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Volarie/Dart Drive Train Swap
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Author:  Al Rose [ Tue Mar 22, 2005 5:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Volarie/Dart Drive Train Swap
[/i]I've just found a Super Six Volarie station wagon in an exquiset bone yard in R.I. It belonged to an elderly woman so I will assume it has an auto tranny. The engine was making "a bad noise" when it was parked.
I did not get the chance to look at it much, just a peek under the hood, but everything appears to be complete. I already have another engine.
Any chance of it having an 8 & 3/4 rear? If so would the drive train fit into a 73 Dart?
If not, what would be a good rebuild for my existing 7 & 1/4 for good interstate travel.
The present ratio seems to work well enough, I just wish to rebuild the entire drive train as I plan to run for a long while.
Al
in Ct.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Tue Mar 22, 2005 5:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Volarie/Dart Drive Train Swap
Quote:
Any chance of it having an 8 & 3/4 rear?
No. F-bodies (Aspen/Volaré) did not get 8-3/4" rear axles. They got 7-1/4" and 8-1/4" rear axles. An F-body rear axle will not work properly in an A-body unless you move the spring perches inward.
Quote:
If not, what would be a good rebuild for my existing 7 & 1/4 for good interstate travel.
Need more info. 1bbl carb, 2bbl? Auto trans, manual 3-speed, manual 4-speed? Tire size? Highway cruising speed?
Author:  Al Rose [ Tue Mar 22, 2005 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Dart Info
I have an auto tranny, am looking to rebuild the engine with a mild cam,and some head porting just so the engine can flow better.

Am in the middle of packing an exhaust manifold for Dr D. so the exhaust, with dual mufflers and connecting pipe should be all set there.

Will use the Super Six set up. Have purchased Super Six pieces off of E-Bay, but nothing complete like this one.

Fourteen inch tires? , ya got me on that one, could be fifteens. Will look tomorrow.

Am looking to build a slightly zestier Dart than the one I have :?

Al

[/i]
Author:  Al Rose [ Wed Mar 23, 2005 2:39 pm ]
Post subject:  More Info
Hi Dan,

Did not have access to vehicle yesterday.

Have 14" tires, vehicle is a 1973 Dart Custom. Four door, nothing special, but it being my first Dodge /six, it's special to me.
Highway crusing speed is anywhere from 60 to 75 Max. What I'm looking for a ratio here, is a passing burst in wild highway traffic, ( I-95, Ct. South Shore, two lane, 1000% overloaded, some drive forty, some drive a hundred, with Staties,(Cops), flowing where ever you least expect, and always ready to greet you), in the speed range above. Is there such a thing?

Concerning the head I would like to consider the exhaust side for porting, leaving the intake side alone, ( fuel economy ?).
I would also like to upgrade compression to nine or nine and one half to one. How this is done, ( head milling or pistons), is a another question.

I guess what I'm looking for is survibility going back and forth to work in a hostile highway enviroment, not so much going, but DEFINATELY back.
My workplace is twenty miles from my crib, a good part of it is Blood Alley Highway.
Summer weekends are a speciality in my local, only the good die young!


I am ready to do overhead welding for spring perches if there are no options for my current 7 & 1/4. Am getting better at it with another project.
Have acess to steel and CNC, can fabricate application,( with some in the ball park dimensions), your advice is most appreciated!
Al
in Ct.
Author:  AutoTrans [ Wed Mar 23, 2005 5:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
What's the total tire diameter?
Author:  Guest [ Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
14" is the wheel size, not the tire size. It's probable you have P195/75R14 or P185/75R14 tires. The tire size is the important thing to know, because it affects the overall final drive ratio (engine revolutions per tire revolution and therefore, engine revolutions per mile travelled). Taller tires = slower engine speed for any given vehicle speed.

A 3.23 or 3.21 rear axle with medium-tall tires (P195/75R14, P205/70R14) is a good all-around setup. So is a 2.93 or 2.94 rear axle with medium tires (P185/75R14, P195/70R14). 3.23 gives you more "jump" off the line, but a higher-revving engine (= more noise and fuel consumption) on the highway. 2.93 gives you a little less jump off the line, but a lower-revving engine (=less noise and fuel consumption) on the highway.

I think if I were building a '73 for the kind of service you describe, my recipe would probably look a lot like this:

3.21 8-1/4" rear axle with P205/70R14 tires on 14 x 5-1/2" or 14 x 6" wheels
2bbl "Super Six" intake setup
Ported head (Dutra)
Head or (preferably) block milled to bring compression up to 9:1
MP 244 camshaft
Dutra Dual exhaust setup, twin 2" pipes into a 2-1/4" pipe. Stock '73 340 muffler.
GM HEI ignition module, NGK ZFR5N or Autolite 985 spark plugs and carefully-recurved distributor
Clutch or electric cooling fan
And of course, good headlights! :-)
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
Aw, for CRUMB'S sake! I was logged in when I started writing the above reply.

CHU-UU-UUUCK!
Author:  NewLancerMan [ Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Aw, for CRUMB'S sake! I was logged in when I started writing the above reply.

CHU-UU-UUUCK!
Glad to see yo'ure not immune either ;-)
Author:  NewLancerMan [ Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I think if I were building a '73 for the kind of service you describe, my recipe would probably look a lot like this:

3.21 8-1/4" rear axle with P205/70R14 tires on 14 x 5-1/2" or 14 x 6" wheels
2bbl "Super Six" intake setup
Ported head (Dutra)
Head or (preferably) block milled to bring compression up to 9:1
MP 244 camshaft
Dutra Dual exhaust setup, twin 2" pipes into a 2-1/4" pipe. Stock '73 340 muffler.
GM HEI ignition module, NGK ZFR5N or Autolite 985 spark plugs and carefully-recurved distributor
Clutch or electric cooling fan
And of course, good headlights! :-)
This sounds like a great setup to me. I think I'll try it!
Author:  Al Rose [ Thu Mar 24, 2005 7:06 am ]
Post subject: 
Thank you so much for the recipie.

I currently have Michelin All Season
P205/75R14's on the car now.

Am planning on purchasing a MSD ignition system. Am hoping they make a distributor for the /6.

The MP 244 cam that you spoke of, where may I purchase one? Who makes it?

I now have a baseline to work with, thanx again for all your help!

In Southeastern Connecticut we now have the Mashintucket & Mohegan Sun Indian Casinos. Voters in the Town of Preston, (located between the two casinos)), have just approved a multimillion movie studio/school/themepark.

Traffic is "Going To Hell In A Handbasket", and will soon be getting worse!

I sure will be PROUD! to be able to jump into the fray with a vehicle that will stand apart from all the UGLY! clones on the road these days!

Viva la /6 ! ! !

Al Rose
Author:  Srchn4CookieMonster [ Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:44 am ]
Post subject: 
You might want to look around for the GM HEI ignition setup people have been using here. You can get the electronic ignition distributor on ebay (I got one for $20 NOS), a MSD Blaster 2 coil (~$30), and the HEI control unit (~$15-$40 depending on your manufacturer) and a little wiring and you're good to go. That's less than the cost of a distributor from MSD.

Just a thought. SlantSixDan suggested that setup along with the things you're doing, opening up the gap in your plugs a little bit (.045 or so IIRC) and you're ready to roll.

MJ
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Thu Mar 24, 2005 12:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
P205/75R14's on the car now.
That's a relatively tall tire (also a very wide tire; hope your wheels are at least 5½" wide.) If you plan on keeping this tire size, then 3.21/3.23 would be your rear gear ratio of choice.
Quote:
Am planning on purchasing a MSD ignition system.
No need to spend the excessive money. GM HEI works great and is MUCH less expensive.
Quote:
Am hoping they make a distributor for the /6.
They don't, but no need. The Chrysler electronic distributor is excellent.
Quote:
The MP 244 cam that you spoke of, where may I purchase one? Who makes it?
MP = Mopar Performance, Chrysler's performance parts division. They used to sell this camshaft, but it's been discontinued for some time now. I sent my new-in-box item to Doctor Dodge for his reliable cam grinder to "read". As soon as that's done, anybody will be able to call up that cam grinder and get a brand new MP P4120243 camshaft if they want one.
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