73 Plymouth duster question

[Joe Janusch]

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

[Hemiparts]

Originally Posted by Joe Janusch

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

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

[Myron Piatek]

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!

[Joe Janusch]

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

[Jim Wahl]

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

[Philip Saran]

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.

[Joe Janusch]

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

[Jim Wahl]

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

[Joe Janusch]

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

[aspen7709]

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.