The Great Pumpkin - '71 Duster

I drove my car today for the first time since December of 2012. I can not describe the high, it was pure joy. Sure, it barely has brakes and it needs to be aligned but it runs and drives down the road.

All of my ideas and work have finally come together as a whole. There were a lot of stumbles, mistakes and things that I had to sort out but I stuck it out through all my hiccups and saw the project through. Save for the engine, I pretty much rebuilt or replaced everything on this car from stem to stern. Here's a list of what I can think of at the moment.

• Re-wired the whole car including the starting/charging systems and the cut off switch. Installed Denso 60 A 1 wire alt. Performed ammeter bypass.
• restored/rebuilt and detailed the entire front and rear suspension systems
• replaced worn out steering box, installed new pitman and idler arms
• converted the column to floor shift, rebuilt and painted to match factory suede paint. Installed repro Tuff wheel.
• replaced MP orange box with MSD 6AL
• installed new cap, rotor, coil and wires
• rebuilt distributor
• installed new carpet
• converted car to fixed bucket seats
• re-wired the dash and installed gauges including analog A/F ratio
• deleted heater and radio with correct delete bezels and right-side heater delete fresh air vent
• installed new trans cooler and made all new trans cooler lines, installed deep pan and new shifter cable, re-worked shifter mount
• restored/rebuilt the entire rear end including a new aluminum diff, installed new Moser axles
• Installed Caltracs
• All new brakes with lightweight master, made all my own brake lines
• plumbed and wired a roll control
• re-plumbed the whole fuel system, made all new AN type lines
• rebuilt the carb (about 10 times)
• Re-worked cooling system including Griffin aluminum radiator, clutch fan and shroud

And on and on. I am happy to say that pretty much all of it works. Couple loose ends to tidy up but that's it.

I have learned a ton of stuff over the last year. It's funny, I thought I had some knowledge and decent skills from being a professional mechanic and messing with old cars for the last 20 years or so but I admit, I pretty much knew jack ****. I know it sounds corny but I feel like I've crossed a threshold into a new level of experience and understanding.

So now that it's drivable, I need to sort out the brakes. Not sure why they are so low. Everything is brand new so I can't really blame the parts. Pretty certain there is still air in the system somewhere. Hope that's all it is.

Aligning the car is basically just taking it to a shop and have them put it on a rack. It's way out right now. I installed everything and sort of eyeballed it but it's nowhere close. There's a shop close to my house so I don't gave to go too far with it.

So Phase 1 was the 'construction' part which is pretty much done. It's on to Phase 2 now which is test and tune.

My ultimate goal is to run better than the best time the P.O. said it ran. (11.97) Can't wait!

So yeah, pretty good day for me. :cheers: