Heya.... new to the place...

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J

Judge Mills

1971 Plymouth Duster
Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Messages
1,123
Reaction score
12
Location
Westport, Washington
:wave:

Proud owner of a torn apart 1971 Duster. Bought it from a friend (i use the term loosely) for $500 back in 2001. It ran for a few months and has been sitting ever since. Originally a slant six car, I decided 6 months after purchasing that it needed at a minimum a 318. A guy I knew totalled a 78' Diplomat, which had a 318 and a newly rebuilt 904. Purchased the car for $300 and totaled that sucker out. With the help of two friends (one of which was in automotive class, thank god, and the other a 73 dodge dart owner who has gone through the same process as I) I rebuilt the 318. Since I was still a High Schooler back then, I thought it would be a good rebuild if i took it easy. (I should have went balls out :) ) Bored it .030 over, bought the Summit rebuild kit, with the sealed power pistons, etc.... Edelbrock intake and carb. Had a cheesy Crane Cam for a while.

Never got the engine RUNNING in THAT car. This is because the three of us got a wild hair in our behinds to do dirt track racing at Grays Harbor Raceway. We purchased ($0) ANOTHER duster and put MY motor into it. During the season I put in a Lunati cam, I believe for bracket racing (I was in college, still more excuses)..... We no longer race, as the A body just couldn't compete with Camaro's with $8k motors, and the fact that torsion bars don't seem to be the best thing to try and tune.


Now i'm a college graduated, married and finally in a house with a garage. THE PLAN is to get this sucker running by the time summer hits. This duster needs LOTS of work. First of all it needs to get running, new interior ( i don't even have front seats) and paint.... I'm doing the body work right now... ugh....

Here's to a good time at a new forum!

P.S. If you know how to convert away from the 5 on 4 bolt pattern by heart, let me know :)
 
Welcome to FABO! You have come to the right place to get your Duster up and running. You got any pics of it. Good luck with your build.
 
Oh, it's butt ugly, but I guess I'll post a pic of it in front of my house on New Years Day. That's the day we moved it from my buddy's garage to my new house...

Thanks for the link! :wave:

duster.jpg
 
Welcome! i think you will find alot of good info and great people here. take a look at Master Power if you are looking for a new complete kit. i have there manual disc conversion on the front of my 64 and it works great. Johnny.
 
camd64 said:
Welcome! i think you will find alot of good info and great people here. take a look at Master Power if you are looking for a new complete kit. i have there manual disc conversion on the front of my 64 and it works great. Johnny.
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Thanks! I COULD steal the disks and rear end from the race car duster, but not sure how great of shape it is in... Plus I have plans on getting a new rear end someday as well. Luckily I have a friend who works at a very well known ring and pinion company :cheers:

All I need now is money and a wife that gives me permission:-D
 
charger70 said:
My experience says that gettn the money was the easy part.:-D
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Exactly... I just got married in August... I have to figure out the trick before I go all out.

She already told me yesterday she knows how I am with cars..... She's watching me, I can feel it :D
 
Welcome Judge:cheers:
I've got the same objective as you do.....finish a '71 Duster by summer, only difference is it's my wife that want's HER car done....so I have permission to throw a little bit of money at the project
 
Welcome to FABO Judge! It's not too hard to convert to a larger bolt pattern. I kinda like the rough look of your Duster with those Centerlines(?) You got any pics of that race Duster?
 
Welcome for starters!Your ahead already with the wife knowing how you are with cars.If your other car(race duster)is not being used,I,d grab as much as you can from it.Might save you some $$$(seats,bbp axels and disc,s)You,ve got 4-5 months to get it together,so good luck with the body!I hate the bodywork,I,d rather wrench nuts and bolts anyday.Keep us posted as you progress!
 
Wow Judge, a new house, a new year, and a fabulous old Duster to bring back to life!!! I love your candid writing style (honesty goes a long way in my book). We're glad to have you aboard at the best Mopar forum there is!!! You'll find all the parts, advice and comraderie you need here.

And if your wife needs some schooling, tell her to give me a call. LOL She'll be taking over your garage in no time.
 
Welcome aboard. You'll find a wealth of info and advise from old pros here whether it's about the car or the spouse. Just ask.
 
70DartMike said:
Welcome to FABO Judge! It's not too hard to convert to a larger bolt pattern. I kinda like the rough look of your Duster with those Centerlines(?) You got any pics of that race Duster?
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Indeed I do.. it was nothing special.... just a bunch of college kids screwing around....

racecar1.jpg
 
CudaChick1968 said:
Wow Judge, a new house, a new year, and a fabulous old Duster to bring back to life!!! I love your candid writing style (honesty goes a long way in my book). We're glad to have you aboard at the best Mopar forum there is!!! You'll find all the parts, advice and comraderie you need here.

And if your wife needs some schooling, tell her to give me a call. LOL She'll be taking over your garage in no time.
Click to expand...


:D Well, she'll definitely love driving it...

:wave:
 
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