About Jesse Moser Expertise I specialize in the Plymouth Duster from 1970 to 1973, allthough 1974 through 1976 Dusters are nearly identical. 340s, Twisters, Feather Dusters (the cars!), whatever "A" body Duster you have, I can probably give you some info.
Experience I own a 1973 Duster with the Twister options package. I've been searching for information on this specific car since 1995 and have acquired much general and specific knowledge in the process.
Organizations belong to: Mopar Mailing List
Question I will start by saying that I don't own a Duster, but it's clone the Dart Sport. It is a 74 with a 318ci and auto trans. My other problem is I replaced the stocke intake with a Edelbrock Performer manifold and carb. My problem is that in neutral/park it runs fine (as throttle is increased). I put it in gear and it bogs and loads up with fuel. I pretty sure I know what the problem is but not the solution. I have STUPIDLY come up with a extra spring and I am sure it goes some where to the trans. When dissassembly was performed it produced three springs and two did go to the carb. I am a novice mechanic and everyone I know loves them other brands so they are no help. Any help or direction to other sources would be appreciated. Thanks Kenneth
Answer Kenneth, I'm not sure where that extra spring came from either. My 73 Duster, 318 2bbl, has only 2 springs. One to close the throttle, which has a fairly large diameter, and one for the kickdown linkage, which has a small diameter. My kickdown spring is painted red, though yours may be different. Maybe your Dart Sport had a dual spring on one of these (one spring inside the other)?
Assuming everything else inside the engine is in good working order, check the carb for vaccuum leaks. The Performer carb has 4 vaccuum ports, make sure you've plugged all the ones you're not using. The best way I've found to check for a vaccuum leak is to squirt a small stream of water out of a spray bottle at the possible leakage points. Also check the carb base gasket and the manifold-to-head gasket. If there IS a leak the engine will slow down when you spay the leaking area, as the engine is getting water into the combustion chamber.
If that does not work, check your timing. I had a similar bogging problem with my Duster, though only sometimes, and it turned out that the original timing chain was so worn that it was ready to jump time.
Please keep me updated. I will search my other resources and if I find any other possible solutions, I'll let you know.
