'66 Dodge D-Dart at Mecum auction

[Paul Ceasrine]

I'm almost positive on the D-Dart being equipped with the Hurst
Comp/Plus shifter. I have to check. But the 1966 D-Dart in the
Car Craft article from May 1966 shows the 4-speed with a Hurst unit.
Yes, the "Inland" shifter was standard equipment for the 66' thru 68'
Mopars. But the D-Dart??
Whats bizarre, is that the Hurst shifter was standard-equipment for the
1965 Mopars. Chrysler, go figure.
I don't think the D-Dart in the Car Craft article was modified, other than
14" x 6" Cragars, 7" inch slicks and a performance tune-up.

On the Holley carburetor. I'm pretty sure the (jets) were changed (sized up, richer mixture) at the factory, and something else???
I know the Marine engine guys used to put a screw in the throttle
control, to make the #4160 carb a mechanical secondary, but that
wouldn't be legal for NHRA stock class. The guys at "Camcraft"
had the right combo for the carburetor and camshaft on the 273 Marine
engines. Cruising Chessapeke Bay.
PC

[Ronnie Hamlin]

Yes, the "Inland" shifter was standard equipment for the 66' thru 68'
Mopars. But the D-Dart??

PC[/QUOTE]

I hate to disagree as you seem to be quite knowledgeable about mopars, but sitting in my garage right now is a 68 Satellite factory 383 4 speed car that I bought from the original owner with 46,000 miles that came with a "Hurst" shifter. I have found that nothing surprises me in what you may find as factory installed on mopars....and I have seen other 68's with the "Inland" shifter.

[Mopar Steve]

Ronnie, is it just the lever, or the box too? Chrysler was good for putting a Hurst lever with the Inland box. Also, are you sure the original owner did not change it?

[Ronnie Hamlin]

Originally Posted by Mopar Steve

Ronnie, is it just the lever, or the box too? Chrysler was good for putting a Hurst lever with the Inland box. Also, are you sure the original owner did not change it?

It is defineatly the original shifter. It has the brown imitation wood knob on it and I called the original owner 10 minutes ago and he assured me it is the shifter that came in the car when he purchased it new and I bought it from him in 1981. I do know it has a bolt on stick so it is possible that it is a Hurst lever only. I'll try to jack it up this weekend and see if it is a Hurst shifter or lever only.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Mopar Steve and Ronnie,
Your both right.
In later production1968 cars, the chrome-lever for the 4-speed was converted from the "Inland" to the "Hurst".
Some cars still had the "Inland" shift-control mechanism's though.
You can tell the difference between an "Inland" mechanism and
a "Hurst' mechanism, very simply. With an "Inland" unit, you should be
able to read a chapter of "War and Peace" in-between shifts
In 1970, my mother had a 340 Duster, with the "Hurst" chrome-level and plastic brown knob. The throws between shifts were not as short as a
"Hurst" Competition/Plus, but not as long as the "Inland" on her 67' 273
Commando Barracuda. The length was somewhere in-between. I
think "Hurst" made a street-type mechanism for the Mopar shifters.
PC

[Paul Ceasrine]

Oh, the D-Dart info.
May 1966, Performance Car Review (now defunct) did an article on
the 1966 D-Dart and 1966 K-Code 289/271HP Mustang.
The D-Dart was equipped with a "Hurst" shifter from the factory.
It was part of the S.C. 364 Super Stock 66 Package. The "Hurst" model was listed, which was C/P ( I guess Competition/Plus).
I think Hemmings Motor News may have the part #'s or more detailed info on the article.
Also, stated that the D-Dart engine (short-block components) were
equipped with selected parts. Probably a visual inspection of the
10.5-1 pistons and connecting rods. Anything with an imperfection was dis-carded. Doesn't say anything about secondary engine component
balancing. Suprisingly not done, even though the specialty engine
building facility was equipped with a new state-of-the-art Stewart-Warner
engine balancing unit.
PC

[Paul Ceasrine]

dart4forte,

Do I see an AM Radio in John Bedell's Dart?
The D-Dart was a radio delete code.
They were all equipped with a heater unit though (w/functioning controls).

On the Factory Holley #4160 carburetor modifications.
1)..Part #66. Secondary diaphragm spring was changed.
Since the D-Dart was a 4-speed/manual shift, the secondaries needed to open quicker for better mid-range response.
2) Part #105. Primary pump diaphragm assembly was changed.
For higher pump pressure, and increased fuel volume.
3) Primary metering jet changed.
I think the carb was equipped with a #66 jet (.0690 size) as standard.
It may have been replaced with a #73 jet (.0790 size).
Recommendations included changing the primary jets as needed to;
A) #75 jet (.0810 size)
B) #77 jet (.0855 size)
PC

[ddartdude]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

dart4forte,

Do I see an AM Radio in John Bedell's Dart?
The D-Dart was a radio delete code.
They were all equipped with a heater unit though (w/functioning controls).

On the Factory Holley #4160 carburetor modifications.
1)..Part #66. Secondary diaphragm spring was changed.
Since the D-Dart was a 4-speed/manual shift, the secondaries needed to open quicker for better mid-range response.
2) Part #105. Primary pump diaphragm assembly was changed.
For higher pump pressure, and increased fuel volume.
3) Primary metering jet changed.
I think the carb was equipped with a #60 jet (.0600 size) as standard.
It may have been replaced with a #73 jet (.0790 size).
Recommendations included changing the primary jets as needed to;
A) #75 jet (.0810 size)
B) #77 jet (.0855 size)
PC

Paul,
I'm back over here now.............................
One last question on the carb. What Holley rebuild kit would I use to rebuild my 3778? Holley doesn't list a kit for it.
One request on the Performance Car Review article. Could I get a copy of it from you? That's one that I don't have. Just checked ebag and didn't see any listed.

Thought that I mentioned that the photo of John's car had the radio in it -- because he had the dealership install it. It wasn't factory installed. I have a photo showing the engine. The air cleaner has a yellow sticker on it. Must be the Factory Disclaimer.

Just looked at the Car Craft magazine article Draggin' The D/Dart. It shows a shot of the interior with the Inland shifter. Most racers changed their's to the Hurst. It wasn't factory installed. I also checked on the D/Dart site to see if Paul Canizzaro (worked for Chrysler on the D/Dart program) said anything about the Hurst shifter being a factory installed piece. Didn't see anything. Paul did mention that the car that was given to Car Craft for the article was tuned by Dick Landy. He also said that Landy balanced and blue printed the engine and had Kenyon work on the heads.
Alan

[dart4forte]

Originally Posted by ddartdude

Paul,
I'm back over here now.............................
One last question on the carb. What Holley rebuild kit would I use to rebuild my 3778? Holley doesn't list a kit for it.
One request on the Performance Car Review article. Could I get a copy of it from you? That's one that I don't have. Just checked ebag and didn't see any listed.

Thought that I mentioned that the photo of John's car had the radio in it -- because he had the dealership install it. It wasn't factory installed. I have a photo showing the engine. The air cleaner has a yellow sticker on it. Must be the Factory Disclaimer.

Just looked at the Car Craft magazine article Draggin' The D/Dart. It shows a shot of the interior with the Inland shifter. Most racers changed their's to the Hurst. It wasn't factory installed. I also checked on the D/Dart site to see if Paul Canizzaro (worked for Chrysler on the D/Dart program) said anything about the Hurst shifter being a factory installed piece. Didn't see anything. Paul did mention that the car that was given to Car Craft for the article was tuned by Dick Landy. He also said that Landy balanced and blue printed the engine and had Kenyon work on the heads.
Alan

I agree. The car Craft article from August of 66 shows as tested an Inland shifter. On the D/Dart article I too didn't see where Paul Canizzaro mentions a Hurst shifter

[Rory McNeil]

Could the Hurst shifter have been a 65 thing? Back in high school, I had a 65 Plymouth Valiant Signet (Our Canadian Valiants looked more like the same year US Darts in 65 &66) It had a 235HP 273 "Commando" & 4 speed, and it had a round handle shifter with a flat section on either side with "Hurst" stamped into the stick. Up here at least, the 65 V8 Valiants used the small 6 cyl. type rearend (mine had 2.91 limited slip), while the 66`s used a 8 3/4. My car also had a tiny (9 1/4"?) clutch, what size clutch would a D Dart have used? Did they also retain that oddball "ball & trunion" driveshaft like mine, which used a bolt on flange on the back of the 4 speed trans?