Classic/Antique Car Repair/1964 dodge dart

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Expert: - 8/18/2010


Question
Dear expert. This vehicle has the 223 slant six. It has an entire new fuel
system from tank to intake. New distributor as well as plugs and wires.
Reads 120 pound throughout on compression reading. All grounds have
been checked and secured. Yet. It still runs sluggish. At an idle it's o k. In
a drive it is fine one moment and not the next. Any suggestions or help
would be a god sent at this point as I am running out of patience and
funds. Thanks. Will

Answer
If this is an automatic transmission it might be a defect in the torque converter. The one way clutch in the converter may be slipping causing the engine to bog down during acceleration. If the engine and components are ok as you say, this could be your problem. With the car in drive an your foot planted firmly on the brake and the transmission in drive, a tach connected to the engine should record 1400 RPM when the throttle is mashed to wide open. If it does not and the engine is in proper tune, then the converter is suspect.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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