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

[Skyview69]

That's a nice car...wish I could find something like that for a daily driver 

[firefighter3931]

Funny you ask Eldon, I was just about to post that. Ron suggested an Edelbrock Performer Intake and a Holley 570cfm Street Avenger with electric choke so that's what you guys see

So Cody, how is the car running now ? 

It sounds good with the dual exhaust....nice lope & rumble at idle. 

The Ralley wheels really give it some attitude as well....good work all around ! 



Ron

[69bronzeT5]

Thanks Ron! Still haven't put the carb and intake on. Gotta gather up fuel lines for the carb and that kind of stuff.

[69bronzeT5]

I completley forgot to post these pictures. I took these ones a few days ago down at the end of my street.












Next project is the interior. Well, after I get a new windshield I'll do the interior. I'm pretty sure the windshield seal is f'ed because there's a leak and I need a new windshield anyways. The leak isn't bad but it's enough to get the carpet a tad wet so, after I get that done I'll be painting the dash black, attempting to save the dash pad and do that black, new black carpet, put my Tuff wheel on, new headliner and put the CD player I have here in. I also gotta do something with the seat but I don't want to pay $550 for new front upholstery.

[BIRD67]

I still think it would add a degree of menace if you darkened those center caps 

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Those wheels look way better than the old ones. Good choice. 

[TUFCAT]

Rots and rots of Dusters (pun intended) had rotton driver side floors boards due to a leaking windshield and cowl...including both 1973's I owned.

I hate to say it, but the dash frame may need to come out to do the job right...unless you got super skinny arms, can crawl around on your back under the dash, and handle caulk with precision.  Somehow, I managed to do it at the time.  Probably not anymore.

In your case however, with the electrical problems it might be a good idea to get a new dash harness and remedy that bad wiring at the same time.  

Anyway, once the w/s is gone, you should examine the entire cowl area very carefully. Also, closely inspect the a-pillar corners (that's where the majority of the water comes in). Then get the best possible silicone or RTV that money can buy and go to town on it - I mean up, down, and sideways!

Hopefully, nothing is rotted enough to warrant an patch. That would suck. I got lucky on both my cars because not much water collected up there, because they drip like a friggin faucet!  

[Back N Black]

Man, those wheels really put the finishing touch on the car. 

[69bronzeT5]

Rots and rots of Dusters (pun intended) had rotton driver side floors boards due to a leaking windshield and cowl...including both 1973's I owned.

I hate to say it, but the dash frame may need to come out to do the job right...unless you got super skinny arms, can crawl around on your back under the dash, and handle caulk with precision.  Somehow, I managed to do it at the time.  Probably not anymore.

In your case however, with the electrical problems it might be a good idea to get a new dash harness and remedy that bad wiring at the same time.  

Anyway, once the w/s is gone, you should examine the entire cowl area very carefully. Also, closely inspect the a-pillar corners (that's where the majority of the water comes in). Then get the best possible silicone or RTV that money can buy and go to town on it - I mean up, down, and sideways!

Hopefully, nothing is rotted enough to warrant an patch. That would suck. I got lucky on both my cars because not much water collected up there, because they drip like a friggin faucet!  

Well mine barely leaks unless it really pours HARD then a small puddle builds. Where do you suspect it leaks from the cowl?

[TUFCAT]

It's been a while, but I recall there's a metal flange where two panels are seamed visible from underneath the dash - way under there.....Seal all places where two panels are joined together to make up the cowl section. However, the most important part is in the corners. That's where most of my water came in from. Run a hose and get under there with a flashlight with your cowlside trim panel removed. You can probably see some water coming in.

If there's enough water to rust out the floor, it's possible that it might be leaking down the side pretty regularly.  My first Duster had that problem.  The car sat outside and the foor was always wet, but I never saw a leak.

Actually, my Coronet leaks a bit. I had it parked outside during a rain, and felt some drips when I drove it. Then it was done. The Coronet had a replacement windshield sometime before got it, so I wonder if it was installed incorrectly.

[69bronzeT5]

Well, we just fixed all of the electrical issues. Turns out the alternator wasn't charging because the brushes were pretty badly damaged. Replaced them and all of the electrical things work great now!

[A383Wing]

Usually on the "B" body cars the leak is from the windshield wiper pivots that go through the cowl.  Usually water drips right into the fuse box that's attached to the dash frame. New seals and gaskets are available....I have used valve stem seals on a few of mine in the past.

Unsure where leak would be on Cody's "A" body....my 66 Dart has never leaked like my "B" body's did

[jb666]

I really love the old Dusters... And yours is a really nice clean example 

[69bronzeT5]

It's hard to believe I got my Duster a year ago today. Quite the trip it's been!


February 21, 2009.....




February 21, 2010.....





The funny thing is if you notice, the Mustang is infront of the Duster in the 2009 pictures and now it's infront of the Duster again today but instead it's smashed up in the garage.

[BIRD67]

lOOKIN GOOD, WHEN YOU GONNA PUT PICS UP OF YOUR DADS 64 1/2?

[TUFCAT]

How about a status on your exhaust tips? .... oooh man, I love those 340 Duster tips!

[69bronzeT5]

lOOKIN GOOD, WHEN YOU GONNA PUT PICS UP OF YOUR DADS 64 1/2?

When we drag it home....he's busy with other things right now

[69bronzeT5]

How about a status on your exhaust tips? .... oooh man, I love those 340 Duster tips!

You mean these?



I also thought I'd share some pictures I took when me and my friend took the car on a roadtrip last weekend. 200km's each way. As you can see, I love taking pictures of my cars











It was quite dirty afterwards

[69bronzeT5]

Also, here's two pictures of my dad driving it

[BIRD67]

Damn Cody, your Camera skills are really improving!

[69bronzeT5]

Damn Cody, your Camera skills are really improving!

Had some issues with the night time ones because I was trying to drive while take the picture of the car on the road

[Finn]

Whats the big N sticker for?

[69bronzeT5]

Whats the big N sticker for?

In B.C you get your Learner's licence first and you have that for a year and you have to have a 'L' on the back of your car showing your a Learner. After a year, you take a road test and then you get your N. When you get your N, you can finally drive by yourself. You have to put the 'N' on the back of your car and you have your 'N' (Novice) for 2 years before you take another road test to get your full licence.

[Finn]

Whoa, did not know that! Is it magnetic so when you drive another car you can swap it?

[69bronzeT5]

Whoa, did not know that! Is it magnetic so when you drive another car you can swap it?

Yep, it's magnetic. Here's what they look like. I cut my N down because it looks way better like that and way less ghey.