K Member bolt size and best swap options?

Hello FABO folks,

I have a 67 Dart 273 with tiny drum brakes.

Thinking about doing a swap to a newer K member to avoid the 67 pitman arm as well as stiffen up, weld up the K member. Then upgrade to Disc brakes and rebuilt front end.

Anyone know off hand the bolt size for the large four bolts that hold it to the body? Thinking about going to some wrecking yards this week and want to be prepared.

My cars are 30 miles away and I need to go buy some sockets for this. My tools were stolen out of my car before XMAS so starting over on tools again. :banghead::shock:

Any advantages or disadvantages to using a slant six vs v8 k member?

I previously did a swap to a later model k in my 67 convertible dart with a slant k with schumaker adapters but I want to know current thoughts on swaps.

I want to keep a torsion bar front end so swaps to expensive Coil front ends are out. I would like to go to new tubular upper a arms for this swap so any suggestions on places to buy or manufacturers to buy are greatly appreciated.

Thank you! :shock:

Get a 73+ spool mount V8 k frame and use the disc brakes off the 73+ models. While you are at the yard, look for a Later model B body (~77) cordoba or road runner and get the caliper adapter so you can use the BBP brakes and 11.75 rotor.

The bolt size is 1 1/16". You'll have to decide if you want to keep the same small bolt pattern or to change to the 4 1/2" one. '68-72 has the small pattern and "ice cream sandwich" mounts, '73-6 the large with steel encased mounts. Naturally, if you find a V8 K-member you won't need the mount conversion kit so you can save money there. Other than that, the K-members are just as strong.

CudaMark,

A belated thank you for this needed info!

Definitely going to the large pattern. I did this swap on my 67 Dart Vert, still need the BBP axles for the 8 3/4. Waiting for a deal on those as I need two sets, one for my 67 hardtop and one for the vert. I do have a set of the adapters that go from 5 on 4 to 5 on 4 1/2 but I like the idea of the right axles for the job and no spacer issues.

I ended up not unbolting the k member which is almost too bad as someone had unbolted upper and lower control arms, brakes, everything but the k member and the slant six sitting on top of it. I now know the bolt size and am waiting for a sale at Sears for the sockets or if I am in a hurry may grab one from Bobo's Freight and Salvage(Harbor freight).

I did get lucky here as a FABO member just sold me a brand new idler arm for a 67 for about half the price of a new one. This may work out well as I want tubular upper control arms and from what I have seen most are sold with the upper ball joint installed. So I may end up buying a kit for a 73 up or just putting one together piecemeal as two major components will not be needed from the kit. Still may be a better deal with the kit, just sell off what I don't need or keep them as spares.

Thanks again! :cheers:

-Mike.

cudamark said:

The bolt size is 1 1/16". You'll have to decide if you want to keep the same small bolt pattern or to change to the 4 1/2" one. '68-72 has the small pattern and "ice cream sandwich" mounts, '73-6 the large with steel encased mounts. Naturally, if you find a V8 K-member you won't need the mount conversion kit so you can save money there. Other than that, the K-members are just as strong.

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Thanks 1970 Duster.

I ended up not pulling the k member. In my other reply I mentioned that someone did just what you said to do. They pulled the whole shebang off the front. :tongue6: They got the upper and lower control arms with calipers, disks etc. Someone in Northern California is doing the same swap as me and beat me to it.

I am looking to upgrade to the Tubular upper control arms with the Big ball joints so I can do this swap. My lowers do not have sway bar tabs so I wondering what the drawbacks are to welding sway bar tabs onto them. Any idea?

I looked around at some of the self service wrecking yards and these old cars of ours are getting few and far between out here. That and my limited time off keeps me from scrounging the yards as much as I used to love to do.

Been looking at front disk conversion kits right now online. Any suggestions for vendors is much appreciated.

Thanks for your help.

-Mike

1970Duster said:

Get a 73+ spool mount V8 k frame and use the disc brakes off the 73+ models. While you are at the yard, look for a Later model B body (~77) cordoba or road runner and get the caliper adapter so you can use the BBP brakes and 11.75 rotor.

Click to expand...

Mike, the F/M/J body discs will work fine with the tubular uppers. That's what we have on my son's 67. I have the F spindles for my 67, too, but they have not been installed yet due to slow going on the body/paint.

Thanks Jim,

You just opened up my options a great deal!

- Mike

Jim Lusk said:

Mike, the F/M/J body discs will work fine with the tubular uppers. That's what we have on my son's 67. I have the F spindles for my 67, too, but they have not been installed yet due to slow going on the body/paint.

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