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Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? #1194724
03/10/12 09:44 PM
03/10/12 09:44 PM
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orange city,FL
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Demon340GSS Offline OP
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Hi guys and gals,
Just getting interested in running something more "stock" for a change..
Doing a quick search here for info and did not find much !!
I am working on my original big block 68 dart with a 440/auto that still uses the original cast iron big block exhaust manifolds..
Can I still be competitive using these manifolds, As
They seem so restrictive just lookin at them!!!

I would like to chat with any FAST class racers using big block dart or cuda in this class please, ..As I do not know any one local to me here in this class running a big block A body car..
Am I correct that it needs to look as original as possible ??? ( ie, I cant use headers?)
What are your big block darts or cuda's running in the 1/4 thru the stock big block A body manifolds ???.
Any one out there doing this?
I appreciate your help and info on this please.
I have more questions and have done alot to the engine/trans to be safer and "live" in a racing situtaion..,and still look stock, But got alot of work to do though..
It does run&drive now again though...
Grant Eaton
1155 6th St,
Orange City, FL 32763.
386-561-1181

7112737-240.JPG (320 downloads)

Owner of Original collector and restored original mopars from Mr Norms Grand Spaulding Dodge.
Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: Demon340GSS] #1194725
03/10/12 09:50 PM
03/10/12 09:50 PM
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orange city,FL
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Demon340GSS Offline OP
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I know it's ugly right now, But the thing will look better after its taken apart to do the body work.
Grant Eaton

7112743-242.JPG (319 downloads)

Owner of Original collector and restored original mopars from Mr Norms Grand Spaulding Dodge.
Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: Demon340GSS] #1194726
03/10/12 10:13 PM
03/10/12 10:13 PM
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Phila Pa
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scatpacktom Offline
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https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...e=0#Post7084078

I am building one right now as a matter of fact. Dropped the block off at the machine shop today. My car is not for the FAST class but for the Pure Stock Drags. Jim Seiler runs a 69 GTS and I think he has been low 12 with a low compression 493.

Have at it Man

Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: scatpacktom] #1194727
03/10/12 10:28 PM
03/10/12 10:28 PM
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Posts: 27,421
Balt. Md
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383man Offline
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I dont think you can use a 68 Dart with a 440 as it would have to be a 69 as thats the only year the factory put the 440 in the Dart. Ron

Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: 383man] #1194728
03/10/12 10:44 PM
03/10/12 10:44 PM
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Phila Pa
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scatpacktom Offline
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Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: scatpacktom] #1194729
03/11/12 03:46 AM
03/11/12 03:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,326
A gulag near you.
JohnRR Offline
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Quote:

Oh Ron

http://www.streetlegaltv.com/features/ca...e-dart-gss-440/




Tom I have to agree with Ron, the 68 GSS was not a factory built car so I don't think it would be FAST legal, it would be like a YENKO and I don't think those cars are legal.

Grant what is your idea of competitive? The top cars in FAST are in the 9's. many are low 10's. A 69 Big Block A body with a single 4 bbl and it's restrictive drivers side exh. manifold will not even be remotely competitive with the top of the class.

But then again I said a 6 pk wedge couldn't get out of the 12's so someone feel free to prove me wrong again ...

I'll be happy if my 450" 4spd Dart runs into the 11's .

Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: JohnRR] #1194730
03/11/12 09:32 AM
03/11/12 09:32 AM
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Phila Pa
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scatpacktom Offline
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What do you mean by "not factory built"? They are no different than a Superbird or a Shelby Mustang. These are M code cars, what is the problem? So what they went to a outside vendor, they were delivered to Grand Spaulding as complete cars, not something whipped up in the service bays. Imagine Grand Spaulding converting 50 cars in a little corner car lot. What is the issue John?

"Mr. Norm then managed to convince Chrysler to build 48 (50 by other accounts – logical, as it would qualify the 440 Dart for NHRA) 383/automatic Dart GTSs but without the 383 and tranny installed."

Mr Norm felt the Big Block Dart was "His Baby" and wanted to keep it that way. Chrysler said they were going to sell them to any dealer that wanted one. They finally comprimised and offered him that they would be available to all dealers but they would have to be ordered in batches of fifty. You couldn't just order one. Dealers would try to get them from Grand Spaulding and Norm would tell them to pound sand. If a customer wanted one they would have to buy it from GSD

Last edited by scatpacktom; 03/11/12 09:59 AM.
Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: scatpacktom] #1194731
03/11/12 09:57 AM
03/11/12 09:57 AM
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Canada
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http://www.fastraces.org/members/fastrac...f5!OpenDocument



F.A.S.T. racing is for 1955 to 1974 muscle cars built in United States and Canadian assembly plants. Factory lightweight cars built for sanctioned drag racing and dealership built/modified cars are not eligible to participate. Cars must have been originally equipped with a minimum of four-barrel carburetion, dual exhaust, and other factory installed equipment that promotes a high performance image.


1970 Barracuda Convertible
1968 Satellite Street Strip car
1654.5 Mustang
1955 Land Rover
Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: scatpacktom] #1194732
03/11/12 09:59 AM
03/11/12 09:59 AM
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Balt. Md
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383man Offline
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What I mean is you could not order a 440 Dart in 1968 from the factory. Mr Norm did the GSS Darts on his own. You could order a Superbird in 1970 because it was sold through the factory same as the 69 Dart 440. Dont matter where it was done as long as you could get it from the factory and not be a dealer installed eng done by that dealer. I wish they were legal but I am not sure they are.
I also agree they would not run at the top with the exh manifolds they use and the little carb and crappy intake. I have seen a 6pk car run in the 10.80's and a Max Wedge run 10.30's and of course the Hemi at 9.90's with the Ford in the 9.80's. Ron

Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: 383man] #1194733
03/11/12 10:02 AM
03/11/12 10:02 AM
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Phila Pa
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scatpacktom Offline
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Last edited by scatpacktom; 03/11/12 10:17 AM.
Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: scatpacktom] #1194734
03/11/12 10:31 AM
03/11/12 10:31 AM
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Balt. Md
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383man Offline
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Tom are you sure that is right ? I have never heard what that story says. I was always told you could not get a 440 Dart in 68 other then the dealer installed GSS Dart from Mr Norm. If thats story is right then it may be legal but I have never heard that. Ron

Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: 383man] #1194735
03/11/12 10:48 AM
03/11/12 10:48 AM
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somwhere
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smokinwoody Offline
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I think, as I had read, Norm's crew converted one Dart and brought it to Chrysler...they were amazed on how they shoe-horned an RB block in..

thats when they decided and the manufacturer ordered them built on limited production and sold thru GSD...I believe thats how it went and the car is a true factory represented car...even tho Hurst built them...

Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: smokinwoody] #1194736
03/11/12 10:56 AM
03/11/12 10:56 AM
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Phila Pa
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scatpacktom Offline
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Please read THE WHOLE ARTICLE not JUST THE 67 383 PART.

Guys these cars are not Myths. Jim Rhinhart has access to 3 of them.

You call yourselves MoPar guys? LOOK AT THE LINKS PLEASE. THIS SHOULDN'T BE A ISSUE

These cars are the very rarest of all the M code cars but they are no myth.

Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: scatpacktom] #1194737
03/11/12 11:29 AM
03/11/12 11:29 AM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,491
Oologah, Oklahoma
Big Squeeze Offline
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I'm assuming this is the car??? If it is, I've never seen a '68 GTS with the "GT" emblems on the right corner of the trunk lid and the "DART" emblems on the quarter panels ahead of the side marker lights unless it was just a "GT".....but you say; I am working on my original big block 68 dart with a 440/auto that still uses the original cast iron big block exhaust manifolds..
.....I've never heard of an original big block GT Dart.......

What am I missing??? Is the car in this pic a real "M" code?? From the looks of it, it appears to be a '68 GT with a GTS hood......

If you're building a clone anyway and to avoid all this "is it legal" BS, just build it as a low deck and put 383 badges on it......




If you can't handle the truth, you're living a lie.......
Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: Big Squeeze] #1194738
03/11/12 12:30 PM
03/11/12 12:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
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Balt. Md
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383man Offline
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Tom I know the 68 Mr Norn 440 Dart GSS is not a myth as I have seen a few over the years. I just did not think you could get one from the factory and I was always told Mr Norms installed the 440's in the 68 Darts. But I will say I saw a 68 Dart 440 running in Superstock and I wondered how it was legal ? Ron

Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: scatpacktom] #1194739
03/11/12 12:31 PM
03/11/12 12:31 PM
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Posts: 172
orange city,FL
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Demon340GSS Offline OP
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I am learning alot of things from some of you, So Thankyou to all of you..

I dont know is F.A.S.T is the right class, Or should I be looking for Pure Stock now? What the differences?
I just thought it would be nice to race it in fast/pure stock and understand that they only have a limited number of races each year.

Seems to me that a 440 dart would kick ass if done right?
Some have asked how fast I wanted it to go?
.. Honestly think I can make it run consistantly low 12's (with a gear change)
low 13's just as it sits !

Even the stock class cars that Landy and the like ran Wayyy back then where down in the 11's with headers and small slicks.
It is no "cream puff" right now.
Needs an original brake master cylinder with the bolt on lid.
The emblems /mirrors on it where swapped by the guy that had it before me ( a chevy guy) with ones off a much earlier 60's dodge dart and so we got new correct ones.
It came with stripes and white interior, But has been partially repainted at some time. It has some 72 dart stuff on it now I found out (ie, headliner & back seat)
The holes for the original gss emblems are still there, but missing the emblems, so I got some new ones for that. it has the 440 emblems from a 69 dart 440 emblems in the hood, in place of the gts ones, So I gotta get the right ones..
I has a adjustable pinion snubber on it, Big drum brakes all around. 3.91's and a spool.

I got alot to do to it as you all can see!

I am just wanting to know from some of the fast class guys what I can and cannot get away with running a big block dart.

Again, Thankyou.

Grant Eaton
1155 6th St
Orange City, FL 32763
PH 386-561-1181.


Owner of Original collector and restored original mopars from Mr Norms Grand Spaulding Dodge.
Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: Demon340GSS] #1194740
03/11/12 12:36 PM
03/11/12 12:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,421
Balt. Md
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383man Offline
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I agree with you a bigblock Dart is very fast. But in the FAST and Pure Stock classes you have to run the very restictive exh manifolds and they kill power and the Carter carb is to small for any real power. All the super fast bigblock Darts run headers and Holley carbs. Good luck with it. Ron

Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: Demon340GSS] #1194741
03/11/12 12:52 PM
03/11/12 12:52 PM
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Posts: 1,142
Central New York
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Quote:

I am learning alot of things from some of you, So Thankyou to all of you..

I dont know is F.A.S.T is the right class, Or should I be looking for Pure Stock now? What the differences?
I just thought it would be nice to race it in fast/pure stock and understand that they only have a limited number of races each year.

Seems to me that a 440 dart would kick ass if done right?
Some have asked how fast I wanted it to go?
.. Honestly think I can make it run consistantly low 12's (with a gear change)
low 13's just as it sits !

Even the stock class cars that Landy and the like ran Wayyy back then where down in the 11's with headers and small slicks.
It is no "cream puff" right now.
Needs an original brake master cylinder with the bolt on lid.
The emblems /mirrors on it where swapped by the guy that had it before me ( a chevy guy) with ones off a much earlier 60's dodge dart and so we got new correct ones.
It came with stripes and white interior, But has been partially repainted at some time. It has some 72 dart stuff on it now I found out (ie, headliner & back seat)
The holes for the original gss emblems are still there, but missing the emblems, so I got some new ones for that. it has the 440 emblems from a 69 dart 440 emblems in the hood, in place of the gts ones, So I gotta get the right ones..
I has a adjustable pinion snubber on it, Big drum brakes all around. 3.91's and a spool.

I got alot to do to it as you all can see!

I am just wanting to know from some of the fast class guys what I can and cannot get away with running a big block dart.

Again, Thankyou.

Grant Eaton
1155 6th St
Orange City, FL 32763
PH 386-561-1181.





You seam like a nice guy. So here is the deal. Take your car and do with it as you like.This numbers game is only for anle people that have a bunch of money that either can buy a numbers matching car or have some else build it. If you have thousands of dollars and build that car. In the end it will be just a clone worth no more than a 318 Dart the same year. Here is my Build the car the way you want. Make it very streetable but with a little kick for the drag strip. Go have fun driving it and go to the drag strip once in awhile.Leave all these other guys to the garage driven numbers matching cars.


If the MODS did their job I would not be hitting the notify MOD button. LOL
Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: Demon340GSS] #1194742
03/11/12 12:59 PM
03/11/12 12:59 PM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,491
Oologah, Oklahoma
Big Squeeze Offline
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Posts: 1,491
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Quote:

I dont know if F.A.S.T is the right class, Or should I be looking for Pure Stock now? What the differences?




Pure Stock is basically just that.......The cars are supposed to be 100% pure stock with only blue printing to the engines, but there's a LOT of Creative Interpretation of the rules going on.....There are cars in the mid to low 11's now on bias tires.....

Basically FAST cars should be able to pass the visual tech of Pure Stock cars, but they're allowed to modify the insides of the engines while using all the Pure Stock parts........so you can bore and stroke them, port the heads and intake, use any camshaft as long as it sounds stock, modify the carburetor.......That's the gist of it......


If you can't handle the truth, you're living a lie.......
Re: Are there any Big Block 440 dart F.A.S.T. racers here? [Re: scatpacktom] #1194743
03/11/12 02:18 PM
03/11/12 02:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,326
A gulag near you.
JohnRR Offline
I Win
JohnRR  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,326
A gulag near you.
Quote:

What do you mean by "not factory built"? They are no different than a Superbird or a Shelby Mustang. These are M code cars, what is the problem? So what they went to a outside vendor, they were delivered to Grand Spaulding as complete cars, not something whipped up in the service bays. Imagine Grand Spaulding converting 50 cars in a little corner car lot. What is the issue John?

"Mr. Norm then managed to convince Chrysler to build 48 (50 by other accounts – logical, as it would qualify the 440 Dart for NHRA) 383/automatic Dart GTSs but without the 383 and tranny installed."

Mr Norm felt the Big Block Dart was "His Baby" and wanted to keep it that way. Chrysler said they were going to sell them to any dealer that wanted one. They finally comprimised and offered him that they would be available to all dealers but they would have to be ordered in batches of fifty. You couldn't just order one. Dealers would try to get them from Grand Spaulding and Norm would tell them to pound sand. If a customer wanted one they would have to buy it from GSD




Tom I am asking the question because I really know very little about these cars other than they do exist . I know that Norm had a big hand in both a big block ending up in an A body and a 440 going into it also , but that where it ends.

What did they use for exhaust manifolds on these 68 or did hurst stick the fenderwell headers on them? If it's the headers then they will not pass for FAST and that you know.

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