Dirtbag Duster

I bought my '72 Duster in 1985, I think. It was a nice clean car with a six cylinder, automatic, and air conditioning. Oddly enough, it had 340 stripes on it and small bolt pattern rayyle wheels. A sheep in wolf's clothing.

One day my dad asked if I wanted a 340 for my car. I said "Huh? Yeah." He knew a guy who had the 340 out of a '69 Barracuda. A friend of my dad's bought the car brand new and had low miles on it when the car was totalled while parked! I bought the engine, which included bell housing, four speed trans, shifter, and pedal assembly.

Dad and I put the 340 in the car. We used a '73 k member, '73 disc brakes, and an A body 8-3/4 I bought. I converted to electronic ignition at that time, too.

Later, I got 11" brakes off a big Chrysler in the junk yard and bought some Summers Brothers large bolt pattern axles.

I was living in apartments and the car went downhill. All the exhaust seats were eroded, the car would sometimes turn off, and occasionally the clutch rod would come off the clutch pedal.

I started rebuilding the car a few years ago. I intended to rebuild the engine, do the necessary body work, and paint the car. Well, the project "grew" and is now much more car than I imagined.

Pics to follow.
Author: admin