'73 duster build

[dusty318]

i have a 73 duster roller i got for $400 bucks! i would say immaculate condition, 2 floor patches and thats it. this thing is solid! i am piecing this thing together with what i can find and have on hand. all my $$$$$ is currently in the engine, most expensive part is the MSD ready to run dist. kit and the headers! as of right now i am in wiring mode, i have a harness from a '75 that i am routing and splicing in.
engine is a 5.2 magnum from a '98 dodge truck. JEGS heads, the old ones were cracked, comp cams roller .512" lift int/exh, .210int/.220exh @ .050, 112 LSA, RPM air gap intake and 600 CFM summit carb. ceramic headers.
Direction of the build, not really sure. first things first, get it on the road. i already fired the engine, i have no idea if the trans works (A904), i paid 100 bucks for it and carried it out of a barn. opened the pan, looked clean, installed new filter and shoved it in. 7 1/4 rear end, i have a 8.8 to install at a later time. i want to drive it first. i have '75 duster parts car with /6. i took the disc brakes from it, got a new master cyclinder and still have to plumb entire brake system. fuel system will be a clicky clacky from the tank to the carb. currently open headers, again, i want to get this thing running and driving! more pictures to come later and i'll update progress when i can!
feel free to leave advice or combos you ran in the past! this is my first mopar and i'm in uncharted waters!

 

[missing linc]

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan.

 

[Syleng1]

Welcome aboard.

Second: build how you like and use the search feature - loads of good articles and posts and pictures.Many questions have been asked like a thousand times. Especially wheels and tire questions and what fits. Plenty of tech notes and resources for you.
Good luck!
Syleng1

 

[DionR]

I like it.

The Magnum heads are lift limited, sticks in my head that 0.512" lift is at the edge of what a Magnum head can take. Did you swap out the springs and such? I know you have run it, but could be a failure point later on if it is an issue.

 

[dusty318]

I like it.

The Magnum heads are lift limited, sticks in my head that 0.512" lift is at the edge of what a Magnum head can take. Did you swap out the springs and such? I know you have run it, but could be a failure point later on if it is an issue.

yes i did swap the springs, i went with magnum spring uprgrade kit from Hughes Engines and did rotation checks before i fired the engine. but yes, it is in the back of my mind.

 

[DionR]

yes i did swap the springs, i went with magnum spring uprgrade kit from Hughes Engines and did rotation checks before i fired the engine. but yes, it is in the back of my mind.

Sounds like you covered your bases. Nice job.

 

[dusty318]

Here are some current pictures. Excuse the mess, I am not a fan of wiring. Haha

Again, hardly any rust when I bought this. I did a floor patch on drivers side and POR 15 the floor pan in the cabin.

Luckily still had the fender tag

 

[momarlon]

i have a 73 duster roller i got for $400 bucks! i would say immaculate condition, 2 floor patches and thats it. this thing is solid! i am piecing this thing together with what i can find and have on hand. all my $$$$$ is currently in the engine, most expensive part is the MSD ready to run dist. kit and the headers! as of right now i am in wiring mode, i have a harness from a '75 that i am routing and splicing in.
engine is a 5.2 magnum from a '98 dodge truck. JEGS heads, the old ones were cracked, comp cams roller .512" lift int/exh, .210int/.220exh @ .050, 112 LSA, RPM air gap intake and 600 CFM summit carb. ceramic headers.
Direction of the build, not really sure. first things first, get it on the road. i already fired the engine, i have no idea if the trans works (A904), i paid 100 bucks for it and carried it out of a barn. opened the pan, looked clean, installed new filter and shoved it in. 7 1/4 rear end, i have a 8.8 to install at a later time. i want to drive it first. i have '75 duster parts car with /6. i took the disc brakes from it, got a new master cyclinder and still have to plumb entire brake system. fuel system will be a clicky clacky from the tank to the carb. currently open headers, again, i want to get this thing running and driving! more pictures to come later and i'll update progress when i can!
feel free to leave advice or combos you ran in the past! this is my first mopar and i'm in uncharted waters!

Unless you plan to build that A904 into an A909, that 440 will make quick work out of that trans. I'd try to score a 727.

 

[mygasser]

Unless you plan to build that A904 into an A909, that 440 will make quick work out of that trans. I'd try to score a 727.

he says he's using a 5.2 magnum not a 440. the a904 should be fine with that.

 

[momarlon]

Unless you plan to build that A904 into an A909, that 440 will make quick work out of that trans. I'd try to score a 727.

I stand corrected.

 

[dusty318]

I stand corrected.

No worries, a big block would be awesome!! But the 5.2 was free. Fun fact, this whole build started with the engine. I got the 5.2 for free and was looking for something to put it in. Truck, car, station wagon…any mopar. And then I found this duster about 8 hours away from us and went and grabbed it!

 

[dusty318]

Christmas update!! Worked more on the wiring today and we have headlights, dash lights, and an ignition system!!!! Big accomplishment for me as wiring is not my specialty! Next is charging system and then the bulk of the wiring is done for now! Going through the harness and cutting off anything I’m not going to be using to try and keep it clean, I have no idea what these boxes are for, anyone have a clue? I have the voltage regulator, the electronic ignition box is already removed (not needed with the MSD distributor I got) I don’t know what these are…

And here’s the bay currently with the bird nest of wires

 

[dusty318]

Through a bunch of googling, I found that those boxes are EGR timing and maybe the other works for an AC system?? The 75 duster from which the harness came did have AC. Either way, don’t need them.

 

[dusty318]

well, just got over a cold that's been sweeping through the workplace, ugh. got out in the shop yesterday and cleaned up a bunch of wiring. the ignition and charging system is complete and working! still need to finish headlights, turn signals, markers, taillights, brakes, fuel pump, and everything else that has wires to it. but i can start the car with a key and its charging with 14v, so thats a win! even got the heater box in and wouldn't ya know it, the blower motor still works, high and low! the car is starting to behave like a car! slowly but surely, we're getting there.

 

[dusty318]

haven't posted in a while, doesn't mean i wasn't working! we got dumped with snow not too long ago so alot of skiing was being done and ice fishing. now that everything is melting and spring is peaking around the corner, i got to get some cars driveable. i worked more on the electrical of the duster, i got the rear harness plugged in and the lights aren't shattered light up! as soon as i plugged in the rear tailight harness, one bulb in particular came on, without the key on. i was stumped. what the hell is going on? after worrying that i would i have to hunt through wiring diagrams and pin out the connectors to make sure nothing was switched from this being a donor wiring harness, i just sat and pondered, narrowed it down, remembering my old Auto teacher from college, KISS, keep it simple stupid. the light was a rear tailight, or brake light. i went to the brake switch first, thinking i didn't even have one, i never remembered hooking one up. the car doesn't even have a master cylinder, why would i hook up the brake switch. well i did. the pedal was dangling and as soon as you closed the switch, the light came off. talk about a frustrating day. so figured that out, needless to say, i unplugged the rear harness again until i get to the brakes.

Next task i was working on was the fuel system. i got it plumbed, clicky clack pump wired up, and the fuel level sensor plugged in (why i plugged the rear harness in, in the first place). new gaskets and J-hooks on the tank. for wiring for the pump, i used the oil pressure wire because it has a 12v at key on, and that goes to an oil pressure switch and off to the pump. i added a bypass momentary switch, i didn't have a toggle on hand, so i could prime the car if need be. i still need to put gas in the tank and i'm assuming i'll have to prime the pump, hopefully a full tank will be enough for the pump to pick up fuel. i hope my mounting place will work. i seen a few people mount the pump to the inside frame rail, but i went closer to the tank, aprox the same height, above the sending unit. the pump fit perfectly there, so we'll see.

i used the oil pressure wire because when the pressure switch activates, it should turn the light on, so my oil pressure light is actually an indicator that fuel pump has power. i have an oil pressure gauge installed. next will be a dive into brakes, and picking up marker lights and getting exterior lighting installed.
if anyone wants to follow along not only on this project, but a bunch others my buddy and I are working on, we started a youtube channel, Big Brain Garage, check it out, just doing it for fun and a good way to catalog whats all been done and how i done it. duster episodes should be loaded in the near future.

 

[like_A_pike]

low dollar A body fun? Brother from another mother! Sbscrbd

 

[dusty318]

low dollar A body fun? Brother from another mother! Sbscrbd

Hell ya!!!

 

[Yunick13]

 

[dusty318]

long time no sharing! sorry y'all, i haven't been keeping up with my thread. doesn't mean i haven't been working on it. left off with the fuel system. well i changed it. i added a relay so i can run straight battery power to pump but am still using the oil pressure wire with an oil pressure switch as the trigger. actually works out good, if the oil light is on, the fuel pump should be clicking! i got the driver seat mounted in the car. its the first time i actually got to sit in the car!! what a feeling. next will be installing Lokar kickdown cable to the trans, the B&M shifter, and the electric fan (another relay job). i haven't touched the 8.8 yet. the 7 1/4 is in the car, and i guarantee the wheel cylinders are shot, but i won't know that until i get the master cylinder in and finish brake lines. all in all, slow moving but hopefully will have a road test before winter gets here! pictures to come soon. i have the Jegs 2.5 header back kit ordered and on its way and the cheapest set of chamber mufflers you can find on amazon, might try to post a video and sound clip when i get them welded in. stay tuned!

 

[dusty318]

Ok, great news!!! After bleeding the brakes, tidying up some wiring and coolant lines and finalizing the shifter, I test drove the car last night!!!!! IT MOVES FORWARDS, BACKWARDS, AND STOPS!!!!!!!!! 3 yrs ago this duster was just a shell! A free engine that I rebuilt mated to transmission I pulled out of a barn and replaced the filter and fluid, it actually drives!!!! And lays a solid one tire strip like nothing!!!!! I wish I could upload the video! Thanks to all the members here, I used so much of this site for troubleshooting and a lot of great information! Still along ways from being finished but few more things and it’s road legal!! Next is the hood and I have to get a windshield put in and front end alignment. I’ll post some pics later of the car as it’s sits now! I’m on cloud 9, I got a running and driving duster!!!!

 

[missing linc]

Ok, great news!!! After bleeding the brakes, tidying up some wiring and coolant lines and finalizing the shifter, I test drove the car last night!!!!! IT MOVES FORWARDS, BACKWARDS, AND STOPS!!!!!!!!! 3 yrs ago this duster was just a shell! A free engine that I rebuilt mated to transmission I pulled out of a barn and replaced the filter and fluid, it actually drives!!!! And lays a solid one tire strip like nothing!!!!! I wish I could upload the video! Thanks to all the members here, I used so much of this site for troubleshooting and a lot of great information! Still along ways from being finished but few more things and it’s road legal!! Next is the hood and I have to get a windshield put in and front end alignment. I’ll post some pics later of the car as it’s sits now! I’m on cloud 9, I got a running and driving duster!!!!

Congratulations! Feels pretty damn good I bet.

 

[dusty318]

Today I tackled the exhaust. I got the kit from Jegs, 2.5” with single chamber mufflers from Amazon. Keeping’ it cheap. Passenger side went good, few modifications but I don’t expect any “kit” to fit perfectly, and I wanted to get the welder out.

All laid out but incorrectly. It was a fun puzzle but I figured it out.

Over the axle was fun, especially by myself. I found that the screw jacks that are always with spare tires work amazing. I usually grab some from junkyards for cheap!

 

[dusty318]

Just some more pics of the car…

Custom over flow tank!

 

[missing linc]

Looking good!

 

[jtarantino]

I love the Jim Beam overflow.