70 Duster- blacked out and stroked out

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hello everyone! ive been lurking around, and posted in the welcome section of this great site, and figured id wait until some progress can be made before i post in here. Heres a few (or a lot) of pics of the build thus far, starting out with how we got it and then what we had to replace, which was everything:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/dusterroadrunner1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/nofrontcliporsusp-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/newbrakes-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/nofloors2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/primedfloor2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/nottrunk-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/seamsealedfloors-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/batterybox-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/dashinstalled-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/almostdone2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/almostdone1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/finishedgrille-1.jpg....

[ALLstrokedOUT]

heres a few more pics to get everything up to date... I rewired the entire car with a painless kit, everything works now. The engine is going to be a 408ci small block, with about 10:1 comp. edelbrock heads/intake, and a comp roller hyd. cam. Weve had a few problems with our engine builders work ethic (hes had the short block for almost 7 months) but we should be getting the short block this friday, and have the engine permanantly in by next friday, if we dont need a spacer for the hydraulic throw out bearing. As of right now the suspension is stock, with some sway bars, and heavier tortion bars, but maybe later down the road after it gets driven a couple thousand miles, we might do some more radical suspension mods...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/ignition-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/KeithBlackpistons3-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/strokedcrankshaft2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/cleanblock2-1.jpg

[Smock67]

That is one mean looking duster. I have to ask though where did you get your wheels from?

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks! I got the wheels from Summit: Cragar 3428912, 17x8 front 17x9 in the rear. I think theyre meant for a truck, but at $85.00 each (for the rear) who cares.

[Smock67]

I think i'm going to have to get those cause my chevy rally wheels on my pontiac aren't doing it and these look sick.

[SaturnVUEguy]

Looks good! I like the Dusters, and this one is looking nice!

[linkstar69]

great to see another A body on PT, great stuff

[dcozzi]

My buddy had a '70 340 Duster and it was a blast. That little car ripped!

With the weight of the car and the power you are gong to make with that motor, you gotta do the suspension. Nothing but fun to be had right there!

Cool car.

[BA.]

looks like you've got your hands full for sure. Lookin good!

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks everyone for your kind remarks, this car was meant to be a "low maintenance" car id take to college, a few hours from home, and not worry about it sitting in the parking garage (hence the flat black, "cheap" wheels, and hidden kill switch i installed.) Hopefully ill be able to take it to school eventually. But we didnt cut corners, so that later we could go back and do very little to get it right. I would say generally speaking it was built on a pretty tight budget, i just added up all the reciepts for everything from the tires, to the engine components, to all new front suspension and breaks, i could keep going. Lets just say so far is looking like its gunna be cheaper than a new kia sportage...the base model...

[SaturnVUEguy]

I would say generally speaking it was built on a pretty tight budget, i just added up all the reciepts for everything from the tires, to the engine components, to all new front suspension and breaks, i could keep going. Lets just say so far is looking like its gunna be cheaper than a new kia sportage...the base model...Is that with or without the initial price of the Duster?

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thats including the initial price of the duster, im proud to say we got the Duster for $1200, with the 360 and a 904 auto that were not going to use. i also calculated a sum of money for the engine (picking up tom. ...maybe ), and other things we havnt gotten yet. could we have done it cheaper? yea, if we slapped the 360 in it might have run for 5000+ miles before the bearings got eaten through, but its better to get the big things over with now.

[SaturnVUEguy]

Good deal! Have any plans to sell the 360 to possibly even subtract from that total spent? (no, I'm not looking to buy)

[LMDGUY]

very nice! i miss my 71 dart, had a 360 with a 727 auto. my first american muscle car

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Good deal! Have any plans to sell the 360 to possibly even subtract from that total spent? (no, I'm not looking to buy)
well, we used the 360 block for the 408, so its being used, but somewhere down the line im planning on getting rid of/selling a few parts eventually. The trunk was filled with spare mopar stuff, part of a chargers dash, a few big block things, molding etc, even a mallory unilite distributor for a wedge block, that alone would be ~$400 new. Im thinking of taking all of the left over slant six parts and making a little open wheel autocrosser eventually. nothings gunna go to waste thats for sure.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hello everyone, today was a great day, the short block is finished and home after nearly 7 months (lazy engine builder), i painted it, and measured for the hydraulic throw out bearing's adjustability, and it is exactly where it should be, dont need to buy a shim for it! Heres some pictures of the block below, hopefully wednesday the heads should be installed. Unfortunately, Scat has machined the pilot bushing hole on the back of the crank to an odd diameter (stock pilot bushing wont fit- too small) so we might have to make a custom one, unless someone else has had this problem or could help find a solution. The stock bushings dimensions are: internal .753" external .940" and the external needs to be somewhere between 1.025" and 1.035" to fit into the back of the crank. Does anyone know where i can get a pilot bushing like this? -Thanks
EDIT: I found a Jeep/Willys/AMC pilot bushing that is 0.04 too big externally, i think i can just take it down to where it needs to be.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/shortblock5-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/shortblock8-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Well, its almost been a week, but progress is being made. After buying and trying to make one of five different kinds of pilot bushings/bearings work, it turns out that a mopar part no. P487-6056 pilot bearing will work, meant for a 5.2L/5.9L magnum. now that ive got that, the engine/tranny can start to come together, heres a few pics of todays progress, tomorrow its going into the car for good. Then the next task is to find the proper pushrod length to fit between the crane roller lifters, and roller rockers and order a new driveshaft...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/clutchandbell2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/transandenginetogether2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/transandenginetogether-1.jpg

[rjsjea]

That'll be a fun car.......:bananna2:

[1968CamaroSS_Sam]

Great job. It is going to look awesome. I love the Dusters. My dad had a 72' when I was growing up.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Oh man, that was a long day! we started out around 8:30am and seven hours later, the engine was there to stay. After the snags were untangled, it went in rather well, i just dont know how a big block could physically fit in. The main problem was how low the 8qt oil pan was hanging down, it got stuck on the k-member unless we angled the engine way up, to do so we had to take the heads off, so they wouldnt go inside the firewall. As it is, the scatter shield dug into the firewall/trans tunnel pretty badly. While the heads were off we installed the headers which, after removing the starter, steering linkage, and lifted the car up as high as it could go; they went in rather easily.
While the heads were off i decided to check the roller lifters in the block, its a good thing i did, because with the heads on you cant put them in!!!
Heres a few pictures of the progress today. The cars sitting rather low with an additional 600lbs(est.) in the front, 2-3 inches of ground clearance from the pan- gotta fix that, but its finally in. Later in the week, all the accessories are going on, and the last of the wiring is going to be done.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/enginealmostin-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/engineinheaderson2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/engineinstallfinished2-1.jpg

[Scottem]

nicely done, please post up more pics when you can..

[SaturnVUEguy]

So what are you going to do for a pan?

[ALLstrokedOUT]

So what are you going to do for a pan?
were keeping the Moroso 8qt pan, it just made installing the engine a pain since it kept hitting the k-member. we still have to tightend the suspension, since we put in all new bushings and they have to seat/settle correctly with full car weight before tightening. once the tortion bars are tightened to proper ride height it should be fine.

[Nate K]

Nice to see another mopar. I love the blacked out look.

[SaturnVUEguy]

were keeping the Moroso 8qt pan, it just made installing the engine a pain since it kept hitting the k-member. we still have to tightend the suspension, since we put in all new bushings and they have to seat/settle correctly with full car weight before tightening. once the tortion bars are tightened to proper ride height it should be fine.:twothumbs Sounds cool! The earlier post made it sound like you were looking for one that sits off the ground a lil bit more

[Discoquik]

were keeping the Moroso 8qt pan, it just made installing the engine a pain since it kept hitting the k-member. we still have to tightend the suspension, since we put in all new bushings and they have to seat/settle correctly with full car weight before tightening. once the tortion bars are tightened to proper ride height it should be fine.

Milodon Pan fits 1000x better. And a big block fits sweet with TTI headers. Have a Duster with a 408 and the Milodon just needs a small notch. We just sold a Dart Sport with a 500 BB and it was as easy if not easier to work on than the small block.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Milodon Pan fits 1000x better. And a big block fits sweet with TTI headers...
Thats great news about the big block! Ive seen a few around, but never thought about how well itd fit, utting the headers on cant be fun. I would advise not to get the Moroso pan ever, it fits o.k. the steering is at least out of its way. But the oil pickup tube had to be shortened about one inch - thats the pickup they said to use with that pan.

On that note ill transition into my next hardship... Crane roller lifters-im never buying them again. I installed them unknowingly backwords (figured the horizontal beam linking the two lifters together was like the sbc's and had to go away from the block) Today i tried to fix this problem, so i had to remove the headers, starter, and loosen the heads to lift them enough to remove the lifters (i dont know if this is Cranes fault also, or edelbrocks). the first three went in easy, then came the fourth, i had to clearance the block so it would clear a peak in the casting.

I got to the passanger side thinking the hard part was over, i couldnt have been more wrong. i had to clearance the block for all four lifter assemblies for them to fit. about 3 hours of careful fitment and even more careful grinding, and theyre all in. I called Crane twice at different stages and both times all their techs could say to me was "ive never seen that happen on a 360 before"- like that would help me.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/lifterclearancing5-1.jpg
Ill post some more pics of progress when there is some in a few days

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hello Everyone! Today is a very special day, i realized it about mid-day. Today marks one year to the day that the duster rolled into our driveway. I thought it would be fitting and fun to show some before and after pictures. the before pictures are the ones that were posted in the ad, the after ones are a few i took today. -hope you enjoy (still a little messy, little ways to go still)
As far as progress on the car, we bled the brakes and throw out bearing, put the shifter linkage in, and we measured the pushrods, hopefully the custom length ones will come mid week. After the valves are lashed itll pretty much be ready to start!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/original5-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/berforeandafter2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/original-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/berforeandafter3-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/original2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/beforeandafter-1.jpg

[Motown 454]

Wow a lot of very nice changes. looking good keep the updates coming
Wayne

[dusterbd13]

coming along very nice sir.
who's gauge cluster? i know its not a RMD piece, but ive never seen one like yours before. any better pictures?
also, the comp lifters are worse. i had to take about 1/4 out from behind every lifter to get the link bar to clear.

and also, if youhavent already bought headers, stay away from TTI. i put those on mone, and wouldnt spend the money again. they hit in quite a few places, keep blowing gaskets, and were absolutely brutal to put in.

Michael

[69LT1Nova]

Just a suggestion; you may want to ditch the flex fan and go with a electric fan set-up, or at least a clutch fan. I had a flex fan on my 360 Dart, and changed to a clutch fan. Went from 15 mpg to 18 overnight, with a best of 20 on the freeway. Gas being what it is...

It also felt like I picked up a few HP as well. Bonus!

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Dusterbd13, I made the gauge cluster, went to a nearby shop to get some scrap exhasut tubing, cut it to an angle, welded it in and bondo'd/painted it, heres a few pics below. I ended up going with Hooker headers, i think theyd have been a big pain to put in, but we were putting the engine in at the same time, so they slipped in. Im using manual steering for now, but the headers dont touch anything (comes real close)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/dashbaremetal-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/gaugecluster3-1.jpg

69LT1Nova, Thanks for the advice, ill be running an aux. electric fan if it gets too hot, i had no idea the flex fan was that inefficient, makes sense. Once its running and broken in ill probably switch to a clutch fan after hearing about the flex, for some reason i dont trust all electric fan setups though.

[dusterbd13]

ive got a shorouded electric fan setup from a K car on my duster, and never had a problem. i have it wired to a thermostatic control via constant hot. the one time i did have an issue on another car i just kept it above 40 and it stayed plenty cool.

Michael

[Patrick]

Cool lookin ride.

Are you in the Space Coast area?

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Cool lookin ride.

Are you in the Space Coast area?

Im actually in SW Florida, Cape Coral/Ft. Myers to be more exact...

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hey everyone, just have a few more pics of this weeks progress, theres really nothing that should stop us from starting it in a week or so... I put the intake on and lashed the valves today, I also installed the switch for the electric cutouts on a switch panel we made that holds a kill switch, elec. fan, Linelock arming, and cutouts. Earlier i cleaned up the interior a little, and put in the shifter. we had two UPS trucks at the same time (and a fedex truck earlier) delivering parts the other day! heres a few pics of what came.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/shifter3-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/switches-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/radiator2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/cutout-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/exhaust-1.jpg

[go-fish]

How did that Magnum style crank fo in your LA block? Any problems?

I have a some hyd. rollers in my blown 408 I got from Hughes engines. I read the instructions and it said to clearance for the dog bones. Sorry about your troubles. Glad you got it going.

I once had a 73 Duster I put Hookers on. I had a hell of a time shovin' them in there. After 10 hrs and figuring out I had to run the steering link THROUGH the header on the pass. side a buddy came over. As we were having a beer and me cursing Hooker for not warning the customer of the steering link pass through my bud was putting the header box in the trash and found the instructions.
I should have never got those headers anyway. I bottomed out everywhere.

Try looking at this pan. I have one on mine in the 'cuda. Moroso p/n 20732
It is only 7 qt but with the windage tray and and baffles you won't need the extra quart because the oil stays where it needs to be.

[go-fish]

Here it is on the engine.

[go-fish]

You can barely see it in this one.

[71duster]

i likey! i have a '71 duster myself. i will be starting on a 1968 torino gt fastback in the fall i hope. going the same way with it,hotrod flat black,black wheels,black windows. guess i need to get off my ass and get some pics posted!

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hello everyone, heres what a weeks worth of work looks like in 3 pics. A lot was finished over that period, everything was prepared for the first startup which is going to be tomorrow! I primed the oil pump, and bumped the starter for 1/2 second to make sure it would crank tomorrow. We still dont have the driveshaft, but we'll be able to start it and set the idle, timing, top off the rad. fluid...

ive read a lot about the initial break in of a new engine, and luckally since the motor has rollers, i dont think i have to worry about how long or what rpm i idle the car at under no load to set everything up, so long as it stays cool- if im wrong someone tell me please otherwise wish us luck! Im going to try and set up a little video of it running if its not to hectic of a first start, hopefully ill get it.

For how cheap the exhaust kit was, it tucks in really nice, and is higher up than the sub-frame connectors, no speed bump clearance problems here at least.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/exhaust1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/readytostart-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/radfan-1.jpg

[PleaseNoSteve]

A blacked out mopar - a man after my own heart. Keep up the great work.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Well, Today my dad and i started the car for the first time, and heres a video of the first minutes of the car running. Bare with me, as this is the first time i recorded a video on this camera, and i was also more concerned about what was leaking or burning. This is also the first time i posted a video, hope i did it right.

If you look towards the end of the video you'll see a nice puddle of oil that was leaking out of the dipstick (no breathers on, too much crank pressure, getting breathers tomorrow to hopefully fix it) Other than a little leak on the fuel rail, and the oil out of the dipstick at the end, it was an uneventful first start. The electric cutouts are the best things ever, gunna be lots of fun! Turn up the volume, hope you enjoy :smoke:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/th_dusterfirststart-1.jpg (http://s179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/63vette77/duster/?action=view&current=dusterfirststart.flv)

[1968CamaroSS_Sam]

I don't know man. I think you are really going to regret getting rid of that trick fuel cell the car originally came with. Awesome work. Especially in the time you have had it.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hey everyone! i realized its been a few months since i said anything on here, too much going on with school and the car... The dusters all done, i realized that i never posted finished pics of the car, so heres a few i took before we put it up on the lift to take the trans out. Apparenty the hydraulic throw out bearing isnt set far enough forward, so at a stoplight in gear, but clutch "disengaged" the idle is 3-400 rpm lower than in neutral. its not bad enough to for it to start moving, but enough to cause load on the engine. Hopefully in a few weeks we'll have the trans out, spacer in and all back in the car, running fine. Its been a fun project, but its not over yet...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSC00367-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/dusterrear-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSC00379-1.jpg

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

this thing is sickening!!

[blown9746]

awesome a body

[WILWAXU]

That's coming along nicely!

[Rick Dorion]

I love it. I had a '70 340 Duster. I miss it!

[PleaseNoSteve]

Good work young buck! Drive the hell out of it.

[Motown 454]

Car sounds awesome nice lopy idle

[Krazed]

Sounds nice!

I have to ask, What seats do you have in there? And what modifications to the rails (if any) were needed?

[silverdenali22]

Lookin Good!

[blown9746]

any more interior pics. I read in another thread you have less than $17k in this car. I think that makes it even better.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks everyone for the complements, the seats are the summit sport seats $189 each. The only modification to the track was to add tabs on one side to bolt to the floor, and add 1/2" spacer on the other side to level it out theyre pretty comfortable too. Heres a few pictures of the seats, i really dont have any other pics of the interior that i havnt posted ill look on my computer when i have some time, or ill have to take some more next time i go back home. The goal was definately to keep it as cheap as possible, only putting the money in the important things, like the diff. and engine, some suspension mods...but like i said in that other post, id take this over a kia any day.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/seatbelt3-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/backseat-1.jpg

[Krazed]

Thanks for letting me know! I was curious, and I'm glad it's a cheap solution.

[dusterbd13]

what did you mount the harnesses to, and how is it installed? im looking at doing 6 points in my 70 with recaros, and the only viable option i have seen so far is a cage.

Michael

[ALLstrokedOUT]

i got a 5pt harness, but didnt feel like putting in the anti-submarine belts. But the lap belts bolted in the stock location, and the shoulder belts were the wraparound style and looped around the cross bar of the cage. (coincidentally, this is the only other interior picture i found)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/seatbelt2-1.jpg

[maldo]

nice

[Ron L]

How do you keep satin black looking so clean?

[73supreme455]

Nice work. Great job on that guage cluster

[GMachineDartGT]

I wouldn't use Crane rockers with Eddy heads...Did you check the geometry on yours?

[SaturnVUEguy]

I coulda sworn I replied to this thread already. The Duster looks great finished up like that, thanks for posting the pics

[ALLstrokedOUT]

I wouldn't use Crane rockers with Eddy heads...Did you check the geometry on yours?
I checked the geometry,and it appeared to be correct...why do you say you wouldnt use them on the eddy heads?

[Nate K]

Car looks good all finished up.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks for the comments everyone, i dont know if i mentioned this but the hydraulic throw out bearing wasnt adjusted correct, so when in gear at a stop light the engine would be under load, sometimes it would even move with the clutch pedal on the floor, so we had to take the transmission out to put in a spacer. While the transmissions out we figured wed take it to the guy who rebuilt it, since it was a little hard getting 1st into gear from a stop (that was probably from the clutch not being adjusted right, but just in case) This was also the first time we had a lift at our disposal it was also the first time in several years the lift was used, but it makes any job underneath the car enjoyable compared to before lying on the ground. The whole job took about 2 1/2 hours.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/10/dusteronlift-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/10/DSC00411-1.jpg

[Grumpy Old Man]

Very very nice cars there. Looks like they are both going to be real drivers.

[Bjkadron]

Very Nice Duster! now I finally know what the 17" steel wheels look like on the dusters! YAY! You don't happen to have a picture of the insides of the wheels so we can see how brake clearance is do you?
Also you didn't mention what size tires you were running...? Are their any rubbing problems?

Thanks

[1971CHEVELLE]

I love the Dusters:1st:

[singer69]

Another work of art! Thanks for sharing!!

[ALLstrokedOUT]

...You don't happen to have a picture of the insides of the wheels so we can see how brake clearance is do you?
Also you didn't mention what size tires you were running...? Are their any rubbing problems?

Thanks

Thanks everyone for the complements...

I dont have a real good picture of the brake to wheel clearance, but theres no issues with that. The tires are 275/40/17 on the rear theres no rubbing issues, the closest it gets is the fender lip and the wheel well. The front tires are 225/45/17 im probably gunna go to 245's when i need new fronts, they seem a little small for the wheel. The front is real close to rubbing on the fender, but its fine, doesnt rub from lock-to-lock i dont know if the 245's would rub or not...

While im at it, a quick update of the car: got the trans back in, clutch failed after 1000miles total, put in a centerforce clutch, aligned the scattershield, re-adjusted the throw out bearing, and it runs fine for now... drove it on the highway for a few hours, with the overdrive it gets 14mpg, never overheats in any traffic. I put the car in a local car show, it got a lot of complements, but in the end a vw camper bus took first place for the class (all 1970-1980 vehicles)...

[icebird84]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/DSC00367-1.jpg


this thing is sickening!!

indeed

[subtlez28]

I love it, everything a home built hot rod should be!!

I especially like the bruit simplicity of the interior. The door panels and gauge cluster couldn't look better!

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hello everyone, i figure i should keep this page current, so heres whats going on over my spring break. Since the duster gets ~9mpg city and 14mpg highway, and only has a range of ~140 miles im putting in a 20 gallon fuel cell so i dont have to stop and get gas as often on roadtrips; the fuel cell is from summit. This is the start of replacing the stock fuel system, the stock hard lines are still there, i dont know if ill have time over spring break to replace them.
Tomorrow i get to cut up the brand new trunk floor to make room for the new box the fuel cell will be fitting in, heres the progress over the last two days:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/P1010062-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/P10100631-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/P1010066-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/P1010067-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Got the floor welded in, just need to paint it tomorrow after the seam sealers dry, and route the fuel lines.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSC00490-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSC00495-1.jpg

[796spdbu]

I love every thing about your car! I was curious as to how those wheels looked..i want a set for my 72' chevelle,only with the silver. Keep up the good work man!

[LoneWolf2]

dannnnnnng, talk about a freaking sweet car!

[ALLstrokedOUT]

..Oh hey everyone, i guess i never showed pictures of the fuel cell from the outside..ill take some tomorrow, heres the most recent i have, our attention has turned to the 68 roadrunner that was in a few of the pics, heres a sample of that too..maybe ill start its own thread; ive got nothing else to do although its more of a street-resto.
The dusters back up on the hoist after 6000 complaint free miles, i had too much fun with the cutouts, one of the motors isnt working
..and i ripped the drivers side engine mount clean in half from the engine torquing around when i get on it. Theres an autocross once a month and im planning and getting in this thing and seeing if itll turn, and what ill need to do to make it do so..until then im going to the drag strip friday!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/P1010074-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/P1010126-1.jpg
EDIT: heres a picture of the rear with the fuel cell in..
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[67apostle]

What part of Florida are you in?

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hey 67apostle, were in southwest florida, cape coral/ft. myers area...

[loicm60]

wohOo congratulation, this is an awesome work !!!
very cool duster i love it

[blown9746]

How did it do at the dragstrip and autox?

[T_Raven]

I've seen your car on here but I don't think I've seen this thread before. Really good looking car.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks again everyone for the compliments, this cars been and still is a lot of fun! As far as auto-x times and drag times..i havent really gotten a chance to run it (in the 1/8th mile i was shifting real real slow and got 9.00 @ 78mph and i havnt gotten to an auto-x event yet) This friday im going to a local 1/8th mile track to run it hard..id be happy with anything under 8.5sec, it feels like it shouldnt be a problem.
There was a dyno day at a local shop; i came out with 330hp @ 6000rpm and 420tq @ 3000rpm without any tuning, im hoping to pick up another 50hp with some tuning and a few small changes..

[ALLstrokedOUT]

well here i am with some proof to what i did last friday, as i expected i got under an 8.5 on my second run, but i couldnt get lower ( know it can, with tuning). heres the time slip, my camera battery died when i got to the track..im sporting luck number 13..
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/dragtimeslip-1.jpg
It needs a lot of tuning, but its a start, it spins no matter what i do off the line on street tires.
I think the carburator is the major restrictive point. another magazine article has a Challenger with a very similar engine, less compression and ported heads running 100 more horsepower than me-i wanna find where im losing it all.
Im looking for a double pumper 750 or bigger carb to replace the vaccum secondary carb on it now, By the time i hit 3rd gear at the last 200 or so feet of track it falls on its face like the vaccum secondaries would shut or something..i couldve been coasting through at that point, it wouldve made no differance.
The other place i think im losing power thats already been mentioned is the flex fan
EDIT: As long as the clutch fan isnt too long, itll be in as soon as we get it, its all ordered.

[Bjkadron]

Cool! Let us know how the auto-x goes!

[Chris 68]

man who is this slow ass guy with the duster? your car is a piece of **** bro, gtf outa here!






















Haha jp man

[Ratty 46]

Impressive ...... I've always like that body style ... keep up the good work.

Ratty 46

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Yea yea chris, at least mine runs..itll still be faster than yours whenever yours is ready, mark my words..maybe not, well see haha
Thanks to everyone else for the comliments though! Heres a picture for fun of me and my dad at the gas station after we put new 1/2" -8AN fuel line in the duster
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/DSC00995-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/P1010094-1.jpg

[Chris 68]

Yea yea chris, at least mine runs..itll still be faster than yours whenever yours is ready, mark my words..maybe not, well see haha
Thanks to everyone else for the comliments though! Heres a picture for fun of me and my dad at the gas station after we put new 1/2" -8AN fuel line in the duster
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/DSC00995-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/12/P1010094-1.jpg

Oh yeah? Lets put some money on it! haha i gotta fill you in on some new plans in the works :ssst: but wicked pic man, very nice

[Dons67]

All around sick - great job! Love the dash cluster

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hey everyone, I thought it might be a good time to add some new stuff to this page and fill you in on what the plans are for the near future for the duster.
A few weeks ago i finally got around to replacing the motor mount that ripped in half about a year ago (Ive been driving around with a 1/4" stainless cable holding the drivers side down ever since).
This is why they dont recommend stock mounts for a manual..opps.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/DSC01037-1.jpg
After i installed the new mount i welded in a little box to the k member as the anchor point of the new torque stap/plate..or whatever you want to call it. Its installed at that location so that it wont inhibit access to anything.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/DSC01034-1.jpg
Finally, im playing around with solidworks to learn how to use it and to design a few things to make the 408 fuel injected. At the moment im driving the car 40 miles a day (hence the dirt in above pic), but when i have a good deal of down time i should be ready to convert it. Im planning on using a single 90mm throttle body, or two 60-70mm tb's (i think its the same approx. flow). Im also going to look into making the intake hat out of carbon fiber instead of aluminum. I plan on still using the edelbrock air gap thats on it now, gasket match it, and put the injector bungs in the runners. Im leaning towards a Megasquirt II ECU..still researching everything though. Thanks for looking.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

..Over the past couple weeks i made an air dam in hopes that it would improve gas mileage. Yesturday, i put it on the car and drove 140 miles back to school with no difference in the gas mileage..I may be crazy, but it felt like wind gusts affected the car less (in pulling it around or slowing it down). I will try to get some better pictures of it on the car, its hard to see with the shadows, its also very crude and i wish it didnt look like i made it haha..i also have a sheet of aluminum for the middle section that i need to mount that will be adjustable wit turnbuckels, but ran out of time in this trip home...

Oh, I also shaved the gas cap and my dad repainted the flat black and fixed a few minor rust spots..hope you enjoy the pics till next time!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/DSC01065-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/07/DSC01072-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/DSC01075-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/090510141901-1.jpg

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

oohh.. i LIKE it!

[Bjkadron]

Looks good!

[Smock67]

Looking Good Tim we should meet up I got my bike back till the bird is done.

[zero g]

Do you remember what the backspace was on those wheels?

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Do you remember what the backspace was on those wheels?


The front are 17x8 with i believe 4.5" backspace. The rears are 17x9 with 5" backspace. I just ordered them straight from summit, no custom spacing, so whatever their website says...

[zero g]

The front are 17x8 with i believe 4.5" backspace. The rears are 17x9 with 5" backspace. I just ordered them straight from summit, no custom spacing, so whatever their website says...

Thanks. You can't beat the price on those.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hey everyone just a quick update, i was in the middle of degreasing the engine compartment when i went home for the weekend and i found this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/11/DSC01157-1.jpg

The eye-bolt i used there wasnt any kind of grade, plus i probably fatigued it when i welded it, so ill either get a chain again or go with a solid mount on that side. With solid mounts on the street though ive heard that vibrations can cause a core shift in the block, should this be a concern, or is that only concerning serious engine plates?

Im also officially in the market for a T56! Hopefully within a few months ill have found a core, and will be rebuilding it with a stage II kit so it can handle the head porting, cam, fuel injection, and turbo(s) that are in my five year plan for this car haha..Thanks for looking!

[ModernMuseum]

the black on black is pretty rad :)

[Bjkadron]

OOPS! That stinks. I have heard about interlocking metal ones with Rubber isolation. I don't remember where, maybe schumacher.

And I'm pretty sure that won't affect core shift. That is caused by stuff like casting design, and heat. Not by mounting it.

[dusterbd13]

im running the blow proof shumacker mounts on mine. got a through bolt, and rubber insulation.

ive beat the piss out of this thing, and havent broken it yet. with over 400 ft-lbs at the wheels and a 4 speed, it woulda broke by now. especially power shifting 1-2.

michael

[mrn2obelvedere]

I have solid steel mounts on my engine. No problems. I actually like the little bit of extra vibration....feels more serious.

[BirdsThaWord]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that steering box looks pretty trick?

[Bjkadron]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that steering box looks pretty trick?

It looks like the stock mopar steering box. But yes, they look amazingly cool!

[ledslinger]

i'm diggin it. more pics!

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks guys for the compliments! I installed the schumacker engine conversion mounts, but apparently they dont come with the blow proof ones. And yes, that is a new stock manual steering gear box, i only miss power steering in parking lots when the car isnt moving. Ill put up some other pics when i have the chance, i did get bored a while ago and made a video of the dyno day we went to a year ago though. Ill update this post with pics later

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjxeFp3kByQ

[DartorDemon]

hey i noticed this car started its life as an automatic. How difficult was the swap to manual? I really want to do the same with my duster.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

the conversion was really simple. Its a hydraulic clutch, so I found a brake/clutch pedal setup on ebay, then found the trans tunnel hump at a salvage yard, thats all you need to do to modify on the the car. If you want some part #'s on the hydraulic t.o.b. or the master cylinder, or have any more questions or want some more detail info/pics, lemme know..

[Bjkadron]

I'll take some more detailed pics and stuff.. I'm getting ready to make the swap myself, and was planning on going with the hydraulic clutch.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Heres a few detailed pics of my 4spd swap for now. Hopefully ill be posting some 6spd rebuild and swap pics in the comping months when i find one..:
Heres the slip on hydraulic throw out bearing. After it was correctly adjusted to tolerances, its worked flawlessly for 20,000 miles so far. Im running a centerforce clutch now, and with that the clutch pedal is so light it needs a return spring on it..very pleased with the setup.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/11/Throwoutbearing-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/11/Throwoutbearing2-1.jpg
Heres the master cylinder on the firewall before the remote reservoir was monted. The old tunnel hump we found at a junk yard, not a whole lot of fabrication needed there either. Finally a pic of when we had to replace the clutch for the centerforce:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/11/clutchmastercyl-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/10/DSC00411-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/11/seatandtransin-1.jpg
Thats about it i think. And for my two cents, I would never go mechanical clutch linkage, hydraulic is so much easier and in the end better, especially when your installing headers and such...

[chunger]

Nice setup. Whose hydraulic throw out bearing is that?

[DartorDemon]

Ok so i need:
-Tranny hump(errr...tunnel)
- a 4spd transmission & bellhousing
- clutch& flywheel
-pedals
-hydraulic linkage & throwout

is that it?

[ALLstrokedOUT]

My throwout bearing is from McLeod, i dont know the exact part number at the moment though..and DartorDemon that list sounds about rite. I dont know if you included it in "hydraulic linkage" but you need a clutch master cylinder. Also, If your getting an old style 4spd make sure all the shifter linkage comes with it, I had to buy all new linkage from passon perf. because the old stuff was missing and the adjusters were rusted in place.

[DartorDemon]

My throwout bearing is from McLeod, i dont know the exact part number at the moment though..and DartorDemon that list sounds about rite. I dont know if you included it in "hydraulic linkage" but you need a clutch master cylinder. Also, If your getting an old style 4spd make sure all the shifter linkage comes with it, I had to buy all new linkage from passon perf. because the old stuff was missing and the adjusters were rusted in place.

ok i'll make a note of that too. Although from that picture above. I may do a hydroboost conversion first. That area w/ a vacuum boost looks crowded enough. Let alone adding another master cylinder.

Maybe a dumb Q, but what other option is there besides an old style 4spd with the 4spd hump? Don't the modern 5/6spd's have a shifter that sticks up from the top of the tranny instead of offset?

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Id love to get a hydroboost one day too, but if you keep the vacuum boost there, its not too impossibly cramped. Im no expert on transmissions but i think the richmond 5/6spd's have an offset shifter mount (w/ external linkage?), and i believe the TKO 500/600 5spds can be adapted to be offset.

I am going to go with a chevy T56 both for the 6th gear 0.5:1 overdrive that i dont think you can find anywhere else and the power that it can handle when upgraded. I dont know where the shifter is going to come up or how much of the tunnel im going to have to cut up (i dont know any tunnel clearances for that matter) but im going to make it work haha

[DartorDemon]

Not to scare you, but this is a T56 in an A-body with a big block.(not sure if that matters)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/11/floorcut-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

DartorDemon, i believe ive seen that picture before..that doesnt really scare me, all it means to me is that ill be cutting out the last of the original sheet metal up there (look back on my pg.1, when i replaced the floor pans) It just makes me envious and excited haha

[ALLstrokedOUT]

I finally get to do something to the duster!! ..its not a 6spd yet; finding a used LS or viper T56 is harder than i imagined (for the right price too). But anyways, for christmas i got an LC-1 wideband o2 sensor. Ive been looking at the Megasquirt forums and a lot of people seem to be using this sensor, its pretty affordable for what its supposed to do too.

I took out the a/c controls since they werent hooked up so i could fit the gauge without cutting the dash up too bad or having it look out of place. The gauge and the megasquirt require the grounds to be on a common lug on either the engine block or the battery, so i put a bus bar in the glove box to simplify things a bit.

While i was wiring everything up, i got a little carried away and now im also rewiring my ignition box and moving it into the glove box. All of this will make installing the megasquirt a bit easier later...more pics when im further along, thanks fer lookin!!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/DSC01214-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/DSC01206-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/DSC01212-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Well, i got done with everything today. Im not too happy with the fit and finish of my panel, but itll have to do for now. I am however quite pleased with the ignition boxs placement. Now for the fun part-tuning the carb; Idling in the driveway my afr is 13:1 so that needs some work.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC01216-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC01218-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC01219-1.jpg

[454bug]

GREAT fab work with the exhaust piping for the gauges! The A/F setup looks right at home with the rest of the gauges...

Awesome Streetfighter!! :machine:

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks for the compliments, it really means a lot coming from you; i looove that bug of yours, its simply insaine!

I also cant believe how rich this engines running, its 11.5 cruising down the street. I hope no excessive wear has occured from the fuel dissolving the oil on the cylinder walls.

Oh, and its official...I just picked up a broken LS T56 for a fair price. Hopefully itll get here quick before i have to go back to school so i can asses what broke in it. ill be putting a stage II kit in it and whatever else it needs, hopefully by spring break or summer itll be going in...

[61ragtop]

What sizes of piping did you use I am in the process of doing the same in my 61.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

im not 100% sure of the diameters, but i think the wideband gauge is 2 1/4" external dimension, the little gauges are i believe 2" external and im not even going to guess the big ones. Just go to a muffler shop and ask for scrap pipe pieces, thats what i did both times, got em for free. good luck

[Bjkadron]

Looks great!

[lawlorj]

Awsome Build. I really like the blacked out look. What kind of paint did you use? Is there a clear coat on it? Your paint looks really deep and dark compared to alot of flats that have a faded, chaulky look to them. What do you do to keep it that way?

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks guys, the paint is hot rod Flatz from kustom shop, there isnt a clear coat over it. What you spray out is what you get, no color sanding either. The car constantly sits outside and i do absolutely nothing to keep the paint the way it is, all i do is wash it every month or so, no wax or anything...

[dusterbd13]

so is it consifered a single stage?

how easy is it to spray, clean, and touch up? i like the lowgloss/flat look, and may do that for my daily.

michael

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Its a paint and catalyst with a reducer. My dads in charge of painting, so i dont know how easy it is. he backed my car into a vise and had it sanded and repainted in about half a day so id guess it goes pretty easy haha

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Its here!!!! The T56 came today!! The seller sold it as a core, and assumed there was stuff broken inside. So it came as no suprise that when i spun the input shaft by hand it sounded like a bucket of rocks. But im going totake off the tailshaft housing and hopefully get a fair assessment of what needs replacing tomorrow before i go off to school...Pretty much no matter what though, itll still be a good deal, and its definatly gunna be a fun little addition to the project :smoke:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC01220-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC01224-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Heres a few pictures of the trans. It isnt pretty in there..It looks like the input shaft gear and the gear on the countershaft are gone, i cant tell about the other gears, but 5/6 and reverse look fine, synchros seem to be good too, but i think im still going to replace them with the stage II kit while its apart.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC01240-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC01239-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC01241-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hey everyone, i figured i could give a little update on whats going on with the t56. I was originally going to rebuild it with a stage II kit so i wouldnt have to worry about 'ever' again, but the pile of broken parts keeps gettign bigger; this thing is a basket case...

Not only is the input shaft/cluster gear shredded to pieces, but the main shaft is worn so badly that 5/6th gear came off without any effort or a puller. A few people have advised me to replace it, as it will fail relatively soon if left alone. So what turned into a deal is becoming a chore; I should be able to rebuild it for about the same price as if a pro shop did it, meaning i pay the same price, but do all the labor.

Now im leaning towards just rebuilding it to stock since i need:
New input shaft
New Cluster gear
New 5/6th gear
New main shaft
bearings, snap rings, etc...

heres some pics of the carnage, ill know in a few days or so what direction ill be going in after i step back and asses it as a whole. Thanks for lookin...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/02/DSC00549-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/02/DSC00540-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/02/DSC00560-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/02/DSC00550-1.jpg

[chunger]

Wow, seeing stuff like this kinda makes you wish that newer trannies were designed like the older ones with removable covers, so you can easily inspect them prior to teardown, doesn't it?

Ah well, onward! If nothing else you'll be able to pick up a few extra bucks rebuilding other trannies...

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Yea, I knew at least the input shaft was sheared off by taking the tail shaft housing off to inspect, but a bulkhead in there kept me from seeing everything. I talked to a few people and decided against the stage II kit for now, I'm not making stupid torque/power and I'll never be power shifting.

Ive also decided to run the mainshaft until 5/6 gear fails, which shouldnt be for a while. I managed to get a used viper input shaft and mid plate in trade for my ls plate plus $100, I can get this thing running stock for cheaper then I could've bought a running used t56. And at least this way I know whats in there, and what's going next...

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Well, just another post on the progress im trying to make on this t56. I pulled all the gears off the main shaft to inspect the synchro assemblies. The assemblies look to be in great shape in my novice opinion. As i was disassembling everything i noticed a chip in 2nd gear...ugh, so now i need a new one of those...good news though is that it looks like the synchros can be reused. I also discovered that this isn't the first time the transmission has been rebuilt. the synchro assemblies orientation had been marked already by someone else (judging by the condition of all the gears it looks like 1st is newer than the others too).
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/02/DSC00618-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/02/DSC00591-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/02/DSC00633-1.jpg
I got all of the new pieces in, and after i get a new 2nd gear i can start reassembling it to get it ready to be put in!

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Hello everyone, Just thought id wrap up the rebuild of the t56 real quick. I put in all new bearings, shimmed everything to spec and sealed it up over spring break. Heres a few pictures of the process:
1st thru 4th gears w/ synchros:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/03/DSC01259-1.jpg
Shift rails installed:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/03/DSC01280-1.jpg
5/6/R without tailshaft housing on yet:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/03/DSC01291-1.jpg
finished, and in storage 00' Firebird with the viper mid-plate and input shaft:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/03/DSC01295-1.jpg

The beginning of summer i should have enough time to install it in the car with the other mods that i intend to do along with it (new sub frame connectors, 5th point of roll cage, and maybe take out heater core box/weld up firewall). ...I dont want to re-install the carpet after all this, but i dont know what to do in place of it, so ill be looking into that over the coming month or so..Thanks for looking!

[Motorcitydak]

Were you able to come out ahead $ wise vs buying a good trans?

[ALLstrokedOUT]

...I barely came out ahead vs buying a running trans with 50-80000 miles on it but at least i know nothings bad with it internally. And every bit counts as everyone knows...

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Well, The six speed install begins!! Since i wont be in town most of the summer, im just going to have to do as much work as i can when im down here. Today i took the interior out, removed the heater core/fan, and welded up the firewall. I got a great deal on a stock f-body shifter, so i bolted it on and tried shifting it through the gears-it shifted perfectly!!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC01324-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC01323-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC01318-1.jpg
I wont be back down for about a week, so im going to finish up the firewall tonight, and maybe start cutting out the transmission tunnel before i go back to tampa...

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Two more for the day, till next time:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC01333-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC01337-1.jpg

[63Duece]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!

my friends nephew wants to sell his Duster..........

i think me & my buddies need to go in on a group buy!!!!!

this is awesome!!!!

LOOOVE the ALL BLACK btw

GL w/the rest of ur build

nice ride

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks for the compliments!! I will say that this is one fun car, id do it all over again (with a few minor changes in the build) if a project showed itself to me..

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Just a quick update from this trip, got a lot done: All of the old transmission components have been removed, and the scatter shield and t56 is installed. I needed a 1/2" spacer to get the throw out bearing to spec, but after that everything has been going suprisingly smoothly so far knock on wood. Its AMAZING how much lighter the scatter shield and t56 are than the previous Lakewood scatter shield and A-833; just those two saved an easy ~30lbs. I built a new cross member to clear the transmission. Hopefully tomorrow i can make some changes to the roll bar ive been wanting to do before going up to tampa. My next time down i will need to make a transmission support bracket, start reconstructing the floor, and wiring up the speedo, and reverse pieces.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC00685-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC00701-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

..Just another bit of work for the few hours ive gotten to work on it:
I put in the new electric speedo and rewired everything so its ready to go. Tonight i started on the floor; Im hoping to get most of it done before i have to leave and go back to work...The correct yoke w/ a 1350 u joint came along with my new shifter ball- white hurst with the 6spd H pattern on top- the stock camaro shifter puts it at a perfect position to the steering wheel for me as well. Now that i have the correct yoke, i can get to driveshaft resized so that hopefully the next time i am home i can drive it! thanks for looking...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC01340-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC01350-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC01348-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Couple more, all thats holding me up now is the driveshaft resize. Due to the holiday the shop wont be open until tuesday; i have off tues, weds, thurs..but if the driveshafts not done, its not worth it for me to go down home...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC01361-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC01365-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

...Ive just got another small update as far as pictures go, I have everything wired up, I started bleeding the throw out bearing, but hydraulic fluid was spewing out of the body of the throwout bearing. Apparently the Quicktimes bellhousing F'd up my input line; the scatter shield bent and cracked my input line to the throwout bearing. I spent a couple hours clearancing and then cleaning everything out because of this-so thanks quicktime for making me have to remove the transmission before the car has even moved...Otherwise everything is good to go for a test drive tomorrow, knock on wood everything goes well...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01366-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01369-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01371-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

...So the duster made it back to Tampa without incedent-even being stuck in a one hour long stop and go interstate traffic jam... Aside from working on the floor/ subframe connectors, heres a preview of whats up next:
MegaStim and Relay board:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01373-1.jpg
Relay board:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01375-1.jpg
I am slowly converting to efi; MSII board is in the mail, this is definatly going to be a huge step forward!

[dusterbd13]

what sort of injection system are you thinking about? obviously using megasquirt as the brain, but TBI/port/what?

personally im looking at either the autonomics or motorvation TBI powered with a GM ECM for my duster.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

It's going to be port injection. I'm going to buy a mopar single plane intake, drill the runners for injector bungs, and buy an edelbrock throttle body adapter. It should be able to handle anything I throw at it...like a couple turbos...

EDIT: Also heres the floor, i primed it so it doesnt rust until i can apply the Herculiner (grey), im guessing it will be close in color to the primer grey. I also got my shifter boot which is why the back panel is off.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01376-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Well, this week i put some new thru-floor subframe connectors and finished up the floor work. I also installed the 5th point on my roll cage- the drivers door bar. Finally I sprayed on the grey Herculiner before i left for tampa. the taping and prep for the herculiner took over an hour; the spraying took a total of 10-15mins-it took two coats. The process was really simple, i couldnt imagine rolling the stuff on.

old vs new:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01379-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/P10100632-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01387-1.jpg
door bar:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01391-1.jpg
Herculiner:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01396-1.jpg

The finished product is a bit rougher then i wanted but it is a very uniform and consistant finish. I am still very happy with it and would do it again if i had to, Its durability should make it last forever

...I am going to start putting together my MSII board over the next week or two. I also calculated that i am getting 20MPG highway in 6th gear with the t56-better than i imagined with my cam!!

[chunger]

Looking great! What kind of gun did you use to shoot this? Did you dilute it any? I'm putting down something similar (QuietCoat) and have been brushing it! Takes forever!

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Sorry it took so long to respond, but I bought a $20 'textured spray gun' from harbor freight gun, it worked amazingly well, laid everything down really easily. The only potential issue is it uses a lot of air (air sprays continuously, trigger pulls let the paint into the air stream)

Heres a little update of the MS II:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01402-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01403-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01410-1.jpg

I have all to soldering done, im just cleaning the board up with some alcohol now. Everything works great so far, rpm, throttle position, O2 sensor, intake and coolant temperature all respond on the computer to my input on the stimulator pots. Im just getting into learning the tuning program (Tunerstudio) and such so well see how that plays out

[ryeguy2006a]

Very cool project. I was thinking about using MS and running fuel injection on my bird. I will be watching your thread to see how you make out.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks!..Ill try to let you know what i think of the efi process using MS. Heres one last shot of everything working and the dashboard on Tunerstudio. Id say i have about 8-12hrs of soldering and testing like the directions say it will take. the directions are very percise and accurate, they wont get you stuck or force you to make an inferrance...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/DSC01411-1.jpg

[Smock67]

Looking awesome bro maybe this upcoming year we may be able to meet up. Hopefully I'll have my Firebird done and we can go for a cruise. Again the Duster is looking wicked.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks for the compliments!! ...Im always down for a cruise, or if you need a hand on the firebird with anything...

[dusterbd13]

looking good. and i cant stop staring at the way you did your af gauge mounting. thats just pure sexy.

hows the manifold setup coming?

and ill make you an offer: if you ever come up to NC, or make it to RTTH when im there, ill let you drive my duster and buy you a burger. just for inspiring me like yopu have.

Michael

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks for the kind words Michael, The funny thing is that your original build thread was the motivation/inspiration for me as i was going along haha.

Id love to head up north for an event like RTTH, well have to see in the next year or so if its in the cards

Im planning on installing the MS II into the car in stages. Im running the wires from the relay board thats in the car to everything over the next week. Ill then be installing a set of electric fuel pumps and CLT/IAT sensors and maybe MAP with the carb on still so i can get some data flowing and minimize the down time of switching to efi (i have to consult with msefi.com first to see if thats a good idea or not).

In a couple paychecks or so ill be getting a Mopar Perf. M1 single plane intake, drilling holes for the bungs, gasket matching/smoothing things out, and sending it to a local aluminum shop te get welded up. if all goes well it should be going in the car before Thanksgiving.
Ill keep everyone posted on any progress i get...

[mrn2obelvedere]

That's a sweet car you have for sure! I like the work you did on the trans swap. At first I thought it looked a little clunky but when it is all finished up it really looks good!

I have an m1 intake I'd be willing to work out some kind of trade on for the air gap intake. I'm also megasquirting my stroker mopar but I'm doing that with a tunnel ram. If you need any advice on converting the intake (whether you spring for mine or not) I'll be more than happy to chime in.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks for the compliments again Sean!

...After talking with you, I ended up finding a good deal on a used Victor 340 intake just the other day, hopefully i can get it ready to be tigged shortly. You may still beat me on having a functional efi system first though! I also realized that i need to also fabricate an intake hat to go from the holley style flange to the Q45 throttle body...Pretty simple and standard really, but heres what it should look like:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/efihatangle-1.jpg

My progress has really been hindered by break downs. The snap ring on the reverse shift fork fell off in the t56 (top short shaft in the pic), so i had to spend the last week tearing it apart to fix it. All is well now, and forward with the project (hopefully)!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/Photo07011355-1.jpg

[mrn2obelvedere]

I think the elbow looks good. Before you make that you may want to look into prefabbed elbows. It would be pretty easy to drill the q45 pattern onto an existing flange. Just an idea if you are tryng to avoid fabrication.

[mrn2obelvedere]

Actually, looking at your elbow, it seems like the corners come awfully close to the mounting holes where it attaches to the manifold. Make sure your design gives enough clearance for the screw head and washer. Also it looks like there is a step in the transition from the elbow to the mounting flange (internally). This step will cause disturbances and would not be good for flow.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Rite, thanks, ill keep an eye out for that...i assumed that the bolt pattern would be too far away from a gm or ford throttle body; i kind of thought my only option was to make one. Do you think that a ford 5.0 throttle body is close in pattern, ill have to look into it...
The picture is just so i could get a good quote for tigging the seams up when i go get the intake welded up.

[mrn2obelvedere]

You could easily design the elbow as a 1 piece sheetmetal part. I aassume this is solidworks? The sheetmetal features are pretty easy to use and provide a flat pattern.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Yes, it is solidworks, the main reason i built it in there is because im a 'beginner', maybe a bit rusty at SW since i havnt used it for anything in the past few months. I probably have a good month before it needs to be made, so ill play around with the design and SW till times up

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Well, i managed to get back home for the weekend and get a little work done..I have the IAT and CLT sensors installed in my carb airgap manifold. The relay board is installed and wired into the car. I salvaged a Mallory Unilite distributor that was in a box in the trunk of the duster when we bought it. It was a mechanical advance only distributor, so i welded the weights in. Its ready to install and start tweaking the ignition table once i get back up to tampa.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/DSC00724-1.jpg

I also got to see my Victor 340 manifold, maybe by next time i can start drilling for the injector bungs. Someone already did some porting, but i plan on doing a bit more as well as some gasket matching...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/DSC00725-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/DSC00727-1.jpg

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Well, ive been neglecting the Duster sadly, concentrating on school, work, and my truck i just bought. But on the way home from work a local car group was having (sponsoring?) a dyno day $10 for two pulls with WBO2 hooked up, so i figured why not. Since the last time i took it to a dyno day i put in the 850 double pumper demon, new 1/2" -8AN fuel line, clutch fan, and the T56. The guy mustve felt generous and did 3 pulls. All were with cutouts open, no air filter as before:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/dynograph001-1.jpg
Granted its a different dyno, but i made over 30hp and 10tq more than the previous runs a year ago. Look at the AFR graph, i need to get that efi done quick haha...With that extra power i should be well into the 7's in the 1/8th mile (previous best w/ 4spd, before aforementioned mods was 8.1 @84mph), especially with the better trans gearing!

I also found out that someone copied all of my pictures from photobucket and was pretending that he owned all of our cars. Its creepy, but getting more and more pathetic/funny that i think of it. I just hope this guy learns his lesson; i confronted him before i had the mod lock the page and the admin delete him:
http://bayarearacing.org/newforum/viewtopic.php?p=246601&sid=60d997229a91a47efca7daebbc86be18#246601

He made up some funny stories about how he came to acquire the cars, The 77 vette's his dads, the 63' vette is his he got from grandpa-who would give their grandson their car before giving it to their own son???

[DartorDemon]

Well, ive been neglecting the Duster sadly, concentrating on school, work, and my truck i just bought. But on the way home from work a local car group was having (sponsoring?) a dyno day $10 for two pulls with WBO2 hooked up, so i figured why not. Since the last time i took it to a dyno day i put in the 850 double pumper demon, new 1/2" -8AN fuel line, clutch fan, and the T56. The guy mustve felt generous and did 3 pulls. All were with cutouts open, no air filter as before:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/dynograph001-1.jpg
Granted its a different dyno, but i made over 30hp and 10tq more than the previous runs a year ago. Look at the AFR graph, i need to get that efi done quick haha...With that extra power i should be well into the 7's in the 1/8th mile (previous best w/ 4spd, before aforementioned mods was 8.1 @84mph), especially with the better trans gearing!

I also found out that someone copied all of my pictures from photobucket and was pretending that he owned all of our cars. Its creepy, but getting more and more pathetic/funny that i think of it. I just hope this guy learns his lesson; i confronted him before i had the mod lock the page and the admin delete him:
http://bayarearacing.org/newforum/viewtopic.php?p=246601&sid=60d997229a91a47efca7daebbc86be18#246601

He made up some funny stories about how he came to acquire the cars, The 77 vette's his dads, the 63' vette is his he got from grandpa-who would give their grandson their car before giving it to their own son???

wow thats creepy.

[Bjkadron]

Nice Think of what it would do with a good afr!

[irregal83]

Love the car.. that story is unreal! wow..

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Thanks guys, I don't think the afr was as bad as it shows, but it defiantly sputtered at about the 3k mark until the secondaries/accel pumps got opened up-they put the o2 sensor at the tailpipe when I had the cutouts open that dump midway back. Me and my friend who was there (72 chevelle w/ 5.3l blew the stock t350 there) think it 15-20hp from a good tune wouldn't be impossible.

And yes, that guy on bayarearacing is insane. Someone commented to me how they were googling cragar d-windows and saw my car, liked how they looked. This got me to wondering what comes up when you google search some key words...I don't know how they thought I wouldnt eventually notice 1/3 of my photobucket pics on a site I've never been to.

[rfalker1]

^^^^ Dang thats crazy.. P.S love your duster, it seems pretty cool and is putting down some nice numbers!! The truck will be awesome, so I have to ask you lifted or lowered???

[ALLstrokedOUT]

It's going to be lifted. The donor ram 3500 I got for the cummins/trans/diffs has a 1.5"(?) leveling kit on it, I'll start out with that since I've heard the 68' kaiser body I'm putting on the frame gains a little clearance due to the taller ram frame. I'm planning on 37" mud tires. The cummins will be mildly tuned at ~32psi stock turbo, tuned pump, 3k rpm gov springs...should be good for around 400hp/800tq after I build the auto tranny to take it.

[rfalker1]

^^^ Beastly!!!!! I would build a truck if I had the knowledge/patience/ etc... but thats not for me. Will you do a build thread on it?? or maybe just post some pictures on here every now and then cause that seems pretty cool.
I LOVE TRUCKS

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Yea, of course..since I'm up at school it's going kind of slow rite now, but i have a little thread in the outhouse about it, and I'll put a link up to the full size jeep forum where I have it's build thread.

Here it is: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=144701

[rfalker1]

Thanks, for the info... just went through it pretty cool. I think the 37's would work well, but you might have some rubbing issues if you wide. Because I have 33's on my 4 runner and when I turn them all the way out they tend to rub, but just a little.
But personally with a good lift, it will work out great!!

[1360]

Creepy little kid....

[ALLstrokedOUT]

Well, I should be spending money on the kaiser so i can get it on the road. BUT instead i cant keep myself focused...I found these used and couldnt pass up the deal!!! (copied pic from ad):
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/injectors-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/injectors2-1.jpg
52lb/hr Bosch high impedance injectors, ~5000 miles on them, originally were flow matched.

I could use stock 33lb/hr ls2 injectors at 80% duty cycle, but with these ill only be running a bit over 50% duty cycle, and wont have to change anything when i go to twin turbos.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC01551-1.jpg

[777jetdr]

Just wondering what your T56 came out of and if you know what the gear ratios are? I am starting to look for one but I have found that there are several different ones available. I am also curious about the part number of your quicktime bellhousing. Thanks for your time.

[ALLstrokedOUT]

The T56 came out of a 99 firebird; the midplate and input shaft are viper though, which required me to order a viper T56 to small block scattershield. The part number for the VIPER scattershield is Quicktime RM-8074. Id look for either a viper T56 or a 98 or newer LS T56 (the cost difference is worth going for the viper unit in my opinion). The vipers shifter location is also about 6" further forward than the chevy's which may help if your keeping a bench seat.