Bob,
My problem began when I pulled a 318 poly(SB) out of my 65 Satellite and
replaced it with a 1972-440(BB). To compensate for the eng weight
different
I needed to upgrade the torsion bars immediately. At that time I did
not
know anything about this suspension system. (2 years later, much
research, I
am now an expert witness)
Originally to get the vehicle aligned we had to lower the suspension
system...the height adjustment... to be able to bring the camber and
castor
adjustments within reasonable adjustment range. We were not within
specifications , but darn close.
As a result of this folly my entire front end was to low. (ride height)
My
shocks were not getting full travel, they bottomed out hard , when that
happened I was all over the road. Any speed in excess of 70 you were
driving out of control, especially in any bumpy situation, risking life
and
limb.... but worst of all... my Mopar.
I replaced the original torsion bars with .920's. (what they would have
been from the factory with a Big Block) My research also told me that we
have a weak tower system on our cars (upper A frame support) and they
will
sag. To compensate for this you need to replace the non-adjustable strut
rods with adjustable ones, allowing you to drag the lower control arm
fwd
for castor adjustments.
Even if you have not upgraded an eng...this torsion bar system is not
near
as tuff as a upper/lower A frame, coil spring system. We are dealing
with 45
year old vehicles and u need new torsion bars and adjustable strut rods.
All
of this learning curve has been rough, but today it has all come
together.
Now keep in mind MS Cruiser does not drive like a new Challenger, we're
45
years of technology behind, but she loves to roll now....
MOPAR.....Move Over Plymouth Approaching Rapidly
Ollie's 2 cents.
----- Original Message -----
From: <62pluckedchicken@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 3:38 PM
Subject: RE: Torsion Bar Project...WOW
>
> Cool results! refresh my memory.. what was the original problem? was
> this to make the ride firmer when ya step on it?
> Ollie wrote:
>>
>>
>> MS Cruiser update...My torsion bar and adjustable strut rod upgrade
>> is
>> now finished. Complete alignment this morning. WOW !!
>> Every problem I had has disappeared!! Getting full travel of my
>> shocks
>> now, swaying when hitting a bump is gone. Tommy was able to get
>> everything within specs.
>> I backed out of it at 105 mph. I had more rpm left and was
>> comfortable
>> with the steering. The one recommendation I would give anyone is to
>> get
>> this done first and not save it to one of the last projects as i did.
>> I
>> would also say the adj strut rods are a must. When we installed the
>> rods
>> and matched them to the original we were about 1/2 way in the
>> adjustment. They are now pulled in all the way, no adjustment left.
>> Just for info purposes..fender height ended up exactly 26" (for what
>> its
>> worth)
>> Happy camper, Ollie
>>
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>
>
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