New to Mopar A bodies

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3604duster

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Nov 9, 2024
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Location
Keota, Iowa
Hi, new to the group and not educated on A bodies. Well versed in B, C, and E body Mopars, but previously have not dabbled in A body until now. I've had my eye on a duster for a couple years, and I'm finally bringing it home today. 1974 360 4 speed car, looks rough around the edges but is a solid car. Plans are to clean it up and drive it, possibly paint back to OG color down the road.
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Welcome! That looks like a dandy and a 360 4 gear will be a fun ride.
 
Under rated and under the radar car.

4 speed AC car to boot!
 
I ran into problems with getting the rear wheels to break loose, and rear has small bolt pattern compared to the front 4.5. Got it loaded but confused about the rear. It looks like an 8.75, I was assuming it would be an 8.25, but that would be rear cover/C clip style. Not familiar with the smaller light duty rear end that was available.
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Ok, so Your car is a factory 360-4bbl (E58.) It came with the 8 1/4 rear end and big bolt pattern. Someone took the original rear out. That car is very rare, and it is the best of the best for an A-body!
 
Welcome aboard, should be a fun project, not sure why someone would have put a small bolt patern in the rear? I don't believe they even had them from the factory anymore in 74. But not a big job to change or a hard axle assembly to locate. Just out of curiosity what the hell was that little odd shaped yellow car behind the Duster in the photo?
 
Small bolt was a factory deal on slant 6 cars until the end of production in 76 IIRC. But a factory E58 car should have had big bolt and 8.25 rear axle, I had a 74 E58 and a 75 E58, both had 8.25 big bolt axles.
 
Sounds like someone swapped an A-Body 8.75” axle into the car maybe? If so, those are fetching pretty big dollars now a days. Make some money back on the purchase or get some BBP axles and run it.

Rare car, 1 of 586 based on one source.

There is a thread with a running tally of those on here started by me. Not in a place to link to it right now, but will later if someone doesn’t post a link sooner, or you find it on your own.
 
Welcome from Kansas. Looks like all it needs is a good wash and wax. I have seen very few 74 A Bodies with a 360 and a 4 speed. That will be one FUN car. What color are you thinking? I know that is down the road, just curious.
 
Going off memory, it looks like it was built a little less than 3000 units before mine. And in the same factory, too.

Same color as mine, too? KG8?

Does it have the shock mount bumpers front and back like mine does?
 
Someone swapped in an 8.75 rear end . The car is coded for front discs which would have 5x4.5 bolt pattern .

SHERWOOD GREEN! I am in love !
Here is my 75 Imperial in Sherwood Green just so you can visualize.
 
DionR said:
Going off memory, it looks like it was built a little less than 3000 units before mine. And in the same factory, too.

Same color as mine, too? KG8?

Does it have the shock mount bumpers front and back like mine does?
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Yes it does. Wish it was still the factory green with white vinyl top and white stripes. Does yours have the white stripes also?
 
mopar56 said:
Welcome aboard, should be a fun project, not sure why someone would have put a small bolt patern in the rear? I don't believe they even had them from the factory anymore in 74. But not a big job to change or a hard axle assembly to locate. Just out of curiosity what the hell was that little odd shaped yellow car behind the Duster in the photo?
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That is a great question, it had a motorcycle engine in it and was aparently produced for a couple years before the company went under. I can't remember what he said the name was though...
 
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