Existing daily driver is 1997 Ram, Club Cab, 1/2 ton, 2wd, 360, 5 Speed and 3.55 gears. 15-16 is consistent MPG even with Scan Guage and efficiency modifications, and good driving techniques.

I am going revive the Dart Lite, and use her for what she was made for...MPG's. I have a budget of $500.00 to $700.00 for tweaks to get her back.

Here is what I have to work with right now:
--76 Dart Lite. 225, with alum intake, 1bbl carb, stock exhaust manifold, 2-2.25 exhaust with Dynomax "welded" muffler.
--4 wheel drum brakes in small bolt pattern. Stockton 15" ralleye wheels with 235/60/15 radial tires
--3 speed manual transmission
--2.94 gears in 7.25 axle
--No smog parts whatsoever.
--synthetic fluid in both the transmission and rear end. Engine leaks too much for synthetic.

See next post for basic needs.

_________________
1976 Dart Lite /6 3 Speed

Immediate Needs:

Fix a leak on the top of the gas tank (added a sender for aftermarket fuel level gauge that is leaking) No cost.

CARB! I have been through this carb a million times. I replaced it with another carb. Both rebuilt with basic parts store kit. I have had NOTHING but trouble, float sticking, leaks, accelerator pump linkage, etc.
Carb is a 1945 (I think) with the base, main body, and top hat (like Thermoquad).

I need to do something with induction. Either find a GOOD 1 bbl carb, or go to a 2 bbl setup.

Presuming I can get these 2 things remedied, I can drive daily. Brakes and fluids will be checked, etc, but I do not anticipate any issues there.

What are you recommendations on how to proceed?

HEI mod?
Electric fan?

_________________
1976 Dart Lite /6 3 Speed

I should clarify to help answers.

Yes, the Dart came as small bolt pattern and 3 speed trans. Build date is in November of 1975, so I think it might be an early bird.

I do have an A body 4 speed OD, with a loose shifter and linkage, and a spare /6 with the /6 bellhousing.

My longer term goals are to check out the spare /6, de-clutter it (truck motor that had lean burn), and assemble the spare /6 with the bellhousing and 4 speed OD and drop them in later.

Right now, I have 500-700 bucks to spend. I am OK with spending all or part, and saving the extra towards the swap goal, but swap will be a little while, so getting the best out of the existing combo would be great.

Driving is mostly local, with a 15-20 minute highway commute in the morning, a 20-30 minute evening commute, and local, around town activites to the store, etc.

I appreciate you reading my version of War and Peace. I enjoy driving the Dart, and ran it daily for 2 years, but couldn't get past the carb issues, and had to park her.

_________________
1976 Dart Lite /6 3 Speed

Rebuild carb with Standard Motor Products rebuild kit and new float...make sure float moves and does not contact the body and stick...

You can use the late motor, cast crank mill may help a bit, but you will need to make sure to degree the cam in and check for timing chain stretch.

You will also have to reinstate the EGR and radiator vacc.sensors to use with your Dart Light Stock distributor.

Also suggest moving to the A-833OD ASAP...the 3 spd is only good to a certain point...the OD/Lite-FD package shines on the highway at cruise...


-D.Idiot

Replace the carb with one that's NOT a remanufactured unit(if you're sure it's not something else causing the drivability issues), go over the brakes thoroughly, plop a bunch of spare parts in the trunk with a well-equipped toolbox, fix the fuel leak, and drive that bitch all day long

Easier said than done, right?

I planned on checking late motor over, check bearings, regasket, etc.
I will make it a point to check timing chain.
--I don't have the EGR and other parts. Would I be better off grabbing a non Dart Lite distributor, or are the parts readily available to return it back to stock?
I agree on the OD, I am going to take a week off work once it warms to a certain point, and get the /6 and OD together, and then take a couple days underhood cleaning and painting body color before I stab in the OD combo.

_________________
1976 Dart Lite /6 3 Speed

So far the 2 carbs have been rebuilt by me, not remanufactured units. The bane has been age, where bolt holes are stripped, emulsion tube breaks, acc pump rod seizures, etc. I am buying another carb locally and will try it again, to see if it is better.

Spare parts and a well equipped toolbox are DEFINATELY in the mix.

_________________
1976 Dart Lite /6 3 Speed

Check Slant Six Dan... he may still have some OEM carbs available, though likely not the exact replacement for your specialized application (Dart Lite).