NightOwl877
New Member
My late grandfather owned a 1972 Duster until his death 20 years ago. I promised him I would get the car restored when the time comes. He even told me I could do whatever I wanted with the car. I have decided to give it a complete overhaul now that I have graduated from auto tech school last May. I'm going to take it one section at a time because I am now working at a local shop.
I plan on building it into a mild street rod that will see more time on the road than at the track. Out comes the 225 /6 and 3-on-the-tree transmission and in goes a 360 crate motor and 904 transmission with a floor shifter. Is that possible with a bench seat? The drum brakes will be replaced and upgraded to power disc brakes. I am unsure whether or not to upgrade to power steering though. I have never driven a car without power steering and have a few questions to ask later about that. Suspension will remain the same, but whatever is worn out will be replaced. I am not sure how much power the stock rear end can handle before exploding. If it can't handle 320HP, I am going to buy a new rear end. It gets really hot in San Antonio and air conditioning is a must.
Interior and paint are in decent shape and the seats need to be reupholstered, but that is on the back burner. I just want to get the car running before tackling it. There is a small amount of surface rust near the driver side rear quarter panel, but it can be repaired easily. I'm thinking about getting the radio rebuilt to have modern features as well as a CD player. Where is a good, inconspicuous place to mount it other than the trunk? will it get in the way of a floor shifter? I'll have it upgraded when I do the interior. I can't wait to get this car on the road again.
I plan on building it into a mild street rod that will see more time on the road than at the track. Out comes the 225 /6 and 3-on-the-tree transmission and in goes a 360 crate motor and 904 transmission with a floor shifter. Is that possible with a bench seat? The drum brakes will be replaced and upgraded to power disc brakes. I am unsure whether or not to upgrade to power steering though. I have never driven a car without power steering and have a few questions to ask later about that. Suspension will remain the same, but whatever is worn out will be replaced. I am not sure how much power the stock rear end can handle before exploding. If it can't handle 320HP, I am going to buy a new rear end. It gets really hot in San Antonio and air conditioning is a must.
Interior and paint are in decent shape and the seats need to be reupholstered, but that is on the back burner. I just want to get the car running before tackling it. There is a small amount of surface rust near the driver side rear quarter panel, but it can be repaired easily. I'm thinking about getting the radio rebuilt to have modern features as well as a CD player. Where is a good, inconspicuous place to mount it other than the trunk? will it get in the way of a floor shifter? I'll have it upgraded when I do the interior. I can't wait to get this car on the road again.
aboard!
...
