Dirt Cheap A-Body Build - This 1968 Dodge Dart Sedan Sounds Awesome (But Needs Some Tuning Help)

[@allanperryman388]

Best day ever! You are the man! Thanks Jamie

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You bet! Thanks Allan!

[@allanperryman388]

@DeadDodgeGarage sooo about the ten inch brakes. And soo about the slot wheels. Elizabeth wants the dog dish if that is possible.

[@JeffMiletich]

Allan- what you think about that part near the end where Jamie had to have the Dart pulled out of the river when he went off a curve?? Wait - It's not there any more - been edited out!!! (Just kidding - whatta sweet ride- nice job with the 360 install - and those bucket seats!!)

[@allanperryman388]

@JeffMiletich anything was approved! Man, he did some magic on that 360!

[@clevelandmaker386]

​@DeadDodgeGarage Going for ?...... been going for.....say more like 10k+ for forward look projects

[@percewickham2371]

It's a breath of fresh air to see any 4 doors being featured on any channel ...so what it has two too many for hard core motor heads ....good on the man who decided to save it

[@vincentenk4449]

Doesn't really matter about the amount of doors. May I remind everybody about the Gapp and Roush "Tijuana Taxi" Maverick from the days of REAL Pro Stock as well as the Aussies & Kiwis?

[@richardprice5978]

my zoomer-brother would so wants to buying this/similarly-vin but not as a magnum/sbm v8/automatics ( he's into JDM's and hellcats and turbine-mopar's and a BEV-nut ) preferably in 1967/no-EPA medium-red and white-bee-stripe?+top? and and black/green interior and yes weird taste but 👍, id go-for convertibles/roadster in A's and add fibreglass body parts to trimming down weights ect im a 60's charger owning( got it around 2014~ and married millennial couple ) F8 and glittery/red/not-finished-yet interior, EFI D8+tr6060 in the works, poverty's and family dramas is slowing me down at least for now

[@tiffanyhovey7723]

I agree

[@iamnoone.]

I love 4 door mopar. You can cruise and take the family with you.

[@gerry-p9x]

Do dodge diplomat. Discs and spindles fit up front😅😅

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

It was a bit of hassle, but I used to pack 2 or 3 kids in car seats in the back seat when I'd take my 68 2dr Dart to the drag strip on wknds... but worth it!!😂

[@markszczepaniak5888]

Cool! Nothing wrong having a sleeper!

[@geoffreysmith3196]

Finally, a proper muscle car! One that looks like your grandpa's daily, but has enough under the hood to make ol' grandpa think he's all four horsemen of the apocalypse. 4-door "compacts" are the best of the 60's and 70's. Just drop in a medium sized V8, and have your fun without attracting much official attention.

[@richardprice5978]

my sibling/zoomer-gen super-likes it/video/4D's im not sure if he's smarter than me for a 67 dart-buying-Wishlist( and hellcat-swapped or turbine tribute/hybrid and 8~speed modern automatic-transmission ) or $$ dumber than millennial-me/hemi-charger fyi not original-vin/D8+tr6060 EFI-ect platform as my car on the buying=block is 40-160$ usd in minty condition usd 2009/era's to 2024-year, and no iv got more TLC needed to getting there

[@AsswipeGarage]

@@geoffreysmith3196 Back in '87 I bought a 64 Dart 4 Dr at an auction for $90! My favorite color combo, white with a red interior! Originally a 273 car, it had a later 318 swapped in, with the pushbutton AT! I loved that little car!!

[@glenbo2464]

My favorite year! I got one similar but in better shape for free once. It had the 6 and fender turn signal lights. I saw one for sale and went to see it and told the guy i was interested. He called me that evening saying i could have it for free since he just sold his house! I was more then happy!

[@richardprice5978]

most 4d's got used for parts or bleater's/movies/demo-entertainment i 9~ years ago ( 19yo-me and or wife shopping, she probably would've been more interested than me and or the quite ideal for baby-seating-ect ) wouldn't turned down the experience but also not my first choice ( and would probably be a place/plans for storing+building my engine and transmission for my latter vin and or use's in the meantime with the charger in the painting/body-shop ect ) but im generally a charger/b-body's/convertibles personality's, my sibling/zoomer would be so jellybeans as he told me he likes them/video

[@RZK1966]

Nothing better than the unsuspecting family sedan that lays down a cloud of tire smoke.

[@josephhead2748]

That's the perfect grocery getter. I love it. Having two kids, that would work for me.

[@joecooper7803]

Green on green on green 4door valiant 318 with a transplant 360 with abandon cast 340 intake was a king of cheep killer I put together for a friend!

[@declanmcquay3476]

I used to have the Australian version of the Dart - '68 VE Valiant with the leaning tower of power and Torqueflite auto. The rear end was a different design compared to the Dart, but the front end is the same.

[@NathansMoparGarage]

V8 and a small car are always fun. Those cars are fun with a 318 2 barrel 😎

[@LongIslandMopars]

Indeed they are

[@barrycuda3769]

In the early eighties I had something very similar, an Australian 1969 Valiant 4 door with a 318 2 barrel , it was a very pleasing car , but one scary thing with it was its ability to suddenly lose traction and swing right around and have you pointing in the opposite direction, even with just light acceleration, and even on a dry road. They are known to be light in the rear end , especially with a v8 , and that wouldn't have been helped by me not generally being able to afford more than a quarter tank of fuel , but I never had that problem with the same model Valiants with a 6 cylinder . Must have been the extra weight at the front, and more torque.

[@AsswipeGarage]

@@NathansMoparGarage Sure was!

[@upfactoryracing4148]

What is a muscle car? The biggest engine in the smallest package, that is the perfect recipe!

[@markdaigle9856]

Colin cracks me up, lol.

[@DratsumX]

Great vid Jamie. Thanks for going through the avs2 tuning again.

[@mj_slender6717]

That, my friend is a perfect fun driver. Respectful HP , usable torque within a livable RPM range. What more could you ask for. Just perfect 💯👍

[@richardprice5978]

hellcat or unboosted/efi my 2c at least in the 400ci or less category and OD/modern 8 or 10speed or tr6060/5-speed-equallant-OD or for big powers go BBC/hemi-540~ look/politely iv owned a 727 1970~ ( and so is the dodge 42-trans and 300's/2005~ era ) in my 60's charger and it's okay but for me and 2009~upwards experience it's dated for daily driving it's totally worth looking at for racing/drag's( not caring about MPG's ( best was 18MPG @ 60mph, nowadays look/workshoping for ~ 20-34mpg~ and 500-1200hp@wheels/hub's ) or rebuilding$$ or NVH ect ) but i don't do that regularly enough to justify it so for me/383 LD came with it at time of singing/payment/19yo~me and now stolen unfortunately/new-540D8 replacement im going with a tr6060/tr6070-C7 as i didn't want/lazybones to tune-TCM ( engine management EFI to me is/was worthwhile hassle-ect ) but the mopar/Germany's 8-speed or 10 ( or gm 6-speed 6-L80E ) is a fine replacement choice as well even behind a 440/bbd or turbocharged-6slant carbs or efi'd

[@daltonsparks1293]

That's basically the perfect car, horsepower for fun and room for buddies

[@markdaigle9856]

Great Little Car, looks like fun :o) From an old d00d at the car show!

[@johnherdener6801]

I live in Reno,NV. I had a '68 Dart 2dr hardtop, 318/904. It was rust free with one dent in the right tail light. Paid $200 for it. Like an idiot I sold it. I really miss that car...........

[@jefffixesit60]

Great content as always, thanks for shining a light on this one! There’s a ’70 Dart Swinger for sale in my little West Texas town: it’s got a lot more rust than this one, a 225, and hasn’t sold after 6 months. The owner won’t budge from his $7,000 asking price, because he thinks it’s really worth $10K. Meanwhile, a clean ‘70 Dart 4-door with a 318 and factory air sold for $3,200 after less than a week on the market, just 90 miles away from my town. Guess which one this old man would buy?😎❤

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah… people are like that these days. It’s ridiculous. I’d take the clean four door too!

[@JustanOlGuy]

Makes me miss my Valiant!

[@johnwesner3935]

My first car was a 1964 Dodge 330 former Wisconsin State Patrol car. In it's "quick" life it has the 383 / 68 road runner cam, dual point, low profile factory dual intake with Carter AFB s. For kicks we stuck in my buddies 5:13 posi drag gears and went cruising. Ha, Ha, ha, that's not a performance car!! We embarrassed the new 69 396 Chevelle so bad he went home! You just can't tell by the number of doors!😊

[@theflash402]

I'd like to get a 4 door A body and make a sleeper out of it. Pretty sweet Dart. I did upgrade to 10" drums on my Valiant, it does make a difference.

[@paulelston791]

Diggin the 4 door

[@500kchevrolet9]

Growing up, the old timers considered a low idle a significant indication of a quality tune. Once everything is RIGHT...in some instances, the actual idle adjustment screw would come off it's stop. and you can't idle it down any more. I've seen engines loping over so slow, that oil pressure readings raise eyebrows and charging systems struggle with the head lights on.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Outstanding. Haha. See, as I work on a tune I’m always lowering the idle further and further as things smooth out. I have long considered myself an honorary old timer.

[@500kchevrolet9]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Also...as ya get those RIPPMS down, and the butterflies closed, each adjustment will become hyper sensitive...thats how ya know your dead on...the deal is really about getting the butterflies as closed as you can...once you've achieved that, adjust to satasfactory idle. The more closed the butterflies...the better chances of no runon when ya turn it off...less fuel at idle...snapier response...REALLY try to count fan blades on the final..

[@davidcombs8458]

I love those side marker lights too. I use them as the rear side markers on my 1972 BMW 2002.

[@indianaslim4971]

I had a 69 BMW 1600, one of the most fun cars to drive ever, we used to have races on cloverleaf's, good memories....

[@brucenichols540]

I'm currently 'doing' a 1978 Volare 4 door that my Mom purchased new! Very fun car, has Optional 'Heavy Duty Suspension' & Bucket Seats.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice! Just found a clean F body sedan for sale that I almost got excited about. It needs to cost less though…

[@lauriegreen1643]

Same as our 67-68 VE Valiants in Aussie great cars with a small block...4 doors in Aussie get a lot of love Mopar,Ford and Holden had 4 door muscle cars. Keep it coming Sir I love your content

[@Amoparman408]

The wife and I got a kick out of Collins cameo. he's probably still there camping in the back of the 68 notchback Cuda, that thing looks amazing.

[@jimsoutdooradventures2748]

2 or 4 Doors. It's still cool seeing old cars still on the road. I can definitely appreciate it.

[@donperry4573]

Oh man that's a sweet sleeper rod 😊

[@geoffdeller7747]

Ha Ha, you mentioned the interior dome light. When we were younger the plastic Dome light Cover was the perfect place to keep the pot when we were mulling up. And if was still a little bit damp 5min with the light on it was dry! Classic. In Aus when Chrysler decided to go production car racing the chose the 4door because the wheelbase was shorter, the body was stiffer, and it was lighter.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haha. Nice.

[@patricklynch1962]

Awesome seeing another four door saved to be on the road again. I found a k-frame for my '79 Dodge St. Regis last weekend, so I'm looking forward to racking up some "more door" miles again.

[@dennissanborn3159]

a crew cab of fun

[@mark63366]

That is a perfect driver car.

[@michaelnault5905]

I like the 4 door. That year has a great shape at the tail lights. Just needs a "little bit," more :⁠-⁠)

[@nozzledrich]

Havent read beyond this. Steelies and dog dish caps! Greetings from Jackson NJ

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Already done. Haha.

[@ThisValiantAdventure]

I used to be a mechanic like you. Then I took a points distributor to the knee. 4 door Mopars are sneaky cool. And very easy to take your (middle aged) friends out for a ride. Great stuff as always! Thank you very much.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I remember you… actually I’ve never played that game.

[@erikholsinger7809]

Some four doors are groovy, and some are funky. You just have to find the right one.

[@burtbacarach5034]

If wagons are cool (and they are) then sedans must therefore also be cool.That's a good looking car with lots of potential.

[@Beanerds]

Cool . Here in Australia we call these , '1968 VE Chrysler Valiant 4 door ' and came with either the 273 V8 or 225 145hp Slant , auto or 3 on the tree , great old cars . I had and loved a 1969 VF Chrysler Valiant 4 door with 160hp 225 slant 3 on the tree , never missed a beat in years of fun I loved that car .

[@philipgenovese3478]

I Put a 360 Crate motor and headers in my 4 door 69 dart my self and people love it .I get waves by random people all the time. People at car shows love it to RESPECT the 4 door =) My dad always had a 4 door a body and I carry on the tradition I own 2 and the my blue 1969 is a 273 original setup .

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Awesome!

[@Friedbrain11]

I loved my old '68 Fury 3 with 383, 727B, and 8 3/4 rearend. 2dr sedan hardtop and it had so much downforce on the trunk I actually had to make a 4" spoiler for the front to keep it on the ground.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Two door sedan Fury, coming here soon…

[@stoneyr9414]

My first car was a 67 dart GTS 273 rag top I love that car, really wish I had it back

[@williamwhite5280]

i loved that car reminds me of a 68 v3 vailliant 225 hemi we have in my country and i think make nice hot rods with a v8

1968 was the last overall excellent year for the domestics. Also, made the same year as me!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I think things were still pretty good in 1970, and even kinda good in ‘71. But yeah, I agree ‘68 was the high water mark in many regards.

[@robertwest3093]

Jamie, your ten minute tuneup is becoming legendary 👍🏻 That engine is CRISP!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh yeah! That’s one of my superpowers. Haha. I’m definitely proud of that.

[@allanperryman388]

Like Prudence Jamie is the goat (greatest of all time). She purrs like she just rolled off the lot.

[@MrBrombomb]

What an awesome car for being a work in progress!! The 360 with an original gear-reduction starter and dual exhausts sounds great after proper tuning and some minor repairs. This car is definitely destined for greatness!

[@timbarry5080]

I love those little round side marker light things

[@davidholcomb9961]

I had a '72 4 door Dart back in the mid to late 80's. I loved that car. I hot rodded that slappin' slant six for all she was worth and she never missed a beat. The car you had today brought back so many good memories and how old i'm getting!

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Oh- fun fact: I mentioned having a 68 Dart 270. It saw many incarnations over the 8 yrs i had it. It started a 318, then a very short-lived 400, a 360, then finally a 440- finally hitting my 11.50s goal. This was all achieved with the 7.25 rear it had when I got it. It lived. Never made noise, never leaked - and I was terrified to fiddle with it, so I never even changed the fluid after checking the level on day two of ownership. I know...probably a one in a million fluke, but, maybe they arent as fragile as everyone thinks(????)

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’ve got first hand experience with a 7 1/4 that was remarkably resilient. No traction, no problem!

[@jmcahron368]

It doesn't matter what others say. If Alan enjoys his car, that's all that matters.

[@JetCityMopar]

Love this car. Great color for a 68 Dart. V8 power

[@musclecarmitch908]

Cool little car! Takes me back to high school days! A friend of mine had a 4 door dart with slot mags. We would pile in it and head for the skating rink!👍

[@ChristopherJohnston-t5z]

Cool ride. Absolutely, it’s a muscle car. Brakes, suspension and a bit of rust repair and that thing will be the perfect daily. Really looking forward to seeing more on this one and the Baracuda you teased about at the end. That thing looks super sweet.

[@stevelaffoon3339]

I like it and I’ve had a few big block B bodies

[@leethorp2164]

Love those darts. Had a couple 71s back in the day. Those concave rear windows look so awesome.

[@TAVOAu]

Loving your work Jamie. Loving that Dart too. We're quite fond of the more doors down here. You did say something that comforted me immensely: "It pays to hoard" ☺

[@KiwiStag74]

Errrr.....Jamie.....what's not to like about it? It's a Dart...it's blue...it has a 360....it has a beaut Edelbrock fuel toilet and flushing that makes some very nice sounds come out the back (let alone the meaningful growl from under the hood). She's better for your ministrations too, but Allan definitely needs to replace the square drum - preferably drums (ie: plural) - with some nice discs that will pull her up without rattling your teeth out. That car has big potential - and you know I LOVE a sleeper! Looking forward to seeing more of it, mate - that's for sure! All the best.

[@robertwest3093]

It’s awesome seeing someone hot rod a 4 door car. That is something you rarely ever see

[@olikat8]

When we did the Valiant's 318, I sent the distributor out to Advanced Distributors in Minnesota. Jeff stripped it down, re-man'd with upgrades, then set up the advance for the combo. Works fantastic

[@chrissimes9445]

Sweet little car! Love the basics...

[@linwoodlane5721]

A family friendly muscle car , whats not to like . We had Hillman Imps over here , a whopping 55 HP and even these had 8 inch drums - 9 inch on 200 plus HP = SCARY

[@DPWheeler67]

I was turned onto 4 doors before I could drive, that Dart is the perfect sleeper. Jamie's "OH shit" face at the currently HORRIBLE handling was well worth the watch can't wait on the handling and stopping upgrades. Allan, check your DMs, I'll bet Colin as already made an offer LOL

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaahaha. He wasn’t quite breaking out his wallet, but he was clearly impressed. It is the perfect Colin car… except for the missing pedal.

[@DPWheeler67]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Jamie, I'm sure your brother has all the pieces hidden somewhere for that conversion LOL

[@stevebain4963]

Just loved it when your brother drove by and had to come back for a proper look 🙂

[@dadalebreton184]

Missing a couple of things, including me! It would be glad with his sister's 75 valiant. 😊

[@01ls1z28dabx]

More doors for more who... Whoa, buddy. 😂😅 I definitely enjoyed this one.

[@johnelliott7375]

I would drive it the way it is and enjoy it and keep it in my garage. I love it the way it is Jamie!

[@mexicanspec]

Before At Zero gets here...A Bodies Forever.

[@mozzarella-king]

Great work as always. I am no mechanic but love your technical approach. Oh, and a 4-door metallic blue Dart makes me miss my long-gone, hand-me-down, 170 slant 1967. It was patina before patina was a thing.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Alas… Thank you!

[@Rvshadow1964]

Looks a lot like my two 1969 Dart GTs I had back in the day, both were slant 6 though.

[@brettandtrish]

Thanks!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you!

[@richjordan9375]

I'm pretty sure if I still had the '73 /6 Swinger I'd have been aching to put at least a 318 in it all along (and disk brakes and a better rear end, and keeping my working A/C!). I love 4 doors and station wagons too, as much as the two door variants of the same model. I'd be hard pressed to turn down a 4 door Fury sedan over a 2 door coupe if the 4 door had a better drivetrain and/or was noticeably better condition. And station wagons.... sigh... Four door (Mopars, and maybe one or two other marques) are awesome! Torqueflites are awesome! Mopar Station wagons are awesome! And that Dart is well on its way to enhanced awesomeness. I look forward to its continuing evolution.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I agree! I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of this one in the future.

[@69Kowalski]

Hy Jamie,, and again , a 1 of a kind movie , many thx for all you,r movies you poste,, i watch them all and have allready maaany things learning from you. for that also many thanx,, i am on my dodge challenger project in switzerland since february this year and it comes also well now i think ;-))..so i wish you all the best and please keep on rocking you,r excellent channel, Thanks Jamie sincerely maik

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you! Good luck!

[@watzonda2b]

Jamie, I enjoyed this trip to Australia....lotsa cool 4 door Muscle Cars there! We could learn from them. This is a sweet Muscle Car!!!!!!!!!!!

[@deansutherland992]

Colin's automotive double take and bonus cat boop were both on point. Another great vid for the DDG canon. Tks.

[@kaleidoset2569]

That's actually a pretty cool looking little car. My earliest memories and still my favorite quote unquote family car from when I was very young was a basically teal blue 69 Coronet 440 2 door hardtop and it had about identical rims to this car on it. It looked pretty sweet.

[@jasonmarquis7586]

If I'm building a race car, of course I want it to be a 2 door. But if I'm building a street cruiser, I prefer a 4 door, especially 4 door hardtops.

[@kevingarner6523]

68 has the best looking grill in my opinion, I love all Darts starting at the 1960 , I had a 62 Dart 4 door

[@localcrew]

Those brakes are LIT!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh yeah, dance party, engage

[@JeffMiletich]

Nice tune. I always liked them Darts, especially 65-67. 68-72 pretty cool, too. When they went to those big rubber bumper blocks in 73 & the first couple generations of the 5MPH bumpers , all the horsepower robbing emission stuff, I kind of lost my interest in cars. The MAN took all the fun out. And the compression. The last fun new car I drove was my BIL's beautiful 1972 Demon 340, 3 on the floor, white with black striping. That was Dec. 1991, about a week after my 19th birthday. Tom's, Colin's & your videos bring back so many good memories. Just Mopar Joe does some pretty cool stuff, too. I really enjoy the videos even if you are a QPK. (Quarter Panel Kicker)

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep… damn the man. Thanks Jeff!

[@blahblah4125]

Saw you cat at end of the video, I have a boy cat just like that with white paws too. I appreciate that Dart, you can brings more friends on a road trip with a 4 door :)

[@raimoe4512]

Honestly I think 4 doors are finally coming into their own. Fun cruisers that can still run down the track and then take the family home.

[@kennycarter8179]

My parents had 4dr 63, 64, 67 slant 6 Darts until they bought a cool 72 2dr hardtop V8. My daily driver 67 Cuda 4spd had a 70 340 transplant. When it got tired I bought a 70 340 to rebuild while still driving my Cuda. Having a spare 340 I got my older brothers 65 valiant 4dr for free after he had seized the 273. It made a cool sleeper and 2nd car.

[@scottsmith1897]

Sweet car and cant wait for the 68 Barracuda video.......... love the old notch backs.......... way back when in my 20s neighbor had a formula S convertible and yes it was a rust bucket being a NW car..........

[@pgrens]

Looks like a great project to me. It's only going to get better and better as he goes. I'm guessing it's already come a long way from when he bought it. Looking forward to more videos on this one.

[@paulwells4203]

British Columbia Hydro used to auction 6 cylinder Valiants for $500 in the unfortunate robins egg blue BC Hydro paint color. Memories came back when I saw the sun kink damaged dash pad and the ballast resistor..... ran forever though despite being "driven" by a teenage me lol.

[@pcbullets8726]

Nothing wrong with 4 doors, especially if it's a Dart. Sweet ride!

[@rockystanaitis2908]

Those are nice buckets!

[@RickLovesCars]

At 57, I unfortunately find myself as ‘an old dude at the car show’. I 100% guarantee that I and others like me will gather around cars like this.

[@billiardballs]

I like the car - it would be fun to knock around in one like that. Good video. I also like Notchback Barracudas. Do hurry!!

[@JoeKrizek]

I have a 1965 Valiant 200, 4-door. I'm building a 318 with the 273 forged crank and 340 X-heads. Hoping for 1 hp per cubic inch. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@phithemopar]

Love 360 mopars I have two and what a great engine I still remember people used to tell me they were a boat anchor I should get a 340

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh, I’ve always heard the same thing. How wrong they were.

[@tonyscherer8281]

Love it,and it only going to get better

[@bradwallace6751]

Loved it I had a blue 69 👍💪

[@user-he5me9td1t]

Great car...nothing wrong with a "more door".

[@retrotech383]

4 door 360 A-Body, the practical mans muscle car.

[@joshjesch6000]

Allan...that is a cool 4 door with lots of personality. I love the pipes and the wheels.

[@TheRustFarm]

That thing is perfect!

[@haleyperryman9585]

Proud of you dad!

[@allanperryman388]

@haleyperryman9585 Thanks for watching. We will have to build the next one for you!

[@moparedtn]

Makes appropriate V8 Mopar noises, so I'm more than good with it. Whatever DNA is in the soul of every classic Mopar V8, it feeds my soul. Has for more than half a century now. You get it or you don't. - Ed on the Ridge