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

[bull]

Don't you just love getting doused by the pissing rain every 15 minutes when you work on cars? I know I sure do down here in Portland.

I thought you were going to take those rubber baby buggy bumpers off the back?

[69bronzeT5]

Don't you just love getting doused by the pissing rain every 15 minutes when you work on cars? I know I sure do down here in Portland.

I thought you were going to take those rubber baby buggy bumpers off the back?

I was going to but I think they suit it. It breaks up the chrome and red from the tail lights very well

[bakerhillpins]

Looking good! 

Saw this poking around looking for myself the other day. Immediately though of you.

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/1690775146.html
76 Plymouth Duster, well built 318 4-speed, 3.55 sure grip.

[C_stripes]

Looks like you pulled the bumper the hard way. Its much easier if you undo the brackets off of the body, then take the bumper off.   

[TUFCAT]

Yeppers, ....there are two large bolts on each side of the frame rail. Get them loosened up, then go find a helper. It usually take two people because those brackets (along with the bumber are heavy).

[chargergirl]

That is a beautiful Duster!

[mikepmcs]

That Duster in Greene is down the road from me.  Never seen it on the road though. 
"West coast mopar, all original metal."
Doesn't mean it's rust free now though. 

$9500 is a little steep for a 76, No?

[TUFCAT]

My first '73 Duster had no guards on the front, but I kept them on the rear...(this was way back in 1984).  My second '73 Duster (in 2005) had both front and rear guards removed for a cleaner look.  I will agree with Cody, the front guards SUCK....and the rear suck also, but just not as bad.    

[bakerhillpins]

That Duster in Greene is down the road from me.  Never seen it on the road though. 
"West coast mopar, all original metal."
Doesn't mean it's rust free now though. 

$9500 is a little steep for a 76, No?

I wondered if you knew about that one. Wouldn't know about the price tag though. Seems it might be a tad steep if its still there. 

[69bronzeT5]

It's OUT and the sanding of the engine compartment begins!!!!































Parts being painted- these are the alternator brackets....

[69bronzeT5]

Oh yeah......it's the ORIGINAL ENGINE! Yeah baby!!!! Then again.....it is a 318 after all....

[moparstuart]

Oh yeah......it's the ORIGINAL ENGINE! Yeah baby!!!! Then again.....it is a 318 after all....

   original motor with all the original grime   oh sorry patina  

[69bronzeT5]

Wouldn't surprise me.....this thing has NEVER been out of the engine compartment! Already started in saying goodbye to the grime. The engine is soaking right now in the engine de-grimer and then I'm gonna scrub every single inch of grime off.

[TUFCAT]

Wouldn't surprise me.....this thing has NEVER been out of the engine compartment! Already started in saying goodbye to the grime. The engine is soaking right now in the engine de-grimer and then I'm gonna scrub every single inch of grime off.

It's an awful messy, BUY VERY REWARDING process.  

Here's a quick tip from your Uncle Tufcat (listen to me on this one) - - keep everything neat tidy to the best of your ability  

This kind of grungy dirt seems to get out of hand very quickly.....and the next thing you know its everwhere (...and on everything!) UGH.

[dkn1997]

Wouldn't surprise me.....this thing has NEVER been out of the engine compartment! Already started in saying goodbye to the grime. The engine is soaking right now in the engine de-grimer and then I'm gonna scrub every single inch of grime off.

if you have coin op car wash up there in the great white north, it would be worth it to drag motor and car there and have at it.  you could save a ton of work... or rent a power washer and do it at home..but big mess. 

[69bronzeT5]

Wouldn't surprise me.....this thing has NEVER been out of the engine compartment! Already started in saying goodbye to the grime. The engine is soaking right now in the engine de-grimer and then I'm gonna scrub every single inch of grime off.

if you have coin op car wash up there in the great white north, it would be worth it to drag motor and car there and have at it.  you could save a ton of work... or rent a power washer and do it at home..but big mess. 

We have a pressure washer

[TUFCAT]

That's a good thing to have.  Pressure wash the driveway when you're done.

By the way, I bought a two gallon jug on "Purple Power Degreaser". It worked great on the heavy stuff, and its TOTALLY BIODEGRADABLE!   Your neighbors can't have a shit fit if the soapy engine sludge enters their friendly neighborhood storm drains...

To me, its worth every penny.  

[jaak]

Looking good Cody, keep up the good work 
Have you set you a deadline to have it finished?

Jason

[69bronzeT5]

Looking good Cody, keep up the good work 
Have you set you a deadline to have it finished?

Jason

June 26th for the NAPA Auto Parts show in Langley or at the latest July 1st (our moving date).

[1969chargerrtse]

Great stuff, love the the clear pictures.  You have grown my child.  One thing. THE CHARGER IS NOT YOUR WORK BENCH!!

[69bronzeT5]

Some older pictures I haven't posted yet

[69bronzeT5]

Pictures from today. The black paint on the front of the rad support and etc is black primer. Tomorrow should be nice so I'm going to mask off the firewall stuff and primer the firewall

[69bronzeT5]

Mark (dads_69) gave me these valve covers last summer. I'm trying to clean them up as much as I can so I can paint them black (with the logo, fins & rectangular part polished).

[TUFCAT]

Cody , YOU NEED MUCH MORE PAPER on the car, the windshield in particular will be covered with primer overspray if not already.  The rest of the car probably has some also.... Please buy a cheap tarp, use an old sheet, or more paper before spraying again.

It's hard to get overspray off.  

[Back N Black]

Good progress!  BTW you will never get the oil stains off your driveway.