'70 Duster - First MOPAR Build

[jonn6464]

Removed the gas pedal to blast and paint the mounting bracket and arm. Also, installed a new pedal and gasket from Detroit Muscle Technologies. They offer an exact replica, which fit perfectly. Also, put in a new throttle cable.

 

[jonn6464]

So, even though I am doing doing complete nut and bolt resto, I am trying to use as many original components as I can.
I'm at a bit of a standstill right now, just because I have 3 directions I can go, but each will require a major purchase and I'm not wanting to shell out a bunch of Ben Franklins before we have conquered this virus situation.
So, that means I'm doing a bunch of little jobs that aren't urgent, but will need to be done at some point.
I wet sanded these wiper arms and they came out very clean. I decided to go all the way with them, so after 20 minutes on the buffer wheel (with the one on the right) it's amazing what a difference there is. Even though they probably had the anodized coating from the factory, I like the polished look. And I'm happy to be able to save the original parts.

 

[MOPAR4Me]

So, even though I am doing doing complete nut and bolt resto, I am trying to use as many original components as I can.
I'm at a bit of a standstill right now, just because I have 3 directions I can go, but each will require a major purchase and I'm not wanting to shell out a bunch of Ben Franklins before we have conquered this virus situation.
So, that means I'm doing a bunch of little jobs that aren't urgent, but will need to be done at some point.
I wet sanded these wiper arms and they came out very clean. I decided to go all the way with them, so after 20 minutes on the buffer wheel (with the one on the right) it's amazing what a difference there is. Even though they probably had the anodized coating from the factory, I like the polished look. And I'm happy to be able to save the original parts.
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Saving as many original parts as possible is a good rout, wow those wipers turned out great, keep it up.

 

[jonn6464]

I've been holding off on some mechanical stuff, because I need to order parts. So, boredom has forced me to start tackling small jobs that will need to be done sooner or later. Been going hard on the buffer wheel, polishing any trim pieces that I can save. So, I thought I'd document one just to show the power of different rouges. It's really hard to get decent pics with a cell phone camera, but here we go...

I use a 6 step process. Wash & dry with warm water and liquid dish soap, dent repair and wet sand, black rouge, green rouge, red rouge, white rouge. Some folks prefer to use the red rouge last, but I have better results going red then white.

Here is a piece of window trim. This is the final piece, I already polished the others.

First, I knocked out a couple of dings. Then wet sanded with 600 grit on my 3" pneumatic gun. You can see how the wet sand leaves a nicely scuffed base to work with.

On a piece this size, I work in 10 minute segments. I find that to be enough time per rouge. Here it is after the black rouge...

After the green rouge...

After the red rouge...

And the final pass with white rouge...

In my opinion, it's well worth the time and minimal effort to bring these back to life. It's never a bad thing to have your trim and chrome pieces gleaming in the sun light!

 

[jonn6464]

Finished my custom grille (just a couple of small tweaks left to do), so I thought I'd share it.

Took a lot of time and attempts at getting it right. I continued my carbon fiber accents onto the grille trim.

Also, made a cool little improvement to the emblem. Now it will illuminate when the headlights are turned on.
I still need to add a couple more LED lights to spread out the light pattern better. I'll hide the wires away and it should look cool at night.

I was unsure of the color scheme, using the light argent for the housing and black for the grille insert. So, I also made an argent insert that I can use in a black grille housing. But, I would need to start from scratch.

 

[jonn6464]

Finally got my fenders finished. I've been avoiding these for a long time. Figured it's best to just tackle them and get it done!

First, cut out a patch for the marker light opening...

Then, replace lower rear section on each side with AMD patch panels...

A few hours of sanding later, shoot some primer and hang it on the car for a little look. Still need to spray Featherfill and sealer, just have to finish sanding the hood...

 

[timmy.1953]

Very nice

 

[Idaho]

Nice bodywork skills.

 

[jonn6464]

Got my gauges installed in the factory housing. A lot of cutting involved to make this particular set fit. I thought about making a metal mounting panel, and change up the location of the gauge holes.
But, time and energy are not on my side lately, so I went with the ABS plastic panel that came with the gauge set. It will work for now.

And, hell yeah I went with the mechanical speedo! I love watching those 9's roll over to 0's.

 

[jonn6464]

Starting to tackle the wiring today...

Good Lord, I forgot how much running wire sucks! Especially the ENTIRE car.

But, I will say that the American Autowire A Body kit is outstanding. Great installation directions, lots of pictures, and the wire is marked every 6 inches, or so, making it easy to keep things straight. Anyone from AAW on this site?

A couple hours later and some progress to report.

Here is the gauges set into the dash. Still need to install the headlight and wiper switches.

I recovered the dash with carbon fiber vinyl (staying with the carbon fiber accent theme for my car), but I'm not sure I like it. Seems a bit bulky or puffy or something. Might have to look at trying again with a thinner foam core. Or, maybe see if any companies making dash caps.

Wiring the gauges in was super easy, with the AAW instructions. Still a few wires to tie together and clean it up, but I'm happy so far.

 

[jonn6464]

Since I'm waiting for my engine to arrive (and I'm soooo tired of doing body work), I am trying to tackle small jobs that will need to be done eventually. I decided to restore my pop out vent window, so I ordered the kit from Detroit Muscle Technologies. Comes with weather stripping, foam seals, and the "hinge" assembly. It's a nice kit, but very overpriced.

If anyone else is going to do this, I will also put up a detailed post about the installation of this kit, with more pics and talk about some issues I had. But, not in my resto thread.

When I first tore the car down, I removed all of the glass and wrapped it up. Last week I took the rear window, drivers and passenger door glass, and pop out vent windows to the window tint shop near my work. I was shocked when I picked it up and it was only $120. Not sure if that is normal, but I thought it was low. Considering the tint looks awesome and it has a lifetime warranty.

First thing was to use my 3" buffer to clean up the outside of the glass and buff out some fine scratches (that became noticeable when the tint went on).

I sanded the window frames, then shot them with primer. Laid down the foam strips and installed the weather stripping. Also took a few minutes on the buffing wheel to clean up the release latch.

I wet sanded the chrome anchor pieces, then spent an hour at the buffer with 4 different rouges. They came out nice.

Next, I test fit the "channel" seals and installed the plastic tabs that act as the hinge. Then, very slowly, slid the glass into the chrome anchor post.

 

[jonn6464]

Next was figuring out how to connect the anchor post back to the frame. I drilled out the rivets that were originally in place, so I could get the glass out for tinting.

I found these at the local hardware store. And drilled out the existing holes (where the rivets were) a bit bigger. It worked well, nice tight fit.

All that was left was to install the vertical seal, buff the little half moon head that attaches the latch to the glass and test fit in the car.

 

[racerjoe]

Next was figuring out how to connect the anchor post back to the frame. I drilled out the rivets that were originally in place, so I could get the glass out for tinting.

I found these at the local hardware store. And drilled out the existing holes (where the rivets were) a bit bigger. It worked well, nice tight fit.
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All that was left was to install the vertical seal, buff the little half moon head that attaches the latch to the glass and test fit in the car.
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Good to see the weatherstrip is available now. I had them on order at Classic Industries about 2 years ago and they kept putting them on backorder and couldn't give me a real date. I ended up just reusing my old ones. I guess I need to pull it apart one day to replace them.

 

[jonn6464]

Haven't posted a lot of my progress lately, but have been making some head way...

Relocating the fuel filler neck to the tail panel.
Started with using my old filler neck as a guinea pig.

Then cut down the Gates fuel rated hose to work...

Cut out the opening in the trunk floor and installed the grommet...

All that is left is to size the pipe from the hose to the tank, but I need to take a couple of measurements with the tank installed first.

 

[jonn6464]

Disassembles the seats for re-covering.

Sandblasted the frames and repainted. Forgot to get a pic of the finished seat frames before I took them to the upholstery shop.
Also restored the bucket seat tracks while I was at it. Cleaned them up in the bench top blaster, primer, paint, and greased the sliders.

 

[jonn6464]

Installed a new 26" radiator and was a bit disappointed that it didn't drop right in, like the sales guy said it would.

You can see how much lower it hangs, past the rad support...

Cut a piece of 0.59" to size and started forming it...

Once I was happy with the fit, time to add some drain holes and weight relief, then primer and paint...

Got it welded in and loaded with seam sealer, then painted...

 

[jonn6464]

Finally got the 4 speed hump installed, with lots of seam sealer and flex seal...

 

[jonn6464]

Got the engine bay, doors jambs, and trunk cut in.

It's starting to look like an actual car for the first time in 4 years!

 

[jonn6464]

So, I'm having a problem with my doors where they are very hard to pull open when I pull the handle. I'm working on the alignment, by I figured I would also pull the latch assemblies out and clean them. It may not solve the issue, but it couldn't hurt.

I tried out Oil Eater for the first time, was very impressed with it's performance. Now just waiting on some new rod clips to arrive and I'll put them back in.

 

[jonn6464]

I'm slowly inching closer to the paint booth! Got the body lines taped off will sand the car this weekend.
I'm really hoping to have this car painted by next weekend! We'll see...

 

[mygasser]

i first saw that pic and thought you were marking out for some 'race car' type graphics ideas

 

[jonn6464]

i first saw that pic and thought you were marking out for some 'race car' type graphics ideas

That would be a bizarre paint job! Now, I kinda want to see what that would look like.

 

[mygasser]

can you photoshop? or print that pic and get out the crayons. i can see red, white and blue there straight away

 

[jonn6464]

can you photoshop? or print that pic and get out the crayons. i can see red, white and blue there straight away

I was thinking white, green, and gold. Lots of metallic or pearl!!!!

 

[mygasser]

I was thinking white, green, and gold. Lots of metallic or pearl!!!!

oooooh metalflake! and maybe some lace too