16yrs old, first car advise?!

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Larry Brown

Larry Brown

Lil Mopar Guy
Joined
Jun 22, 2017
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Location
New Jersey
I'm now 16 years old and bought my first car a 72 duster 9 months ago. The car is solid, runs good with a 318 and has a cool paint job. but after paying $10,500 and putting a total of $14 grand into the car already I have now realized I paid to much for it. It's definitely upsetting to see better cars out there for less after the fact. I don't plan on giving up on the car as much as slowing down with my ever expanding plans of what to do with it. I had just bought a 383 and trans out of a 69 barracuda that was rebuilt a few years ago for $1,500. The motor has a mild cam put in and should fire up, with it never being ran after being rebuilt. I just found out the trany is a rare one, with it being a 65 push button 727. I know decide to sell the motor and trany for a profit, now that it would cost me more money to install into my own car. I guess I will just keep the lil 318. Any thoughts or comments on my story so far?

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Ill tell ya what they told me, "That's too much power for you kid" LOL! Kidding, if it helps, try not to think about "what its worth in $$$" What its worth in do you have fun everytime you drive it? are people like "wow that's a cool car" also working on them is fun too, think about the enjoyment, if you still don think its worth it, take it racing at the track.
 
I would not bother with trying to swap in a big block, if your looking for more power you can always build another small block 360 or something for a reasonable price. You can get a ton of power out of a small block without the hassle that you would go through to put in a big block. Just my opinion though...
 
That 65 trans is no good for your car. You need a 66 and up trans. It uses different shifter setup. The 65 trans is valuable to guys with 65 down cars, so you should get your money back. As was already said, place the value on how much you enjoy the car. Not what it can be sold for.
 
well - first - :welcome: :thumbsup:. It does look like a solid car and 10,500 isn't out of hand - so you've put another 3,500 into it? - even that isn't too bad. Stop looking at what you didn't get and consentrate on what ya got. Only you can decide what the ultimate direction of the building will be, but putting a big block in where a small block was is a "thing" - not saying don't or you shouldn't - just saying there is more to it than a simple swap. I like small blocks, so I am going to say sell the 383 and trans (which I don't think you can use easily) and find a 360 and build it. JMHO
 
The last year for a push button trans, in a A-Body, and B-Body was 1964 -- not sure about the larger bodies, but I suspect that was the last year, for all.
 
BTW -- Welcome -- From Pa. -- lots of good stuff, here, on FABO.
 
I really appreciate all the positive feedback! I am definitely having fun building it, yes. And I think it will be one cool car when I'm done with it. I have a friend who will help me put in the big block (mopar expert). I'm going to Carlisle next month to pick up all the stuff I need to place the big block in. With what I'm hearing I should be able to get enough out of the trans to fund a new trans.
 
Any idea on where would be a good place to try to sell the trany? (I am taking things in steps and selling tranny first before I make any other decisions)
 
For whatever it's worth, I would've killed to have that car at 16. Great looking car. Way too much pressure out there on having 8 second street cars and numbers matching, correct part # this and that nonsense. It's cool to dream big(I still do) but don't get down on that cool ride you've got there. If I could suggest, study every car mag you can get your mitts on. Learn what you like and don't like and figure out what works best for you man. Jeff
 
I had wanted this duster for a year before I found it. But I understand and appreciate what your saying to me. :)
 
Sell that stuff, drop a stroked 360 in it. Same price for the bottom end from summit As the 360 stuff of you want more power. But I'd leave it be for now. Fix the minor details and save up for an engine you want. Swap it when you have time and learn, I mean hang out with the older guys, watch them and see what they've built. Ask for as much help as you can and always mock things up before you make it permanent. Everyone here on FABO is fantastic. Someone knows the answer somehow or another because we've either done it or doing it. Fill your head with as much knowledge before blowing tons of money. If you can't do it, learn to do it. That way in the end your not one of those guys at the cars shows that doesn't know a thing about how it's built. You'll be one of the guys who did it and that to me makes the car worth so more. Welcome and that's a really clean ride.
 
With a big block in there you it'll run great straight but a strong 360 turning will be lot better. I did the same thing with mine bought a 383 to swap the /6 with. Got the motor apart and found would cost more to put in a big block converting my steering k member exhaust and did a small block instead. My thoughts enjoy the car now save up and get everything you want at one time so you have less down time. My mistake of instant gratification cost me seven years of lost drive time to do the swap instead of driving it. Your in high school show that bad boy off now. When your out of school life happens. Time is more valuable. My son drove his mine to high school and they gave him his own parking spot up front. Was pretty cool
 
I got my '72 when I was 16! now eight years ago, I've spent tons of money on it, and I won't get it back. But It's mine forever, and I'll enjoy the crap out of it! Keep your Duster, when you're as old as your dad, or grandpa, you'll be able to get your money back out of it. Or just keep driving it, making all the rice burner kids jealous! :) Don't ever think about the $$, you'll lose interest fast. Think about how awesome it will be, and how much fun it will be (When it's done, and while it's on its way getting there) My $.02!
 
Ya already bought the big block. Use it. Sell the 318 to cover the smalls you need to make the 383 work.

Oh yeah, don't sell it when you turn 22 or get married..... you'll kick yourself for it for many years...........
 
Oh yeah, don't sell it when you turn 22 or get married..... you'll kick yourself for it for many years...........[/QUOTE]

Best advise yet.
 
That car looks really nice. I would sell the motor and trans. too. 360 (408) will fit right in.
 
I bought my daughter a 72 Swinger, 318, auto. I put the biggest 15" rallys and tires under the back that would fit, little skinny rallys up front. Since I never bought Hooker Headers for myself, guess what? She got the Hookers. Letting the exhaust side breathe really made that little 318 cam sound lumpy. Hey, she said she wanted something different, she got different. She and her friends had way too much fun in that car. It was more reliable than anyone could ask for, I only remember having to go out and assist her 2 times, catastrophic transmission failure and battery failure. When she turned 18, her grandmother gave her a Turbo Bug, I got the Dart back. Got me through many a vehicular scrape too. Hard to drive a 5 speed pickup with your right leg in a brace :thumbsup:. Charlie is the Dart's name, Charlie it will remain. Enjoy the crap out of the Duster laddie. All about the fun Babee!
 
I think we've all done it one time or another... bought a car and realized you paid more than it was worth, or it needs more work, or whatever...

when you get in that situation all you can do is appreciate what you do have, and stop window shopping. Picture what it will be when you're done, not how it sits on its bad days... and my rule has always been never add the receipts...

There will alway be a better deal on a newer better part, or a faster/nicer car.

Fix what you can and make it yours. That's a sweet looking ride, im sure there are tons of guys from 15-70 who would be proud to have it. I'm with the group, sell the BB, build a SB because it will be much easier from where you sit now. Then chip away at whatever your list is. You'll get there.

Joe.

My dart was my first car at 15, I'm 37 this yr and it has sat longer than it's been on the road. It's still a fixture in my family, and I love every time I open the garage door to get it out...
 
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There is nothing wrong with a 318. If you just looking for bragging rights of a BIG BLOCK. go for it. But 318 is a good engine and set up nice with minimal money spent on big hp gains
 
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