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

[69bronzeT5]

  The last owner must of had a serious case of gas! I have 2 14x6 Rallyes in the trunk. Still trying to find 2 15x7s.

[WingCharger]

DUDE!! That picture is freakin' amazing.

[69bronzeT5]

It's hard trying to drive and record at the same time....so sorry for the bad camera work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KtcJmfIvaE


Dosen't sound too bad hey?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtLgW1EVnL4

[Foreman72]

It's hard trying to drive and record at the same time....so sorry for the bad camera work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KtcJmfIvaE


Dosen't sound too bad hey?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtLgW1EVnL4

sounds mean man... to the 318

[bordin34]

Sounds good, it didn't sound like your headers leak, I wish I was so lucky. Hows the fuel mileage so far?

[69bronzeT5]

We put brand new gaskets on and also used sealant stuff to fix the antifreeze problem. Only a minor drip once in a while know unlike before, I was emptying out my whole rad onto the ground I do have a slight exhaust leak though. My fuel gauge dosen't work however, a full tank lasted atleast 150 kilometers. I still have gas left I think because I've moved the car a couple times and cruised up and down the road and I still have gas.

[TUFCAT]

Well, I almost had an epileptic seizure watching that first video...but I got the feel for it. Cool car.

Just needs some work. This could end up pretty nice, with some time and money devoted to it.

[bordin34]

Cody, did you replace the rubber brakes lines yet. You probably want to if they are original mine were dried and cracking. Also the rubber fuel lines should be replaced, don't forget the short one at the tank.

[69*F5*SE]

Car sounds good Cody.

[69bronzeT5]

Cody, did you replace the rubber brakes lines yet. You probably want to if they are original mine were dried and cracking. Also the rubber fuel lines should be replaced, don't forget the short one at the tank.

I looked over them, they look fine. Must of been replaced not to long ago. The car stops awesomely.

[c00nhunterjoe]

sounds good, get teh girlfriend to record next time 

[Tilar]

It's hard trying to drive and record at the same time....so sorry for the bad camera work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KtcJmfIvaE


Dosen't sound too bad hey?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtLgW1EVnL4

Are those your legs are were you riding a chicken?  Just kidding.     What are those extra knobs for? I noticed one in with the ash tray and one under the left side of the dash?

It sounds real good Cody. 

My fuel gauge dosen't work however, a full tank lasted atleast 150 kilometers. I still have gas left I think because I've moved the car a couple times and cruised up and down the road and I still have gas.

150 kilometers is only something like 95 miles. you should still have close to 1/2 a tank left if your 318 does anything like my last Duster. I used to get roughly 200 miles out of a tank of gas on my 74, and that 318 had a 292 duration 501 lift cam,  edelbrock manifold and holly carb.   Oh, and that was highway miles so running around town may be a little less.

[TUFCAT]

Uh oh....did I see a beer between your legs?? 

[69bronzeT5]

Uh oh....did I see a beer between your legs?? 

Not that I know of

I'll take a look at the knobs when I get home...I can't remember right now.

[mikepmcs]

Cool videos, thanks for sharing.   You should be proud!! 

[69bronzeT5]

Okay regarding the knobs....one is titled "Speaker", another is for the rear defogger. The one beside the lighter in the ashtray...my dad pointed that out to me on the trip home but I forget what he said it is. I'll have to call him and find out. Anyways, here's a couple pictures. I put a personal touch on the car, thanks Mike for the stickers!

[Tilar]

Are those factory options for that car?     

In all the Dusters I've owned, I don't remember ever having a rear window defroster or factory rear speakers, and here you have them all wrapped up in one pretty cool blue wrapper.

[mikepmcs]

Nice touch...I can dig it.

I need to buy some more.

[69bronzeT5]

Are those factory options for that car?     

In all the Dusters I've owned, I don't remember ever having a rear window defroster or factory rear speakers, and here you have them all wrapped up in one pretty cool blue wrapper.

Yep, both factory options. The rear defogger/defroster is uncommon but in B.C, it's pretty common on Mopars from what I've heard. Also, the switch in the ashtray beside the lighter is the manual choke that the last owner disconnected.

[69bronzeT5]

Okay, so I need some ideas please. I would like to open my hood at this big Mopar show in July. However, I'd like to make the engine compartment more presentable. First off, I have the M/T valve covers from Mark (dads_69) that I will be painting and putting on. I've cleaned out all the pine needles and rat crap since this picture (it was taken back in February) and I washed the engine compartment and motor. What do you guys think? Is there anything reletively cheap I can do to make it look better?

[Foreman72]

paint the rad (which i kno u where planning on doing) and get a nice chrome top air cleaner (which would provide better performance i would assume as well) and maybe get a chrome breather...possibly clean up some of the wiring...those valve covers should look awesome on there 2 

[mikepmcs]

Cody, do you have an after pic from when you cleaned it up a bit.

Off the top considering spending little to 0 dollars.  Remove the air cleaner assy, clean it up, scuff it down and paint it again.  Same with the breather, scuff and paint it.  (if you have money to spend, go with Eric's idea)

Match the heater hose(I'd get black if you can)

Clean up all wiring to include repairing loose connections, zip ties every 6-8 inches, spark plug wire looms etc.....

Hoses...wipe em all down and put a little shine on a rag and wipe it on

Washer bottle, clean it with bleach

Brake booster clean  and repaint it( just cover/tape off everything around it)

battery tray, scuff and repaint

radiator  mentioned already

pulleys scuff and paint

if you haven't already, start checking and replacing the hoses, vac lines, etc......

how's the drive belt?

windshield wiper motor scuff and paint

etc....

should cost you some elbow grease and a couple bucks.

[TUFCAT]

Do every thing mickepcs mentioned, ...and this should keep you busy for a while. 

I'm not sure about bleaching the washer bottle though....repros are available for not that much money. Bleaching may cause it to dry and crack? I really have no experience with that method.

[Foreman72]

these guys are so much better @ this than i am

[69bronzeT5]

Do every thing mickepcs mentioned, ...and this should keep you busy for a while. 

I'm not sure about bleaching the washer bottle though....repros are available for not that much money. Bleaching may cause it to dry and crack? I really have no experience with that method.

My dad bleached the washer bottle on his friend's '70 Buick GSX that we restored. I still remember us downstairs in the basement at the old house at the sink bleaching and washing it. I don't care if this bottle does dry and crack sometime down the road, as long as it looks good for summer, then I'll happy. It's already got a small crack at the top so I was planning on replacing it anyways.