Drove My “New” Duster

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SpeedThrills

FABO Gold Member
FABO Gold Member
Joined
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Location
Very South Jersey
In 2008, I bought a 74 Dart Sport with a 198 slant, three on the tree, manual steering, manual brakes. Today, 14 years later, I drove it! Now it has a high compression 360, modified 727 and a 4.10 9 inch rear. I also changed the body to look like a early Duster.
The test drive pointed out more things I need to address. I’ve gotten a lot of help on here and really appreciate it! I am 63 years old and I think this is a midlife crisis car. It is completely impractical, but what a blast! Thank you to everyone! I know, I know, if there ain’t no pictures, it didn’t happen! My wife is going to shoot a video of me cruising down the street in it and I will post that.
Lately, I’ve driven a couple members crazy regarding battery in the trunk. I apologize!
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Success!! Progress!! Have fun with it.

Us "old guys" appreciate them cause we were there when they were first made (well, I was 3 years old in 66 when my Barracuda was built).

Tear up the streets. I'm afraid my neighbors are going to make me start pressure washing all my rubber marks off our subdivision streets soon!!! I can't help myself, lol.
 
Thanks for sharing.
I'm happy you are getting to finally enjoy your duster.
I hope you make many fond memories cruising it !
 
Congratulations! Happy to see you have it road ready, to a point you can drive it :thumbsup:
 
Crisis? Let's be positive. Call it a mid life celebration. lol Looks good!
 
In 2008, I bought a 74 Dart Sport with a 198 slant, three on the tree, manual steering, manual brakes. Today, 14 years later, I drove it! Now it has a high compression 360, modified 727 and a 4.10 9 inch rear. I also changed the body to look like a early Duster.
The test drive pointed out more things I need to address. I’ve gotten a lot of help on here and really appreciate it! I am 63 years old and I think this is a midlife crisis car. It is completely impractical, but what a blast! Thank you to everyone! I know, I know, if there ain’t no pictures, it didn’t happen! My wife is going to shoot a video of me cruising down the street in it and I will post that.
lately, I’ve driven a couple members crazy regarding battery in the trunk. I apologize!View attachment 1715926901
View attachment 1715926902
Looks great, enjoy the feeling of reliving your youth.
 
My wife shot a video today. No smoky burnouts, no screaming neighbors, no cops chasing me. Just a simple putt putt down the road.
But, my not so smart phone doesn’t want to post it.
Thanks for all the replies. Y’all know where my head’s at.
Hopefully, the future will bring e.t.’s in the high 11’s, and then paint work. I’ll do what bodywork I can.
Thanks again, everyone. :thankyou::thumbsup::)
 
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I’ve done a few things to my new build, getting the bugs out.
I isolated the Holley blue. That quieted it down a LOT.
Worked on the timing curve and carb to get it idling. Almost perfect now.
It really liked a lighter secondary spring! See comment about punching from a stop, below!
I got the right throttle cable. The slant cable was too long.
Got a good double (NHRA tech thing) throttle spring set up.
It was 95* out today. It’s been running about 200*. I hope it has a 195 stat. I don’t remember. I’ll put a 160 or 180 in it, if I’m that lucky, and that’s all I need.
I still have to finish the battery in trunk deal.
The rear howls. I was hoping I forgot oil. No such luck. haha.
I tested stall speed in high gear with the brakes on. 32-3500ish. I didn’t want to smoke the trans.
The line lock clicks, but no whoa. I hate to crack open brake lines again, but oh well.
The front end is all new, but VERY tight. I’m going to have to disassemble and see what’s what. It doesn't bounce by hand.
That’s about it. I’ve driven it enough now that I don’t carry half my tools. haha. I trust it now.
Today, it made its first beer run! (Pic)
Just cruised it with just a ride in mind.
Fun stuff.
Oh, I punched it once from a stop and I had to lift and correct! :steering:
 
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Awesome!!! Nothing like it. Non-gearheads just don't get it.
200 isn't too bad. That is about where mine runs all the time.
I REALLY like the mods you did to the car. I believe the 74 Dart Sport hood is the same as the 69 Barracuda hood. If you still have it, you could probably sell it easily.
What color are you thinking about? I would suggest Dark Metallic green, Red or B5 blue for colors and all with white stripes.
 
The car looks great!
Having fun and sorting it out is the best part.
Enjoy!
 
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Awesome!!! Nothing like it. Non-gearheads just don't get it.
200 isn't too bad. That is about where mine runs all the time.
I REALLY like the mods you did to the car. I believe the 74 Dart Sport hood is the same as the 69 Barracuda hood. If you still have it, you could probably sell it easily.
What color are you thinking about? I would suggest Dark Metallic green, Red or B5 blue for colors and all with white stripes.
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Thanks!
I’d like it to run a little cooler. I’ll have to see what stat I have in it.
At this point, I’ve been thinking about a light metallic blue I’ve seen on a few late model Nissans. I had a B5 72 340 Demon. I did like that color. You can see the original color on the build plate thingee. It was dark green. I don’t know what the code is. The bumpers are fiberglass. I don’t like painted bumpers. I’m hoping to cover them with chrome wrap. I’ve read it’s hard to do because of the sharp corners on the ends.
The hood is long gone. I’ve heard that they’re the same as the earlier Barracuda. Woulda never thought that.
 
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