Looking at a 74 Dart Sport
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Looking at a 74 Dart Sport
My wife and I are looking at a 74 Dart Sport to toy around with. Any hints and tips as to what to look for?
So far it seems to be in very good condition, it has 141,000 original miles on it, 2dr, and its an auto. I wont really be able to play with it much until the end of this summer. It wont be our only car so we still have another as a backup.
Anyways, what do I need to make sure and look for, and is this a good car to toy with? My goal is to eventually supercharge it, I realize that the current engine might not be the best for that, but at least its got a V8 in it as a starting point.
Any and all help is appreciated, I am enclosing a pic of the car we are looking at.
So far it seems to be in very good condition, it has 141,000 original miles on it, 2dr, and its an auto. I wont really be able to play with it much until the end of this summer. It wont be our only car so we still have another as a backup.
Anyways, what do I need to make sure and look for, and is this a good car to toy with? My goal is to eventually supercharge it, I realize that the current engine might not be the best for that, but at least its got a V8 in it as a starting point.
Any and all help is appreciated, I am enclosing a pic of the car we are looking at.
Record Breaker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,998
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From: Shreveport Louisiana
RE: Looking at a 74 Dart Sport
Nice looking car! Look for rust in the trunk, and rust repairs in the lower quarter panels. these little cars seem to be prone to water leaks around the rear window. Start looking around junkyards for a 727 tranny bolted to a small block, trucks are the best place to check. If the car is a 318, look for a rebuildable 360 as well. Again, trucks are the best place to check. You can make an A-500 overdrive tranny work in the engine/tranny tunnel without cutting as well. Check older Dakotas for this. It will take a professional build to make the A500 stand up to a stout engine, but the overdrive will let you run a steep gear, like 4.30 to 1 and still go hiway cruising.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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RE: Looking at a 74 Dart Sport
Agree w/ Horseapples. If you want to go less radical you can always re-fresh the 318 and 904 (given mileage), add 4brl and headers (which it may have?? your photo shows dual exhaust).
Just depends on how aggressive you'll be w/ Supercharger and your driving as well as how close you want to keep to originality and, of course...$$$$ plowed into it.
Last thought would be to upgrade rear axle to an 8 3/4 regardless of direction you go so you're sure it will take the punishment. They are still relatively plentiful in Mopar specific yards and even a 3:23 or 3:55 set up w/ suregrip will be nice and tough.
Good luck
Just depends on how aggressive you'll be w/ Supercharger and your driving as well as how close you want to keep to originality and, of course...$$$$ plowed into it.
Last thought would be to upgrade rear axle to an 8 3/4 regardless of direction you go so you're sure it will take the punishment. They are still relatively plentiful in Mopar specific yards and even a 3:23 or 3:55 set up w/ suregrip will be nice and tough.
Good luck
