjustments. A vacuum gauge is an excellent tool . The goal is gas mileage and high performance.

Now that Alex has to pay for fuel and parts on the Valiant his interest in tuning for economy has surfaced. He now commutes at about 50 MPH in 5 th gear and is claiming 28 mpg average and oil consumption is halfed. It used to be 82 in 5th and 22 MPG. A quart a tank.

Involving boys in slants is like giving them Lego.

http://www.arrowtipi.com/My%20Webs/index%20Valiant.htm

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....