Finally getting to it!!! 1970 Duster 340

FJRdoc · Apr 12, 2015

It was an eventful weekend. The weatherman forecasted nice temps so I decided to paint my engine. I constructed a temporary paint booth in my garage using plastic sheeting and my electric garage door tracks. It assembled pretty much as I had planned with staples and packing tape. It cost me about $29.00 to assemble.
I used an HVLP paint gun that I bought some time ago to paint walls at home. The paint was Delstar Acrylic enamel purchased from Frank Badalson.
This was my first attempt at painting anything of this size on the Duster. I'm very pleased with how the engine looks. I even managed to duplicate a couple runs and drips just like the factory!
I'm looking forward to bolting the rest of the engine components on and dropping it back onto the K-member.

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SNKEBIT · Apr 12, 2015

Good job!! :cheers:

FJRdoc · Apr 12, 2015

Thanks SNKEBIT. Things are slowly coming together.

'67Fish · Apr 12, 2015

Looks like factory fresh! Nice job!

Hemiorangeswinger · Apr 13, 2015

Very nice work! I like how meticulous you are with restoring all the pieces. Looks like the body shop is really moving along too, I bet you can't wait to get it back!

FJRdoc · Apr 13, 2015

I am anxious to this car assembled. It's going to be fun putting the remaining engine pieces back on the painted assembly. I have a little engine paint left over. I noticed a couple of thin spots on the intake manifold that I am planning on touching up with my Preval sprayer.
I sent my strut rod washers to my local plater to have them zinc plated. I needed to sand down the originals and have them refinished as I couldn't find any reproduction washers anywhere.

FJRdoc · Apr 19, 2015

Didn't have much time to work on the engine this weekend. I did get a couple brackets and pieces attached to the block. I'll post more pics once things are further along. I worked on my strut rod assemblies the other weekend. I couldn't find repro washers for an A body so i soaked the originals in Evaporust and tried to sand out as many pits as I could without losing detail. I had a local plater in Lancaster replate them in zinc type III for better durability. I'm pleased with the final product. It's a big difference from what the assembly looked like before restoration.

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813Demon340 · Apr 22, 2015

Nice job on the strut rods! Looks like its coming along nicely, keep up the great work!

FJRdoc · Apr 23, 2015

Thanks 813Demon340. It sure is fun to take a rust assembly and make it look like new. I just keep chugging along one sub assembly at a time.

FJRdoc · Apr 25, 2015

Spring Carlisle was this weekend. I called Tri-City Plating to see if they had bumpers for the Duster. They said that they had a rear bumper but didn't have a front in stock. My wife and I made the drive from Lancaster to Carlisle with my old bumpers. I thought that I would give them the front core for pick-up at Chrysler's at Carlisle and take the new rear one home today.
Tri-City actually both bumpers at the show! They told me that a core came in from another show which they were able to process. it's kinda funny seeing the bumpers all bright and shiney. The originals have in bad shape for many years. They will look nice with a freshly painted body.

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FJRdoc · Apr 26, 2015

I took some time this AM to work on finishing the front engine assembly. I got the power steering assembly, alternator/ brackets, fan/ fan clutch assembly, and belts attached. The orange paint is nice but it looks so much better with a little black contrast.
Not much else to do at this point until I get the engine back on the K-member.

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76orangewagon · Apr 26, 2015

As always outstanding work...are you going to install the Engine/Transmission on the K frame/Front Suspension and install from the bottom as a complete assembly ?

FJRdoc · Apr 26, 2015

Thanks 76orangewagon. I am going to mount the engine and tranny on the K-member and drop the body down over the assembly. It worked great getting the assembly out that way and I hope it works as well putting it back in.

j-miller · Apr 26, 2015

I'm loving your build Kevin!

FJRdoc · Apr 26, 2015

Thanks John. I'm having fun with it.

Johnny Dart · Apr 26, 2015

FJRdoc said:
Didn't have much time to work on the engine this weekend. I did get a couple brackets and pieces attached to the block. I'll post more pics once things are further along. I worked on my strut rod assemblies the other weekend. I couldn't find repro washers for an A body so i soaked the originals in Evaporust and tried to sand out as many pits as I could without losing detail. I had a local plater in Lancaster replate them in zinc type III for better durability. I'm pleased with the final product. It's a big difference from what the assembly looked like before restoration.

Nice work on the strut rods.
I would ditch the bushings you have. Get yourself a nice set of Moog strut rod bushings.
Much better performance for your aplication.

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FJRdoc · Apr 29, 2015

I've seen those Moog strut rod bushings Johnny. What are the benefits over the original style? Could I use the bushings yet still retain the original end washers for a more original appearance?

Johnny Dart · Apr 29, 2015

Benefits ? Better design from Chrysler. Probably just more stout, with more rubber.The bushing I showed you, are actually the correct style bushing for your 70. The bushings you have in your pic are for an early A. My money says you got them in a rebuild kit ?

The end washers have some history to them as well. Originally Chrysler installed them cupped out, opposite of what you would think they go. The washer actually says "this side to rubber". Then Chrysler engineers (not sure what year) decided to flip the washers the other way, eventually adding a cotter pin as well. Having said all that, there seems to be a huge debate on this issue.

On my 65, I have the washers cupped out.
On my 70 I have them cupped in.

FJRdoc · Apr 30, 2015

Thanks for the info Johnny. I purchased my front end kit from Springs and Things. My original bushings were ripped to shreds. The strut rod washers on my car had the cupped side toward the bushings and had a roll pin through the rod. The Moog bushings are pretty cheap. Looks like I'll get a set.

Johnny Dart · Apr 30, 2015

Good deal....:burnout:

FJRdoc · Apr 30, 2015

Johnny Dart convinced me to purchase the Moog strut rod bushings. Found them on RockAuto for $20.89 + shipping. I purchased a NOS power steering high pressure hose from Tony's yesterday. It should be arriving today! I'm hoping to get the engine on the K-member this weekend. After that is done, I should be able to get the carb and rest of the engine pieces attached.