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Engine advice for my '66 Dodge Dart
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=50011		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  TrailMix [ Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:51 am ]
Post subject:  Engine advice for my '66 Dodge Dart
First post!

I just bought a 1966 Dodge Dart 270, and I believe it has the 2.8 version of the slant six. I have a few questions for the pros on here.

I have never owned or worked on a vehicle with a carburetor. Nonetheless, I plan on driving this car every single day. Before the car was sold to me, the fuel filter, air filter, distributor and wires were all replaced and the belts look brand new also. To me, the car runs great. Starts up every time and has run good for the last 3 weeks I've had it and the gas mileage is stellar for something this age! So my first question is, what should I do as far as tuning it up? Like I said, I've only owned electronic fuel injected vehicles so I'm out of my comfort zone.

My second question has to do with the cold weather. If the temp is less than 30 or 40 degrees, when I go from a stand still to moving forward in first gear it seems the car revs for a second then it "catches" and starts to move forwardly... Not a violent jump, but definitely noticeable. it doesn't do this in mild or warm weather. I was wondering if someone could tell me what I should be checking out.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to participating in the forum! :)
-jonathan
Author:  Danarchy [ Mon Oct 08, 2012 12:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Welcome to the forum! All the answers you need are here(I don't have them, but they are here!) :lol:
If you don't know the last time the transmission fluid & filter were changed, I would start there, and change them.

P.S.-Heres SlantSixDan's link to three books you need!
http://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15780
Author:  TrailMix [ Mon Oct 08, 2012 1:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you very much! I will check up on that transmission fluid ASAP!
Author:  Doc [ Mon Oct 08, 2012 1:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Another "Yes" on doing a trans fluid & filter change...
A dirty filter and thick fluid will let the trans "drop-out" of gear at low RPMs, when cold.
You may want to turn-up the main line pressure a bit, once you drop the trans pan to service the filter.
DD
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Mon Oct 08, 2012 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine advice for my '66 Dodge Dart
Quote:
First post!

I just bought a 1966 Dodge Dart 270, and I believe it has the 2.8 version of the slant six.
Welcome here! Get the three books described in this thread as quickly as you can, right away.

Also, the metric system was completely unknown to Americans in 1966. If your Dart has the smaller slant-6, it's a 170 (cubic inch), pronounced "one-seventy". If it has the larger slant-6, it's a 225, pronounced "two twenty-five". Don't call it a "2.8" or people will point and laugh at you.
Image

Tune-up parts and technique suggestions in this thread.

Carburetor operation and repair manuals and links to training movies and carb repair/modification threads are posted here for free download.

You will also need to keep on top of the valve adjustment.
Quote:
My second question has to do with the cold weather. If the temp is less than 30 or 40 degrees, when I go from a stand still to moving forward in first gear it seems the car revs for a second then it "catches" and starts to move forwardly... Not a violent jump, but definitely noticeable.
More info, please. Is this an automatic transmission and you mean the engine will rev freely for a moment between your shifting into Drive and the car moving forward with gas pedal application? Or do you mean something else?
Author:  Jeb [ Wed Oct 10, 2012 3:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine advice for my '66 Dodge Dart
Quote:
My second question has to do with the cold weather. If the temp is less than 30 or 40 degrees, when I go from a stand still to moving forward in first gear it seems the car revs for a second then it "catches" and starts to move forwardly... -jonathan
Bump the gas pedal before putting it in gear to get it off the fast idle cam.
Author:  TrailMix [ Fri Oct 12, 2012 1:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
SlantSixDan- Thanks for all the advice! I'll try to be a little clearer about my problem. When its below 30 degrees or so here in Fort Collins, car starts up fine, but then I put it in drive (Automatic) and here and there (not every time) when I'm stopped at a light or a stop sign, I take my foot off break and car isn't being propelled forward, then I hit the gas to go and it revs but takes a second for it to "catch" and start moving forward.

Well, nonetheless, just took to to transmission shop and had fluid and filter change. Mechanic said it looked great and no real issues from what he can tell. Drove home fine. I guess the test will be firing it up when it's colder.. (not too cold right now)

I will definitely be checking out these videos and free information. I appreciate it at I am pretty new to all this.

Jeb- I will also try your suggestion of hitting the gas a little bit and rev it before I put into gear.
Author:  Doc [ Fri Oct 12, 2012 2:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
... I will also try your suggestion of hitting the gas a little bit and rev it before I put into gear.
One additional note: Shift the gear selector out of park and into neutral, wait a moment, (rev the engine a little to kick-off the choke) then shift into gear.

A 904 gets more fluid circulation and fills the converter faster, when it is in neutral. (instead of "Park")
DD
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Fri Oct 12, 2012 4:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
SlantSixDan- Thanks for all the advice! I'll try to be a little clearer about my problem. When its below 30 degrees or so here in Fort Collins, car starts up fine, but then I put it in drive (Automatic) and here and there (not every time) when I'm stopped at a light or a stop sign, I take my foot off break and car isn't being propelled forward, then I hit the gas to go and it revs but takes a second for it to "catch" and start moving forward.
The first symptom (delayed engagement when cold) is normal -- change the sequence of operations when you get in the car: first take it out of Park and shift it into Neutral, then put the key in the ignition, kick the accelerator, start the engine, fasten your seatbelt, turn on the radio and whatever, kick the accelerator again to idle down the engine, then shift into gear. Of course, this is only safe to do if your parking brake works (if not, fix it).

The second symptom (popping out of gear at a stop) is not normal and if it doesn't go away with the recent fluid and filter change, which I hope also included a proper band adjustment, then you've got transmission repair on the docket.
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