Cody's 1973 Duster (UPDATED: ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERHAUL DONE!!!!: 8/14/10)

[69bronzeT5]

Since I have my licence, I'm looking for an affordable driver. I found a '73-'74 Duster with a 318 auto for sale for $800. Is there anything to watch out for on these Dusters? It seems like its in good condition body wise. I haven't fully looked at it yet, the owner was gone when we drove by.

[69bronzeT5]

Anything? Nothing to watch out for?

[BigBlackDodge]

Timing Chains



BBD

[terrible one]

For $800, I would look at the underside as much as I could . . . especially the rear spring mounting points, t-bar crossmember, etc. . . just structural stuff. Is it really already a driver? If so, ask the guy to come along while you take it on a little test ride. If it's cool on the road and structurally sound for $800 there wouldn't be much more to look at until I got it home to inspect it. 

[Back N Black]

For a daily driver, there is allot of things to consider with a 35 year old car. Condition of the brake lines, fuel lines, big one is wiring, what will it take to pass safety. Older cars as daily drivers can nickel and dime you to death. Just a few things to consider. Hope it works out for you, it would be a cool driver.

[terrible one]

For a daily driver, there is allot of things to consider with a 35 year old car. Condition of the brake lines, fuel lines, big one is wiring, what will it take to pass safety. Older cars as daily drivers can nickel and dime you to death. Just a few things to consider. Hope it works out for you, it would be a cool driver.

This is a good point man. Don't forget about that Cody. I bought Trav's '73 Dart with the roof cut off and I've driven it about 3,000 miles now . . . not daily as weather doesn't always permit, but things will creep up on you! I had to replace the throttle cable as it snapped about a month ago. $70. Well . . . I guess that's not a very good example because that's all I've had to do to it! Haha. 

[71_deputy]

upper control arm mounting- rust, tranny cross member to frame area, torsion frame rail area- cracks to bad rust

[The70RT]

Just like any other mopar 

[W4ATL]

These cars are simple to work on. It is an older car so you will need to keep on it as far as maintenance. But you will learn a lot as you fix stuff on it.

My '68 Road Runner has had to have a lot of maintenance but it has only left me on the side of the road once. The rod that pushes the fuel pump broke.  And I think the '71-74 Dusters are more reliable.  If you listen to the car you can head off getting stuck on the side of the road. You will get better gas mileage with a slant 6 but the 318 is a great motor too.

Good luck!

[69bronzeT5]

The car is in Vancouver. My dad is going to talk to the owner and do a quick check of it but I'm going over on the 8th of November to fully check it out.

[bordin34]

More than likely you will want to check over the wiring, possibly rebuild the carb, new rad hoses, new vacuum hoses, new rubber fuel lines, new rubber brake lines, new brakes front and rear, trans flush, all new fluids, plugs, wires, cap, and rotor.

[FLG]

More than likely you will want to check over the wiring, possibly rebuild the carb, new rad hoses, new vacuum hoses, new rubber fuel lines, new rubber brake lines, new brakes front and rear, trans flush, all new fluids, plugs, wires, cap, and rotor.

The only thing i wouldnt do is flush the transmission....especially if the oil wansnt changed regularly. How many miles are on the tranny? With a high mileage transmission just do a oil change if it was done on regular intervals previously. Some high mileage trannys will not respond well to a fluid change (especially to a flush) if its still running off fluid which is quite exceeded its breakdown point.

[jaak]

So have you checked it out yet, Cody?

Jason

[69bronzeT5]

I'm going over on Friday Night to check it out

[69bronzeT5]

My dad did a quick look-over on his way to work and talked to the owner. It's a '73. Originally gold, white interior and a white vinyl top. It's now dark blue, white interior and the vinyl top is gone. It needs a starter but other wise the engine is good. Interior just needs a cleaning. It's all there, chrome is in good driver shape. No visable rust. He said the frame rails and floor pans look good.

I'll do a full check and take pictures this weekend. If it's all good, then it's coming home sometime this month (whenever I can get it back to the island).

[Ghoste]

Aren't the striker pins in the door jambs a weak point on those things as they age?

[tatrick2me]

A solide 73 Duster body alone is worth 3 grand. So if this car is not rotten go for it. Good go fast goodies are now available speced for a 318. Letting one get over 300 horse out of one for under 1900. 300 horse in an a body = flying.

[69bronzeT5]

Went and looked at it.

The body is in good shape, just a few bubbles on the lower quarters. The interior is decent, theres a rip on the front seat, needs a new headliner and needs carpet. Engine is good, checked the oil and tranny fluid and it checks out. Like I said, the car needs a starter. Crawled under the car and checked the whole chassis, everything is in great shape. No rust, frame rails and everything is mint. The passenger floor pan has a small penny sized rust hole in it..but thats fixable for sure. The car needs a cleaning, a tune up and everything and a nice set of wheels and I'll be rockin'.

The car was originally Y6 Gold (called Golden Haze), white interior and a black vinyl top. It has front disc brakes.

So I bought the car. Got a great deal on it and I'm going back to get it. This is gonna be a busy week. I just got back from Vancouver tonight and I'm going back on Friday night to get the car. I'm buying a canopy shelter this week to store it in since the Charger owns the garage.

Pics WILL come!

[Ghoste]

Congratulations... I hope.  Seriously though, it will be a good experience and if it is anything like the first Mopar that most of us were driving you'll learn a lot about the mechanics of keeping one of these things on the road.  Now you have to make sure you keep at the Charger as well.

[69bronzeT5]

The Duster will be for getting me to and from work...so I can get money for the Charger

The rubber bumper guards are gonna go (if I can remove them)...I don't like them. It needs some nice wheels but here she is...

[Ghoste]

That's not a bad looking car at all Cody, good for you!  I wanted a Duster in the worst way when I was your age but it's one Mopar I have never owned.  BTW, if it were mine, I'd leave the bumper guards on.

[tatrick2me]

Congrats on your A body, that's a good looking little car.










ASE and Dodge Autotive Master Tech over 43 yrs

[moparstuart]

nice score

[69bronzeT5]

Thanks guys

[Charger-Bodie]

Awesome Cody!!