73' B3 340 Duster pro touring build

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Why? Not married? Do you get a bunch more $$$$ to be over there. And how long is a deployment? , I dont get how you guys can last as long as you do, I'd be in the looney bin...lol.

WHY ? Gratification & pride in what I do

MARRIED ? Yes, she supports me in my military decisions because of the answers to the first question.

A BUNCH MORE MONEY. No a couple more $$$$ for Family Seperation and Hazzardous Duty, I don't do it for the Money.

DEPLOYMENT LENGHT. 4-6 Months depending...thats all I say about that.

HOW I CAN DO IT FOR SO LONG. Its really not that long...I will add this, your frame of mind before you go and during the time your there can make it either positive or negative, For the people who joined for the right reasons it comes down to ....Its what we trained for and wouldn't trade it for anything. :salut::salut::salut::salut::salut::salut:
 
Right on, best of luck and a safe journey if you head that way!!

Thanks, after yesterdays turn of events it looks like I got bumped due to Military spending cut backs. Oh well, I got something else cooking that may take me to Pennsacola, Fl for 13 weeks in 2014...opportunitys are always popping up.
 
Okay I can finally scrach the Dart build off the list and quit hi-jacking my own thread .....So for one last time here are the end results of just under six months of a very cool but pain in the *** build. Then back to the Duster only...(well probally). Please remember this 24k mile Dart Swinger is powered by the one and only Tom Hoover's 371 stroker that he built in 1971 to show that you could build a small block using off the shelf parts and still be competitive and ran it in his own Barracuda (12.40 @ 114 mph thru mufflers and street tires)) until it was replaced by ultra rare A279 Ball Stud Hemi. This is a very cool piece of Mopar history and I did my best to make the car worthy of it's historic driveline.
 

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I started back today on the Dash, trying to pre-fit everything and make all the small adjustments before I paint it, the glove box was the biggest challenge but I feel I have it to where it's acceptable for the fitment next to the main panel.
 

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The Dart turned spectacularly (and rare Hoover picks)!

The dash will be a great focal point of your Duster build.
 
Dave's Swinger is sharp...nice job boys!

maybe get its debut at the FABO tent at the Nats?
 
The Dart turned spectacularly (and rare Hoover picks)!

The dash will be a great focal point of your Duster build.

Thanks John,
It's really cool having a piece of Mopar history by such a famed Chrysler Icon. I just wanted to document the history of the Motor so I tracked down some internet pics and also added the picture of Mr. Hoover authenticating that the engine in the Dart was in fact his.

I hate to disagree with you but the dash will hopefully be a nice addition but I think the focal point will be the engine....especially after what I just ordered for it. All I can say for now is ask Denny...he knows.
 
Dave's Swinger is sharp...nice job boys!

maybe get its debut at the FABO tent at the Nats?


It will definatley be making its debut there...I'm trying to get all the history of the car and of course the Tom Hoover connection together. It's Kind of like having a cigar chewed on by another Chrysler Icon in your posession. I'm also gonna forward some Pics to Rob Wolfe from Mopar Collectors Guide, He's shot a few of my Cars and Power Wagon in the years past and hopefully may be interested in this one.
 
That Dart is pure mean! I love the resto until you open the hood and say "oh sh##!" what is this!
 
That Dart is pure mean! I love the resto until you open the hood and say "oh sh##!" what is this!

Thanks I appreciate the comments.....Were pleased with the way it turned out. I was actually surprised that everything worked and there were no leaks. I'm just glad that now I can finally focus my attention toward the Duster.
 
Thanks I appreciate the comments.....Were pleased with the way it turned out. I was actually surprised that everything worked and there were no leaks. I'm just glad that now I can finally focus my attention toward the Duster.

Ross, I love how the Dart turned out........... Dave must be smiling from ear to ear!
 
Ross, I love how the Dart turned out........... Dave must be smiling from ear to ear!

Yea, He's pretty happy with it...it drive and rides so nice with the suttle upgrades, he's been driving it alot . He finally unhooked the trailer from the truck yesterday I think he's finally convinced it's not gonna leave him stranded along the side of the road.
 
Ross - the dart looks great. I'll bet Dave is very excited to have a hot rod of his own. Can't wait to see it at the Nats.
 
I like the clean look of your dash. Remind me, did you fab the gauge panel yourself? It's aluminum right? (tough to go back and find stuff in this monster thread).

I've been considering going padless welding the holes shut but the pad does take care of a the upper line of the insert panel looking somewhat unfinished without it. The lower line does not really need anything.
 
I like the clean look of your dash. Remind me, did you fab the gauge panel yourself? It's aluminum right? (tough to go back and find stuff in this monster thread).

I've been considering going padless welding the holes shut but the pad does take care of a the upper line of the insert panel looking somewhat unfinished without it. The lower line does not really need anything.

Nope, I didn't actually make this piece....it came from Peak Dashes. He's a member on here, search CashA10 in members name, lots of people here are using them, and yes they are Aluminum.
I've seen a couple dashes with the pad deleted..... some look good and some just look incomplete, I guess it depends on the colors you choose. IMO
 
Cool, thanks. I hadn't seen one with your gauge layout. The two dual gauges makes for a nice look.
 
Cool, thanks. I hadn't seen one with your gauge layout. The two dual gauges makes for a nice look.


That's where the custom part comes in....I designed my own hole layout based on the custom designed Auto Meter gauges. So long story short, design what you want and have Peak Dashes make it.
 
Well If it wouldn't have been raining for the last 2 days I would have a Black dash ...at least I got everything sanded and primed to match the Dash frame before the rain started yesterday. There's always nect weekend, I can't wait to try out my Alsa Soft touch clear (Google it). I know there are alot of boring updates, but I think a couple people are benefiting from the idea's I'm pass on. I have another unique One Off engine Mod in the works, but all of it won't arrive for a couple weeks....hurry Richard Nedbal hurry. Did you call him Mark ?
 

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and floor pan.......once I removed the entire old floor pan (lost count on how many spot welds there were) I sand blasted inside the frame rails and coated with Southern Polyurethane's epoxy primer. Ive read great things about there products and dont want to do this twice so I went with the best I didnt mention this before but this isnt a budget build, I am on limited funds but I save on labor I will spend on Quality parts. the only issue I had with the floor pan was the location for the outside seat belt bolt, in the one picture you will notice the new location, which is approx 2.5 inches back from the AMD stamped one. FYI incase you find yourself doing a floor pan replacement.

Wow deja vu. Been there with my 67 cuda build a couple years ago. Couldent afford a new floor pan, and my torsion bar crossmember had been hacked thru by a.careless previous owner. I used a clean crossmember, and clean used floorpan from a 74 dart 4 door. All the spotweld cutting you had to do X2. Awesome job so far on the duster.

Do you have pix of the XV radiator support. I bought a tubular dillinger bar for the lower support on mine to tie the framerails together. I used 2x3" by 1/8" thick square stock for my subframe connectors, layed it sideways. Did mine similar to bigblockdart.com. Cost me about $25 in materials.strong as hell. Naybe can save you some money over the cartool pieces.

Matt
 
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