1974 Duster Restoration/ Transformation
After completing the resto of the Duster I have been driving it for about 2 months now. Everthing is working out pretty good but the Overdrive trans is not what I was expecting nor is the shifter. I also did not swap the rear end during the major rebuild as the interior,engine and trans, body and paint work were the focus of the job.
Now it's time for Phase II. I purchased a 8.75 rear end from a 70 Dart off of Craigs list and it was a good deal. It has upgraded axels and Green Bearings ready to install and a posi with 3.55 gears. It should have been a quick swap, but I have uncovered a problem with the original installation of the 7.25 rear end. After removal of the tires, I found that the left rear tire was rubbing the inside of the wheel tub. It was like the wheel was in to far. It was not touching when the car was parked, but a had noticed a weird fell to the car whenever I would jump on it and shift through the gears hard. After I took the rear end out and removed the springs, I found that the drivers side leaf spring was bent. This car must have been high centered or involved in an accident that hit the left rear wheel in order to bend the spring like that. So I had to ordered a set of PST replacement springs.