I've got a '65 Valiant 100 2-door sedan. 170, T-flite, later model 7-1/4 axle w/ 2.76s. Stock as a rock, 'cept for later Mopar electronic ignition and a radiator from a later V8/ac A-body. Gets nearly 25 MPG if I'm careful. The car is just such a sweetheart like it is, I'm having trouble bringing myself to modify it.

But I've also got a nice stash of parts: 5 on 4.5 BP Disc brakes & prop valve from a '74 Dart, Torsion Bars from a '73 318/ac Dart, 5 on 4.5 8-1/4 axle and springs from same Dart (2.76s IIRC), several 225s to choose from including a complete super six setup, and a '72 904 T-flite.

The suspension and brake parts would bolt right in, and should make the little Valaint a handlin' machine, seein' how it's one of the lightest of all A-bodies. I can't really see that having any ill effects on my MPG, the difference in unsprung weight probably wouldn't make a noticeable difference.

But then the performance wouldn't come near measuring up to the handling- I'd want to drop in a 225. I'm thinkin' a well set up, close to stock Super Six could still get excellent mileage when light footin' it, but have a lot more grunt when my foot gets heavy.

Here's the mental-build so far: stock '87 225 short block (have a low mile example in the garage), '75 head (same reason) mabey shaved a little for compression (how much? I still want to run 87 octane), aluminum 2-bbl manifold with a stock, pre-emission 273 or 318 Carter BBD, stock iron exhaust manifold with 2-1/4 exhaust all the way back and a stock-type muffler.

For the trans, I'd like to swap in the wide-ratio gears that came in 318 Fifth Aves, etc. Can this be done with the '72 904 I've got? I'm not an A/T expert, so I'd have to find someone to build the trans. I figure the wide ratio trans and long legged 2.76s would probably work pretty well with a nearly stock 225's low end grunt.

If I do this, I'd probably do it in stages, the suspension/brake upgrades first, drivetrain swap later.

Or should I just leave the poor little Valiant alone and enjoy it the way it is.... Decisions, Decisions....

Just thinkin' out loud, and ramblin' of course

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Brian (Valianator)

'65 Valiant V100 170/T-flite
'82 D150 225/4-speed
'65 Dart 225 4 door
'68 Dart 225 4-door with Valiant front clip (future project)

For some reason, I've thought it would be cool to build a hot 170 with a screaming high redline. It'd give a lightweight A-body a character more in keeping with a sports car than a high-torque / low RPM American muscle car. My ideal buildup would have side-draft carbs (either three Webers or one of the various exotic Lynx manifolds), headers, some extra compression, and a hot cam.

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
My blog - Mad Scientist Matt's Lair

Sounds like a good project I hope you the best of luck. The suspension mods are always a good idea since they will make it safer and improve handling without little negative side effects. The 65 should have column cable shift which means to install a 66+ trans you will need to change the steering column to one from a 66 column shift a body. Drive it while you mod it and have fun with it.

Which will only fit if you swap the '65 column-to-floorpan plate onto the '66 column.

The '81-'87 engines have pretty doggy camshafts in them, so you'd want to pay attention to that. And the EB-welded "2 piece" aluminum intakes can be problematic, so pay extra careful attention there. You probably won't get to keep your 25mpg, but with thoughtful setup and careful driving, you could probably still get respectable mileage.

The low-ratio gearset will swap into the earlier transmission. You need to use the outer and inner governor weights that go with it, and be prepared to live with noisier first and second gear operation.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

That build sounds very much like my Valaint. 225 Super 6 , disc brakes etc. I get close to 25mpg when I drive for mileage.

The BBD on an aluminum manifold gets better mileage than a 1 barrel for most driving. The 2.25 exhaust is a big part of that.

I think you will like the changes.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

You can still keep your stock 65 cable shifted column and use a 66-up 904. Imperial Services makes an adapter with the short cable so you can use the stock column and a later torqueflite. I've bought one for my 65 wagon (not yet installed) and it's a nice piece.

I s'pose I oughta go ahead and upgrade the Valiant. after all, what am I saving all those parts for ?

I was thinking about saving them for an A-body ragtop, but that'll probably never happen. Besides, after living with a friend's convertable for a weekend, I'm not as smitten by them as I once was.

I know where there's a '66 A body column and linkage I can get cheap, so I'll go ahead and scoop it up for later. I'm sure the Imperial Services conversion set-up is nice (heard good things about 'em) but since I can get the factory parts for less than $20...

I'll have to do something with the throtle linkage too- mabey use the cable, lever and 'roller' from a B-body so I can keep my floor mount pedal.

But I'll start with the suspension and brakes anyways.

Thanks for all the input, guys

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Brian (Valianator)

'65 Valiant V100 170/T-flite
'82 D150 225/4-speed
'65 Dart 225 4 door
'68 Dart 225 4-door with Valiant front clip (future project)

My last Valiant was a 64 V-8 (273/2-bbl, auto) that I swapped a 225/1-bbl, 3-Sp combo into. With the V-8 suspension (inc. frt sway bar), lowered 1.5" in the front, stock 9" drums all around and the widest belted radials I could fit on stock 13 X 4.5" rims.

I could chase 'Vettes thru the curves in the Rocky Mountains outside Canon City CO. Couldn't beat them on the straights, but it sure embarrassed them to see that old Valiant in the rear view on turns.

IOW, it was a great handling combination. If you go with V-8 T-bars and rear springs, I think you'll be pleased with the handling