Project EH-Body - 1976 Plymouth Duster

[Riddler]

Well I'm new to lateral G but I've been building my car for 3-4 years. Please forgive as I try and get this new build back on track to match up with the others sites I'm on.

Here's a rendering I had done from Mascoll Designs.




The plan for the car is 6.1L Hemi (425hp), T-56 (Viper) and an 8 3/4" rear end. I have a tube front end with rack and sway bar and a rear 4 triangular four link.

The suspension is all from Reilly Motorsports.

Please forgive me while I ad 3-4 years of posts to this thread.

Riddler

[Riddler]

This is what the car looks like when we brought it home...








Overall a solid car from the USA. I'll be adding to this project long as time goes on.

Riddler

[Riddler]

First things first. The interior smelled like Moth Balls. It was used to get the mice out of the car since it was stored in a barn. The entire interior was removed.

One Seat removed


Both Seats removed


Rear Seat and Carpet Removed


The only rust I've found so far. Also note the center hump has had another hump installed over it with screws and seam sealer.


Driver's Side Rust



Well the interior is out, I've located and purchased a set of floor pans. Not sure I'll need them since it's mostly surface rust. I can prolly make due just patching with some small sheet metal cutouts for the holes.

Total dead mice found - 4

The plan is have the entire car blasted.

Riddler

[Riddler]

Well I've started to disassemble the car down so that I can get it blasted.




Front end gettig stripped down first.


Fenders came off once we found all the nuts.



Only surface rust. Woohoo!



Riddler

[Riddler]

Well the disassembly continues. This time I went to the back of the car and started to remove everything.




The gas tank was brand new. At least that's what I've been told.




This is going to be a larger job. Someone in the past has screwed down another (Volare/Aspen) center hump over the stock hump. Then they seam sealed it. Gonna have to grind the screw heads off a peel this center section off.


This concludes this disassembly installment.

Riddler

[Riddler]

Well I got alot more done this weekend. I'm also finally up to date on the pictures. This is how the car is currently sitting...

Look ma, no glass...





Pictures of the glass out of the car.
Front:

Rear:


So this was my goal this weekend, to get the glass out. After about an hour I had it all out. So I went for bonus removal on items.

Started with the dash now since I could get to those bolts.



I figured the column would be very troublesome to get out. Nope the old owner had taken all the bolts, pins etc out and left them out. Just a quick pull and it came.



Now this this was all removed, we went to remove the brake booster and resivoir.


Not much left to remove. Engine and tranny will come out when I can get a hoist. The rear end can come out anytime now.



While taking out the rear quarter glass I found something strange. The driver's side has an extra piece of metal. How odd!
DRIVER'S:


PASSENGER'S:


This had to be a factory error. The piece of metal was not cut out unless god himself removed it. No evidence of cutting or anything.

Riddler

[Riddler]

Well I jumped back on the disassembly of the Duster this weekend. I decided I finally wanted the Volare/Aspen center hump and shifter removed to see what is under it.

Here's me grinding the screws and seam sealer off.


I went from this....


To this....


I then decided to remove the white peice of tin.


Yes that is a piece of a My Little Pony lunch pail! LOL

After this was all done I had some more spare time, so I figured I'd empty out the doors.




Finally both doors are ready for blasting.




On Saturday 31OCT2009 I got a call about a motor. I jumped in my truck with my brother in law Jim and purchased that motor.

Here's a small teaser for now....

[Riddler]

Without further ado.....

2005 5.7L 345CI Hemi. This elephant weighs prolly 600-750lbs. Thank to Jim for the help geting her home.






I'm hoping to find a 545RFE or something similar for behind this. I'm going to keep it automatic so my Wife can drive it also.

Riddler

[Riddler]

Haven't worked much on the car but I have been buying items.

Here's a factory correct console....



I've also sourced a set of tail light from a gent in Texas.




Last but not least is a complete rear suspension. Gone will be the old leaf spring suspension. This is an RMS Street Lynx kit.





That's all for now.

Riddler

[Riddler]

Well here's the latest update. Not much has happened since the last update due to the fact I up'd and moved on Jan 26 and my wife and I have been working on getting settled. But things have to get moving if I ever want to see this project completed.

First thing was to start making more room for things. So I cleared all the parts out and made room for more dissassembly.

Here'e my 8 3/4" E body rear end with a 489 center section.


With my brother in law away I had to recruite the help of my dad. Never had a chance to work with my dad on cars, but man it felt good, talking cars and about missed times...

Here's the 318 he helped my yank out.



After this out I could see the full extent of the k frame and steering box. The steering box must weigh a metric ton. Looks big and heavy!



After this was done I set up the rotisserie. I still need to get the car higher in the air and bolt it onto the rotisserie, but it's set-up and ready to go.




Well until the next update....

Riddler