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

[C_stripes]

I got to say Cody. The car is looking good.

[69bronzeT5]

I got to say Cody. The car is looking good.

Thanks Jeremy! I bought hood pins for it at the MATS so I'll be fixing up the spare hood I have to install those

[jaak]

Cody, that Duster is looking sweet!!  Now get to work on that Charger!

Jason

[69bronzeT5]

So summer is coming up fast.....actually, my first show is June 19th. That would be the KMS Tools show & shine. The last time I attended the show was in 2000 so as you can tell, I was pretty young then. We took my dad's friend's '71 Camaro RS Z/28. Anyways, I've been dying to take my Duster to this show since I got it. Last summer I lived on the Island and didn't have much money so I was pretty much stuck as far as attending Vancouver shows. Plus the car was having issues. Anyways, last summer I was a bit weary about opening the hood because the engine compartment looked pretty shitty. This summer I want that changed so tomorrow we're pulling the motor to completley repaint and everything. We'll also gonna paint the engine compartment too. So today we put the car up on ramps (we have a bit of a sloped driveway) and I took most of the wiring out and as much else as I could before the rain started. It's supposed to be sunny in the afternoon tomorrow so that's when the motor is coming out! I also took the grille out to protect it however I'm putting a nicer one in. I'm also repainting the valance (goes between the bumper and grille) and putting the new bumper on. It should be way nicer when I'm done with it. So that being said....here we go. Im starting with some pictures of the car today before starting work on it.

[69bronzeT5]

I took the oppourtunity to take some good underside shots....as you can see, the car is SOLID!

[TUFCAT]

Good stuff....keep us posted.

[69bronzeT5]

So it begins.....

[69bronzeT5]

The shot of the day......me wet, cold and dirty

[TUFCAT]

The shot of the day......me wet, cold and dirty

You don't look wet or cold.    ha ha ha

[ZSmithersCharges]

Thanks everyone! Tim, I have noooo clue where all the snow is. Usually not much falls in Vancouver but on the Island where I used to live we would get a whole bunch. It's barely snowed there.....I'm starting to believe in global warming

Sun spots!  Not global warming.

[moparstuart]

great job cody , good for you going right after it . 

[tan top]

been busy Cody  , your duster looks well straight on the underside
dont know if i miss what your doing   but    whats the plan paint under the hood ? 

see your cat hiding under the duster out the rain  awwww

[69bronzeT5]

been busy Cody  , your duster looks well straight on the underside
dont know if i miss what your doing   but    whats the plan paint under the hood ? 

see your cat hiding under the duster out the rain  awwww

Paint the engine compartment. Pull the motor and paint it. New valve covers, 4bbl, paint the headers, new alternator, new hoses, new belts, new air cleaner etc. Completley redoing the whole engine visual wise. Putting in a nicer grille and bumper etc

[HITMAN 149]

GOOOOOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!! keep up the good work!!!

[69bronzeT5]

My dad helped me out today. The motor is pretty much ready to go out except for the motor mount bolts, master cylinder, power booster and starter wiring.

[jaak]

looking good Cody.....I did the same thing with my '73 Charger last summer. Keep up the good work!!!!!


Jason

[69bronzeT5]

looking good Cody.....I did the same thing with my '73 Charger last summer. Keep up the good work!!!!!


Jason

Got any pictures Jason? What did you use paint wise for everything?

[jaak]

Before...


After...




Now the '73 is my budget "driver". When picking materials I wanted something durable and save what I can.
-The Blue paint is a cheep pre-packaged SS Urethane ($68/gal. w/activator)
-The orange on the engine....Quart of Tractor enamel ($10) and 1/2 pint of hardener ($12)
-Used spray-bomb paint for BBQ/Stoves on the headers and radiator. ($5 bucks a can/ used 2 cans)
-Smaller parts, i.e., booster, wiper motor, etc were done with spray cans I had in my shop.

It was a cheep way of doing it, but I think it looks a helluva lot better, not embarrassed to open my hood anymore.

Jason

[69bronzeT5]

How's the paint holding up on the headers?

[jaak]

How's the paint holding up on the headers?

After nearly a year....its chalky, but still on there.

Jason

[69bronzeT5]

How's the paint holding up on the headers?

After nearly a year....its chalky, but still on there.

Jason

Chalky as in?

[jaak]

It still has the paint on there, but its fading, sorta powdery (or chalky) looking in some places, especially close to the exhaust ports.

Jason

[69bronzeT5]

It still has the paint on there, but its fading, sorta powdery (or chalky) looking in some places, especially close to the exhaust ports.

Jason

Oh okay. You used BBQ paint right? Do you think High Heat engine paint would have any difference?

[Darkman]

I don't think it does Cody! I have used high temperature paint specifically for headers and it still goes chalky. It all depends on the colour you choose as to how noticeable it is!

BTW I really like the look of the Duster (it's the only 70's Mopar that actually looks good  )

[69bronzeT5]

Front bumper is off. It took 5 lbs of WD40 and an angle grinder to get it off A few bumper bolts broke, two came off fine and the others had to be cut off with the grinder