Project EH-Body - 1976 Plymouth Duster

[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

[Riddler]

Well I've been working on Project "Eh" body.

Since the last update of setting up the rotisserie, I've removed all the suspension, body plugs, clips, etc etc. This was done with the help of Keith Zimmer. Truely one of the car gods. Thanks Keith!

Rear suspension


Front suspension and old brake lines


So to complete the removal of all the body plugs, clips, etc we got to play whirl the Duster around!




Well since everything was off it and Keith's blasting it for me, we decided to just take the car over there today.




The truck showed up and it's loaded. Nice to see another Mopar hauling my Mopar!




When the car come back next week it'll be blasted and epoxy coated. Then I'll start the metal work.

Riddler

[Riddler]

Well today I made it over to the media blaster's. He warned me that the fender's were no good. I was heart broken since I knew the car was practically rust free.

The fender's turned out to be not bad at all. Just has some minor waves in the driver's side and the passenger has a small hit in the front.

Passenger Side:


I should be able to tap these out....

Driver's side:

You can still see where the bondo is. He's going to finish up blasting the fenders of bondo and then I should be able to bang them back into shape.

He then showed me the hood and trunk lid. He said these are some of the best parts he's ever blasted. Barely any paint on them and they had practically no rust.

Hood:


Trunk Lid:



The last picture is of the car on the rotisserie waiting until all the smaller parts are done.



Well that's all for now....stay tuned...

Riddler

[Riddler]

Well I started working some on the Hemi 5.7L to get it cleaned up and converted to a car LX motor.

I started by removing the truck manifolds, accessories and motor mounts.



While trying to get the pulley bolt out, I broke it. WTF?



Right now I'm at the point of getting a smaller puller 3 jaw puller. Once I get the pulley off, I'm hoping to be able to get at the bolt.

Riddler

[Riddler]

Well after waiting 8 long weeks, the Duster has arrived home. I'm eager to dig in on metal work but I know it's going to be a long slow process. I don't have an end date in mind, and honestly I see this as a project for a few years. Money permitting.

Here's what I have to work with after media blast and epoxy primer. The car has been hit on both sides very lightly. Both quarter's need work. The front floor pans are also pretty much shot. I have new one to put down anyway! Onto the pictures....

Full car shot on rotisserie


Driver's side quarter with slide tool holes.


Driver's rear seat belt mount. Both are sides are gone.


Driver's front floor pan or whats left of it.


Driver's front A pillar. The lead from the factory came out during media blast.


Engine bay


Passenger side front floor.


Passenger side rear seat belt mount.


Passenger side rear quarter. The only rust to the outside body panels. Small patch will fix this.


Passenger side trunk extension. It looks like the previous owner jacked the car from that pinch weld.


Trunk area clean


and finally the roof with very slight dents.


Now that I have the car back the plan is to work a small amount each day on it. I have to return the rotisserie so the plan is to make some stands with casters that bolt to the bumper bolt locations.

Riddler

[Riddler]

I haven't really done much since I've been parting out my Neon. But I have made some purchases.

This is a fuel door pocket off a newer challenger with the Retro look fuel door.





The plan is to replace the stock Duster fuel door with this one.

Riddler

[Riddler]

Well as I'm sure you can tell, I haven't really started cutting metal and such. I have however saved up and bought some more parts.

Here's my front RMS Alterktion.






Then since I went to a different spindle I needed new brakes. Wilwood had some really nice 4 piston Dynalites with 12.19" rotors.






I'm hoping to be cutting metal soon. I've got alot to do. My goal is to have rolling chassis by xmas.

Riddler

[GregWeld]

Nice work!



Best part of these projects is working with people you like hanging out with... it makes it all so much more fun. Sometimes you have good intentions of doing lots of work - and only end up getting pizza.... and going to the store with them for something they need... LOL


It's a journey -- enjoy it!

[GregWeld]

By the way --- NO on the short hair fiberglass.... just use a good quality bondo!


It's WAY easier to use and is the proper way to make this stuff flat and smooth...

You'll find that fiberglass doesn't really bond that well with metal...

[MTMouse]

Welcome to Lateral-G. I've been here for 5 years and you already have more post than me