"as if" restoration

I've been working on my '72 Duster for a while and ended up going in a direction of "as if" restoration. What that means to me is the engine compartment is put together "as if" the factory had modern technology in 1972. So what would a 1972 Duster look like if the factory had access to EFI and modern electronics. Of course there is no way to know for sure what they would've done so I just did my best. I'm using OEM parts as much as possible as well as factory type bolts, wires, harnesses, hoses, etc. I used a Cordoba radiator and shroud since they are factory parts but are designed for a big block. I used the late model spool type engine mounts since I think the factory would've gone that way had they put a big block in a Duster. I'm not sure on the headers. Ford engineers have used headers on the Mustang so it is possible that Mopar engineers would have installed headers. I used a billet master cylinder which I'm sure the factory would not have used but I liked the built in prop valve and it looks nice. I went with a Denso alternator which I think the factory would've done if they had had access to modern alternators.

The car also has a big anti-sway bar and 13 inch brakes with Viper rotors which I'm sure the factory would've installed if they had the technology. Anyway, just my take on things.

I suppose that's one way to look at it, any year you were thinking? I know today they would never use a copper brass radiator with mechanical fans (it would be aluminum/plastic with electric fans), a car without power brakes or power steering.

Otherwise a lot of this looks familiar to my Small Block. I've also got a T56 Magnum transmission.

Chrysler would've used whatever was the least-expensive option available to them that would get the car past its warranty period
Engine would all be one color, and things would also generally be as quick & easy to assemble as possible.
That said, it's a clean installation with obviously a lot of thought applied.

I think painting the fender flanges would be a nice finishing touch; everything else is so clean .
Honestly, I think the interior should either be blue or black, and not a mix of the two colors, but those are just my (unsolicited) opinions.

I recently had a LOT of sheet metal replaced on my '69 RR as well as some additional stuff like mini tubs, frame connectors, torque boxes etc installed at the same time. The guy doing the work said he'd make it look factory and I told him if I wanted a sloppy mess there are a hundred other shops I could have taken it to at a fraction of the cost !! If you want to make it look "factory", do it as if the day they built your car they actually gave a damn.

I would've painted the fender flanges had I thought about it at the time. Just an oversight on my part. The interior is a similar story. It was originally med blue but the only parts I've been able to find so far are black. So it is gradually becoming a black interior. I found a NOS dash pad that was black, a like new steering wheel that was black, a set of Duster bucket seats that were black, etc. So the car appears to be headed towards Spinnaker White exterior and Black interior. Not what I had planned but just kind of where it is heading.

Don't sweat the details. Just cover it all with a big plastic cover. That's what they do today, isn't it?

Not for me. I hate that look. I'm not even sure why the OEMs spend the extra money for those plastic covers. They don't usually waste money like that. Guess they figure it looks good or something.

Pretty cool. But I thought Mopar switched to Denso alternators

PS Did you ever sort out the "as if" Borgeson steering box/pump setup?

Yes I have that all figured out. I designed some brackets to mount a new Type II Corvette type PS pump to my big block. It came out looking pretty nice. Laser cut brackets, formed and then powder coated. I included a square hole for a breaker bar. I went with ARP bolts rather than factory style. Used formed tubing for the pressure line to get it around and down the backside of the pump.

I did put a Denso alternator on the Duster but I mounted it down low so it is out of the way. Never liked how the factory stuck them way up in the air.

Grand Cherokee uses the same pump, along with the older cherokee's, they may have different rib count pulleys though depending on the engine. Tim

Some Mopar guys have a hard time with using Corvette parts so maybe I'll just tell them the PS pump is from a Grand Cherokee. Then they'll be able to sleep better at night.