'72 Duster "AERO DUSTER"

[Bjkadron]

Love the duster! Looks super clean man! We need more mopar guys!!!!

I'm trying! Haha. Been working on getting something going since 2008 as proved by this thread.

[jaybee]

Super nice car. I think you'll do much better by having a car you can drive and only taking it down for relatively short periods of time.

[Bjkadron]

Super nice car. I think you'll do much better by having a car you can drive and only taking it down for relatively short periods of time.

Thank you! Yes, I want to do a long term crazy build at some point but I'm not set up for that currently.

[Bjkadron]

Forgot to update over here so here is my last post from FABO:

Not a bunch of progress to report but I'm slowly moving some upgrades I did to the old Gold car to the new Yellow one. over the last two weekends I've gotten most of the BBP disc equipment pulled and am slowly cleaning it up and getting it ready to put on. These are mostly new parts that have just been sitting since I blew up the engine but they will work for now. I will also move the bigger swaybar that is on there but I need to make some new brackets.







I am changing to the standard length UBJs because the long ones won't work with my 17s so I had to borrow a tool kit from the local auto parts store as they were in there pretty solidly. I will work on getting my own socket or wrench so I can do these on my own next time. Also while taking stuff apart I noticed that my LBJs are shot, So I will need to get them. We will see what else I run into as I go. Ended up going with just a plain grey for the brackets and calipers because I have it and because they hopefully won't be on there too long. I am going to braided stainless lines when I install them.

[Bjkadron]

Got new LBJs, and new stainless brake flex hose for the rear since I've seen the stock ones swell up and reduce pressure before. I also found some blue washed grade 8 bolts at my local hardware store so I got the last few pieces I need for my Adjustable strut rods.



I've unfortunately been having trouble getting the old LBJ's off the spindles without them on a car. My impact isn't strong enough and I can't hold it to get the torque to get them broken loose (I don't have a vise). I got them mostly cleaned up though, they had a ton of caked on dried grease and such:



I also pulled the springs, Hangers and rear from the Green Parts car and am cleaning some of the pieces up so I can drop the rear back down to a reasonable level. I've considered doing new adjustable hangers but I may want to do an offset one for more tire clearance if I do that. The only ones I have designed are these stock offset ones:



I was also able to pull it out of the garage and get the engine bay a little cleaned up for some of the stuff I need to do there. Even just mostly idling it around it is a beast of a car. I hope to have it out on the road running around soon.



Here is a quick video for you to enjoy from post wash:

[Bjkadron]

Good news this time! My PB blaster drip protocol and a fresh battery for the impact got the LBJ bolts loose last night.


After that I finished getting them cleaned up then mixed up some of my chosen suspension pieces color to spray with my new detail gun. Small cans of this hammered silver finish are like $8-9 each but I got a quart for $16. I had heard mixed reports about how the hammered finish worked with being thinned but after some experimenting I ended up doing a very light coat, then immediately doing one heavy coat and the finish turned out great. Definitely need to work on my mixing process because I made a mess and ended up mixing way too much so I went ahead and painted my torsion bars, the one spring hanger I had cleaned up and the fender braces (not sure they will stay silver). I'll get some better pictures in the daylight later.




I'm mostly traveling for the next couple weeks for work so likely won't get much more done but glad I was able to get these done and let them cure.

[ryeguy2006a]

Looks great! Nice work.

[Bjkadron]

I just realized when I read someone else's thread that it has been way too long since I updated this.

I guess the first step is admtting that I have a problem. I started with a running, driving car and am going backwards.
I've been in and out of town and traveling a lot with work, so I haven't had a lot of time to work on it these past months
It hasn't all been bad. I have gotten several key parts in the meantime and have made some other progress.
First: the gold duster sold. I was surprisingly emotional watching it go down the driveway. I guess it has been a lot of years of plans and dreams connected with that car since it was my first car and I've done so much with it. But I'm excited for this new chapter with the yellow car.

Progress:
I got a lot of the needed suspension parts and pieces for the disc upgrade on the front. I finished my adjustable strut rods, my custom bushings for the front and rear and picked up a quicker ratio steering box.I thought I was getting a 16:1 but after inspecting it closer, I'm 90% sure it is a 20:1. So if anyone in the SE USA wants to trade a 16:1 for a 20:1 before I install this, just let me know. I got all my new braided brake lines, Pre-bent some hard lines and have the proportioning valve ready to go so I can do the full front suspension rebuild, TBs, brakes and steering box all at once.


I even finally got a welder so I can fix the rust spot on the floors and add some bracing, etc.
I got some stainless exhaust tubing so I can figure out something for the exhaust. I'd like to do side exit and change the mufflers because I don't like the Flowmasters on this (also they are probably too loud for my local autocross and I don't want to get kicked out) plus the dumps are getting the underside of the car all nasty.
I got my upgraded headlights. I'm going with the toyota conversion kit. less than $30 shipped for the H4 headlights and the wiring harness with the relays was too good to pass up. Plus I think they look better than most of the LED options and they are DOT approved beam pattern.


I got a great deal on a driver's seat with better lateral support. It included the sliders, so I just need to figure out the floor mounts. I'm not too concerned about the passenger seat because my wife already informed me she is NOT riding in this car haha.

I picked up a smaller offical Mopar Tach. The 5" one screwed through the dash by the previous owner was a bit much. I want to mount this on the steering column for a cleaner look. Plus I've liked the mopar gauges since I was a teen so this is a bit of a dream come true deal.


I did get my rotors for the Big brake upgrade. They are nice, fully coated Akebono rotors and I got a great deal on them. These will go with my 1st gen Viper calipers I already got for a pretty serious upgrade in stopping power, but this probably won't be on the first iteration.


Key things I'm still missing for this first iteration:
Shocks. I have a mix of stock and kyb ones but I'm hesitant to just use those. I have a long-term plan for some really nice custom shocks so I don't want to spend a lot just to take them back off. I'll probably just use the KYB ones I have and put up with the harsh ride.

Rear wheels/Bolt pattern: I still have the 5x4 on the back and the only wheels I have for that are the centerlines that won't fit in the fenders once I drop the rear. To be able to run the bullet wheels all around I'm looking at conversion spacers (not ideal with this power level), redrilling the stock axles on the 8.75, or fast tracking the 8.8 swap. I didn't want to do the 8.8 swap until I do the offset hangers, so I need to either go ahead and get the parts for that, or just re-drill the 8.75.

Tires: the ones I had on my Bullets weren't stored properly, so they are dry rotted. I need to decide if I want to go with sticky super 200s or a more streetable summer tire and just wait on the planned 18's to go sticky.

Carb tuning: This 750 DP is not tuned well for the car. I need to get a wideband and jets/tuning kit so I can get the throttle response and fueling fixed. It is basically an on/off switch, and I think it is still running a little rich. I really don't want to hurt this expensive 408 so this is HIGH on the list of priorities. I don't have a timing light, so I need to get one since that is directly related to carb tuning.

That's all I can think of right now.

[ryeguy2006a]

I know well what it's like to sell long term car projects, but in the end it's always been a good decision for me. You can't keep them all and if you want the new project, many times it's not possible/ideal to keep multiple.

As for re-drilling the axles, they are a real PITA to do. I killed so many drill bits years ago when I was simply enlarging the existing holes in my rear axles to upgrade to 1/2" studs. I'd recommend taking to a machine shop to have them put it in a jig and redrill. They have the right tools and will be money well spent.

[Bjkadron]

Alright! Actually some progress to report. I decided to sell the 8.75 because it was just going to be redundant work and an extra expense to get the correct gears and bolt pattern on it over just using the 8.8. I was pretty quickly able to find a buyer for the 8.75 so I have a bit of a parts budget now.








Got the rear leafs out and mostly scuffed up, ready to repaint. I still need to get the old bushings out because they are toast. Got the swaybar wirebrushed and need to decide if I'm painting it or what I want to do with it, as well as design and make the new mounts since I never loved the stock or the Afco ones.







I need to get all the brackets trimmed and ground down on the 8.8 and get that ready to go in. I'm going to do the 1/2" spring relocation and sliders so I don't have to repeat work later.



Also, just a safety note, if you have been running rubber lines for a while, you might not be getting the performance you want out of them. These looked fine and had no cracking, but they were completely swelled shut. There was no fluid coming out. Luckily they came loose fine, so I don't have to do any hard line work.







I also got rid of my flowmasters since I didn't love the tone. I found someone who wanted to trade for some spintech 3000s. I'm hoping these will make it a bit quieter than the flowmasters and still have a good sound with the x-pipe. I did some mock-up and I should be able to do a nice side-exit setup without too much trouble.



















I will hopefully have some more updates soon.

[dusterbd13]

i LOVED the side exits i had on my 70 back in the day. be forewarned: they drag a bit. try crushing the tube to oval. itll help.

[Bjkadron]

i LOVED the side exits i had on my 70 back in the day. be forewarned: they drag a bit. try crushing the tube to oval. itll help.

Yeah, I was a little worried about that. I just got a press so I'm thinking of building A die to flatten them evenly. I'm a little worried about where the muffler needs to be too, so it might be a losing battle. If so I may need to look at a same side muffler, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Also, your Duster stock car project torned out awesome!

[Bjkadron]

Well, it's been a very long but preductive weekend. Took a break from the rear once I finished cutting off the spring perches on the 8.8 since I have to wait for my new ones to arrive.



Turned my attention to the front while I was waiting. I got the entire K-frame assembly out since I needed to touch a lot of the pieces on it, and I swear, it fought me every step of the way. I can now get everything cleaned up and all my new suspension parts installed. I also broke a couple pieces, including some tie rod ends (buggered threads) and whatever these little pieces are in the steering "rag joint." I need to check my green duster to see if I have one on it because I couldn't find one in my stash anywhere. I need to get a Chase or something for the K-frame bolts because they don't seem very clean. Also had some parts mishaps such as ordering the wrong rod-ends for my UCAs



Overall, still going the wrong direction, but hopefully soon about to turn around and start reassembling for some progress. I ended up having to hang a crane from my garage rafters to keep the engine supported, but it seems like it's working so far, as the building is still standing.



I have also had a lot of parts come in since my last update, including: the steering wheel adapter, adjustable shocks, offset hangers, spring sliders, aluminum master cylinder, new electric fans (thanks @75slant6 for the delivery), and lots of little parts like bumpstops, bearings, fuel cap and filters, wipers, bushings, locking motor mounts, thermostat, rad cap, fuel line, carb gaskets etc.



So, the only big things left to get it running are: Put all the suspension back together, do the interior upgrades (seat, tach etc), figure out how to tune this carb right, and get tires.



Timeline-wise, I think getting it running before moparty might be a bit of a stretch. I have a lot of work trips coming up, so I only have a few days here and there to actually do the work. We will see how it goes. I do have two more local autocross dates this year, which I would also like to hit.



Thanks for staying tuned!

[Bjkadron]

A few steps forward, a few steps back. This car seems to be determined to fight me every step of the way to becoming a corner carver.



I've mostly disassembled the front K frame, with the one exception being the steering box. For the life of me, I can't break the pittman arm nut loose. I think I may end up bolting the K frame back to the car and using a big breaker bar extension (read: pipe) on my 3/4 drive breaker bar. Or if you have any other ideas, I'd definitely be open to them.



I did get the lower control arms off, and after inspecting them, they were pretty stretched out on the torsion bar end, and with these questionable at-best swaybar tabs that had been boogerwelded on at some point, I figured I'd use the ones off my green slant 6 car because they looked to be a lot nicer. After some quality time with a wire wheel, I got them all cleaned up and got them, my "new" steering wheel, and the leaf springs, prepped and painted.





Two coats and some dry time later, I was bringing all the freshly painted parts into the garage, and I noticed this.



How didn't I notice this while I was cleaning them up? I have no idea. So I guess I'm back to completely rebuilding at least the drivers' LCA off the yellow car. which is going to be a lot more cutting and welding and reinforcing.



I did get my correct size, high misalignment rod ends to fix my one gripe with the current ones. At more aggressive alignment angles, the one rod end bound up because it was out of angle. These should fix that issue and let me get a more performance-based alignment. I also want to get some better spacers than my drilled-out nut solution that was on there before.



I've also been working on modeling some of the fun upgrades. Which leads me to explaining the story of where I'm headed with this car. My wife mentioned that it would have been cool if it was a "Daisy Duster" from the factory. Well, Pymouth didn't make one, but there is nothing stopping me from doing it. After all, if I'm planning to embarrass more expensive cars on the track, I might as well do it in a flower-themed 70's monster. So I've been pondering how to stick with that theme while still making it interesting, so I eventually came up with the idea of having a fictitious 70s race team called "Flower Power Racing" and keeping everything to that theme. So that explains the lettering on these LCA reinforcements.

That's about it for now. I've done some fitting of parts, but I'm still very much in the "tear it down" phase so I can get the important pieces refinished and start putting things back together.

[ryeguy2006a]

I don't know that much about Mopar's, did that torsion bar piece rotate on you?