Dan's 1972 Plymouth Duster
02-12-2013, 05:12 PM
#1
Mopar Fan
Thread Starter
Dan's 1972 Plymouth Duster
Honestly, it started when I found a '72 Roadrunner for sale. I went into Reliance, TN to look at the car. Met some real good ol' boys, but they were too attached to the car and it was in REALLY bad shape. I couldn't reach a reasonable deal with the guy. The next day I took a look at a '71 demon for sale, but this car was too far gone for me to even make an offer. Floor gone, no engine, mounts cut out... Demons are rare, but no way I could fix this one up. Finally I took a look at this '72 Duster, and the body was awesome. Lines great, no engine, no trans. Previous owner blew the engine because his "mechanic" didn't tighten the oil pan down... ugh! Anyway, he was going to fix it back up, but his mother fell ill and he needed 
for medical bills. Unfortunately for him, and fortunately for me, his loss was my gain.
I went asking around and found a 360 and 727 tans out of a winnebago for $300. Engine was running when pulled and the trans was rebuild, but never tested because the linkage was wrong. Got it for a steal.
I decided to rebuild the engine to a 408, and have the trans upgraded to include a shift kit, wide kevlar bands, racing clutches and a 2700 stall. Heads went to the shop too, 1.88/1.6 valves to 2.02/1.6 valves. New locks and springs too. The engine I had vatted, bored .030, cleaned, chamfered, new freeze plugs and new cam bearings.
engine before
engine after
Heads before
Heads after
Transmission comes back Monday.
for medical bills. Unfortunately for him, and fortunately for me, his loss was my gain. I went asking around and found a 360 and 727 tans out of a winnebago for $300. Engine was running when pulled and the trans was rebuild, but never tested because the linkage was wrong. Got it for a steal.
I decided to rebuild the engine to a 408, and have the trans upgraded to include a shift kit, wide kevlar bands, racing clutches and a 2700 stall. Heads went to the shop too, 1.88/1.6 valves to 2.02/1.6 valves. New locks and springs too. The engine I had vatted, bored .030, cleaned, chamfered, new freeze plugs and new cam bearings.
engine before
engine after
Heads before
Heads after
Transmission comes back Monday.
02-12-2013, 05:17 PM
#2
Mopar Fan
Thread Starter
Meanwhile, I was waiting for the engine and trans I started the body work that did need to be done. The trunk pan was in the worst shape, and the driver floor board had a rust hole in it.
Trunk Before
Trunk After
Welded some holes.
Now I'll be working on the floor and dash. Bought a new dash and console, will be fabricating a bezel for the dash this weekend, and hopefully I'll have time to clean and paint the floor too... I'll post more as the build continues!
Trunk Before
Trunk After
Welded some holes.
Now I'll be working on the floor and dash. Bought a new dash and console, will be fabricating a bezel for the dash this weekend, and hopefully I'll have time to clean and paint the floor too... I'll post more as the build continues!
Last edited by DanK; 02-12-2013 at 05:19 PM. Reason: Forgot the dash pic!
02-23-2013, 05:58 AM
#9
Mopar Fan
Thread Starter
Honestly, I don't know yet if the mounts will line up. According to all I've read, the case on the 727 torqueflite and the 727 loadflite are the same, so I am assuming they do. I do know that I will have to put a fluid cooler on it, and have a custom drive shaft made.
Last edited by DanK; 02-23-2013 at 06:05 AM.
05-22-2013, 06:09 PM
#10
Mopar Fan
Thread Starter
Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I have been working a lot of overtime. I was able to get some more work done though.
Interior stripped, cleaned and painted with rust preventative.
Removed the bumper and grill for refinishing. Removed the fender to realign a saggy door, but realized that the lower hinge needs replacing. So... waiting on more parts.
I'll keep updating... All engine internals are here except the rotating assembly, which is scheduled to come in next Wednesday...
Interior stripped, cleaned and painted with rust preventative.
Removed the bumper and grill for refinishing. Removed the fender to realign a saggy door, but realized that the lower hinge needs replacing. So... waiting on more parts.
I'll keep updating... All engine internals are here except the rotating assembly, which is scheduled to come in next Wednesday...
05-23-2013, 05:03 AM
#13
Mopar Lover
I'm like Joe.... How did I miss this one???? Great build and thanks for keeping us posted..... Will be watching......and waiting for your next post..... 
11-10-2013, 07:21 PM
#28
Mopar Lover
Dan...Take a close look at those valve covers.....
They love to hit the intake runner and cause you to chase an oil leak....
I had to use extra think valve cover gaskets to get it sealed....
Looking Very Good...
They love to hit the intake runner and cause you to chase an oil leak....
I had to use extra think valve cover gaskets to get it sealed....
Looking Very Good...
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DanK (11-11-2013)
11-11-2013, 05:17 AM
#30
Mopar Fan
Thread Starter
RacerHog,
Sure enough, it looks like the covers are sitting on the intake. Again, thanks for the notice. Do you remember which gaskets worked for you?
Thanks!
Sure enough, it looks like the covers are sitting on the intake. Again, thanks for the notice. Do you remember which gaskets worked for you?
Thanks!
