Finally getting to it!!! 1970 Duster 340

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I just assumed that the retainer was left as a raw steel finish. I probably will leave mine painted black, but I would love to see the original color if you have a picture Dave. My wife and I had to drive over towards New Holland, PA today. Along the way, we passed the location of where my dad originally purchased the Duster for my brother, Gary, in 1975. I had to stop and take a picture. The place looks about the same as it did back then other than being a little rough around the edges.

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I just assumed that the retainer was left as a raw steel finish. I probably will leave mine painted black, but I would love to see the original color if you have a picture Dave. My wife and I had to drive over towards New Holland, PA today. Along the way, we passed the location of where my dad originally purchased the Duster for my brother, Gary, in 1975. I had to stop and take a picture. The place looks about the same as it did back then other than being a little rough around the edges.

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Should take the Duster over there when done and get a pic of it in front of the garage.
 
I had the same thought John. I think I am going to head over there after the Duster is road worthy.
 
My carpet fit perfectly TF360 (probably better than when it left the factory). I only needed to trim around the steering column mounting plates. Otherwise, the rest just tucked under the firewall insulation.
My brother and I purchased steering coupler cages at Carlisle the other year. I installed mine last night and finished painting the coupler. Now I can feel confident that everything is going to stay in place.

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Great work Kevin! Am I to assume that "cage" is an aftermarket item and not a 70 thing?
 
Dave, the retainer was something that Chrysler came up with to make sure that the coupler cap stayed in place. The retainers are available as an aftermarket part.
 
also the originals are just a little thicker than the new aftermarket ones.
 
Here I thought the clip style retainer was an aftermarket fix....who da' thunk it. Just never remember seeing or removing one from a car back in the day with the clip retainer, yet alone a blue one.

I know Dave will know
 
Well turn me over and spank me red! In ALL my years I have never seen one of these installed or otherwise! Now to find out what, where, when & how!
 
That's really cool Dave. I never saw a factory retainer . Thanks for the pic. I got most of the side window and regulators installed this weekend. I took lots of pics and I intend to download them and do a step-by-step install later on. I need to install the door and window gaskets before I do the final window adjustments.
My mom gave me a copy of the check that my dad wrote for the purchase of the Duster. I found it yesterday and i decided to post it here. My dad past away 35 years ago today. It's very special to have a connection between my father, brother and the Duster. It helps to fill the void left by his passing.

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That's really cool Dave. I never saw a factory retainer . Thanks for the pic. I got most of the side window and regulators installed this weekend. I took lots of pics and I intend to download them and do a step-by-step install later on. I need to install the door and window gaskets before I do the final window adjustments.
My mom gave me a copy of the check that my dad wrote for the purchase of the Duster. I found it yesterday and i decided to post it here. My dad past away 35 years ago today. It's very special to have a connection between my father, brother and the Duster. It helps to fill the void left by his passing.

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Man that is really something that check. I hope you keep a book people can look at when you show it. Got me a little choked up. I'm so glad you all share your stories and with this car. I remember my first rated R movie I drove in 73 Duster to see first date as well to Nightmare on Elm Street. They really are time capsules.
 
That's really cool Dave. I never saw a factory retainer . Thanks for the pic. I got most of the side window and regulators installed this weekend. I took lots of pics and I intend to download them and do a step-by-step install later on. I need to install the door and window gaskets before I do the final window adjustments.
My mom gave me a copy of the check that my dad wrote for the purchase of the Duster. I found it yesterday and i decided to post it here. My dad past away 35 years ago today. It's very special to have a connection between my father, brother and the Duster. It helps to fill the void left by his passing.

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Kevin, the picture of car lot and Dad’s check for the car brought back some great memories. I’m sure folks have lots of similar stories but the Duster’s tales are certainly ingrained in our family lore. We almost didn’t have the Duster. Dad and I went out to a used car dealer in Leola, PA to look at a 1970 Dodge Challenger (318 automatic). He wasn’t too impressed with that car. The valve covers leaked, the rear seal leaked, and the car needed a ring job. He also thought the car was overpriced ($1200) and the dealer wasn’t budging off the price. Dad said, “I saw a Duster for sale in New Holland. We should check it out.” I agreed but really wasn’t in to it. After all, in my mind, Dusters were just grocery-getters. We got to Wenger’s car lot and there sat this bright red Duster. We checked the car over, popped the hood, and saw it had a 340 (it had been re-painted so there was no 340 badging on it). Dad got the keys and we went for a drive in the country. The car had a stiff ride and it wasn't like any grocery-getter I (at 17) had ridden before. When we got to an open road, Dad uncorked the 340. The Duster took off like a rabbit shot in the rear! We were both all smiles. Dad laughed and yelled, “This baby will talk to you!” I agreed and better yet, there was no blue smoke. The car may have needed some tlc but it didn’t need new rings. I was swayed on this “grocery-getter.” Kevin, all these years later, Red’s still talkin’ to us. Miss you Dad.
 
you guys tell a good story......after the read, I'm right there with you, grinning from ear to ear.

Mopar to ya'
 
Here I thought the clip style retainer was an aftermarket fix....who da' thunk it. Just never remember seeing or removing one from a car back in the day with the clip retainer, yet alone a blue one.

I know Dave will know
I believe a bulletin came out in 68 or 69 to use these because the retainers were coming off. I heard they came on some cars but not 100% sure of that. Probably a fix as needed thing is my guess.

Kevin great story, love the check.
 
I had the day off from work and I was able to spend most of the time working on the Duster. The exhaust system is installed. The installation would not have been possible without the passenger side hanger bracket that I purchased from davescuda. His reproduction was spot on and as far as I am aware it's the only correct bracket out there for this application. The Waldron's exhaust system needed massaging of the left headpipe to clearance the torsion bar. Other than that, the install went as planned. I also applied the fender decals. It won't be long before I fire her up!

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Thanks KnuckleDuster. I'll look for pictures of the sail panel hardware. Each side requires two oval plastic spacer/nuts the snap into slots on the interior body. There is also a black plastic piece that installs over the lower pop out window.
A friend came over yesterday to help me bleed the braking system. The front circuit had no problems but we simply couldn't draw any fluid from the rear wheel cylinders. We systematically loosened brake lines until realized that the proportioning valve was blocked to the rear wheels. Ugh!! This was the original valve that I had rebuilt myself. Fortunately, I had another original valve that I purchased from hemi71x. Once I got everything hooked up, The system bled out without a problem.......other than I got a bath in brake fluid.
Rear stripes and Duster decal went on without any trouble. Called it quits after that and had a martini.

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I had the day off from work and I was able to spend most of the time working on the Duster. The exhaust system is installed. The installation would not have been possible without the passenger side hanger bracket that I purchased from davescuda. His reproduction was spot on and as far as I am aware it's the only correct bracket out there for this application. The Waldron's exhaust system needed massaging of the left headpipe to clearance the torsion bar. Other than that, the install went as planned. I also applied the fender decals. It won't be long before I fire her up!

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Looks awesome! Thanks for posting a picture of the Factory dual exhaust tracking that I am making.
 
Installed the starter splash shield this evening. Originally, I had decided to buy a new AMD replacement rather than restore my original. The replacement shield looked nice but didn't fit. My original shield uses 3 bolts to hold it in place.....AMD 4 holes. The AMD shield is also significantly longer. AMD also uses rivets to hold the rubber gasket in place rather than staples. Just thought I would post the differences on the forum.

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Installed the starter splash shield this evening. Originally, I had decided to buy a new AMD replacement rather than restore my original. The replacement shield looked nice but didn't fit. My original shield uses 3 bolts to hold it in place.....AMD 4 holes. The AMD shield is also significantly longer. AMD also uses rivets to hold the rubber gasket in place rather than staples. Just thought I would post the differences on the forum.

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Why in the world would they reproduce that part with 4 holes! Some things really make you scratch your head! Moving right along Kevin, very nice!
 
I don't know Dave. AMD's catalog lists that it fits 67-72 A bodies as well as 66-70 B bodies. It certainly wasn't an exact fit for my A body.
 
Unfortunately this happens a lot. We need to start a post. ***Buyer beware of repro parts to original parts.***
 
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