My Duster Adventures

RustyRatRod said

Is this your first time doing the installation from the bottom? How do you like doing it that way? I hated the idea on my first one, but I like doing it that way now. Although I didn't do it on Vixen when I pulled the slant for some engine work not long ago. She has tons of under hood room. I won't do it that way when I put the 225 in soon either. Now, when I upgrade to disc brakes, I may pull it all from the bottom then. I'm not sure yet. If the 225 works out like I think it will, It'll probably stay in there. lol

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This is my second time pulling everything out and putting it all back in from underneath. I’ve never tried going in/out the top with this car. One reason is the headers. When I rebuilt the suspension, it was just was easier to assemble everything on the dolly, then roll it all underneath. I’ve never tried unbolting the headers and pulling or installing the engine, then bolting then up, but I’ve seen pics where people have done that, and it just looks like too much hassle! In my old shop, I had a 4x4 in the rafters and a chain hoist on it. This made it real easy to lift the front end up to install/pull from the bottom. This time I just used the engine hoist and jack stands.
Speaking of 225’s one of these days (after this roadtrip obviously lol) I need to get those slants and transmissions pulled out of that valiant and dart, if you still want them.