New member in WI (79 Duster project)

[ecmitchell58]

Hi, I am Everett located in Beloit WI, Just picked up a 79 volare duster and this is my first F body mopar, I am looking to do some upgrades to the drivetrain and steering and thought there might be some useful info on this board. anyways thanks in advance for any help and direction
Everett

[klb6469]

Welcome Everett, glad to have you. Congrats on the new purchase and will try to answer any and all questions that you have. Get some pictures and post them, lets see what you got.:thumbsup:

[White Aspen R/T]

Welcome aboard Everett...I am kinda new to this site also...I am kinda new to an F body also..but feel free to fire away with any questions...Eric

[redramblur]

Well if you are looking into making the car handle better replace the rubber front k-member isolator bushings with solid ones.
Then replace the rubber between the leaf spring and the rear axle.
The front of the leaf also has an oval bushing rather than a circle and should be replaced with a solid setup too. this all causes the car to float around and once replaced it will drive like a dream.

check the suspension area of the site for all kinds of help on this stuff

[270SE]

Welcome. Not sure what you are starting with but 77AspenSE project, dch-65's thread has most all the tips you'll here in it and install pics. It's a good thread to read through.

Big difference between a 360 Duster and a slant six Duster. Much more mods to do to a slant six car that may have to be done to a 318 car too.

[ecmitchell58]

well, after I got to looking at the car, it was originally a 6 car, but somewhere down the line someone had installed a 318, currently it sits with no motor but I have picked up a cheap 360 and 727 out of an RV ( probably some trans mods here for sure), It appears someone had welded in the v8 mounts to the K frame so some investigating here is in order ( I am more famiiar with brand X where there are only slight differences between 6/8 cars.) rearend upgrade is a must . The car definately has potential as it is probably 97% rust free and has been stored inside for the last 15-18 years. I will be asking lots of questions on what parts can be interchanged (suspension, engine, trans etc) Thanks for the help (in advance)
Everett

[270SE]

Make sure to ID your rear. Some slant cars had 8.25" rears and a lot of V8 swaps get rears from donors.

As long as the 727 is a long tail shaft trans like a standard car trans, you'll be fine.