New here and looking for some info
10-21-2009, 07:32 PM
#1
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New here and looking for some info
Hello all new to this site and to the classic mopar world. I currently own a 2007 Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins Turbo Diesel, so I'm in the dodge club.
I'm currently considering a 1973 Plymouth Duster for my son's 1st car. It looks to be a clean rust free mostly original car. It is a 318 with an automatic. I've never even looked at one of these before and wondered if there were things I should look for when I go to see it.'
Also, if we were to buy it, we'd want to swap it to a manual transmission. Has anyone done a swap using a T5 5speed transmission into these cars? If so, does anyone have any advice.
Thanks!
I'm currently considering a 1973 Plymouth Duster for my son's 1st car. It looks to be a clean rust free mostly original car. It is a 318 with an automatic. I've never even looked at one of these before and wondered if there were things I should look for when I go to see it.'
Also, if we were to buy it, we'd want to swap it to a manual transmission. Has anyone done a swap using a T5 5speed transmission into these cars? If so, does anyone have any advice.
Thanks!
10-22-2009, 03:12 AM
#2
Admin
First off welcome.
If/When you go to look at the car, you'll want to pay close attention to the trunk, floor boards, torsion bar area and inner fenders. make sure you give it a good going over.
About the swap, the easiest way to go about doing it is to find a donor car that has everything you need; tranny, pedals, linkage, etc.. There are complete kit out there that people on here have mentioned but I don't recall the company names off the top of my head.
If/When you go to look at the car, you'll want to pay close attention to the trunk, floor boards, torsion bar area and inner fenders. make sure you give it a good going over.
About the swap, the easiest way to go about doing it is to find a donor car that has everything you need; tranny, pedals, linkage, etc.. There are complete kit out there that people on here have mentioned but I don't recall the company names off the top of my head.
10-22-2009, 02:05 PM
#3
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kiesler ofers a complete kit or they sell pcs. for a swap. they even offer the driveshaft in the kit, the pedals, hump everything, and they have a conversion for a hydraulic clutchsetup as well. I agree w/ tim, look the frame areas over very well. they offer all the body panels now, so if the panels have issues thats no big deal. look at the front susp. pcs. too. see how bad the bushings are wore. if theyre really bad, Your gonna put some money in that to redo.
10-22-2009, 03:57 PM
#5
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I know scotty, and look at the parts and friction you eliminate babe. man, Its lightyears to the origional setup. and you dont have to worry about the ball stud top snapping off on you, Like they re so prone to do. I dont know how many times ,ive jumped on my car, and the top snap off, then you have to fight dry shifting it in traffic to get it home.
10-22-2009, 09:22 PM
#6
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Thanks for the tips on what to look for. Overall the car kiioks pretty clean. he's sent me several pictures. I'm on the fence about looking at it right now. The car is about 2 hours away, and it needs to be trailered. It starts and runs, but the gas tank is rusty so the lines clog up after it runs for a bit. That doesn't scare me, but right now we're about $500 apart on price. I'm not gonna make the drive until we can get a little closer on the $$.
As far as the trans swap, I was definitely thinking hydraulic. With the availability of the systems, it seems like it would be a much better idea than trying to retrofit an old bell crank system.
As far as the trans swap, I was definitely thinking hydraulic. With the availability of the systems, it seems like it would be a much better idea than trying to retrofit an old bell crank system.
10-23-2009, 06:15 AM
#8
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I'm a firm believer that a muscle car ought to have a manual transmission. It's much more fun in my mind. Also, I want the boy's first car to be a manual transmission. I want him to be able to drive a stick. I know many guys, even my age, that don't know how to drive a stick, and that just doesn't seem right! I know I'm a bit weird about it, but that's my opinion.
10-23-2009, 06:46 PM
#10
Mopar Lover
I'm currently considering a 1973 Plymouth Duster for my son's 1st car. It looks to be a clean rust free mostly original car. It is a 318 with an automatic. I've never even looked at one of these before and wondered if there were things I should look for when I go to see it.'
that is a place to look for water damage
if any of those seals go, where the dash meets the windshield, that'll tell you a lot
10-23-2009, 09:34 PM
#11
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My last stick was a built 86 Z28 that went sideways through first, and the other way through second. Just the whine of the gears made my pants shorter! I had a centerforce clutch and finally got to the point where I didnt even let off the gas, I would just stab the clutch and hit the next gear! It was t-5 tranny, not supposed to take that abuse, but never a problem with it. I think its cause I never hooked and put the torque back into the drivetrain.
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