I have a 1973 Plymouth Duster. The drivetrain is all stock and I am looking to boost the power. I just want to be able to turn the tires over at will. It is a 225 slat 6 with 3 on the tree. I am looking for a way to beef up the motor for less than $1000 (getting married soon) any ideas or recomendations? Thanks

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Steve Brickner Jr
1973 Plymouth Duster

Welcome...
Do you know the rear end's gear ratio?

The 3-speed is a handycap, you would have alot more fun if you change it to a 4-on-the-floor (833) transmission.

Have you done a tune-up and valve adjustment?
Fast distributor advance can really help.

Does the car have anti-sway bars? Do you like a car that corners well?

After the above, a "Super Six" 2 bbl and improved exhaust flow would be good "power improvements".
DD

Im not very mechanically inclined so I'm not sure whats all been done, I know its been tuned up. I've had the car for about 7 years and put about 10,000 miles on it. How much would a super 6 upgrade cost me and could I get by with the 3 speed? How can I tell what rear end I have?

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Steve Brickner Jr
1973 Plymouth Duster

The three speed should get you by, I eventually switched to the four speed overdrive unit. The two barrel won't cost much to convert over, look on e-bay and it should cost around 150 for the whole procedure. I just sold my last one to Steph, so can't help you to much there. Assuming your not to mechanically inlcined does that mean you don't have tools? I would look at pulling the radiator and switching out to a more aggressive cam, have your head shaved, get a good ignition and headers and your money should be spent. Take care and good luck!
PS welcome to the board!

3 on the tree sucks. Eventually that linkage will give you lots of problems. There is no way to mount a floor shifter with that tranny AFAIK. Just pulled mine out.

Another type 3 speed should have the mounts.

If you wanna teurn over the tires? Put your foot half way to the floor and side step the clutch

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'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers on jack stands for 8 years in the driveway
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam/rusting in the driveway.
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab needs a injector pump
2005 Golden Couch Buick

No Clutch its an auto. I can Brake Stand it but thats it.

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Steve Brickner Jr
1973 Plymouth Duster

Welcome Steve
OK its NOT a 3 on the tree its an auto on the colum. Will most likely have a 2.76 rear end. See your in better shape than you thought.
Frank

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Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

FYI: you have an automatic on the column, not 3 on the tree.

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Chris'
Autobody
Restoration
Service

Remove the rear brake shoes

Kip-on-Truckin'

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1965 Valiant wagon Turbo slant (work in progress)
2000 Chevy 155" cargo van - The Abductor
1970 Newport convertible
1996 Buick Roadmaster Wagon
1966 CruiseAire motor home
1990 Toyota 1 ton box truck TURBO slant (scraped)

A good torque convertor woudl help a lot.


Also I think pulling the head and milling it .100, a new cam (keep it small) and 2 1/4 exhaust with a good muffler would be the best way to go.


These little things can transform a slant six. Take your time and find a super six on a old car somehwere cheap and forget E-bay.

At this piont, you will have spent your money. When you have the head milled you want them to do a angled valve job also.


You can tune your factory carb and get a lot out of it untill you find a SS. Also tune the distributor curve ( both cheap upgrades).


The exhaust. the head work, and the convertor are the things that will make the most diff.


Jess

.... And a lower rear end gear ratio, especially if the car currently has a 2.76 ratio in it.
DD

smbrickner,
If you have a 2.76 gear ratio, do a search on "engine builds" and look for mine on "torque and mileage build". I have an automatic also plus a 8 3/4 posi-traction rear end with P235 tires. I can break the tires loose at will.

It may be possible to recurve your distributor to get some of the punch your looking for and a comprehensive tune up. You will have to do some research and good planning to maximize the $1000 budget. Knowing the condition of your motor and the parts that are on it will go a long way in putting a good plan together.

If you can't find the build sheet and tuning instructions, send me your email.

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Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG