Building a Hemi Dart

[oyvind]

Thanks for the tip, I have now contacted them.

I have just been offered a 68 GT for sale that has a bad engine smallblock engine. Since I'm doing the swap this is ofcourse not a problem. But the car has an A727A automatic. Can it be rebuilt to be strong enough for a hemi ??

[nothingbutdarts]

Thanks for the tip, I have now contacted them.

I have just been offered a 68 GT for sale that has a bad engine smallblock engine. Since I'm doing the swap this is ofcourse not a problem. But the car has an A727A automatic. Can it be rebuilt to be strong enough for a hemi ??

 The internals are all mostly the same depending on years but, the transmission cases are different. The small block 727A will not bolt to a big block. They are just different bolt patterns. You need a 727B

[austinbbmopar]

If your goin the MONEY route.... its gotta be a 4 speed!!! MY 2 cents! 

[hemicop]

   but if you're gonna run a manual I'd make sure you find someone that builds 'em RIGHT and you like a car that's a handful!

[oyvind]

thanks, weren't many of them autos though ?? I though most of them ran in SS/AA and only autos were allowed ?

I will probably get the books today so I guess I will be getting a lot of info now 

[austinbbmopar]

Im pretty sure Ronny Sox wasn't a pussy.... he had a STICK!

[hemicop]

  Most WERE autos (S&M was a stick) but the new SS/AH class pairs the stick & auto cars together since no other Detroit manufacturerhas anything that can run with these cars . What you have now is SS/A or SS/AA being taken over by big-block Corvettes which I find odd as Chevys ZL-1 Camaros were intended to to be competition for the Hemi A-bodies and when was the last time you saw one of them (original or clone) run against anything?

[oyvind]

How much work is it to convert from auto to manual ?

Could a transmission like this hold up to a 600-650 hp hemi ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-A833-18-Spline-Hemi-4-Speed-Transmission-Assembly_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247QQcategoryZ34208QQihZ017QQitemZ270220454385QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

[nothingbutdarts]

Traction would be a big issue. It would hold up!
 
To convert: bellhousing with fork, "Z" bar, mounting studs for the "Z" bar, shifter, pedal assembly, transmission tunnel, drive shaft length changed, flywheel, clutch, clutch rods and a few more items I can't think of now. Oh yea, lots of $$$$$$$$$

[hemicop]

 Oh, the 18-spline will hold up--for awhile. But you still have the problem of the associated clutch linkage, traction & controlling the car. These things were a handful even for veteran drivers with a 4-speed so unless you're experienced in fabrication, driving a 4-speed Hemi Dart or a fuel altered, I'd pass & use an automatic.

[BigSlim]

 Hemi Dart + 4 speed = The most fun you can have with your clothes on!!!! 

[oyvind]

Just back from looking at a 68 GT for sale not far away from me.

It's got a 8-3/4 axel. The engine / Trans is a 318 / 727A. The front fenders are fiberglass and they fit good but not perfect. I guess it's har to get them to fit perfectly. It's also got red interior.
The price is about the same as the 69 GT i posted earlier. What would you guys recommend ? 

Some pics:

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o93/hondacrf_photos/IMG_2211.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o93/hondacrf_photos/IMG_2217.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o93/hondacrf_photos/IMG_2214.jpg

[68 HEMI GTS]

Just back from looking at a 68 GT for sale not far away from me.

It's got a 8-3/4 axel. The engine / Trans is a 318 / 727A. The front fenders are fiberglass and they fit good but not perfect. I guess it's har to get them to fit perfectly. It's also got red interior.
The price is about the same as the 69 GT i posted earlier. What would you guys recommend ? 

Some pics:

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o93/hondacrf_photos/IMG_2211.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o93/hondacrf_photos/IMG_2217.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o93/hondacrf_photos/IMG_2214.jpg

sure its a 68? is doesn't have side marker lights and it has back up lights in the bumper. looks like a mut.

[oyvind]

This is what I got from vin decoding:

Body Type:   L  =  Dodge Dart / Demon
Price Class:   P  =  Premium
Body Type:   23  =  2 Door Hardtop
Engine:   D  =  273 190HP 1-2BBL 8 CYL
Year:   8  =  1968
Sequence Number: xxxxxx  =  xxxxxxth Vehical Built
VIN:  LP23D8Bxxxxxx
YEAR:  1968
MODEL:  Dart GT
BODY:  2 door hardtop
PLANT:  Hamtramck
ENGINE:  273 V8 2bbl (LA series)
DETAIL:   
Nth auto@plant:  xxxxxx

[richard tarbox]

its got a 67 rear bumper

[austinbbmopar]

All the European cars are mutts.... ever heard of a Chrysler Viper? The have crazy side marker lights and a few things youve never seen and there was no plymouth Divsion when i was there but i did see a Chrysler Voyager.... Definatly a Dodge Caravan tho! And Shelby GT 350..... not its called a T-5 mustang.... So its probally all correct, youll just have a car that everyone will argue!

[hemi_jay]

Yeah well prepare for this - In Australia and South Africa, we get Valiant Barracudas and Valiant Chargers (Duster/Demon). Talk about confusing newcomers... Dodge Monaco was called Chrysler 383. At least all the cars have sway bars and .890 T-bars.

[rebelyelltex]

one thing that has me thrown off a bit is the quarter panels.  they are different correct?  where would you order these?  or must they be made like that by hand?

[austinbbmopar]

Are you refering to the missing marker light?

[rebelyelltex]

sorry i came in a bit late in the thread.  but how do you make the hemi quarter panels?  they look to be a bit different than the regular ones in the way that the wheel well is shaped.  yeah that dart looks like a mutt to me.

[hemicop]

 They were cut at the Hurst factory to allow for larger tires. back then narrowed rears & body work weren't allowed on S/S cars.

[chryco]

  Well, Lee Shepherd, Harry Holton, Indy, Frank Aronga (not sure of the spelling) are just some of the guys many use. You could also check with Charlie Wescott, Jim Pancake, and some old veteran hemi car racers and get their input. I only mentioned RBRE 'cause I had very good luck with them in terms of advice, cost & delivering my motor on time. In asking a question like this you'll find a bunch of people have opinions on various machine shops depending on their personal experience. As for me-- I'd swear by RBRE, others may swear AT them ......Good luck

That would be Larry Sheppard , Lee would be a bit difficult to call .

[dd69a]

id be also lookin into a dana 60 if your runnin a big bad hemi!!!!

[72 451 SCAMP]

not building a hemi clone but am really thinking of going hemi in my 72 scamp was wondering if i could get some info on the notching of the strut tower??

[68 HEMI GTS]

i just cut a section out, re-enforced the shock bracing and welded in a flat piece of metal, if your gonna run stock type valve covers and not remove them you can probably get away with out doing anything.

[72 451 SCAMP]

i just cut a section out, re-enforced the shock bracing and welded in a flat piece of metal, if your gonna run stock type valve covers and not remove them you can probably get away with out doing anything.

haha yaa deffinately want to be able to remove4 the valve covers thatnks for the pics great help approx. how much you take off and is it both sides or just passenger???

[hemicop]

  IMO, take out as much as you can--- passenger side only as the motor's offset to that side. Or you can do as Hurst did & just use a BFH

[NYrr496]

Oyvind, are you looking to clone a Hurst Dart or just build a hot rod?  In my opinion, I would not hack up the quarters. I'd mini tub the wheelwells, install a Dana, run an Alter K Tion and a strong manual trans and have the time of my life.  I'd also use an intake like the Indy with a single 4 barrel carb.

[bassguy1970]

I've read that Indy has hemi valve covers that solve this clearance issue. Anyone know of them. How do they work? I'm going the clone route with my 68. Thanks.