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New Project - Grandpa's 1962 Dodge Dart 330 Wagon

Plucked Chicken

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Aug 18, 2012
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Location
Washington State
Brought home a project last weekend - Grandpa's 1962 Dodge Dart 330 station wagon, 318 V-8 and push-button Torquflite tranny. Needs a little TLC after sitting on my Brother's back 40 for 21 years.

Please post any links to good Dodge parts sources... Needs outer rear lower qtr patch panels. I see B body front disc brake kits, so that's on the list.

Finally got to hear the Duramax fan coming up the 10 mile long Vantage, Washington 5% grade in 101 degree heat. Pulled it in cruise control at 67mph in T/H and M 5th gear with the A/C on. What a beast - did the speed limit all day and hardly knew it was back there. Was as much fun towing as it was getting Grandpa's car to restore.

Tow part of the trip was 454 miles and used 33.6 gallons of #2 = 13.5mpg.


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That car is in great shape for sitting 21 yrs. What kind of upgrades do you have on your list?
 
Thanks, Gramps took good care of her, and it came from eastern Washington, the dryer side of the state.

Day 1 started on the trailer with a pressure washing at the local car wash.

Next thing on the agenda with be to spray Sta-Bil fogging oil in the cylinders, and change all the fluids. The radiator is still full of coolant, so that's a good sign. Then see if she will turn over and who knows, maybe start!

Then onto disc brakes, retro mags and tires. Once she's driving good, then look at body and interior work.

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Inspiration:

1962_Dodge_Dart_Station_Wagon_10
 
Very cool project!! I love those crazy-*** '62s. The fact that it's a family heirloom (so to speak) makes it that much cooler.

Good luck with the resto, make Gramps proud.
 
thats gonna be BAD *** when ya get done!....make it purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrdy
 
Here is my friend Jimi Vignogna's wagon rich in racing history:headbang:


And for SALE!!!!
 
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Dude that thing's too nice to restore! Fix the mechanicals and drive it!
 
No Fire-in-the-Hole...

Dude that thing's too nice to restore! Fix the mechanicals and drive it!


That's 4 sure....

Changed out engine oil for Rotella T 15W/40 and a WIX oil filter, tranny & P/S fluid, and coolant. After the foggin' oil treatment (done by the wife with smaller hands - would be nice if they gave you a longer spray tube)... The plucked chicken turns over fine but no fire-in-the-hole. Replaced coil, plugs, wires, cap & rotor. Still no spark. NAPA will have the condensor and points in today - that's the last thing to try. Everyone I talk to says condensor most likely suspect anyways.

While I had the wires off cleaned the oil/dirt coating off the valve covers - mostly red now. Did the magical CLR treatment I have read about to the roof. Not really impressed with the stuff - scotch-bright and water worked just fine without the fumes. I have read scotch-bright with Bon-Ami or Comet work too. So roof is mostly bare metal now - really I will probably DA sand it anyway to remove some heavy rust spots.

Bought 2/0 battery cables at AutoZone...



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Thats going to be a cool car.. Looks like your grandpa took great care of it. Good luck ill bet you cant wait to hit the road in it!
 
It would make a great two door wagon. Find a two door sedan for the doors, move the pillars back, use the skins off the back doors to extend the quarter panels and presto chango (not so) instant two door wagon! Sure would be cool!

Benji
 
1962 dodge dart !!

Fire in the hole - We have spark! However the carb is leaking like something else, rebuild time before trying to start it...

Received the owner's manual, title and keys today - Love the double explanation points on the manul - what's up with that !!

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I imagine to get everyone's attention in "do this right!" lol.. Good luck with the rebuild...
 
The keys unlocked the tailgate, so it creaked open for the first time since being in my garage for 2 weeks. Lots of old paper wasp nests in the jambs just like there were in the door jambs. One active one yet with eggs and bee guardians - guess they didn't get the hint during the tow.

Gramps had (2) bumper jacks, a scissors jack and a Marvel Mystery Oil box in the spare tire well. Did finally find a treasure, a neat old hand tire pump. The original jacking instruction still intact under the cover.

Tried the key in the ignition and the wipers and fan work, radio even makes noise. No park or headlights. Can turn the engine over with the key now. Time to read the owner's manual. :thumbsup:
 
Everything is coming around slowly but surely. Have fun using that hand tire pump.
 
That is so cool ! There is a silver 62 Dart wagon in this area that looks awesome and I really wish I had a pic of it. Nice wagon. Ron
 
That is so cool ! There is a silver 62 Dart wagon in this area that looks awesome and I really wish I had a pic of it. Nice wagon. Ron



Yea post that up if you ever get a pic.

Well she ran for the first time in 21 years yesterday! The rebuilt carb that was already adjusted on a running engine by the rebuilder - and a little starting fluid did the trick!

Very happy with this companies service, if anyone needs a carb:

http://www.carb-x.com/


:thumbsup::thumbsup:


Got the wheels spinnng in drive and reverse as she sits on jack stands. First time I ever used push button tranny controls. Brakes next looks like... Have a weak park brake and that's about it right now.
 
The Plucked Chicken Flies Again!

Here she is a year later - Pics from her first show this month - SunBust all Mopar show in Graham, WA with 249 Mopars attended. She won 1st place unfinished, which she gets all the credit, for her good looks. :blush: At the little all Mopar swap meet found a day night mirror and a good deal on a spare grill we could not pass up. Met 3 other '62 Mopar wagon owners. Best organized show we have ever been to!



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