Re: Original hemi dart information
 

West Bend ? I had an outboard boat motor named West Bend some 35 years ago

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Well, I had her for 16 years but she died last week (R.I.P.).

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

This has become a major LO23 history lesson since it began on 09/17/2008!
Yep, over 5 years and Daryl is still missing some time in the life of his Dart.
Unbelievable considering all the knowledge, memories and cars that been uncovered and relived here.
Let's get this topic back on track.
It is the reason the nostalgia forum exists.
Surely, someone has something new that has fallen loose from a clotted brain cell ?
Refuse to lose.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Did Daryl find out the original owner/delivery? I thought I read them all and didn't think so.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Hi John
Yup, over 2500 replies & close to 500,000 views, but Nope, no closer than I was 5 years ago. Many leads have been followed up on, many phone calls, emails, etc, but it's true history still eludes me previous 1982.

liteweight

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

I was sittin' in the "office" recently reading the Car Craft that has the article on your Landy Hemi Dart.
All the expert owners it went through before you discovered it's heritage makes it a bit easier to understand how these cars get "lost".

Ironic that this one, in that respect, is much the same as the Landy Dart.

Who are you and where did you come from?

If they could only talk.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

I remember that the original owners of "Wildfire" received the revised front suspension components. How did Chrysler know who to send them to? They must have had some kind of original purchasers list. But if there was such a list, by now it likely is destroyed or in a box on a dusty shelf in a warehouse.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Chrysler sent out a service bullitin to all dealers on the suspension modifications.There were no parts just instructions as how to lengthen the upper control arms and the angle to gain positive caster.It was also mentioned to bend the idler arm and pitman arm down.;)

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

At least with that one I had the original paint scheme to go by underneath the paint that was on it when I purchased it from Steve O'Neil . All it needed was a little sandpaper to "get it to talk".
This is how Dave McDade connected the dots to find the original history on his Gene's Speed Shop Dart. It's also how we found the background of a BO car that currently resides in my shop as being an Ed Miller car.
My car has had the paint stripped to bare metal twice previous to my ownership. The first time, it was chemically stripped in the early 80's when Lou Vignona owned it. Usually when this process is done, there is still paint overspray left over in the door areas, trunk lip, behind tail lights etc, but unfortunatley when Tim Hennessey aquired it in the mid 80's he blasted the entire car clean, erasing all it's color history.

liteweight

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

couple more from moparts JCCuda


http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...psc7e0b41a.jpg

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9cd62120.jpg

liteweight

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Jim, Bob
I've heard both scenarios. Bob, have you seen one of those bulletin's, do you have one or have access to one?. Please pm me if you don't want to put the answer up publically.

I know my current LO didn't have any of those mods & it had all the original OEM Hurst installed parts on it including the 4 piston 4 1/2" Kelsey Hayes disc assemblies. It was the most evil handling Mopar I have EVER owned because of the dropped K member & the resulting bump steer. I decided to check out what made this thing such a hell ride to drive. Backed off the torsion bars & did a toe check from full compression to full extension. I couldn't believe it!!!!. Just short of 1" of bump steer. AND, the tires weren't changing @ the same rate as per C/L of the car.
Since I street drive this car quite a bit, I needed to fix this situation, or someone was going to get hurt & one very shiney Dart was going to get bent up.
Here's what I did to take the ride from hell into one of the best handling mopars I've owned. It now has less than 1/8" bump steer through it's entire suspension travel, has less than 1/2* of camber change, & 5* of caster.
All the original parts removed were put into boxes & safely stored for the next owner/s

Lower control arms remain stock with poly bushings, center link/ inner tie rod heights were leveled by shimming the steering box & idler arm. The forward strut bars were replaced with a solid front mount & heim ends so the lower ball joints don't move fore or aft, specially on a hard brake application.
(Note the nice bodywork/ valve cover clearancing Hurst did for engine fitment via 5 lb ball peen)
Brake assemblies were replaced with Willwoods because they're more reliable than parts that are 45 years old

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...ps03b8672d.jpg


http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8235fc9b.jpg

The tie rod assemblies were replaced with DOM tubing & heim ends. This allows me to raise or lower the rod end heights with shims so the arc of travel is the same as the spindle

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...ps46c318af.jpg

The adjustable upper control arms are essentually doing what Chrysler told the racers to do. Lengthen it, but with the added advantage of placing the upper ball joint just about anywhere you want it to be. ie-camber & caster.

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9e9f5cd2.jpg

liteweight

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

We had boxes of old bullitins and old mags as well as articles on mopars starting back in 1963.I gave most of the stuff to Jim Kramer and others years ago.I may still have some in the files or in the shop attic.If I ever take a mind to look I will.
With the availability of offset bushings,offset bolts and adjustable A arms the problem is pretty much eliminated.A lot of guys install the later big joint parts from later model mopars also.
I do have an old hand drawing from the Ramchargers showing adding 3/4" to the length of the front of the upper A arm and 1/2" to the back.It also described bending the idler arm and pitman arm down 1/4"/3/8".
I would suggest the aforementioned corrections rather than the cut and weld process.:)

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Thanx Bob for that info
Any chance of scanning that bulletin from Ramchargers & either posting it here ---or----- I sure would like a copy ---just to have you know.
I don't like to cut & weld or heat to bend any, "as cast" front end parts. I just don't get a warm & fuzzy, if'n you know what I mean

liteweight

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Daryl,

I don't know of too many guys who drive their original LO Darts on the
street like you do but anybody that wants a Hemi A-body to steer, ride
and handle supremely well might want to consider using one of the HDK
custom K-frames that my brother makes.

It's a completely bolt-in (and reversible) procedure that uses rack and pinion
steering and coil over shocks. He has also devised a very strong bolt-in upper
shock support that does not put loads on the inner fenders.

You can have wipers, heater (and A/C!) and if not using a cross-ram, a flat
hood.

One unique design feature of this unit is that the front track can be 3"
narrower than Magnum Force and others that push the front wheels out
to the fender openings. This can allow a taller and more tucked in tire than
other conversions

There is no bump steer - 0 camber change throughout the full travel and correct
ackerman effect. Over 5" of suspension travel and steers like a new Honda.

I wouldn't have mentioned such a sacrilege but I see that you have already
exchanged a lot of components for tubular and heim jointed items so I don't feel
so bad about making the suggestion. In this case, as in yours, it is a simple
matter to put it all back the way it was.

It's nice having all of that clearance without the torsion bars or drag link
in the way. The headers will litteraly fall on the ground when unbolted.

If you insist on the original engine positioning (no heater and mandatory hood
scoop) retaining the torsion bars and drag link, he is now developing
a conversion for Skypower (forum member here) that uses a modified stock
K-member, one of the new small steering boxes and TTi Hemi A-body headers.

He has been building these conversions for over 20 years so the current
version is very evolved and well sorted. One of his early ones (528 Hemi
Duster) has over 60,000 not-so-gentle but trouble free street miles on it.

Probably not much interest here but he has motor mounts for all Mopar
V-8's including the Gen III Hemis. He has shipped these conversions to
Australia and Columbia. Some guys have even installed GM LS motors
and the in one instance, a big-block Ford(!).

If anyone wants, I can supply contact info and I have pictures.......lots of
pictures.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

I will x2 all that was just said above. Denny makes some awesome front end stuff. He is very knowledgable about Hemi's in A bodies and all the little things it takes to make them work and drive like they really should.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Thanks for all the great information on the suspension modifications! Regarding what I said about receiving components from Chrysler was what I assumed at the time (43-44 years ago!). There was certainly a discussion at the time of revised geometry for the front ends and I thought they had parts in hand but possibility they were parts modified as recommended by the bulletin. They may not even have had parts at all, so I will modify my original statement to say "I thought they got parts from Chrysler". Anyway, the resulting discussion was constructive!

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Jim, as usual you have gathered a lot of great information about mopar history.I was fortunate enough to be working at HaynesSmith Motor Sales in Marion ,Illinois while attending Southern Illnois Univ at Carbondale.
A lot of information came direct from Chrysler and a lot of unorthodox methods for modifications were shared but modified parts were not for liability reasons. Lee Smith made a lot of parts at his machine shop back then.I still have some of his unique parts.
With respect.
Bob:)

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Liteweight, I have some info for you. I was searching the net for anything on the "Cookie Duster". I really didn't think anything would pop up, but this thread did. Anyway, the Cookie Duster was my dad's (Tommy Blowe) race car. He bought it new from a dealer in MD. He lived in northern virginia and raced a lot in Manassas. He owned the car until about 1972 and sold it to some unknown guy from Maryland. He still has a bunch of photos of the car. If you need any additional information, PM me and I'll give you his info

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

I am pretty sure I recall seeing the Cookie Duster race at Capital in the mid 70s. The car used to show up with Greg Avent's hemi Road Runner. I think the owner's 1st name might have been Clyde.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Not sure what you meant the cookie duster's first owner was named Clyde or Clyde was owner of the roadrunner? Clyde may have bought the car from my dad Tommy. My dad was the 1st owner of it and painted the car himself since that's what he did as a profession.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Clyde would have been the Cookie Duster owner at the time IIRC. I was paying attention at the time because they were hemi Mopars but it was a long time ago.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Latest update on the quest to find the ownership trail to my car, I've been looking for a program of the 1977 Bracket Nationals as a possible lead for a name from a decal that was on my car back in the late 70's. A definate long shot, but something that needs to be followed up on.
A member here, JimB, pmed me there was one of these programs on ebay, so I purchased it. It's not alot of help, but there is one poor picture in it of a 68 Dart that holds some promise. It was named "Plum Crazy" & was owned by a Bob Baughman from Greensburg, PA & raced out of Keystone Raceway Park.Anyone remember this car? Does anyone here know Bob,?
Is he a relative to John Baughman?
Any help would be appreciated

liteweight




http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...acingdecal.jpg



http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...psf3ac93e8.jpg

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Sorry if this is a re-post. Found it on the HAMB.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Fingers crossed !!!!
Hopefully a beginning to the end of your search.

Any way to scan and post the picture?

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Daryl,

Just sent an email to 4 of my very close Mopar friends in the Pittsburg general area
requesting any info on the car or owner as described.

JL

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Jim Kramer might know of him. Another guy to contact in Pennsylvania is John Brown. He had a few LO23s way back. Jim will know how to get a hold of him.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

thankyou Dave & John

Charlie
I'll scan it, & post it . It's not a very large picture & is of poor quality,but maybe with your super sizing wand ( that just don't sound right does it), maybe, you can do something with it

liteweight

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Keep looking,the Plum Crazy Dart of Baughman was a small block car that was run with a 440 sixpac and was run out of Bob and Connie Stape's Street and Strip Shop near New Alexander Pa.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

That pounding your hear.......my head banging on the nearest wall.

Still, there has to be some info from that area available that can HOPEFULLY fill in the blank.

At least now Daryl knows another one that his is "not".

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Daryl,

What was the deal with this LO 23.

Northland Dodge {Columbus, Ohio} and 'The Rod Shop' group.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...0NkVGxksmqfXwQ

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

The older I get the more I need big print. lol

http://imageshack.us/a/img407/1081/northlanddodge.jpg

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

The York Bracket Finals were clean across the state,almost 400+ miles from Keystone raceway,closer to Philadelphia,New Jeresy and New York.Div.1 Land of NED(north eastern division)included all the northeastern states down past the Mason Dixon line.If the car was local to Southwestern Pa. we would know it.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

September 1977

York US 30 Dragway

'2nd Annual Bracket Nationals'

NED 1 Division

Daryl,

A large group of Racers from Northern Westchester County
{Mt. Kisco area} headed out there.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

thanx for that Bob
I am only quessing my car was participating in that 1977 Bracket race, as there was a decal on the original quarter corning glass window. For all I know at this time, that decal could of been in someones toolbox, & they felt the need to stick it to something.
At least now I know Bob Baughman's car is not mine, but I still don't know if it was @ this bracket race.
This I know for sure, is that Lou Vignonia owned it in the early 80's, it was supposed to have been turn key, & purchased from some guy in Mt. Kistco NY

Paul
Welcome back. Can you provide me a little more info on your last post------

"A large group of Racers from Northern Westchester County
{Mt. Kisco area} headed out there"


liteweight

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Daryl,

I would imagine that the Dart was running in Pro Eliminator in 1977.

At the 1977 Bracket Nationals at York US 30 Dragway most of
of the guys that raced there from my area usually campaigned at
* Lebanon Valley
* Island
* Maple Grove
* Raceway Park
* Connecticut
* Suffolk County {WestHampton}

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Try contacting guys like Bob Rapine,Jacobs brothers,Joe Jill and other mopar racers from the NY area if they are still around.They may have some information.

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

In response to Post #2506:

Howdy all…

I know this isn’t really relevant to “lightweight’s” LO23 lineage quest, but it may help to answer “Geerhead55’s” question.

1:18 Scale Diecast ’68 Dodge & Plymouth Superstocks…

1968 Hurst Hemi Dodge Dart (“As Delivered” in grey primer & black gelcoat)
1968 Dick Landy Hemi Dodge Dart
1968 Bill Bagshaw "Red Light Bandit" Hemi Dodge Dart
1968 Herb McCandless "Mr. 4 Speed" Hemi Dodge Dart
1968 Shirley Shahan "Drag-On-Lady" Hemi Dodge Dart
1968 Ron Mancini "Gratiot Auto Supply" Hemi Dodge Dart

1968 Hemi Plymouth Barracuda (Mule Car)
1968 Hurst Hemi Plymouth Barracuda (“As Delivered” in grey primer & black gelcoat)
1968 Sox & Martin Hemi Plymouth Barracuda
1968 Jack West "Mr. 5 and 50" Hemi Plymouth Barracuda
1968 Arlen Vanke Hemi Plymouth Barracuda
1968 Ken Montgomery “The Triple Nickle – 555” Hemi Plymouth Barracuda
1968 Ed Miller Hemi Plymouth Barracuda
1968 Billy “The Kid” Stepp Hemi Plymouth Barracuda
1968 Don Grotheer Hemi Plymouth Barracuda
1968 Bill Stiles Hemi Plymouth Barracuda
1968 Chuck Ostrich Inc. Hemi Plymouth Barracuda
1968 Judy Lilly “Miss Mighty Mopar” Hemi Plymouth Barracuda

Attached are a few reference photos from my own LO23/BO29 collection... (sorry for the glare).

Hope this helps…

Paul

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Rather than load up the whole screen with all the models, I chose this picture to blow up. Seems to say a lot about your Hemi addiction!

http://classracer.com/classforum/att...5&d=1386721452

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Chrome Dog,,,, thanks for the reply,,, I figured there was quite a few Cudas available, but there are also more Darts than knew about. Between e-bay and supercar1 .com, I've seen a lot of them I'd like to pick up. Like you,, I've got shelves put up above eye level and I'm running out of space, so I've got to be selective from here on out. Too many cars. Thanks for the photos too.
Danny Durham

Re: Original hemi dart information
 

Daryl,

From what information I gathered, that Dart competed at Lebanon Valley Dragstrip in 1977.

A Pro/Eliminator Bracket competitor.

It qualified for the 1977 NED 1 Bracket Nationals held at York US 30 Dragway.