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Post by Johnny L on May 5, 2012 16:27:37 GMT -5
7-9 leafs per side has worked out very well for me. I've never broken a ball joint but I have broken lots of tie rod ends, reinforce them if you can or better yet replace them with rod ends from something else.
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dm440c
Feature Winner
derby drivers against drama- there's no crying in demo derby!
Posts: 2,824
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Post by dm440c on May 12, 2012 7:20:10 GMT -5
agree, the only thing I seem to break on FMJ steering is the tie rod ends. The cast part just snaps in two.
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Post by Simon64 on May 15, 2012 20:22:26 GMT -5
I plan on making new tie rods. I'm still not sure on a back bumper weather or not to leave the stock one on or i have one off a 90's bubble top i might put on it. I have a 77 monte bumper for the front but not sure if it's over kill or not.
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Post by Venom05jr on May 15, 2012 22:21:47 GMT -5
Simon64, around our area I've noticed better results with the rear bumper and bumper shocks removed. Those have all been on 5th Aves with stock leaf packs though, so a built leaf pack might make a difference in your choice to run a bumper or not. A '77 Monte bumper is not overkill for these cars. Just seam-weld it solid and flip the bumper upside down. I learned that after making the mistake of running the bumper right side up on my "Venom" wagon at Woodstock last year. The bumper bent down bad on only one full-track shot.
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Post by C4 on May 15, 2012 23:10:56 GMT -5
^^^^^So whatever the front bumper choice, mount it in a fashion that will encourage the nose to go up?
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Post by Venom05jr on May 16, 2012 11:45:27 GMT -5
Not sure I get your point, C4, could you explain it a little better? I have found through personal experience that a '77 Monte bends down when mounted right side up; if you flip them, they usually stay straight or collapse straight back when they do bend.
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Post by C4 on May 16, 2012 11:57:56 GMT -5
Ah, I have never used a 77 Monte bumper. I guess my question is this.....when using any bumper that is not flat, is it better to mount it with the peak of the the bumper at top, as opposed to at bottom (scoop shovel style), therefore encouraging the nose of the car to pull up instead of down?
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Post by Venom05jr on May 17, 2012 11:28:20 GMT -5
I see what you're saying. Generally speaking, all bumpers have their peak at the top, it just depends on how the bumper bends in relation to the car whether you mount it right side up or not. To make it easy, here are the front bumpers I think should be flipped; '74-'77 Malibu, '76-'77 Monte, '74-'76 Pontiac full-size, and the '74-'76 Buick full-size bumpers. I have no experience with the other GM mid-size bumpers so best to ask around about those.
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Post by C4 on May 29, 2012 0:00:45 GMT -5
With the rear.......stock leaf pack, bumper & shocks are off, we have notched it, and are in the process of wedging it. There will be 4 all threads in addition to the stock hinges. We will be chaining the humps. Which way should we go?
1. Put 14" tires on the rear & push it down to chain it.
OR
2. Use 15" tires & chain it at stock height.
Also, since we have removed the bumper and notched & wedged it, will we still need to prebend?
FYI, the front will get cranked up to the end of the torsion adjustment, or to 22", whichever comes first.
Thanks!
EDIT.....Also, we are allowed 6 spring fasteners per side. The chain will be counted as a spring fastener.
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Post by derby111 on May 29, 2012 0:11:24 GMT -5
Depends how high it sits at stock height And I would still prebend it give it a little more encouragement to go up
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Post by C4 on May 29, 2012 0:21:40 GMT -5
Thanks. Prebend will probably be easier before we get the deck lid back on, eh?
Was just wondering, with how we're setting it up, whether we should go for the bulldog effect, or keep it high?
With the rising cost to keep playing, I appreciate you guys being so forthright in sharing your experience.
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Post by derby111 on May 29, 2012 0:27:18 GMT -5
I do all my prebending after the trunk lid is on. Also if you go for the bulldog effect I would hit something or if you have some machinery available I would make the rear start rolling up so your guaranteed it will roll
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Post by C4 on May 29, 2012 0:35:14 GMT -5
Have a tractor with loader, but gravity is it's only source of down pressure. Usually use trailer, chains & jack for prebending, but generally run compacts. Never attempted to prebend a full size.
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Post by Johnny L on May 29, 2012 6:49:42 GMT -5
IMO with stock leaf packs and stock ride height it's going to pack up and in much faster than if you set it low. I prefer the backs of all my mopars low especially if you can't add leafs and every one I've built has packed in beautifully with the humps chained tight and the torsions maxed up front.
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Post by Simon64 on Jun 2, 2012 20:56:14 GMT -5
I'm building mine for nationwide rules so it will have 5 leafs should i put 2 on top the main or stack em all under the main also once i build my leaf pack should i run the back bumper or take it off? the torsion bars will be maxed and the humps chained it will also have a notch.
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