Big Brain Garage '73 duster build

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dusty318

dusty318

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2022
Messages
7
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18
Location
Montana
i have a 73 duster roller i got for $400 bucks! i would say immaculate condition, 2 floor patches and thats it. this thing is solid! i am piecing this thing together with what i can find and have on hand. all my $$$$$ is currently in the engine, most expensive part is the MSD ready to run dist. kit and the headers! as of right now i am in wiring mode, i have a harness from a '75 that i am routing and splicing in.
engine is a 5.2 magnum from a '98 dodge truck. JEGS heads, the old ones were cracked, comp cams roller .512" lift int/exh, .210int/.220exh @ .050, 112 LSA, RPM air gap intake and 600 CFM summit carb. ceramic headers.
Direction of the build, not really sure. first things first, get it on the road. i already fired the engine, i have no idea if the trans works (A904), i paid 100 bucks for it and carried it out of a barn. opened the pan, looked clean, installed new filter and shoved it in. 7 1/4 rear end, i have a 8.8 to install at a later time. i want to drive it first. i have '75 duster parts car with /6. i took the disc brakes from it, got a new master cyclinder and still have to plumb entire brake system. fuel system will be a clicky clacky from the tank to the carb. currently open headers, again, i want to get this thing running and driving! more pictures to come later and i'll update progress when i can!
feel free to leave advice or combos you ran in the past! this is my first mopar and i'm in uncharted waters!
 
Welcome aboard.

Second: build how you like and use the search feature - loads of good articles and posts and pictures.Many questions have been asked like a thousand times. Especially wheels and tire questions and what fits. Plenty of tech notes and resources for you.
Good luck!
Syleng1
 
I like it.

The Magnum heads are lift limited, sticks in my head that 0.512" lift is at the edge of what a Magnum head can take. Did you swap out the springs and such? I know you have run it, but could be a failure point later on if it is an issue.
 
DionR said:
I like it.

The Magnum heads are lift limited, sticks in my head that 0.512" lift is at the edge of what a Magnum head can take. Did you swap out the springs and such? I know you have run it, but could be a failure point later on if it is an issue.
Click to expand...
yes i did swap the springs, i went with magnum spring uprgrade kit from Hughes Engines and did rotation checks before i fired the engine. but yes, it is in the back of my mind.
 
dusty318 said:
yes i did swap the springs, i went with magnum spring uprgrade kit from Hughes Engines and did rotation checks before i fired the engine. but yes, it is in the back of my mind.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you covered your bases. Nice job.
 
Here are some current pictures. Excuse the mess, I am not a fan of wiring. Haha

IMG_1036.jpeg


Again, hardly any rust when I bought this. I did a floor patch on drivers side and POR 15 the floor pan in the cabin.

IMG_1034.jpeg
IMG_1030.jpeg
IMG_1032.jpeg


IMG_1029.jpeg


Luckily still had the fender tag
IMG_1033.jpeg
 
dusty318 said:
i have a 73 duster roller i got for $400 bucks! i would say immaculate condition, 2 floor patches and thats it. this thing is solid! i am piecing this thing together with what i can find and have on hand. all my $$$$$ is currently in the engine, most expensive part is the MSD ready to run dist. kit and the headers! as of right now i am in wiring mode, i have a harness from a '75 that i am routing and splicing in.
engine is a 5.2 magnum from a '98 dodge truck. JEGS heads, the old ones were cracked, comp cams roller .512" lift int/exh, .210int/.220exh @ .050, 112 LSA, RPM air gap intake and 600 CFM summit carb. ceramic headers.
Direction of the build, not really sure. first things first, get it on the road. i already fired the engine, i have no idea if the trans works (A904), i paid 100 bucks for it and carried it out of a barn. opened the pan, looked clean, installed new filter and shoved it in. 7 1/4 rear end, i have a 8.8 to install at a later time. i want to drive it first. i have '75 duster parts car with /6. i took the disc brakes from it, got a new master cyclinder and still have to plumb entire brake system. fuel system will be a clicky clacky from the tank to the carb. currently open headers, again, i want to get this thing running and driving! more pictures to come later and i'll update progress when i can!
feel free to leave advice or combos you ran in the past! this is my first mopar and i'm in uncharted waters!
Click to expand...
Unless you plan to build that A904 into an A909, that 440 will make quick work out of that trans. I'd try to score a 727.
 
momarlon said:
I stand corrected.
Click to expand...
No worries, a big block would be awesome!! But the 5.2 was free. Fun fact, this whole build started with the engine. I got the 5.2 for free and was looking for something to put it in. Truck, car, station wagon…any mopar. And then I found this duster about 8 hours away from us and went and grabbed it!
 
Christmas update!! Worked more on the wiring today and we have headlights, dash lights, and an ignition system!!!! Big accomplishment for me as wiring is not my specialty! Next is charging system and then the bulk of the wiring is done for now! Going through the harness and cutting off anything I’m not going to be using to try and keep it clean, I have no idea what these boxes are for, anyone have a clue? I have the voltage regulator, the electronic ignition box is already removed (not needed with the MSD distributor I got) I don’t know what these are…
IMG_1038.jpeg


And here’s the bay currently with the bird nest of wires

IMG_1039.jpeg

IMG_1040.jpeg
 
Through a bunch of googling, I found that those boxes are EGR timing and maybe the other works for an AC system?? The 75 duster from which the harness came did have AC. Either way, don’t need them.
 
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