1973 340 Duster Resto

[74DartSwinger360]

Picked this up Friday, November 23
VS29:
Plymouth Valiant,Duster
Special
2 Door Sports Hardtop
H3B: 340 240HP(net) 1-4BBL 8 CYL
1973
Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
503471: Sequence number
E55: 340 cid 4 barrel V8 275hp
D34: Light Duty Automatic Transmission
JF1: Pale Green (Dodge) Exterior Color
C6XW: Trim - Charger, Vinyl Bucket Seats, Black/White
000: Full Door Panels
516: Build Date: May 16
115244: Order number
V4W: Vinyl Canopy Roof, White
U: USA Specifications
B41: Front Disc Brakes w/Standard 10in RR Drum
C16: Console w/Woodgrain Panel
C56: Bucket Seats
C73: 69 only Fold Down Rear Seat
G37: OS Dual Racing Mirrors
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
N41: Dual Exhaust
N42: Chrome Exhaust Tips
N76: Coolant Recovery System
R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)
V6W: Longitudinal Stripes, White
V8W: Tranverse Stripes, White
26: 26in Radiator
EN2: End of Sales Codes

2 speed wipers and manual washers

It is a #s matching car. Motor spins free. Been of the road for 10 years.
The car was originally bought by a pastor and then to his brother and to the current owner who is the 3rd owner. I am the 4th as of Wednesday, November 28.
It is all complete with every part there except carb and air cleaner which was stolen. The front suspension had all the bushings replaced 10 yrs ago before it was parked.
It has been 4 colors its factory color, then blue, then red, and what it currently is Plum Crazy.

 

[74DartSwinger360]

This is when it first came home. Thankfully nothin came loose on the 2 hr drive

 

[moparker]

It probably ran and drove when it was parked. Why do people let these cars sit and ruin? Looks like a solid project. Lookin forward to seeing your progress.

 

[Plyscamp]

Nice find....It looked something like my car when I found it...Good luck with it...

 

[jabdusty57]

Good luck with the resto. Just curious though - what caused the dash pad to collapse like that? Heat?

 

[74DartSwinger360]

It probably ran and drove when it was parked. Why do people let these cars sit and ruin? Looks like a solid project. Lookin forward to seeing your progress.

Yea the guy parked it there and within the next few days he went into the hospital. And never touched it til he decided to sell it.

Good luck with the resto. Just curious though - what caused the dash pad to collapse like that? Heat?

The Florida heat. I havent ever seen one do that before

 

[cudacrazy67]

Looks pretty rough around the edges but nice find.

 

[74DartSwinger360]

Its not as bad as it looks but it does need some parts of the inner roof structure replaced

 

[gdrill]

Watching this one..........:happy1:

 

[Space Duster]

My son And are working a 73 340 too.

 

[Dartnut]

Looks like a great project, can't wait for the updates........

 

[Divenut]

Diamond in the rough man... Nice find.

Pat

 

[Space Duster]

What rearend and gear ratio does it have?

 

[74DartSwinger360]

its got 8 1/4 and 3.21s but I am soon getting 3.55s and Sure Grip and IF I sell my Dart it gets an 8 3/4 3.55 Sure Grip rear

 

[74DartSwinger360]

Havin Trouble with the starter turning over the motor. Cant figure it out. Replaced the Positive and negative cable. Made a body ground to negative cable and reconnected the engine to firewall ground

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=217271

 

[74DartSwinger360]

My son And are working a 73 340 too.

What rearend and gear ratio does it have?

You should start a resto thread for it

 

[Space Duster]

It's 73 duster father & son project

 

[74DartSwinger360]

Ok Put on an old eddy carb and it fired right up didnt even change the gas! It runs great and purrs like a kitten.
Today Changed Plugs and wires with stuff off my dart and put the water pump off the dart on it as well. Next need to drain oil and run motoflush threw the system and then put oil in and flush out the engine some more. Fires up on in first couple crank even after sitting overnight.

 

[zac_F71]

NICE FIND!!!! What did you pay for it if you don't mind us knowing?

 

[74DartSwinger360]

Ok well did and oil change yesterday and the oil pressure is around 55 PSI when idling cold but once warm drops to 45 PSI and under load goes to 60. Also replaced the Booster and Master Cylinder.

Today tried to start it and it is backfiring. So gonna end up rebuildin my spreadbore Holley and droppin the tank and changin rubber lines.

And today I installed my Mirada CMX wheels. Wraped in 225-70 on the front and 275-60 on the rear. They fill up the wheel wells nicely.
Who say 225-70 dont fit on front with no rubbin?

 

[74DartSwinger360]

NICE FIND!!!! What did you pay for it if you don't mind us knowing?

I dont mind at all paid 1500 and have nothin in it but purchase price of car and Duralast Gold Battery:supz:

 

[unknownsnake]

nice car. I like the rear spoiler to

 

[CUDACOX]

I dont mind at all paid 1500 and have nothin in it but purchase price of car and Duralast Gold Battery:supz:

Good deal! Keep the pic's coming with updates!

 

[dilley340]

Nice find. The wheels look great on your Duster.

 

[74DartSwinger360]

nice car. I like the rear spoiler to

Me too I hope I can fix the split

Good deal! Keep the pic's coming with updates!

Will do