Rocky Start Resto..

It was really nice in April so we knew it was time to get the ’75 Duster in the garage... it had to be cleaned out so we bought a portable garage to put the stuff ( two hours to set up with two people - right). Five hours later (with my son) we are to a point where we have installed 2*4 *10 on the bottom of the garage feet. Time for coffee. No real breeze. Came back out and the think had flipped and self-destructed. A month of letters and I got a new one.. same box.. different pieces, hmmm. Cold and monsoon rains for the next month or so. Two weeks ago, we finally set up the portable garage, emptied 20 years of stuff from the garage ..degreased, etched and painted the garage floor…put a bunch of stuff back in. I did some changes to the wiring for more light. Rather than buying tripod halogen lights, I made up a prototype of a tower of spot lights..cheaper and a bit more stable.

Also built a labeling station so everything we take off the car can be documented easily.

We finally drove or shoe horned the car into the garage..my wife convinced me years ago to cut almost 7-10 feet off the width of the garage ..bad move. Two small car doors..bigger mistake. We will have a foot or two on either end once we are able to spin the. I have built part of a wooden rotisserie with wheels so we can roll it. When I jacked up the back, I was surprised how heavy the car is.

Bumpers off..no need for penetrating oil ! Screws to remove the flap between the body and bumper.. came out with a screw driver…I am in heaven. The bumpers are perfect except where a PO changed a tire (left rear) where chrome has peeled off. What could I use so it doesn’t spread and looks relatively good. It is on the bottom of the bumper.

Next week my kids are off so I hope to get a lot done.

1) I was thing of taking the rear end/driveshaft off first. I have bought several books online to give me a “step by step” of removing the engine but all three were duds. Is there anything out there on the i’net that I can download. Would this allow us to pull off the transmission before we take out the engine or would it be better to take out both together ? I am open to suggestions. If we took out the trans first.. how could we support it so we wouldn’t damage anything when we remove ir from the engine ?

2) One thing I am really puzzling over because I have never seen it done … can you remove the engine out from the side of the car or do you have to be in front of it ?

3) Did Chrysler make two different size acorns for the 14 and 15 inch wheel ? We want to put 15 inchers on the rear and bigger chrome rings are a no brainer…but do we need different sized acorns ?? ..wouldn’t make much sense to me..

4) the “t” clips that hold the insulation to the engine bonnet. I have tried turning, pulling and swearing.. but they don’t pop out but I don’t want to break them.. how can I remove them without breaking hem ?

5) can you unclip the wiring harness at the firewall ?

6) is there any way I can remove the front suspension in one piece ?

Should have pics later this week.

All comments welcome.

Ian.