Project Untitled

[Michaeluser]

Dang it's the 16th of July and I have not done jack sh#t on the Duster. However, today I am motivated! With the new position at work and sports with the kids I have been crazy running around. I knocked a couple of projects off the list and can now see light at the end of the tunnel.

It's time to get started. I am posting my new favorite part. Why do I love parts, jeez I am in the Automotive Aftermarket and parts are everything. Being in R&D and running a team developing new products is great stuff, so when you get something new you are fired up. At least I am. I think that half the battle is staying focused. Family, kids, honey-do's all can get in the way of that journey of automotive excitement.

Well time to talk Mopar. I bought the new Borgenson P.S. box for My 1973 Duster and it's getting me all excited about turning wrenches.

I need to go home and start turning wrenches.

 

[Michaeluser]

Last month I started working on the rear axle housing. I bought a B-Body 8-3/4 and had it shortened and Ford bearings ends installed to run Explorer rear disc brakes. So far the axle turned out nice. After pressure washing and stripping the paint I clean up some welds and painted with a spray can Eastwood chassis black. That paint sprays so nice and dries better then any other spray bombs that I ever used. Check out the results. Heck and I saved by not having the parts power-coated.

 

[AHamilton]

Dang boy, you had that rearend so clean it's almost a shame to paint it. Yea Eastwood makes some dang good products, I'm a big fan. Keep up the good work.

 

[Michaeluser]

Dang boy, you had that rearend so clean it's almost a shame to paint it. Yea Eastwood makes some dang good products, I'm a big fan. Keep up the good work.

I know that is what my son said. WD40 and leave it.

 

[bkd]

Okay I subscribed, now MORE PICS, LOL just kidding great work so far and ey good lookin rearend ya got there wink wink nudge nudge say no more.

 

[Demon416]

Good job, looks great.

 

[Michaeluser]

Cool thanks. I am going to pull the K member and get started test fitting the steering box and header for clearance. See where this comes out. I now need to figure out what P/S pump to run and if a late model HEMI or ? fits a LA/Magnum block. Time to go hunting at the Pick a part...

 

[Michaeluser]

It's been a while for sure and now it's time to tear into the front suspension and start cleaning and repairing. The K member is pretty hammered looking. Also, I need to repair the radiator support. The lower portion is coming off and I am going to fab a new one out laser cut plates.

 

[Michaeluser]

The inner fender area is all original. The dirt is stuck like glue on the old under-coating. Once I get all the parts off I will d-grease it and maybe repaint it red.

 

[Michaeluser]

Someone painted over the old but decent space paint in the engine bay. Crap paint never lasts like factory paint. Even 40 factory paint looks better...

 

[Michaeluser]

I pulled the K member. Much to my amazement it looks like they started jumping the car sometime in the 70's...
The car started life in Bakersfield, hot, dry and dusty as h*ll. Well there is a new life coming for the old girl. This is going to be fun...

 

[Michaeluser]

You can see the love that went on in this car. Assuming that this is the original part. The repair job on the LCA mount is well is crap.

But I am going to make new steel inserts to replace the factory.

I love making it better or as good as it was 40 years ago. Thank GOD for a machine shop at work!

 

[rlevs]

:thumleft::thumleft::thumleft::thumleft::thumleft::thumleft::thumleft::thumleft:

 

[Michaeluser]

I was able to break the welds apart to straighten out the bends. Next I have to put a skid plate to cover the damage and stiffen it up.

 

[Michaeluser]

Just to compare the stock manual verses the new Borgosen unit. I will have more pics posted of the repairs of the K member soon. Thanks

 

[Michaeluser]

I started working on removing the windshield wiper motor and repairing the cowl to make it look OE. I know I need to touch up some of the welds but it's pretty good for now. I also was wondering what other holes I can close up. I moving the wiring looms to come out at another location.

Also the cowl has the dreaded "crap" lodged in and around the vent areas and I was wondering remove the small filler plate that connects the cowl and the fenderwell and get behind the cowl it's self? Or do I have to remove the cowl?

The lower A pillar. Looks really clean. Whew!

Last was the fenders. The are virgin and never removed. I had to pry them off to unstuck it from the body sealer. So far the rust has been minimal.

 

[Michaeluser]

I have been working tearing apart the front suspension and the engine bay trying to get it cleaned up for paint. I really never liked the layout so I wanted to change a few things around. So out comes the air saw. Great tool for sheet metal work, especially older cars that have thick sheet metal. I did run into a few weird things and was would like clarity on.

Where my finger is pointing is a stress crack of some kind. Is this common and if so should/would there be other locations that are suspect?

Also in the second photo you will notice the inner fender well is crack. Just thought I would share.

I did drill out the ends so it would stop cracking. The K-frame was pretty rough, but that's another story.

 

[Michaeluser]

I built a jig to hold the K member while I repair it and weld up the damaged areas. The thing was beat to cr*p and it shows. I also added stiffening plates to the LCA and sway-bar connectors.

 

[Michaeluser]

Just adding some pics. Really no updates as of late. But if you are like me the pics are my favorite part. I have some other projects going right now. Since fall is here and my sons is becoming more interested in the car it's time to make things happen.

Check out the K member and engine...

I will try an update more in the coming months.


Thanks

 

[Dustert73]

Sweet build, car looks really clean as well

 

[1967 'cuda]

- Unusual choice for engine color but it looks really good.

 

[Abodybomber]

Nice work,you are persistent...

 

[Michaeluser]

- Unusual choice for engine color but it looks really good.

Yes it is strange color, but I always liked Ford Gray from the eighties. Has an industrial look, but will have a nice contrast with the any body color choice.

Thanks

 

[Michaeluser]

Sweet build, car looks really clean as well

Thank God for a California Car.

 

[Michaeluser]

Working on my new custom lower support. My buddy built it and had it laser cut using 18 gauge and we added a few dimple dies for strength and weight reduction since 18g is a little heavier then the factory piece.