73 Plymouth duster question
 

Hey guys
I am new to this board. I have a a few questions. i just picked up a 73 duster and its already a drag car. I am planning to build it to run stock. the only issue with the car is that its has 71 demon front fenders on it and grill. does that matter.

also I am having a hard time finding the desination for what I am claimming. its going to be a 318 with a 4 barrel. if anybody knows or can tell how to figure it out

thanx guys

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

I'm right there with ya I've been trying trying to get a 71 Duster put together to run SS I don't think the the fronts going to make a diffrence if you claim Duster or Demon but I would find your div rep and ask them

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Without actually checking, I wouldn't think a 1/2 Duster/ 1/2 Demon would be allowed. But '73 and '74 Duster front clip parts are the same. Not too hard to find.

318 4 barrel doesn't exist in any NHRA or IHRA Stock combos for '73 or '74.
318 2 barrel of either year, 340-4 for '73 or 360-4 for '74. Other options include IHRA-only crate motors that are or were available over the parts counter and accepted by IHRA or Stock GT which could use a later model year 318-4.

You need to get some rulebooks and do lots of research!

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

well this for NHRA stock eliminator. I have been looking in the rule books trying to understand the literature. LOL. the engine I am going to build is going to be a 318 and I have to run a 2 barrel so be it, hell I am running on just the primaries on my bracket car and running 11.60's it should run good. I still have a lot homework to do

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Myron is correct. If you claim a Duster, It must BE a Duster as far as the body is concerned. No crossbreeding of parts. There were no 318 four barrel A bodies offered by Chrysler. In 1980 the 318 four barrel was offered in the F body (Aspen & Volare). The 318 two barrel is not a good choice as the stock carb is insufficient. A 340 or a 360 would be your only choice for those year bodies. Do your homework and read the approved combo list. Jim

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

As Jim and Myron have pointed out keep reading the rule book.

You have mentioned that your bracket car runs 11:60 on just the
primaries (no secondaries) is this the 318 motor you are thinking
of running in stock?

Read the rule book and check the NHRA website for the engine
specs to see what valve size is allowed, cam lift/duration, what pistons
and rods are legal for the class you want to run.

Also keep in mind that 360 parts are (resonably) dirt cheap and it is
42 more cubic inches and allows a 4 bbl carb.

Good luck with your project.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

MY bracket car is a 68 chevelle with a 396, but anyway thank for the help guys. I just a line on a 340 and a 360. another question I have does the engine casting number have to match model year of the car. like 73 duster has to have a 73 block. or can it be any year block just as long as the internals are legal and the casting number heads, intake, and carb are correct.

thanx guys

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Block casting number does not matter. It just must be a 360 block if you are claiming a 360. Internals must be the approved parts as published in the NHRA guide. Jim

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

thanx jim this all starting to make sense to me
, so its either going to a 340 or 360
thanx

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

The 360 block can be replaced with the new R blocks and quite a few racers are using 318/340 main blocks with a 360 crank. That is legal per NHRA as long as the stroke and cubes are there. With the small journal crank the spinning assembly is a lot lighter.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

One other thing the Tail Lights must Macth the front end.
The Demon Tail lights are a total difference than any Duster Tail lights.

We went throught this is Super Stock.Had to change from a 1972 Plymouth Duster to a Dodge Demon to stay in the same Class.Change Front ends and Cut tail lights out of the Duster and instal Demon tail lights.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

If you decide to change the taillights to a Demon and keep the front end, you will be limited to a '71 Demon with a high compression 340 or a '72 Demon with a low compression 340.

Side marker lights are also different between '71 and '72. I don't know how picky tech is with that or with any small differences between a '71 and '72 Demon grille.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

The right 340 combo for 1970 340 with the Carter AVS carb,
The right 340 combo for 1971 340 with the Thermo-quad,
Tail-lights are also different on the Dusters,
I would say, 'can' the Demon experiment, and stay with the option on the Duster, for 70 or 71.
As for the 318 2- barrel/230HP rating in the early 70's. A 'Bad' combo
in K/S and later L/S.
PC

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Am wondering out loud why they are so fussy about that tail light difference? No wonder car counts are dropping.....:D WJ

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Its the "LOOK" and integrity of the class. Everyone calls the class cars Bracket racing but they dont need to look like bracket cars.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

well its going to be a 73 duster I decidied. all I need is a grill front fenders, so no big deal. now I just need to decide if I want to go 340 or 360

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

'73 has to be a 340 only
'74 has to be a 360 only

The main difference between the 2 model year bodies is that a '74 has rear shock absorber-type bumper brackets. Not sure how strict NHRA is about that but NHRA regulars may know. They do help with the weight in the back since they are heavier than standard brackets used in previous years.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Myron,

Now that would be funny, letting the huge aircraft carrier bumper mount slide but worrying about some plastic tailights!

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Bobby,
Yea, you never know. Some tech guys may pass it and some may not, if they even notice. So it's best to ask.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Guys, the difference in the tail lights on a Demon and a Duster is HUGE! It would be like a Camaro running Firebird tail lights! Also the Demon has a one inch longer wheel base than a Duster, 107 to 108. Check the specs. They are both A bodies but there are big differences. Front fenders, hood, grille and bumper (depending on year). I don't think a Firebird would pass tech with Camaro tail lights. Jim

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

It has been a while since I've seen one, when did Mopar go from the small bumpers to the style where you could sit on them like a park bench? I had a Ford and the rear bumper sat 6! A lady I knew had a Purple '70 340 (I think) Duster and it was one where the purple came off. Really liked the Demon version, great looking cars.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Myron, correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the big bumpers came out in 1973 or '74 for the A bodies. The Demon was renamed the Dart Sport in '73 because of some flack received from Reverend Billy Grahm. Jim

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

When Mopar went to the large bumper, did they all have those big black rubber "bumperettes" on them?

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

They BOTH have a 108 wheelbase Jim.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Hey! Your name isn't Myron! Only Myron can correct me! Seriously, I know what the NHRA specs say, but I have owned many many A bodies and have seen the wheelbase difference and have read it in many other sources. Not worth arguing about. The point I was making is there are more differences in the two A bodies than most people realize. Also the dash changed majorly in the A body in 1972.

Terry, do you think NHRA or IHRA would allow an early model Firebird Stocker or Super Stocker to run Camaro tail lights?

Bobby, it was an option. Jim

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

You did say in your original post that you want to race in "stock" class. Reading this thread you wonder why no one wants to do this any more. Tail lights between a Demon and a Duster are different. Average joe who had one of the cars probably doesn't really remember the difference. If you park 25 1970's "Super Stock" cars side by side there will be differences in every single one of them.

I had a 1970 Nova that I race in both Stock and Super Stock, bought it right of the top of the transporter, before it ever hit the dealers property. That car was a 350 cu, 4 barrell, four speed car. When you looked at, it part of the SS pieces were there and some were not. After having some discussion over whether I had bought an SS Nova or just another 70 nova, I started to investigate why it was built the way it was. Got in touch with an individual at General Motor and gave him the vin of the car. His exact comment was "the car came down the assembly line on Friday morning before Labor Day Holiday. The closer to time to close down the more the parts got changed."

Now 30 year later I have been working on racing a MOPAR and have talked to a lot of "old" MOPAR super stock racers and mechanics and can tell you there were all kinds of things different on those cars all in the same year model. Example being, the front disc brake spindles, which I have been working with for over a month. 1972 A-body spindles used a four piston caliper, current price $175, 1973 A-body spindle used a single piston caliper, current price $29. Start checking and find that earlier 1972's with a particular ball joint would have four piston while later in the year could have the single piston and different ball joint.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Dart /Demon specs:
Also called Dodge Demon
Production 1970–1976
Assembly Belvidere, Illinois, United States
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Hamtramck, Michigan, United States
Los Angeles, California, United States
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Newark, Delaware, United States
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Bogota, Colombia
Body style(s) 4-door sedan
2-door hardtop
2-door coupé
2-door convertible
Platform A-body
Engine(s) 198 cu in (3.2 L) Slant-6 I6
225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-6
318 cu in (5.2 L) V8
340 cu in (5.6 L) V8
360 cu in (5.9 L) V8
Transmission(s) 4-speed manual
3-speed manual
3-speed Torqueflite automatic
Wheelbase 110.0 in (2794 mm)
Demon: 108.0 in (2743 mm)
Length 196.2 in (4983 mm)
Demon: 192.5 in (4890 mm)
Width 69.6 in (1768 mm)
Demon: 71.6 in (1819 mm)
Height 54.0 in (1372 mm)
Related Plymouth Valiant
Chrysler Valiant

Plymouth Duster Specs:
Production 1970-1976
Assembly Hamtramck, Michigan
Maywood, California
(1971 Model Year Only)
Body style(s) 2-door coupe
Layout FR layout
Platform A-body
Engine(s) 198 cu in (3.2 L) Slant 6
225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant 6
318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8
340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8
360 cu in (5.9 L) LA V8
Transmission(s) 3-speed manual
4-speed manual
3-speed TorqueFlite automatic
Wheelbase 108.0 in (2743 mm)
Related Plymouth Valiant
Dodge Dart

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

[QUOTE=Jim Wahl;

Terry, do you think NHRA or IHRA would allow an early model Firebird Stocker or Super Stocker to run Camaro tail lights?

No..........Not unless tech didnt catch it from lack of attention.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Dart Sports and Dusters

1973 - Both had "normal" bumper brackets front and rear.

1974 - Both had only the rear bumpers with the 5mph shock absorber bumper brackets.

1975 - Both had the shock absorber bumper brackets at both ends.

Not sure if there were any mid-model year changes.
The Swinger/Scamp/Custom, etc. may have started a year earlier with the 5 mph bumper brackets than the Dart Sports and Dusters.

Again, I guess it depends on the tech guy.

Jim, I have to agree with Terry. Dusters, Demons and Dart Sports were made with 108" wheelbases. There are always production tolerences, which may be why they allow a 3/4" variance, if I remember correctly.

From the side, it is difficult to tell the difference between the cars even if you know the little things to look for. But as has been discussed, they had major changes in grilles and taillights in most years and certainly between Dodge and Plymouth versions of the a-body. It's been talked about here before where NHRA had tossed people for not having the correct emblems on the car, dashes, seats, etc. They have slacked off some, but not to the point of using different year or model body parts.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

First time I've EVER heard of a Demon having a 107" wheelbase. Both Dusters and Demons were built on the same body shell.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Myron, I have a friend who has a Demon Stocker. The car is a '71 and is run both as a '71 and a '72. When he switches engines, he also switches the grille. I'm pretty sure NHRA and IHRA are OK with the '71 side marker lights when he's running it as a '72.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Here is the 1973 Plymouth Duster Tail Lights Red car Top.

The 1971 Dodge Demon Tail Lights is the White Car

Any one can tell the Difference..Plus one is a Plymouth and the other a Dodge




http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/...h-duster-7.jpg

http://www.valiant.org/photos/dodge/demon.jpg

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Joe. See me at the Sacramento Open.I'll be there Fri. a.m.@ test and tune thru sunday last round. Randy Bursell

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

Joe, See me at the Sacramento Open. I'll be there Fri. A.M. through sunday last round. Randy Bursell I/SA 791.Iwill have the stocker not my 73 duster D/Gas car.

Re: 73 Plymouth duster question
 

I happen to have a picture of a '73 Duster handy.