first drive in my (new to me) 72 Duster

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jcolman

jcolman

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Joined
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Location
North Carolina
I bought this car without test driving it (dumb move) but the dealer was 8 hours away and offered free shipping so I took a chance. Besides, they have a good reputation.

The engine seems to want to run strong. I don't know what cam is in it but it's not a "mild" street cam like I was lead to believe. The Brembo brakes are a bit grabby but that can be fixed. I may end up swapping cams for a more streetable one down the line.

The only real issues I have with the car at the moment is the rear deck rattles like crazy whenever the electric vacumn brake booster (mounted in the trunk) comes on. Edit: actually its the big lopy cam that is causing most of the rattle.

The other issue is that when I get up to about 20mph, I hear a "whining" kind of noise from the dash and the speedometer goes crazy. I'm hoping it's just a loose connection.

Anyway, the car is going to go into my local speed shop on Monday. I'm ordering a new quieter brake vacumn booster as I can hear the current one cycle on and off and it's annoying.

Other than that, the car seems to be well sorted out.

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First drives are fun. All kinds of noises, smells, vibrations, etc to stress over. Once accustomed to knowing it is a problem or isn't, then you can relax and drive. Congrats.
 
That car is familiar somehow. I think it used to belong to a member here.
 
I bought my Duster without test driving it too... I looked it over in person and didn’t drive it til I picked it up the following weekend... and it was running and drivable when I looked at it... dumb me... lol

You are starting out way better than I did... after putting 30 sketchy miles on mine I put it on the lift... been there since December and still fixing stuff...

Ps: glad you bought from dealer, way ahead than buying a known project car like I did. In fact, I wish I had as few items to sort as you. Great car indeed.
 
jcolman said:
I bought this car without test driving it (dumb move) but the dealer was 8 hours away and offered free shipping so I took a chance. Besides, they have a good reputation.

The engine seems to want to run strong. I don't know what cam is in it but it's not a "mild" street cam like I was lead to believe. The Brembo brakes are a bit grabby but that can be fixed. I may end up swapping cams for a more streetable one down the line.

The only real issues I have with the car at the moment is the rear deck rattles like crazy whenever the electric vacumn brake booster (mounted in the trunk) comes on. Edit: actually its the big lopy cam that is causing most of the rattle.

The other issue is that when I get up to about 20mph, I hear a "whining" kind of noise from the dash and the speedometer goes crazy. I'm hoping it's just a loose connection.

Anyway, the car is going to go into my local speed shop on Monday. I'm ordering a new quieter brake vacumn booster as I can hear the current one cycle on and off and it's annoying.

Other than that, the car seems to be well sorted out.

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Nice car, and a great start for you. Take your time and work through each system until the car is just what you want. I too bought a car from a dealer and have had my challenges. Time and a few bucko's will get it just the way you want!
 
Wvbuzzmaster said:
I bought my Duster without test driving it too... I looked it over in person and didn’t drive it til I picked it up the following weekend... and it was running and drivable when I looked at it... dumb me... lol

You are starting out way better than I did... after putting 30 sketchy miles on mine I put it on the lift... been there since December and still fixing stuff...

Ps: glad you bought from dealer, way ahead than buying a known project car like I did. In fact, I wish I had as few items to sort as you. Great car indeed.
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Thanks. It's always a bit of a gamble buying without test driving first. 23 years ago I bought a Shelby Cobra replica, pretty much sight unseen as the car was 1700 miles away! It turned out to be a good experience though. Even though it took me months to get the Holley 750DP tuned right!

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Ricks70Duster340 said:
Nice car, and a great start for you. Take your time and work through each system until the car is just what you want. I too bought a car from a dealer and have had my challenges. Time and a few bucko's will get it just the way you want!
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Exactly! I figured that there would be some issues and I was right....I just didn't know what those issues were! The car will go into a shop on Monday. These guys know this stuff a lot better than I do.
 
jcolman said:
Exactly! I figured that there would be some issues and I was right....I just didn't know what those issues were! The car will go into a shop on Monday. These guys know this stuff a lot better than I do.
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Your car is knocking on the door of being 50 years old now, so lots has happened to it over the decades. Glad it has a nice, new home with someone who cares and appreciates it!
 
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