Blue Sky Hemi Duster Build

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SkyBlueDuster

SkyBlueDuster

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Jun 28, 2012
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Kansas City
My goal is to have this project done in time for the 2013 Hot Rod Power Tour which starts in Arlington, TX on June 1, 2013. I fully intend to achieve "Long Hauler" status. Wish me luck!

Yesterday marked an important milestone; the arrival of a whole bunch of stuff from Reilly Motorsports. Exciting!

Parts-Bonanza.jpg


I will be sharing my progress on this thread if anybody out there happens to be interested...:sleepy4:

Interested parties can also click the link in my sig for a project blog.

Cheers,
Bill
 
Good luck Bill. Hope you make it so you can enjoy it next year. Keep details and pictures coming.
 
Always nice to know that with some companies if you spend alot of money they will throw in a couples of beers and a cat for free...lol... Good luck, looking forward to see your project
 
Looks like a lot of important ingredients for a Hemi-A.

Especially the cat.

I'm sure we will all be following along.
 
Look forward to seeing it in Arlington next year, have fun.

(I just noticed this was post 727, cool....)
 
Now that the heat has subsided a bit, I wandered into the shop to start tearing down the Duster. The radiator, master cylinder and booster have been pulled and the engine and transmission unbolted and ready for pulling. That will happen this week and I'll drop the K-frame as well.

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I'll continue to update this thread as I go along. I'll try to take lots of photos so it might actually be a useful source for anybody doing a similar project.

Here's the latest entry on the blog.
 
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I reached an important milestone on Saturday by getting the engine, trans and k-frame pulled from the Duster. The engine and trans leaked fluids so there is considerable cleaning up in my future.

There is some rot here and there in the forward unibody assembly but not too much. Since the RMS set up doesn't use the original upper control arm or shock mounts, I suppose it doesn't really matter beyond aesthetics. Correct me if I'm wrong.

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It's nice to have made some progress.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v712rhdBG4&feature=player_embedded"]Snazzy time-lapse video of the work![/ame]
 
time-lapse??.....once you get the hang of it ...that will probably be "real time"
 
Ok, it's been a while since I've checked in. I have been making some progress, however. I've cleaned up the engine bay and frame rails of the Duster and that preparation has led me to successfully test fit the RMS K-frame. That thing bolted up perfectly.

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With that done, I mated the 6.1 to the K-frame for initial fitting of the whole assembly. I realize I'll have to work on the transmission tunnel to make room for the NAG1. Once I figure out exactly what has to be done it will be guns blazing until the K-frame/engine/trans is installed.

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Actually getting all that installed seems like a big milestone to me. Things are getting exciting in Baby Blue Duster land.

As usual, feel free to check out my duster project blog if you're interested.
 
Just curious to why you are using the NAG1 ? A 545RFE is cheaper and easier to get to work in an older car. I'm sure you can get the NAG1 to work, especially that there is now a controller offered for it...just seems like a lot more work and $$$. Nice build, and best of luck. :D
 
JDMopar said:
Just curious to why you are using the NAG1 ? A 545RFE is cheaper and easier to get to work in an older car. I'm sure you can get the NAG1 to work, especially that there is now a controller offered for it...just seems like a lot more work and $$$. Nice build, and best of luck. :D
Click to expand...

I suppose the best answer to that question is that I jumped into this project without really knowing what I was doing and picked up a complete drop out from an '06 SRT8 Charger with the NAG1. It looks like everything to make it work is out there so I'm sticking with it. [-o< Thanks. :happy3:
 
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There's a hole in my car. The NAG1 is fat and stubby so I chopped up the ol' Duster to make some room. Unfortunately more modification will be required because the transmission housing makes contact with the crossmember. It's time to set up a meeting with the fabricator.

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And here's another snazzy time lapse!
 
glad to see another Hemi build, I am jealous of that K-member... someday... I really like that blue, looks good. Keep the PICS coming...

Joe
 
The 6.1, NAG1 and K-frame are in!
Installed-Engine-1024x681.jpg


Turns out I just needed to be more aggressive about chopping out metal to make room for the transmission.
Engine-Under-1024x681.jpg


As advertised the RMS K-frame was a breeze to installed once we got everything lined up. It also amazes me how much room there is around the engine with the bulky old K-frame gone. Next step is to build the front suspension.

Cheers!:toothy8:
 
Installed the bulk of the front suspension the other day. Next up will be the steering rack and column. Then it's off to the fabricator!

Here's another time-lapse.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGlFDxNU_YI"]Hemi Duster Front Suspension - YouTube[/ame]

Cheers! :drinkers:
 
Just wanted to say nice job so far on the install.....Don't just hate it when ya spend all that time and money doing something really cool like your doing and nobody comments, yet Billy Bob trades a chicken for a used set valve covers, half *** rattle can paints them over the grease and gets like 50 compliments. Just wanted to say that this thead deserves more comments and attention for a cool build.\\:D/\\:D/\\:D/\\:D/ Some of us are paying attention.
 
Nice build.:DIt,s always like Christmas morning putting modern parts on an old car.LOLI,ll be watching for updates also.:yawinkle:
 
76orangewagon said:
Just wanted to say nice job so far on the install.....Don't just hate it when ya spend all that time and money doing something really cool like your doing and nobody comments, yet Billy Bob trades a chicken for a used set valve covers, half *** rattle can paints them over the grease and gets like 50 compliments. Just wanted to say that this thead deserves more comments and attention for a cool build.\\:D/\\:D/\\:D/\\:D/ Some of us are paying attention.
Click to expand...

X2....gonna be a nice hot rod
 
Beautiful build. I think that you made a great choice keeping that engine and trans combo together. It'll be a fantastic ride. There's never enough MOPAR on the Power Tour. I also really like the blue. Keep up the great work. Dan
 
Hey when you get hemidenny and 76orangewagon to comment--YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Two of the top builders on this forum. I would like to know when all is said and done what do you have in the Duster for parts???? money wise I mean--Thanks and keep up the great work--Steve a.k.a Swifter
 
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