66 vs 67 K-Member

[Mcfarlrm]

What is the difference between the idler arm bolt hole on a 66 vs 67 Barracuda k-member? I was told by someone on this forum that my k-member is a 67 but a local mechanic told me one of his supplies believes its a 66.

 

[Kendog 170]

Not sure if this has any info you might need. I don't have time right now.

Are the front suspensions the compatible for the 65 and 67 Barracuda?

 

[72bluNblu]

The ‘66 K frame is narrower, it will not bolt onto a 67+ car.

 

[Mcfarlrm]

Noted. Will a 66 idler arm work with a 67 k member? I have a 67 idler arm but it rests on the torsion bar a bit. The 66 idler arm looks to have a bit more clearance.

 

[72bluNblu]

Noted. Will a 66 idler arm work with a 67 k member? I have a 67 idler arm but it rests on the torsion bar a bit. The 66 idler arm looks to have a bit more clearance.

I'm afraid that's beyond my early A expertise. But if the '67 idler hits the torsion bar you probably want to make sure that the mount on the '67 K frame isn't damaged. Since the bracket only secures one side of the idler a worn out or bent idler arm mount could cause that issue.

 

[Mcfarlrm]

Good point....

 

[HemiSSDart]

Picture of said k-frame would make it obvious to most of us...

 

[Cuda Al]

With 5 minutes of research I found the factory part numbers are different, using said part numbers I found pictures of the two, they are different.


Alan

 

[Cuda Al]

^^^^ was about the idler arms


Alan

 

[halfafish]

Noted. Will a 66 idler arm work with a 67 k member? I have a 67 idler arm but it rests on the torsion bar a bit. The 66 idler arm looks to have a bit more clearance.

No, a 66 idler will not fit a 67 K frame. IIRC the 67 is a one-year only part. @Dana67Dart probably knows this a lot better than my feeble memory. I recall something about the 67 mounts in the opposite direction than a 68-72.

 

[cosgig]

The 67 idler arm is a one year only part. And as you will find out, it is very expensive when compared to the 68-69 unit. A 66 K frame and it’s components are completely different from the 67 and later units.

 

[Dana67Dart]

@Dana67Dart probably knows this a lot better than my feeble memory. I recall something about the 67 mounts in the opposite direction than a 68-72

67-72 use the same center link so the ends face the same way.

73 up have the idler flipped

67 uses a tapered post on the frame
Standard on the left, HD on the right

68 to 72
Uses a thru bolt in the frame

Price is about 25.00

73 up idler

 

[intergalactica]

So there's 2 different versions of idler arms for '67 A-bodies... a standard one and a heavy-duty one? The heavy-duty (the idler arm pictured on the right) simply being beefier than the standard duty (pictured on the left)?

Can a '67 A-body with a stand-duty idler arm be simply replaced with a heavy-duty idler arm without any modifications?

 

[Dana67Dart]

Can a '67 A-body with a stand-duty idler arm be simply replaced with a heavy-duty idler arm without any modifications

Yes there are interchangable parts.

The HD is not factory it's aftermarket,

But they both have the same single mounting point limitation.

There is a retrofit needle bearing and pin for the idler that are still to be had BUT you have to have an OEM idler to install it.

If you plan to do autocross your money would be better spent on a 68 up k member or aftermarket.

The standard idler will work just fine for decades (unless it's a daily driver)