A 1974 Duster - My 2nd one, 41 years later!

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I sent the CenterForce clutch/pressure plate back to Summit, yesterday. Apparently the American Powertrian hydraulic throw-out won't work with the CF clutch, without cutting the ring and removing the weights. You loose 10% holding power by removing the weights. The possibility of the weights and ring on the clutch catching the TO bearing and tearing everything up is a real concern. So back to the research board to choose another clutch. Maybe one of the McLeod twin disc set ups, not sure yet.
 
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Well, I had to take a step backwards today. Needed to remove the over-center clutch spring...and doing so while the pedals are in the car, I found impossible to do. So...unbolted the MC and lowered the steering column and then getting the pedals out of the car was not too bad. Once they were out removing the spring using washers was a snap.

IMG_3470 by Alexl5280, on Flickr

IMG_3471 by Alexl5280, on Flickr
 
Another piece of the puzzle. Now to figure out how to get it installed. That will be this weekend. Just from taking a quick check...not sure this will work with an A body. Seems the MC is too long and runs into the inner fender. Hmmm??? I returned this kit, it did not fit in my Duster.

FullSizeRender by Alexl5280, on Flickr
 
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Hello Alex, Pardon my excitement in wanting to use this setup but it sure seems like a lot of extra work in order to get this setup installed and setup right...
Just my opinion...
 
Thanks trebor75, thanks Richard. I am NOT going to cut into the inner fender to do this install. It will go back to Summit if it doesn't fit right. Seems like it should say "Doesn't work/fit with an A body". I had to try but really don't want to cut up the inner fender.

Sent the American Powertrain Hydramax clutch kit back to Summit! Gonna go with the good old 12 1/2 clutch fork set up. I'll do the z-bar mod and re-weld it as needed to fit the Dougs headers.
 
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OK, over center clutch pedal spring removed and pedals back in the car, what a pain. On to the standard set up: clutch rod from pedal, z -bar, fork, boot and adjusting rod. I will be running Dougs headers and am pretty sure the z-bar mod will be needed. So I ground and cut away the welds and gently tapped on the bar. I will wait until its all in the car so I will know exactly where to weld it back.

IMG_3495 by Alexl5280, on Flickr

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Got all the needed parts heading my way: clutch fork, boot and adjusting rod, new McLeod clutch/pressure plate, throw-out bearing.
 
Hello ALEX, I'M new to this forum and have been watching your build, can you tell me what all you had done to the motor to make it a stroker, looking at a Blue 72 Demon with a 340 cu .030 over, Thanks Demon B Leavin
 
It was a stock never bored 78' truck 360, purchased from Jaws here on this site for a song. Motor was bored .030 over. I contacted Mike at MRL Perfomance and asked him if we could do a "remote build", he designs the 408 build, I buy the parts from him and assemble it myself. Mike's question was what HP and torque are you looking for. I was looking for 525 HP and near the same torque. First was the purchase of the forged rotating assembly.....I am just about to order the heads from Mike and that will nearly complete our build. That's about it.
 
New McLeod #75209 clutch/pressure plate arrived. I'll go with it, waiting for the rest of the parts to arrive then I can bolt the trans to the engine.

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I thought for sure you'd get your clutch, bell and trans bolted to the engine before I do! Well, today I got all that done! Hope to have it all in the car by tmrw night!!

Think you'll have that thing running/driving by November? I sure hope so! I'll be out there for my brothers wedding!
 
Congrats on getting yours bolted together Caleb. I am funding everything on this car build by selling other things I have collected over the years. I just made a deal to sell my 1961 Hammond B3 Organ and Leslie 122 speaker, Tuesday is when I get the funds...So I will be ordering the cylinder heads for it on Tuesday from MRL Perfomance. Yes, I hope it is running by November!

Check this out....I go over to my powder coater yesterday to drop off a pulley for powder coating (he works out of his garage) and sitting in his driveway is a 72' FE5 Scamp, a /6 car, but a 3 speed floor shift car w/ a black interior in unmolested shape. Powder coater, Says "It's for sale". I know my friend Brock, forum member (bvt69dart) has been looking for a project car so I called him left a message and texted him a few picks. Brock is going to look at it today, we may just have found his next hot rod!

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Someone is buying my Hammond B3 and Leslie speaker today! This will generate the funds to send to MRL Perfomance for the cylinder heads. Very excited. The heads will complete the engine and soon it can go in the car!


Deal done! Drove straight to the bank to make a cashiers check for MRL Performance!

8/5/16 - Check is in the mail to MRL!
 
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While I am waiting for the heads to arrive I am doing some wiring, installing some gauges, block sanding the body. With a 5" tach is seems like its the "where do I put it" question??? I kinda liked it placed to the right of the radio. I fabbed up some easy to bend 16 ga. to determine the angles. The 16 ga was like a spring board with the tack on it, So I am in the middle of duplicating the mount in 1/8" stock.

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might want to re-think the mount position.

if you want to set your idle....or know your rpm @ 65 mph....its OK. but imagine you are WFO ....power shiftin gears while staying in your lane /or on the road.....AND trying to glance at the tach on the other side of the radio.

just a thought.
 
Alex5280 said:
Congrats on getting yours bolted together Caleb. I am funding everything on this car build by selling other things I have collected over the years. I just made a deal to sell my 1961 Hammond B3 Organ and Leslie 122 speaker, Tuesday is when I get the funds...So I will be ordering the cylinder heads for it on Tuesday from MRL Perfomance. Yes, I hope it is running by November!

Check this out....I go over to my powder coater yesterday to drop off a pulley for powder coating (he works out of his garage) and sitting in his driveway is a 72' FE5 Scamp, a /6 car, but a 3 speed floor shift car w/ a black interior in unmolested shape. Powder coater, Says "It's for sale". I know my friend Brock, forum member (bvt69dart) has been looking for a project car so I called him left a message and texted him a few picks. Brock is going to look at it today, we may just have found his next hot rod!

IMG_3514 by Alexl5280, on Flickr

IMG_3515 by Alexl5280, on Flickr

IMG_3516 by Alexl5280, on Flickr

IMG_3517 by Alexl5280, on Flickr
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That's a good looking project. Brock check into it?

You're engine and trans looks great!!!
 
Brock did buy the Scamp, Yes Sir! I went over and saw it in his garage today. He has started working on it. I really think it is a very cool car.

I will make up another mount up on the dash pad, right in front of my eye balls! With welder....it ain't no biggie! Thanks guys for the input....I know you are looking out for my safety!
 
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Good for him!!

As far as the tach, you could "do it right" and swap in a rallye dash :poke: :D
 
Kinda blurry but I like it...

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