Back to basics equals a return to home base. Back to roots.
This project is precisely that....I am going back.
From the time I was 5 to 15 the family's daily driver was a 1974 Dodge Dart Sport, BROWN, black vinyl interior (killer in summer with no A/C). It was a 360 with a 4 speed, BENCH SEAT, power brakes, MANUAL steering car. I remember the 3 spoke steering wheel, that was kind of oblong inbetwen the spokes of the wheel.
It was a great driver, and mom's reason for getting rid of it was I was about to start driving, and I was in my early stages of my automotive addiction. I was sure I could handle it, she was not so sure. I am grown enough now to issue the following statement.......She was right.
In my angst, I swore that if I ever found the car, I would buy it back and own it.
THIS is NOT that car.
I used to have a duplicate title to that car, and tried to search for it. I could not find it. I fear it has gone to the great highway in the sky.
But, I found this car.
It's brown.
It is a manual (3 speed currently, 4 speed later)
It has a black bench seat
It has manual steering
It has the 3 spoke steering wheel.
So here it is...I am heading Back to Basics. I am returning home. I am picking the car up on Saturday, Jan 26th. I am going to clean it up, legalize it, and drive it over to mom, so she can take it for a spin.
I am going to document the hell out of it, every step of the way.
This car is a Dart Lite
Progress so far:
Full tune up, plugs, cap and rotor, plug wires
valve cover gasket
oil change
thermostat and gasket
Checked out brakes, and all the drum and hardware look great. The brake hoses were SHOT. So while I swapped out the brakes hoses, and a hard line that didnt survive the swap, my buddy changed out the tuen up and top end stuff. We also tried to bleed the brakes, only to find the driverside wheel cylinder bleeder screw was broken off. So we bled at the hose joint, and got it home.
While the valve cover was off, we adjusted the rocker arms because it was a symphony of mal-adjustment for the rockers.
Today, I tried to get it moving, so I could replace the wheel cylinder, and it would not start.
Spark...Check (ouch)
Fuel....nope. In the process of it sitting for a week (too cold to work on it) the fuel pump died.....Damn.
Found the only store in the KC metro area that had a pump, and got it installed. Yes, it starts.
Damn, one of the valves was too tight. It would not idle for crap. I pulled the valve cover to find this: (remember, I was doing brakes while he tune and valve covers)
WOOF.
I got the valves adjusted, it quieted down a lot. While I have the valve cover off, I am going to give it, and the air cleaner a coat of paint.
Here are some additional shots, for now. The interior "checker pattern" is awful. I will be looking for some replacement inner panels at some point.
Under the rear is the HITCH FROM HELL. This SOMBITCH is welded to the frame, bumpers, an had re-inforcements. I could haul a horse trailer with this thing......
