I don’t really know what I’m doing

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Dustey

Dustey

Active Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2019
Messages
28
Reaction score
28
Location
Brunswick Georgia
Hi there everyone, just turned 20 today and am from Brunswick Georgia, so I thought it would be a great time to start cracking on my 1973 Plymouth duster. Slant Six, Column shift car, automatic, gold duster

I’ve owned this car for almost a year now, I barely did anything to it besides new front drums, and fixing the pillars around the windshield as they were rotted, oh and also sanding and spray painting the top to prevent surface rust.
I’ve been struggling to get the motivation to work on it but after being gone from it for a few months I realized how much I missed it and decided it was time to start working on it again. I’ve been lurking on this website ever since I bought the car, I’ve gone through the stages of wanting to magnum swap it, Modern hemi swaps, and now a big block swap. A few weeks ago I bought two 383 big blocks for it. I know the basics of car mechanics but not much, anyways I am lookin forward to all the new things I will learn along the way. Luckily my dad is a big mopar guy and will be there to help me as well :)

Here are a few pics, it currently is painted black on the roof but I think I’m gonna switch back to the white, what do you guys think?

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welcome! nice project! you'll gain a lot of knowledge by working on it yourself as much as possible.
 
Dusty I remember 30 years ago my son and I worked on his first car . He was 14 at the time. We had a lot of fun times and some cursing along the way. Lol. We now live 1200 miles apart. I miss those times. Enjoy.
 
Welcome to FABO from up North Georgia way!!

Most of us didn't really know what we were doing when we were 20 years old either. You'll learn along the way!!
 
Great car to learn on. Everything you do will give you a little extra pride in the car and yourself. Great to have a Dad with the time and interest to help, many here will do the same. Welcome.
 
Welcome, at twenty many of us were just trying to stay alive in places far far away. I think it is totally cool you are building your own. Rock on guy rock on. This sight has a wealth of knowledge but in the end most all are simply going to tell you to jump in and just do it and drive it! This sight is made up of guys who typically jump in and learn as we go. Rest assured you can not make a single mistake one of us has not already made, at least once. Hah! We got faith in ya!
 
Sublime one said:
Welcome, at twenty many of us were just trying to stay alive in places far far away. I think it is totally cool you are building your own. Rock on guy rock on. This sight has a wealth of knowledge but in the end most all are simply going to tell you to jump in and just do it and drive it! This sight is made up of guys who typically jump in and learn as we go. Rest assured you can not make a single mistake one of us has not already made, at least once. Hah! We got faith in ya!
Click to expand...
Don't do that. I had no idea who posted this without a sublime something in the avatar
 
My Motto:
I don’t know what I’m doing.
But that hasn't stopped me yet.
(Or: I know what I'm doing. I've just never done this before.)

A word of free advice.
Worth what you pay for it.
Nothing "wrong" with a big block A body.
But if this is your first learning project, put a small block in it.
Keep it simple.
It will go plenty fast and a big block swap makes things have to happen that are more complex.
If the 383 is your choice and it needs rebuilding these southern folks are a good choice if you aren't going to do it yourself.
Reasonable and good work. Even darned cheap to ship if you don't want to drive there.

OEM Engines
 
Welcome to FABO, glad to have you aboard.
My advice to you is to get the car running and driving ASAP, doing the safety stuff first such as tires, brakes, suspension, etc.
Then you can plan on the further upgrades and do them as time and money allows.
Don't forget to buy a Factory Service Manual for your car, it will pay for itself 100 times over........
 
If you got the 383, go for it. Headers will be tight. I like the black top and rims. If you want a fast car without the big block headaches, 360 all the way. Sell the 383s and get yourself some good heads for a 360 short block. And start from there. Bolt ons!
 
Welcome aboard!

There are a bunch of Ga. boys here that I’m sure are willing to help you out. Keep reading otherwise, get a factory service manual.


Dustey said:
Hi there everyone, just turned 20 today and am from Brunswick Georgia, so I thought it would be a great time to start cracking on my 1973 Plymouth duster. Slant Six, Column shift car, automatic, gold duster

I’ve owned this car for almost a year now, I barely did anything to it besides new front drums, and fixing the pillars around the windshield as they were rotted, oh and also sanding and spray painting the top to prevent surface rust.
I’ve been struggling to get the motivation to work on it but after being gone from it for a few months I realized how much I missed it and decided it was time to start working on it again. I’ve been lurking on this website ever since I bought the car, I’ve gone through the stages of wanting to magnum swap it, Modern hemi swaps, and now a big block swap. A few weeks ago I bought two 383 big blocks for it. I know the basics of car mechanics but not much, anyways I am lookin forward to all the new things I will learn along the way. Luckily my dad is a big mopar guy and will be there to help me as well :)

Here are a few pics, it currently is painted black on the roof but I think I’m gonna switch back to the white, what do you guys think?

View attachment 1715327467

View attachment 1715327468

View attachment 1715327469

View attachment 1715327470

View attachment 1715327471
Click to expand...
 
My wife and I love Jekyll island/ Saint Simon's Island. Used to go a few times a year when we were self employed. Now that I work for the man, I never have time!!
 
thats is near identicle to what I cut my teeth on 30yrs ago. same color even!
just dig in, motivation will come from small successes, and large amouts of learning as well.
One advantage to now days is the internet, nothing that you cannot fiond or find out how-to do. In my day, we had to hike uphill inn the snow both ways to find the right cave with the correct mopar cave drawings, fight off a dino or two..lol
Best of luck!
 
Dustey said:
Hi there everyone, just turned 20 today and am from Brunswick Georgia, so I thought it would be a great time to start cracking on my 1973 Plymouth duster. Slant Six, Column shift car, automatic, gold duster

I’ve owned this car for almost a year now, I barely did anything to it besides new front drums, and fixing the pillars around the windshield as they were rotted, oh and also sanding and spray painting the top to prevent surface rust.
I’ve been struggling to get the motivation to work on it but after being gone from it for a few months I realized how much I missed it and decided it was time to start working on it again. I’ve been lurking on this website ever since I bought the car, I’ve gone through the stages of wanting to magnum swap it, Modern hemi swaps, and now a big block swap. A few weeks ago I bought two 383 big blocks for it. I know the basics of car mechanics but not much, anyways I am lookin forward to all the new things I will learn along the way. Luckily my dad is a big mopar guy and will be there to help me as well :)

Here are a few pics, it currently is painted black on the roof but I think I’m gonna switch back to the white, what do you guys think?

View attachment 1715327467

View attachment 1715327468

View attachment 1715327469

View attachment 1715327470

View attachment 1715327471
Click to expand...
Looks like good start!
 
Welcome......always nice to see young guys tackling the building/mechanics of a car!

If you are planning on dropping in that 383, she will be tight on drivers side for room for hedders, etc... even getting the back plugs out...lol.
 
Welcome to the best site on the internet. I would listen to these guys and go with the small block.will be a much easier swap.and cost alot less.
 
Greetings from just outside Atlanta, looks like a great start! If ya wanna go BB, do it, but try to heed the advice of those who have been there and done it, then make up your mind.
 
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