Less Gear, downgrading leafs

-

chewy

Some old guy...
FABO Gold Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2007
Messages
694
Reaction score
206
Location
North Las Vegas NV
Like @63dartman I haven't posted in a long while. I log in every so many months when I see a notification from one of my old posts. I've been occupied with life events and haven't done much to my Dart other than park it about a year ago when the rear started making a bit of noise.

In 2013 I swapped out my 7-1/4 293 geared rearend and HD Springs and put together an 8-3/4 with 355s (cone type) and Superstock springs. At that time, I upgraded the tires on the rear to 245-60 14s, disconnected the Speedo, and have had a number of years of fun with it.

In retrospect, I disliked the SS springs on the car, especially on the Vegas Freeway, handling felt squirrelly in the seat of my pants going over the humps by 4th and Eastern on-ramps. Didn't feel squared like the HD springs.

So, I am starting a new mini project to do a few changes and get the ol girl back on the road, and get it back to the way it was before the swap.

I have a clutch type 293 geared chunk that is ready to install in the 8-3/4. I am also cleaning up and painting the original HD springs, adding new bushings, and putting the original Speedo gear back into the trans. That with the 225 or 235/ 60s added to the back, then should be right again, in theory..

Pulled the springs from the shed at lunch today. Bushings are on the way. Will pull the chunk out of storage tomorrow and start taking the rear out of the car this Saturday.

IMG_20200430_134119.jpg
 
In retrospect, I disliked the SS springs on the car, especially on the Vegas Freeway, handling felt squirrelly in the seat of my pants going over the humps by 4th and Eastern on-ramps. Didn't feel squared like the HD springs.

Did you check your alignment after installing the SS springs?
 
Did you check your alignment after installing the SS springs?
Yes, rear alignment checked out square after the install.

As You probably know super stock springs are different on the left and right, an extra spring on the drive side. When I installed them a couple people warned me on cornering and sometimes have issues on daily drivers, that's why I blame them for the feel.

The freeway curves right and the stronger spring is on the right. Going over humps, it makes sense that it wouldn't feel right.

The HD springs are left and right, but have the same count of leafs. Both slightly biased to the center of the car.
 
Here'what I mean by bias. Longer part of the two short leafs is on the inside
15882849314075352774304024815948.jpg
 
I think you were being asked if you had the front end alignment checked. When you installed the SS springs & it raised the rear of the car, that affected to front end alignment. Probably not by much, but probably enough to affect the handling.

If it's a street car, my suggestion would be to have the alignment shop set it to these specs:
Typical HP street alignment
Camber -.5 Caster +2.5* Toe In 1/16-1/8"
Check it out & see how close your car is, Just a suggestion.
 
...

If it's a street car, my suggestion would be to have the alignment shop set it to these specs:
Typical HP street alignment
Camber -.5 Caster +2.5* Toe In 1/16-1/8"
Check it out & see how close your car is, Just a suggestion.

Thanks, when I take it to the alignment rack after the changeover and have them check it, I'll suggest these specs in the front end adjustment.
 
Well, my mind has slipped a bit. Searching thru the chunks in the lockers and found 391 open, 273 open, 273 open, and 323 clutched s/g. I couldda swore it was a 293. It will suffice.
IMG_20200501_115224.jpg

The 468 Sneider cam I have was actually ground with that in mind, so I guess it's a good thing. Speedo will still be a bit off. Haven't planned when I will swap the racer brown cam out, but may be the next update after the rear.

At any rate, will go with this set. Mesh is good, will clean it up and paint it with the springs.
IMG_20200501_115027.jpg
 
Diff is in and torqued. Axles adjusted and torqued.

IMG_20200502_185117.jpg


Drivers brakes, broke a cable and an adjuster lever. Picking one up in the morning.
 
Bushings arrived in the mail today. Rock Auto said Wednesday, happy to see them. Will also start the spring swap tomorrow.
IMG_20200502_193944.jpg
 
I think you were being asked if you had the front end alignment checked. When you installed the SS springs & it raised the rear of the car, that affected to front end alignment. Probably not by much, but probably enough to affect the handling.

If it's a street car, my suggestion would be to have the alignment shop set it to these specs:
Typical HP street alignment
Camber -.5 Caster +2.5* Toe In 1/16-1/8"
Check it out & see how close your car is, Just a suggestion.

So actually raising the rear can have a really profound effect on the front end alignment. Every degree of forward "rake" in your car's stance is a degree of caster you just won't get. Dropping the rear end, all else being equal will make the car drive better. Also it's really easy to over do the wheel rate with SS springs. Better bet is HD factory springs and then maybe a small sway bar if desired.
 
As I removed the rust layer I found this. Won't be changing out the leafs after all...

IMG_20200503_085228.jpg
 
-
Back
Top