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Well, she is all loaded up and headed to
David Lemmond's Race Shop. An 8.75
rear from a 69 Polara will be narrowed, with new posi unit,
4.10 gears, Wilwood disc brakes, a pair of wheels from the Polora
widened to 10 inches by
TDW
and M/T tires,
Caltracs split monoleaf
springs and traction system, green bearings, Moser axle housing brace and
axles, spring relocation kit and assorted other parts to do this right. David
will be widening wheel wells to the frame, relocating springs, adding subframe connectors and roll bar, removing gas tank,
adding fuel cell in the trunk, relocating battery to the trunk and anything else that I can afford to do to get this little Dart
ready for a major heart transplant. |
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The gas tank was always in the way and made running duals
difficult on this car. That is no longer a problem. The tank was removed,
and the sparetire well was massaged to allow a racing fuel cell to sit
inside it. Once all the welds are cleaned up, seam sealer and paint applied,
this will look really good.
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Keeping safety in mind, a fire barrier was added behind
the seat. Once the roll bar is completed, the speaker holes will also be closed off to isolate the fuel cell in the trunk. Notice in picture to the right that hole for gas inlet has also beenwelded up. The left quarter panel will be smooth now.
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| Well, a big motor and stronger rear are no
good will small tires, so as you can see above the wheel wells have been
widened to the frame rails. This will allow them to hold 10 inch wheels and new M/T Sportsmen S/R Radial tires that 12 inches wide.
The springs will also have to be moved in board, those pictures are below.
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A section is actually cut out of the rear subframe and a
new section welded in. This allows the springs to hang inside the frame
instead on the outside of it. This give about 3 extra inches of inside
clearance for the wheels and tires. With each change, you see the need for
another. With the big motor, stronger rear, and bigger tires, you increase
the torque and flex on the unibody, so in goes the subframe connectors,
pictured below. |
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These will really tie the front and rear subframes
together. This should help performance and handling.
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The 8.75 rear has been cleaned and is ready to be
cut and to have rear support brace welded in place. It will also be powder coated before it is installed.
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I have gotten a few items for the Dart from eBay recently. I was very
happy to get a NOS set of Police Hub Caps. They will look great on the steel
wheels. I also got a simulated wood grain steering wheel. I will have it
refurbished and install it with a smooth column after moving the shifter to
the floor. |
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Here is another eBay purchase for the Dart. It is a
Weiand Drag Star intake, with 6 reconditioned 2 bbl carbs. This should have
tons of eye appeal under the hood. |
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Here are a few pictures of the latest progress on the Dart. The battery
will be safely secured in the trunk. There will also be plenty of room for
the exhaust pipe on the right side. No more flat pipe due to speed bumps.
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I am sorry that these pictures are kind of dark. The one on the
left is the roll bar installed. The one on the right is the rear end housing
with ends, and Moroso brace installed and ready for powder coating. |
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On 6/13 we brought the little Dart home. It took a while, but
the back half is finally done. The steel wheels look great and it
rides better than I expected. The neighbors will be glad when I get
new exhaust installed. With the pipes cut off beside the transmission it is
a little loud.
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On 6/20 we went to the Mopar show at Hunstville dragway
and sold enough old parts to pay for a new exhaust system. The Dart got
new 2.5 inch pipes with Flowmaster mufflers and they sound great! |
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