Original hemi dart information

[Charlie A]

Said to be Jim Hale's from Ft. Smith Arkansas.


Where did it come from and where did it go?


He had a BO29 as well.

[LO23]

No takers on my front engine plate question/ engine mount photos, huh? I was hoping for maybe some photos of how you guys have your engines mounted, particularly if you have a front engine plate, as my engine builder recommended.

Here's another question maybe somebody can help with: Dick Smith must have poured some molten lead into the rearmost portion of the trunk lid, because its like lifting 80 pounds to open the trunk. I can see where this was a sneaky way to add some hidden rear ballast, but I have to imagine that with my new engine (300+ more horsepower and ~150 lbs less weight in front), I will not want that extra weight back there. I assume I will have a hard time just keeping the front end down on launch without that weight back there. To remove it, I could either replace the whole trunk lid with another '68 Dart trunk lid, or try to heat up the lead somehow and hope it will "pour" out?? Thoughts, opinions? Thank you !

[Charlie A]

I would keep the "leaded" deck lid just for it's "cool factor" and get a replacement deck lid for the car if it really proved to be a problem.

But.... I am just a fan. ��

[Charlie A]

[Liteweight]

Originally Posted by LO23

No takers on my front engine plate question/ engine mount photos, huh? I was hoping for maybe some photos of how you guys have your engines mounted, particularly if you have a front engine plate, as my engine builder recommended.

Here's another question maybe somebody can help with: Dick Smith must have poured some molten lead into the rearmost portion of the trunk lid, because its like lifting 80 pounds to open the trunk. I can see where this was a sneaky way to add some hidden rear ballast, but I have to imagine that with my new engine (300+ more horsepower and ~150 lbs less weight in front), I will not want that extra weight back there. I assume I will have a hard time just keeping the front end down on launch without that weight back there. To remove it, I could either replace the whole trunk lid with another '68 Dart trunk lid, or try to heat up the lead somehow and hope it will "pour" out?? Thoughts, opinions? Thank you !

Hey Clint

Below are a bunch of pics of how I have mine mounted. I understand Tim's desire of putting a motor plate into it, but if it never has had one before, why install one now. It was good till now right???
As far as the lead in the trunk. Hey, that's pretty cool. Get a flashlight and mirror and have a look in there. These truck lids are very heavy with no added weight to them if the torsion bars have been removed to assist in the lift.

liteweight

[marfen]

I agree with Liteweight, you already have a well sorted out drag car. if it ain't broke...

btw is that a single holley regulator feeding that hemi in your gtx?

[LO23]

Originally Posted by marfen

I agree with Liteweight, you already have a well sorted out drag car. if it ain't broke...

btw is that a single holley regulator feeding that hemi in your gtx?

The car was sorted out (I assume) in its current configuration, but it will have MUCH more power, as well as 150 (?) lbs less weight already in the front end. Plus much different tire technology, and probably some other factors I haven't considered, and suddenly I think it is going to need some more "sorting" as I go along here. But I agree with you and Charlie A- start with it as is, and can always paint up a different trunk lid if I need to lighten the rear later. Thank you guys for the responses.

Yep, just single Holley regulator on the Hemi in the GTX. You worried it might not deliver enough fuel? That's just what was supplying the 440 that the car came with, and I guess I never thought about it when we swapped the hemi. Seems to be working fine. I run a mechanical fuel pressure gauge and keep tabs on things..

[LO23]

Originally Posted by Liteweight

Hey Clint

Below are a bunch of pics of how I have mine mounted. I understand Tim's desire of putting a motor plate into it, but if it never has had one before, why install one now. It was good till now right???
As far as the lead in the trunk. Hey, that's pretty cool. Get a flashlight and mirror and have a look in there. These truck lids are very heavy with no added weight to them if the torsion bars have been removed to assist in the lift.

liteweight
]

Thank you for the photos, very helpful, and looks terrific. I assume that Tim at FHO is just concerned because the engine is going to be making 300 or more hp than the current one. But I posed the question to him, does he think it is absolutely necessary, because I would rather go without it, if possible. He hasn't responded yet.

As for the trunk lid, I too questioned whether it might be possible that the lid itself was just that heavy without the mechanical assistance, but the weight seems extreme. Also, the certainty of added weight was confirmed when I was put in touch with an old racer who was friends with Dick Smith and worked on the car, and said he "thought we put about 100 lbs of lead in the trunk lid of Dicks car"! Yup, that sounds about right, lol.

[Liteweight]

Originally Posted by LO23

Thank you for the photos, very helpful, and looks terrific. I assume that Tim at FHO is just concerned because the engine is going to be making 300 or more hp than the current one. But I posed the question to him, does he think it is absolutely necessary, because I would rather go without it, if possible. He hasn't responded yetl.

My motor dynoed over 900hp and 725 ft lbs. Just for perspective. 490 cubes

liteweight

[Liteweight]

Originally Posted by LO23

Thank you for the photos, very helpful, and looks terrific. I assume that Tim at FHO is just concerned because the engine is going to be making 300 or more hp than the current one. But I posed the question to him, does he think it is absolutely necessary, because I would rather go without it, if possible. He hasn't responded yet..

Just for perspective. The 490 Elfhunt in my Dart dynoed over 900 hp and 725 ft. lbs mounted in OEM location. It is steel tho not alloy. Difference being location where the pull is located. The alloy block may be more stable using themotor plate in the front of it

liteweight