D/Dart in Stock

[dart4forte]

Originally Posted by bill dedman

This is just my opinion, but I don't think Matt Steen's motor is the "D-Dart" 275 HP motor.

Why?
Because you can't run a D-Dart motor in a Valiant, and his car is a Valiant... looks nothing like a Dart, has a different wheelbase, (106" vs. 111") and never had the 275HP option.

He must be running the 235HP "COMMANDO" 273, a different permutation of the 4bbl 1966 motor. The 275 HP motor is not in the Classification guide for Valiants, of ANY year...

Bill,

I was just pointing out the potential of the 273.

John

[Paul Ceasrine]

John (dart4forte),

No doubt, the 273 is a potent little unit, and durable too. We ran ours for
3 years, and never broke anything. but, those damn head gaskets would blow out every dozen races or so. Only 4 head bolts per cylinder.
Just saying, that trying to run a 273 at 275 hp against a 72'/73' 340 or
74' 360 would be a tough task enough. Too many cubes to deal with, and the later engines have bigger-valve heads.

D-Dart info. 1966, the D/Stock class break was 10.60 - 11.29 wt/hp factor. The car was specifically built for D/Stock, yet the car is listed from the factory with a Code; Super Stock Package. The 2-door sedan is listed with a 10.71 factor. Yet, the boneheads at NHRA list the car as a
possible convertible-car also. A heavier car with an 11.11 rating.
Why you ask. I don't know. Why in the hell would Dodge build a heavier car to fit in the same class (10.60 - 11.29). Call Edith Bunker at
NHRA, and ask her.
It would be like building a 68' Hemi Dart with a convertible, and fit it to be in the same class. Do you think the Mopar guys with all their tech brains
would make that kind of mistake? NO.
Year 1966. Barry and Ernie Musser of Pennsylvannia were tearing up the D/Stock class all over the place with their 61' Corvette 283/270Hp
dual-quad car. Running 12.90's. But, got beat at the 66' Winternationals
(February 66') by Dave Kempton. Running a 62' Plymouth which ran
in C/SA, running 13.08.

Paul

[bill dedman]

Originally Posted by dart4forte

Bill,

I was just pointing out the potential of the 273.

John

Sorry, John; I misunderstood. Paul Wong is.... well... let me put it this way: you'd have to look long and hard, and would probably ultimately fail, to find anybody with more knowledge of the 273 motor in ANY of its permutations, than Paul.... seriously.

If he says a combination will or won't "fly," it's very likely it's because he has been down that road, already, TWICE, and has first-hand experience... unlike dilettantes like me, who only knows what he reads.

Thanks for your comments.

[dart4forte]

Originally Posted by bill dedman

Sorry, John; I misunderstood. Paul Wong is.... well... let me put it this way: you'd have to look long and hard, and would probably ultimately fail, to find anybody with more knowledge of the 273 motor in ANY of its permutations, than Paul.... seriously.

If he says a combination will or won't "fly," it's very likely it's because he has been down that road, already, TWICE, and has first-hand experience... unlike dilettantes like me, who only knows what he reads.

Thanks for your comments.

There's no doubt in my mind of Paul's credentials. I follow his efforts every year and am amazed at what he can do to get those cars to run that fast.