I did the rear brakes on my 63 Dart today. Here's the story.

So far, I've spent about $200 on brake parts. I still need front shoes, and shocks, and lug studs.

I started with the left rear. The shoes were nearly gone, and the drums were toast.



After I got the old stuff off, I replaced the wheel cylinder, then the brake shoes. It was pretty easy to do, but it took a little time. It all went together smoothly.

Here's the new shoes, shock, and the old drum.



After I got the brake done, I put the new shock on. On the old one, the top bolt was stuck, and it took a while to get it loose.

I painted the new (used) drum semi gloss black, along with the leaf springs and fenderwells.



I ran into a little trouble on the passenger side though. Everthing was going good until I broke the bottom spring, and then one of the little coil springs. Luckily, there were brake parts from a 70 Duster at my house. (A friend brought his Duster to my place a few months ago for a rearend swap).
Then, the hole on the new brake shoe for the e brake retainer spring pin (?) was too big, so I ended up welding it to the shoe. Then, I got the new brakes on and put together, and something wasn't right. The weld was in the way, so I grinded it away, until it was cleared. Then, I put it all back together, and the new shock went on, and everything was a-ok.

I also put the new master cylinder in.

All I need is front shoes, front shocks, lug studs, and bleed the brakes.

One other problem I had was I broke a lug nut. One of the ones for my slot wheels. (Shank style). So I need another one of those.

I should be finished with these brakes by next weekend, if not sooner.

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1963 Dodge Dart -225 Slant 6, 904, 2.76's, 18.84 @ 73
1970 Nova 12.53@108
1970 Bug 15.38@87

Also, I did find out that the car has 2.76 gears and is not a posi.

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1963 Dodge Dart -225 Slant 6, 904, 2.76's, 18.84 @ 73
1970 Nova 12.53@108
1970 Bug 15.38@87

I found out a few years back that the brake spring kit from an 87 Dakota will fit the 9's on your Dart. I used them on mine. All is still good 7yrs. later.

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ifyoubegintothinkyou'relosingcontrol...it'salreadygone

Today, I did the front left brake on the car. It all went smoothly. The brakes went on good, The shock was easy to put on. I greased all fittings. The only thing that took some time was changing the wheel studs from Left hand to Right hand threads.

Tomorrow I will finish up the brake job with the front passenger side.

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1963 Dodge Dart -225 Slant 6, 904, 2.76's, 18.84 @ 73
1970 Nova 12.53@108
1970 Bug 15.38@87

I finished up the brake job on sept 22. It all went fine, test drove it, it stopped pretty good, adjusted it to work the best. It's a driver now.

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1963 Dodge Dart -225 Slant 6, 904, 2.76's, 18.84 @ 73
1970 Nova 12.53@108
1970 Bug 15.38@87

Nice step-by-step brake job. In future you should try and track down a combi kit. these have all the necessary springs and things to get the job done. Since the spring you broke is the same age as all the rest. I've been amazed at the availability of these kits for our early Mopars and the best part is they are cheap. Are you going Sub-Lime for paint on that car? That's what the over spray looks like. Nice stance too.

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The springs that broke were on one side that was pretty rusty looking, like brake fluid had been leaking and water got in. (There were no dust covers either.

I'm going with a darker version of Sub-Lime Green, a little something I mixed up myself. I call it Dart Lime Green.

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1963 Dodge Dart -225 Slant 6, 904, 2.76's, 18.84 @ 73
1970 Nova 12.53@108
1970 Bug 15.38@87

Dave you want to get them Ansen slots to shining like new?

Car Quest sells PB Penatrating oil. When I got my slots they had not been cleaned in 30 odd years. (see pic)

They look like new how.

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Yes, they are pretty dirty. I cleaned them up pretty good with some CreamClean cleaner and a greenpad, but they need to be clened better still.

So do I just polish the wheels using the oil?

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1963 Dodge Dart -225 Slant 6, 904, 2.76's, 18.84 @ 73
1970 Nova 12.53@108
1970 Bug 15.38@87

Here are the pics from the front passenger brakes.









And look at this guy hiding in my wheel.

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1963 Dodge Dart -225 Slant 6, 904, 2.76's, 18.84 @ 73
1970 Nova 12.53@108
1970 Bug 15.38@87