Scoops question 1973 Duster 340

Hello,
New here, but not new to Mopar or reading your forums, been using you guys as a resource for years, never had a need to make an account to post until now. I have a restoration body question for the experts. I have a VS29H3B code 73 Duster 340 I’m trying to restore. I wasn’t around in 73 to see it original (born in 81). I am trying to restore it to look as original as possible. There is NO fender tag. The car has the dual snorkel scoop. It looks old as the car. So, to the question. I have read many forum post by the knowledgeable members here, they don’t seem to agree on 1973 340 hood scoop as an option. All agree that 70-72 340 scoop was never an option. Several posts state No 340 was ever offered with a scoop, several posts state 1973 was the only 340 scoop option. That’s between your forum, mopar forum etc.

That said, I would like to hear your guys argument, facts. Did the duster 340 come with a scoop option in 1973, if so does anyone have original pics, option code, what was the color scheme. I’ve seen some body colored, some the scoop is black, some the scoop and the raise in the hood up to the cowl was black. The last one is what I am told is correct. So I ask you what is correct? Can we all agree on what is correct? Facts, stories, gripes, pics, and especially codes, all weclome.

My car will never be an all original restoration as the original 340 and 4 speed are long gone. The fender tag is also long gone, so I’m restoring a factory era correct 340 4 speed as close to what one would have looked like at the time. Your help and input is greatly appreciated...

No duster ever came with the dual scoop in the center of the hood...period....The twister models did come with the split style scoops but they were not the standard split style scoops....they were shorter......The only cars that came from the factory with the dual scoop in the middle as an option were 1971 and 1972 dodge demons and 1973 Dart Sports....period....J54 was the code on fender tag

Thank you, that was the definitive answer I was looking for.

There was a guy making these but he got sued by the Grover. I woulda wanted 2 of em for my Frankenstein's.

Haha that about sums it up. Great idea...

bbrroowwnn said:

No duster ever came with the dual scoop in the center of the hood...period....The twister models did come with the split style scoops but they were not the standard split style scoops....they were shorter......The only cars that came from the factory with the dual scoop in the middle as an option were 1971 and 1972 dodge demons and 1973 Dart Sports....period....J54 was the code on fender tag

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You are mostly right on this one.
The J54 scoop option (also known as the dual snorkle scoop) was available from the factory starting 1972 on the Demon and was also an option '73 and '74 Dart Sports.
Some very rare Canadian built '72 340 Swingers had them as well.
Also, they were always painted flat black from the factory and never body color.
They were never offered on a Duster in those years, which is sad because I think they look great with them installed.

If the car you have has a hood scoop on it and looks to be on there since day one, I'll bet it was dealer or owner installed when the the car was new, or shortly thereafter.

On another note, the '72 Dart ones and the Dart Sport ones are slightly differently shaped where the base of the scoop meets the hood on the front.
The '72 hood is more flat there and the '73 and '74 hood has a bit of a peak to it.
Also, all of the J54 cars had 2 small (about 4'') holes in the hood under the scoop with grommets, and all of the cars I have seen with this option had a large hood Decal with pinstripes in black under the scoop.
The exception to this is the '72 Canadian Swinger which only had the scoop as far as I know.

Sooooo, with all of this being said, I would build the car the way you want with the scoop or without.

I hope this helps.
Tom.

Do you mean a scoop like this? I have one on my 72 Dart.

Thanks for that Tom, you are spot on, the scoop that’s on it definitely has a small peak in the middle of the mounting surface of the scoop. Not huge but definitely what you guys are saying I believe this scoop was originally off a 73 dart sport, or was purchased as one and installed on the duster. When, who knows. It’s old, what sucks is the previous owner cut the hood for the air cleaner. So, options now are to replace scoop with a newer version dual snorkel or find me a stock unmolested flat hood. Yes 72dart6 it’s just like that one, has 340 magnum name plates on the side of it, haven’t seen those much. Ahh decisions, decisions. Like I said, this car is not original resto show quality, but was thinking of putting it back to “A” stock appearance. Maybe run it in F.A.S.T class or something. I’m kind of a purest, this car is far from pure but being an H code 4 speed car, figured it was worth bringing back instead of chopping it up. Again thanks for all your input.

Side questions, side mirrors are black textured sport style, what I’m seeing is body colored sport style on most of the original 340 cars. Though I have seen some with the chrome Mopar mirrors. Thoughts on that? Next, gas cap, to paint or not to paint, have seen done both ways? Finally, Go Wing. It has no wing now, not sure about it, did many 340s come with them, what do y’all think, to wing or not to wing. Thoughts, comments, concerns, all welcome....

Here’s some pics hopefully I post them correctly.

Sprayin73 said:

Here’s some pics hopefully I post them correctly.

View attachment 1715590314

View attachment 1715590315

View attachment 1715590316

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Yikes. Scoop holes should look like this. And my touch on a stock gas cap. My Dad passed away a few yrs back and left me money. So I bought a Dart. Just a small nod to Dad

Sorry to hear about your dad, glad his contribution set you up with that sweet ride. Love the hood stripes detail. That gas cap is the perfect touch to remember the old man by. Thanks for your input and pics.