I Bought A 1976 Dodge Dart Swinger… With A 340 Surprise!

Well, I managed to sell stuff and not buy anything for… about a week and a half. Hey, that ain’t bad. Anyway, I found this Dart with a 340 and other goodies that don’t belong in it, and decided it was worth the diversion.

[@dieselgrandpa4181]

I love my 1976 beaky nosed 440 4 speed with dual hood scoops. I know nothing about that is correct. It's not the 68 I want but it was done so beautifully I couldn't resist.

[@BadTreeProductions]

Bad decisions are part of being a Mopar guy I guess. Going to be a sweet DD. Oh and killer stickers brother.....

[@dantupper1784]

Swap the scoops- after whatever was having a hiccup at the end gets addressed. That car has some cool parts- and some definite 'content generators'. Have a blast with it!

[@MoparMan1320]

Your commentary is priceless...lmao 🤣🤣🤣. Keep it up, keep it real (As one who runs a new gen 392 Hemi, and a 440 Wedge in my 70' Duster race ride, I appreciate the content 👍).

[@tybo1966]

👍👍another good bad decision.☺Jesus Chrysler compelled you to do it.

[@wormswiggleinn]

Sweet ride dude, I love that wood wheel . Keep the scoops on it the demon looks good with a clean hood

[@MikeJBlues]

Be a great donor car, find a duster or demon with a 6 banger and gut the 76

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

My thoughts exactly

[@derekstone355]

Yes on the scoops on both! They look good!

[@urielgarcia4567]

This buy was worth the wait, That Swinger looks and sounds amazing, Two blue v8 340s 🧐

[@jefferyholcombe5189]

You know if you took the interior door panel out and take a hammer and dolly with lot's of masking tape on the paint side dolly, you could probably massage some of the dent's out!

[@stevensald3438]

Steve from Mass. First time watching a video from Dead Dodge Garage. OMG you are a HOOT. I love your comments. You should do Stand up

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you! I don’t know if I have the personal fortitude to do what I do on a stage. But I have considered it over the years. All of the goofy crap I say is off the cuff. I start thinking about writing jokes or a routine and that’s about where I lose interest. Haha.

[@christinebrunton1489]

My Uncle Roy had a 340 Dart Swinger!!! It was Red& Black!!; I remember that Car to this Day!! This Mopar Girl loved that Car!;;Much love to you from Ontario Canada 🇨🇦😊😎

[@m1a1hm]

Sweet ride!!!! Even with the flaws you got something to work with.

[@Anthony-nw5zv]

My opinion, no scoops on either one, but that's me. Trash those headers and bolt 🔩 some TTI'S on. You can remedy the cast crank with a late '60's 318 forging. The linkage is a mess. Let's take a look in the trunk 😊

[@bruceh92]

As a Canadian I feel your pain brother. A moment of silence.

[@craigbowley6783]

Those cars are both absolutely sick!

[@2HacksGarage]

Still a cool project!! And those 340s scream!

[@josephcenna7785]

I really need to stop watching your videos while I'm doing laundry and lifting weights in my basement! Can't stop laughing to get a decent rep in! Lol! I'll suffer Jamie! Keep the knowledge and entertainment coming!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Alright, that's my bad... haha. Thanks!

[@Sonoma_Coast]

I had a 1970 GT 340 4 sp. in 1978 in my last year of high school. The guy who had it before me said he blew up 2 rear ends before he put in a locker. I got to where I could make a u-turn on a 1 lane road. Just turn the wheel all the way and rev up and dump the clutch. I scared a few passengers with that car. Back then I bought it for $1400.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Cool trick. Haha. That’s excellent.

[@Zahgurym]

Thanks for all the angles of the dual scoops on the beaked swinger... now I need to get a set for my 74. 😆

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

They work! They’re the best scoops! You need them! Haha.

[@noberet]

I had a locking gas cap like that on my first car, 1973 Dart.

[@Hhbdr]

Beautiful.

[@NathansMoparGarage]

Lots of great parts on there. It would make a nice daily driver if you swapped some parts around.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The mother of all donor cars! That’s what I said. Need another hood so there aren’t holes when the scoops are gone. Haha.

[@corbinrobbins8763]

Funniest video I have seen ever. Take care sir.

[@Alphamutts]

Im glad you got that car, I saw it on marketplace and was sorta sad I didnt have the money for it

[@RabidTransitGarage]

I dig it! The 340's are a screamer so it should be a nice daily driver 🙂

[@Sonoma_Coast]

Mine had stock exhaust manifolds, but blown out Glass packs!

[@franklong8573]

I have a 73 340 auto Duster , with 70 Duster fenders , 68 Valiant hood , grill and front valance. I had to drill 2 holes to make it work , looks different and I like it , primer grey with a flat black hood. 4:89 and a spool in the back. Stop light to stop light it makes a quick trip.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s awesome. I love that early Valiant nose. Sounds like what was done to our Barracuda with the Dart nose, but a little different. And faster. Haha.

[@2HacksGarage]

Sounds like a blast!

[@rustypliers74]

I love the beak nose Darts 😍

[@russellblake9424]

Yes on scoops

[@kentkrueger6035]

I do hope you got a good deal on it. It has enough rust and dents in it to cause some concern. Having a 340 in it is a plus. 1976 Swingers only came with column shifters and bench seats. They also only came with the 225 slant six or the 318. Then they either had a column mounted 3 speed manual or a column mounted automatic, the 904 in fact.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Indeed, the console was no longer available for ‘76 Dart - only Dart Sport. Apparently bucket seats were however - according to the option sheet. The car was clearly built out of at least a couple different cars. I didn’t bother investigating what drivetrain it came with originally. I did get quite a good deal, and after making some improvements and enjoying it for a while, I sold it for a tidy profit.

[@Ihitthings3]

Yes. Put the scoops on! Also you need to score a ‘67 Dart GT! The ‘67 I think is the sleekest version body wise

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I like those. I’ve never had a ‘67-‘69 somehow. My favorite is the ‘70, which is strange because it’s kind of ugly… but I love it. Haha.

[@WillyMcCoy50]

Cooler'n cat manure. Swangin'!

[@rickyhollifield7699]

All tho ? The scoops make the dart ? They belong on the Demon !!! lXl

[@michaeladamo1188]

It’s a killer parts car!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Definitely could have been, but the new owner is actually restoring it.

[@twochaudiomg2578]

I like that car a lot of body style better than the dart. But that's only me. Probably.

[@srmackin]

Scoops definitely go on the Demon

[@sirairborn1984]

The scoops would like AWESOME on the demon, but the downside is the paint would look slightly different

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The hood is different so I would be using just the scoops. Possibly on a different spare hood.

[@char1337]

You need the six pack scoop for the demon, best look imo... Could be bias as that's what I'm running on mine, haha!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m not saying it’s not cool! But the duals are what would be factory on the ‘71, and it’s the look I’ve wanted for many years.

[@char1337]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Then 100% go with what you want, nothing better then that. I saved my stock hood and picked up a fiberglass one from AAR, I'm not a purist I just do what I like.

[@Sonoma_Coast]

I remember back in the 70's you could buy the scoops from the JC Whitney catalog. No internet back then everything was all on paper. @@DeadDodgeGarage

[@shaneadamiak2153]

What is great (fun) car

[@ThisValiantAdventure]

B5 blue changed hue at some point, which is why your two A bodies look like different shades. Don’t remember what year it changed though.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Makes sense - I know various colors changed as time went on. A friend has a ‘68 Charger that was B5 and I could swear it was lighter, but then it had also been repainted.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Great score! I would definitely use the scoops on the Demon! I'd probably fill the 340 emblem holes and repaint them, I don't think the 340 Demon's had the emblems from the factory although I've seen them added to alot of them, I think they only had the decal. You can have alot of fun with that dart, you can get nasty with it without worrying! Plus it has alot of great parts! You could even do a video on putting those scoops on and the correct placement by using the factory access hole's that are already in the bracing under the hood, it could save alot of folks from putting them in the wrong spot like I've saw so many times over the years!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s a great idea. The holes are there, but there’s still some room for error. I’ve seen there is a template thing that lays them out exactly. I figure some careful tape measure work can solve that though. And then of course the 3”, slightly oddly placed air hole and the water seals. You’re right, the 340 emblem wouldn’t be correct on my Demon. I might just let it ride. Tough call. I’m still building myself up to drilling the holes. Haha.

[@musclecarmitch908]

@@DeadDodgeGarage the big hole that gets the rubber grommet measures 4-1/4 inch from the factory, I bought a hole saw to cut mine but haven't got up the nerve yet!🤣 I've already bought the grommets, I made my own templates for the other hole's, I used a drill bit through a socket that fit the inner bracing holes snug and drilled the two holes at the back of the hood first, then lined up the template I made and drilled the rest.

[@cbobmonster]

I know you made this video a year ago just been going through your old videos. That car is good, but I would yank that motor and yes put the scoops on your 340 demon. If you have it done or already, I’ve never noticed in the videos lol.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I didn’t, but I found another set. I actually got a whole spare hood (better than the green one I had in this video) and am planning to put them on it. Yet another project I’m sure I’ll get to eventually. Haha. Thanks!

[@Sonoma_Coast]

I was wondering when I had my Dart with the 2 scoops if there was ever some function. I looked up from the 60's a cross ram manifold with 2 carbs on each side. @@DeadDodgeGarage

[@bigwrenchtech]

I'm the weird guy, I like the buzzard beak darts

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

They’ve grown on me over the years. But I prefer the 73-4.

[@brianwil89]

Get a second hood for the scoops

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s my real plan. I actually have one already but need to repair it.

[@mylescopeland7426]

I still want it.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You know what you must do

[@briantate401]

I have 2 tail lights good shape if you need em

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thanks, but I actually sold the car a few months ago.

[@paulscottbaker6042]

Do you still have a 65 Barracuda for sale?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Negative. Sold the day I listed it…

[@79asspin]

What went wrong at the end?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Not sure yet… I did a big smokey burnout to get my friend’s attention in traffic and it got pissed off

[@alcyr5655]

The more of your videos I watch, well.....if I had a YT channel: it would be, poor choice Mopar garage. Still have my first truck, 57 D100, 69 Fury subframe, 340, 727, 8 3/4. early 80's project with my late father. '80 Clubcab Powerwagon, because as most know, you can't afford to keep the '01 V-10 2500 while going through a messy divorce in '02. And choose to drive a '18 Powerwagon as my daily recently. While there is quite a few MOPAR Channels. Personally only a few I subscribe to

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Alright, Poor Choice is just brilliant. Wow. That’s one hell of a build. I’ve never heard of using the C body setup for a swap like that. How do you like the modern Power Wagon? I really like it in theory, but I don’t think I could afford Hemi truck fuel mileage for my daily commuter at this point. My third gen Cummins is bad enough at 18-19 MPG, and it cost much less at almost 300k miles…

[@alcyr5655]

@@DeadDodgeGarage my dad was old school mechanic, and I was into Hot Rod and Truck'n magazines back in early 80's. Looking back it was a project that was full of bad choices. But it was done dirt cheap. 69 Fury front clip easily slips outside the 57 frame rails, Clued in later, different track width. Go to drop the cab back on frame, didn't think about engine placement, cut out firewall. Started with a beat up truck and worn out Fury. Now I know use a Dakota chassis. '80,'15, '18 Power Wagon. 6.4 Hemi with 4.10 gears is thirsty for fuel, but not really worse than the '80, with a 360, 4 BBL, 4spd. It's all the electronics that scares me on the newer Power Wagons.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Right. The electronics make it more than a little different than my ‘48… will it still be running in 75 years? I’m not ready to bank on that. Some of the best ideas are absolutely nuts.

[@alcyr5655]

@@DeadDodgeGarage It was just a project, preinternet. Take a beat up truck, use a 69 Fury, We farmed out the welding of the subframe, the rest was done in a cramped garage. Lots of hurdles. Didn't realize how far back the engine sat back, compared to the early straight axle. My dad is gone, but I can never let this truck go.

[@Mr.mopar71]

Too bad those J heads are the 1.88 intake valve and not the 2.02 71 only J.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I wouldn’t worry about that too much. My Demon is currently breathing through later 360 heads with 1.88s and it doesn’t seem to mind much…

[@Mr.mopar71]

@@DeadDodgeGarage but, w2 heads would be nice.

[@josephcenna7785]

PS your comments hit so close to home....

[@v65dreamer]

I took the power steering OUT of my Dart. Was a MUCH better driving car with MANUAL steering.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep. That’s where I’m at. My brother converted his manual steering Valiant to power steering. I had questions, and now that I own it, I have irritation.

[@v65dreamer]

@@DeadDodgeGarage A friend is a master welder / frabricator . He lengthened the steering shaft for me. The rest was simple part swapping. I got lucky and found a good manual steering box with a good pitman arm attached for TEN DOLLARS.

[@EarlwithanE]

I would suggest therapy for your condition, but then, it would less money for "mopar" bad decisions 😂👍💪😎

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Right… so therapy is out 😅

[@rodransome3783]

No

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh, ok

[@twochaudiomg2578]

You are pjcking the wrongs of the car. Its not that kind of car

[@-MJ-.]

nice radio