JoesEdge

Just recently I realized that I wasn't a member here, so I thought I'd join.

I have a '74 Plymouth Duster that I bought in late 2013 as a project for myself, my father, and my son to work on. We're from Downey, CA and part of Inland Mopars.

Unfortunately, in March of 2014 my dad was diagnosed with advanced renal failure and he passed away last year (2015) in October so he never got to work on it or see it back on the street.

So...my son and I restored this car as a tribute to my dad in a way.

It started life with a 318 and a 3 speed manual. Now it sports a warmed over 360 and 4 speed. The 360 was built over at IMM in Indio, CA and was dyno'd at 403 HP. It has EQ magnum heads and a Comp Cams XE286H cam. The 4 speed was rebuilt locally.

The interior originally was parchment, but now it's all black. It originally had a bench seat, but now it sports seat out of an E Body.

I still need to rebuild the suspension but I want to make it handle really well so I can take it up twisty mountain roads. I also have a B body rear end that I plan to rebuild to replace the 8 1/4 rear end. The extra width of B body rear end will improve the stance.

I've attached some pictures of show she sits right now. I hope you like.

Joey

RacerHog

Great Tribute to your Pops by you and your son... Our condolences to you and the family for the loss of your Pops.. My he rest in peace, till you sit with him again... That is a nice looking project you have there.... Brian Does a Fine job with the Mopar stuff !!!! Hope you get a nice long life out of it. Hope you guys get to spend some cruising time over at Johnnys Broiler.... Really cool place to hang out and chat.. Anyway... Welcome to the site. Hope you like it here. It is a little slower than some of the other site... But there is a bunch of good folks here to chat with....
Agian Welcome and jump rite in.. Keep us posted on the frontend overhaul....

JoesEdge

Thanks Bob!!

I hope to start ordering more parts soon. It's just that I feel I may need a rebuilt steering box that will put me over budget. I was thinking something like a Stage III from either Firm Feel or Steer & Gear. Although, the Borgeson steering box from Bergman AutoKraft is pretty tempting. Of course, that one would surely put me way over budget. I'm still trying to decide.

Cruise night at Johnie's Broiler (actually, now it's Bob's Big Boy but that's a long story) was tonight. I had driven by, and there were some cool cars. I would have gone, but it was gym night. Maybe next week I'll go.

Joey

RacerHog

You can always check out a rebuild.... National Gear Repair In South El Monte.... All Geared Up in Baldwin Park... Might be a couple of options. Might be worth a phone call to get you over the hump for now?
Or if it's just leaking... The kits and seat are not to hard to install. You just have to be careful of the steering centering valve adjustment on the top of the unit....


Keep us posted...

JoesEdge

Thanks Bob!!

First thing I'm going to try is replacing all the joints and bushings just to see if that cures my problems. If i still have sloppy steering, then I'll pull the steering box and have it rebuilt.

It's good to know there are local shops I can take it too. I did pull a steering box out of a 75 Valiant that I have a spare, maybe I can have them test it and and swap it out if it's good.

Joey

RacerHog

Sounds like a good plan...
Keep us posted...