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Time for Summer! Cleaning out my 225's Cobwebs, need advice!
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Author:  drewkuch [ Sun May 25, 2008 10:46 am ]
Post subject:  Time for Summer! Cleaning out my 225's Cobwebs, need advice!
Hello everyone. Wow, what a great forum! I've always loved dodge darts and power, but i have feel in love with my slant six. Bullet proof, good on gas, and reliable.

I'm interested in putting a lot of money into my dart in the future, making it the best from bumper to bumper, but for now i have a few simple inexpensive questions....

I'm replacing the headgasket, intake/exhaust gasket, carb, exhaust pipe, plug boots, etc. My oil is milky and my exhuast gasket blew out. Havn't gotten to the top of the pistons yet, and am hoping for the best, as in just a head gasket.

My questions are:
1. Can a port the intake and exhaust myself SAFELY? I'm only running a 1 barrel carb, would this be too much air? If i can SAFELY, how much do i grind?

2. Would a 4 barrel carb and intake setup run ok on my stock engine? 2 barrel? what extra parts are needed for a intake and carb upgrade? how much performance increase does this allow? I'm sure there is a lot more too it than just bolting it on, that's why i'm on here!

3. Two bolts broke while removing my exhaust and intake. That's after a night of soaking in lubricant also. (30= years of use). I'm going to drill and tap them today. What size are them? i'll find out eventually i suppose. Any good websites for arp studs or new bolts and nuts?

4. Radiator- A new one is up there in price, and i'm having over heating problems, hopefully the head gasket will fix this. if not, any recommendations on radiators? Can i use any radiator as long as it fits good and has the correct outlets?

5. Correct tire size for a 71 dodge dart 4 door. I have 225/75/14 on rear and 215/75/14 on front. Huge! but i didn't like the 185's or similar that were on it when i bought it. Handles better now, but this might be too heavy of a tire.

6. thanks everyone, can't wait to hear from you all!!

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Possible future mods: 2 or 4 barrel setup, trans shift kit, new rear end gears, electric cooling fans, msd ignition with orange box (own), port intake and exhaust, rebuild cylinder head, headers and new exhaust
Author:  drewkuch [ Sun May 25, 2008 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  heads off
got the head off and besides water on top of the pistons and milky oil on the bottom of the pushrods, the head gasket looked fine. the engine blew out a freeze plug when it was running and it's been sitting since. I flushed the coolant system through the radiator and out the freeze plug. Would there have been a chance the water coming out the freeze plug (directly above the oil dipstick tube) could have gotten in there? Why i'm asking is the head gasket isn't looking bad, and i've seen a few in my day.

I'm going to replace the head gasket anyways. Might take the whole engine out and replace gaskets, inspect, and paint while i'm here.

So put a new head gasket on and put it all together and change the oil a few times, right guys? any other advice would be appriciated! thanks, drew
Author:  ceej [ Sun May 25, 2008 1:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Time for Summer! Cleaning out my 225's Cobwebs, need adv
Quote:
My questions are:
1. Can a port the intake and exhaust myself SAFELY? I'm only running a 1 barrel carb, would this be too much air? If i can SAFELY, how much do i grind?

Sure, just clean up the casting flash. No need to get carried away.
Quote:
2. Would a 4 barrel carb and intake setup run ok on my stock engine? 2 barrel? what extra parts are needed for a intake and carb upgrade? how much performance increase does this allow? I'm sure there is a lot more too it than just bolting it on, that's why i'm on here!
You can, but it isn't going to give you a lot without some more serious modifications. I ran with a basically stock engine with a 4bbl for a while. To get real gains you'll want more compression, perhaps more cam, higher converter stall, and improved exhaust.
The two barrel "Super Six" conversion is wildly popular, and nets great results. Look into a larger diameter head pipe. (2-1/4") A step beyond that is going to Dutra Duals, or, if you plan to really pull a lot out of the slant, there are headers for the application. Bone up on the different headers before making a purchase. There can be clearance issues. Choose carefully!
Quote:
3. Two bolts broke while removing my exhaust and intake. That's after a night of soaking in lubricant also. (30= years of use). I'm going to drill and tap them today. What size are them? i'll find out eventually i suppose. Any good websites for arp studs or new bolts and nuts?
You should be able to get manifold studs at your local parts house. There is information about the ARP studs in the Articles section of this site.
Quote:
4. Radiator- A new one is up there in price, and i'm having over heating problems, hopefully the head gasket will fix this. if not, any recommendations on radiators? Can i use any radiator as long as it fits good and has the correct outlets?
I don't know what other applications might fit, or if there would be savings.
I bought a new one spec'd for my '74 from a local radiator shop for $180 about five years ago. That's pretty good actually.
Quote:
5. Correct tire size for a 71 dodge dart 4 door. I have 225/75/14 on rear and 215/75/14 on front. Huge! but i didn't like the 185's or similar that were on it when i bought it. Handles better now, but this might be too heavy of a tire.
I think 205 is the largest recommended tire size for this application. That's what I run on my Valiant, and they are about all the Stock wheels and clearance will allow.
Quote:
6. thanks everyone, can't wait to hear from you all!!
Enjoy and get lots of input. Study carefully, and decide precisely what you want to do with your car. That will help the group to help you with some of the applicable modifications! :D

CJ
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