is this normal?? found this 1979 asp-dust-runner

[armataz]

it is titled as a 79 duster,
(based off the plymouth volare')
but it has road runner body flares and road runner deck spoiler apearse to be factory installed and has an economy 225 (85 MPH speedo) not super 6.
I'm thinking I'm going to do an engine swap. to something more modern maybe a engine/ trans from the 90's. any advice would be apreciated.

 

[Aspen500]

You mean Plymouth Volare. Duster was a trim package on the Volare. Dodge Aspen version was a Sunrise. Neither one included a spoiler or flares. The 1/4 window louvers were a part of it, along with plaid cloth seat inserts. Can't say for sure on the Duster but Sunrise also had another package to go with it called Decor. That added road wheels, 2 tone paint and a couple other things. My Aspen is a Sunrise Decor, or was. All that remains from the options now are the louvers.

 

[armataz]

You mean Plymouth Volare. Duster was a trim package on the Volare. Dodge Aspen version was a Sunrise. Neither one included a spoiler or flares. The 1/4 window louvers were a part of it, along with plaid cloth seat inserts. Can't say for sure on the Duster but Sunrise also had another package to go with it called Decor. That added road wheels, 2 tone paint and a couple other things. My Aspen is a Sunrise Decor, or was. All that remains from the options now are the louvers.

yes.. I have 2 aspen wagons, so I crossed them with volare' by accident. thanks.
there is no volare' badges at all, the fender badges say Duster. this has the blue plaid bucket seats/rear bench and a console storage box that matches the vinyl panels exactly.
I have not pulled the back seat to see if the build sheet is there. but the application and the paint looks factory. I dont think it has ever been repainted.

 

[Aspen500]

The console isn't original. It's a universal aftermarket add on. The flares and spoiler were probably added and not factory installed. However, I've learned with Mopar's to never say never.

 

[BudW]

It could have been special ordered that way - maybe. Also could have been dealership installed parts or customer installed parts. The F-body Road Runner was an visual package, only - and I think more /6 Road Runners were made than V8's (but have no facts behind that statement).
Only a few Road Runners are considered performance cars (as car as new performance cars were at the time).

A picture of the fender tag might provide some insight (like this one):

BudW

 

[armataz]

The console isn't original. It's a universal aftermarket add on. The flares and spoiler were probably added and not factory installed. However, I've learned with Mopar's to never say never.

I'll check it over closer for signs of a repaint, but like I said I dont think it has been..
the console I figgered was not a factory option since it dont have cassette or 8 track storage sleaves. LOL
actually it sits really tall for the car, and thought it might a junk yard score from a van or ram charger.

any one have any suggestions on an 80's-90-s V-8 any advise which to stay clear of ect??I know there was a few that had warping/ heat issues. the 225 is a great engine.. but I want to get away from the old tech smog controls.

 

[armataz]

It could have been special ordered that way - maybe. Also could have been dealership installed parts or customer installed parts. The F-body Road Runner was an visual package, only - and I think more /6 Road Runners were made than V8's (but have no facts behind that statement).
Only a few Road Runners are considered performance cars (as car as new performance cars were at the time).

A picture of the fender tag might provide some insight (like this one):
View attachment 47172

BudW

thanks bud, I will try that. the hood also still has the emissions control sticker. stating the one BBL /6 was original to the car and the line layouts
the road runner package was also heavier suspension and sway bars according to the 79 sales manual.
but the order sheet kinda shows you could pick and choose what ever parts you wished (to certain extents). if you wanted.
it also states that the 225 was the base engine for all volare' models in 79 , so that supports your theory that there was more with the 225 then not.

 

[armataz]

ot a good pic, the white washed out the details. I'll try again when I get a chance.

 

[BudW]

Sometimes having a light, at a right angle helps (casts shadows). In other cases, a pencil rubbing can do a lot

 

[armataz]

Sometimes having a light, at a right angle helps (casts shadows). In other cases, a pencil rubbing can do a lot

yah, I think I'll try shading it from the sun. looks like that helped the part not directly exposed. I have to wait till the ground dries back out. or I can get a new battery to try to jump the starter. right now the solenoid just clicks. and it has a clutch fan. I'm hoping the engine turns over.

 

[armataz]

lets see if this one is better.

 

[armataz]

best I can make out..

267
m43 n95 r31 L1 (b47 ?)
611 g15 c51 H51 J25
Ew1 U 2 M422_5
Ew1 M78 000 612 ke3520
E24 D31 HL29 c9b 291932





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[BudW]

267 – 2 digit “State Code)
m43 - Grill Surround Moulding (Volare)
n95 – NoX Exhaust Emissions Control
r31 – Single Front Speaker (w/R11 AM Mono radio)
L1 – End of Sales Codes
(b47 ?) - ?
g11 – Tinted glass - All
g15 – Tinted windshield
g51 – Left outer mirror, Manual, Chrome
H51 – A/C with heater
J25 – Deluxe Wipers (3 variable speed)
Ew1 – Paint code, upper half
U 2 – Built to US standards
M422_5 - ?
Ew1 – Paint code, Lower half
(M78?) - M7B3 – Interior Trim code / B3 Blue
000 – Interior paint code
612 – Vehicle Build Date (June 12, in this case)
ke3520 – Vehicle Order Number
E24 – 225 1-bbl
D31 – A904 Transmission

VIN - HL29 c9b 29193
Plymouth Volare
Low Trim Level
2-door special coupe
225 1-bbl
1979
Built in Hamtramck, MI
sequence number (6 numbers)

This fender tag doesn't appear to mention tape striping, spoiler or anything - so I suspect they were added after it left the assembly line.
BudW

 

[armataz]

there are no decal accents or striping on the car
since it dont seam to say the add ons were factory applied. then theres no reason not to do the engine swap to a late 80's or 90's engine.
LOL any one know where I might find a 1989 318 HP shelby engine ;-)

any one have any suggestions on an 80's-90-s V-8 any advise which to stay clear of ect??I know there was a few that had warping/ heat issues. the 225 is a great engine.. but I want to get away from the old tech smog controls.

looking for easiest modern option for a V-8 replacement that aint got the antiquated 70's anti smog junk choking it's power.

 

[BudW]

What I was trying to say was the Fender Tag usually mentions what is done to vehicle before and up to paint.
Things like door mirror holes, spoiler holes, cruise control bracket holes, A/C, and so on/so forth that is done before the body gets painted.
Sub-assemblys like engine, dash, seats go down separate assembly lines at same time. The Fender Tag sometimes mentions tape stripes, but not often. Things like spoiler or quarter window treatment is mentioned on the Fender Tag because of body treatment before paint.

 

[armataz]

you listed volare' "special coupe" specified in the VIN. not duster or roadrunner, the tag, dont seam to specify any special assembly packages either (low trim level). not even bucket seats.
yet it is titled as a duster. so could it not be complete

 

[DCAspen]

A42 code is duster/sunrise coupe option

 

[armataz]

you listed volare' "special coupe" specified in the VIN. not duster or roadrunner, the tag, dont seam to specify any special assembly packages either (low trim level). not even bucket seats.
yet it is titled as a duster. so could it not be complete

I'll pull the back seat once we finally get out of winter weather. maybe the build sheet will be there and be still readable

 

[armataz]

A42 code is duster/sunrise coupe option

thanks DC,
maybe M422_5? under enlargement. looks like it might be a A 42 not an M fallowed by a second 2, maybe a 3(possibly a B) and an 8 (or 9) rusted over. ending in a 5
any CSI computer image reconstruction experts here LOL.

 

[Aspen500]

Sometimes if you take the tag off, the numbers are readable from the back as a mirror image.