I just bought a 74 Plymouth Duster (with Slant Six of coarse).

This car is coming from California (California Car) to where I live in central Florida.

I would like your opinion(s) on any changes/modifications that I should make with the climate change (or changes / things to check/do in general).

Thermostat? Oil grade? Fuel grade? Timing/mixture? etc?

The car is currently in near running condition. The near running is because it needs a carb kit which I already have to put on it. I will also be giving it a complete tune-up regardless of whether the part needs to be changed or not (plugs, wires, belts, PCV valve, etc; basic stuff).

Anyway, when you have a moment, can you tell me your thoughts on things I should do, check, change, etc to bring this car to peak performance.

Any thoughts/recommendations you have are appreciated.

Thank you all!

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1974 Plymouth Duster

Hello and welcome. I suggest you read THIS thread (click on the red text) and the threads referenced in that thread.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Thank you for your response. I think those threads covered everything well minus anyone's person thoughts/feelings/experiences and the following:

Thermostat? Oil grade? Fuel grade?

based on a central Florida heat/climate?

Thank you all again.

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1974 Plymouth Duster

Thermostat? Get a Stant Superstat of the stock temperature rating. If you are worried about overheating, or if the Duster is already overheating, you need to get the rest of your cooling system cleaned out and repaired before you do anything like run a colder thermostat. Get a fan shroud and/or a larger radiator if you are still running hot.

Oil grade? Depends on the condition of your motor. Here in the Pacific Northwest, I run 5W-30 year round on all my family's daily driver motors. No problems on motors with less than 50k to more than 115K. Select your oil viscosity based on severity of service, average ambient temperatures, and condition of the motor.

Fuel grade? On a stock motor there is no need to buy anything with a higher octane rating than 87 (regular).

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

nroberts, On my 74 Swinger I run the stock 195 degree stat, 0-30W Mobile 1, 87 octane fuel.

Stay with the 16# radiator cap.

Since the fuel has changed (10% or more ethanol) I use plugs two heat ranges cooler from stock.

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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