My 71 Duster Project

[smartken22]

Thank you!

Great thread! Awesome build. Love the color combo. :thumleft:

 

[smartken22]

Here is the latest progress on the Duster. We have been working on the third member but ran into a snag getting the old bearings on the sure grip off. We had to order a bearing splitter and was able to get everything off. I am using a 489 case now so I ordered a new re-build kit, however, the sure grip bearings were too big so I had to order some smaller ID bearings from Dr. Diff. They should be here this week and then we will get it together and lash everything. We are also installing a crush sleeve eliminator so shimming should be a breeze and this thing will be bulletproof! I will keep my old 742 case as a spare for some different gears in the future. Other than that, I got the pentastar and Plymouth emblems installed as well as the new dome light cover. I got the new rear bumper from a member on the forums here, however, it is a little different from my old one. This one has slots in it and I am not sure what they are for. The mounts bolt up to the same position so I am not sweating it. Once I get the bumper mounts cleaned up I will get this installed. Enjoy the pix. More to follow.

 

[smartken22]

Here are a couple of additional pix of the new big bolt rear brakes installed. Also got the new firewall insulation, bumper mounting hardware, hood to cowl seal and shifter bezel in today from Classic Industries.

 

[smartken22]

OK so the bumper that I got is not the correct one. It looks like this one is for a 72 Duster even though it says it fits a 71. I gave it back to my buddy and he gave me cash in exchange so it looks like I will be ordering the correct one without the jack slots directly from AMD. More to follow.

 

[limegreen70]

great bulid really nice car you put a lot of time and money into it but I gotta ask y front drum brakes?

 

[smartken22]

great bulid really nice car you put a lot of time and money into it but I gotta ask y front drum brakes?

Front disc are on the way, but backordered. They should be here by the end of the month.

 

[smartken22]

I finally got the rearend back today. Thanks to a great dude from the Mopar forums on here for the help with the rebuild and the 489 case. It turned out awesome! I will put my old 742 case in storage for now until I can get that one built up. Here are some pics. I will get this bad boy installed tomorrow and get the new axles and wheels put on. More pix to follow!

 

[limegreen70]

Front disc are on the way, but backordered. They should be here by the end of the month.

o ok I was just wondering cause it looked like you put a lot of time and money into it but you had front drums seemed odd to me but keep up the great work

 

[smartken22]

The rear is complete! Here are some pics of the new rims tires and axles installed! The front disc brake kit is finally shipping tomorrow so that is next!

 

[smartken22]

I received half of the front brake disc conversion today. The calipers, spindles and hardware kit is still on backorder. Here is a pic!

 

[smartken22]

Its been awhile since the last update so here we go. I have been on detachment for the last couple of weeks so I have not had time to tinker. The other half of the disc conversion showed up while I was gone. Here are some pics of everything pre-staged. I have already pulled the front tires and will start working it this week. Stand by for my progress pics. Here is a nice before shot of the drum setup. I will send an after shot once everything is completed.

 

[Nutty runner]

Who's the manufacturer of disc conversion kit?looks like good stuff you got there ken

 

[smartken22]

Thank you, I cant wait to start installing it! The kit is made by Right Stuff Detailing. I have dealt with them before and they have very good products. Here is the link for the kit I ordered.

http://www.getdiscbrakes.com/mdc66sds

Who's the manufacturer of disc conversion kit?looks like good stuff you got there ken

 

[RichardJ916]

Nice Job Ken....

 

[smartken22]

Well, one side is completed! It turned out pretty nice and everything was pretty easy to install. The car is finally starting to look good. I will post more as I finish things up. Enjoy the pics!

 

[smartken22]

Well, the disc brake conversion is completed! She looks pretty damn nice but still has a big rake in the back. I am hoping since this is all new suspension, that once I start driving it, things will settle. Otherwise, I am very happy. Only thing left now is an alignment and cosmetics! Enjoy the pics!

 

[smartken22]

My I-phone camera sucks so I apologize for the crappy pics lately. I broke out Mommas expensive one so here are a few HD shots for you all! I will take more once the brake bleeding is finished and shes off jacks! Enjoy!

 

[smartken22]

Well, the brakes are 100% completed now and she stops on a dime now that we figured out the issue. Realized you cannot use the factory proportioning valve in conjunction with the new one. Had to remove the old, make new brake lines and relocate with the new valve. One of my friends from the B-bodies forums came over to help me all day today on this. I could not have done it without his help! Now on to the carb issue that has developed! The carb fuel bowls are bleeding down overnight and dumping all that fuel into the intake and into my oil. Not sure what to do there. Time to make some calls to the engine builder! Its a new carb so I don't know. I know when I shut the motor off, the sight glasses on the carb are half full. When I come out in the morning, the sight glasses are empty. I pulled the dipstick and the oil smells like fuel. Not good! I will keep you posted. Started an advice thread about the carb issue in the fuel related forum. ​

 

[smartken22]

Here are a couple pics of the car before we went out on a drive. We went cruising around the neighborhood and actually got 6 miles on it! I am still fighting a carb internal leakage issue, so now it is back in the garage waiting on a new carb as I had to return it for a new one. Enjoy the pics!

 

[smartken22]

Took the car in for an alignment today and put about 60 miles on it finally! Enjoy the pics!

 

[fez440]

looks great! and must feel good to drive it!

 

[smartken22]

Sorry for the long silence. We have started workups for deployment again so I have been really busy going on dets and being out to sea. Here are some updates on the Duster. Now that it is Winter around here I have decided to park her and work out the bugs. I am in the process of fixing the carb issues, converting to a fuel cell and doing some minor engine work that is bug related. Other than that, the car got about 300 miles put on her this summer! Stand by for the pics! Here are some of the fuel cell that is going in it in addition to adding a return line setup.

 

[smartken22]

I started all the framing and got everything welded up for the fuel cell. It is coming along nicely. Today I plan to start the plumbing! The plan is to run 1/2 tubing from the cell to the carb and to run 3/8 tubing for the return lines. More to follow. Here are some pics.

 

[smartken22]

OK I have been told by a few of my A-body Mopar forum friends that I am not on here as much and need to get re-engaged so here we go. I have been busy with work and family so my apologies. One of my buddies from the forums came over today and helped me finish up the fuel cell. Here are some pics of the progress. Plumbing is complete and now time to finish the plumbing under the hood. Once again sorry for the long silence.

Ken

 

[racerhog]

Looking great Ken....