Hemi Vette
09-30-2016, 09:47 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Hemi Vette
Trying to identify what I have. This is the 65 Roadster with the Hemi engine and, I think, Chrysler 4 spd and Ford 9" solid rear axle.
Going over speed bumps the rear is really stiff. Looking underneath I wonder how many leafs are normal on a 65 rear. I have 7 leafs, looks normal. The only other possibility for being stiff is really heavy duty shocks.
I think this was built as a straight line car, not necessarily for drag racing but close. I'm trying to figure out what I have and what I need to do to make it comfortable for me.
Going over speed bumps the rear is really stiff. Looking underneath I wonder how many leafs are normal on a 65 rear. I have 7 leafs, looks normal. The only other possibility for being stiff is really heavy duty shocks.
I think this was built as a straight line car, not necessarily for drag racing but close. I'm trying to figure out what I have and what I need to do to make it comfortable for me.
The following users liked this post:
ohiovet (11-06-2016)
09-30-2016, 10:03 PM
#2
Team Owner
Depending on how far you have to drive to find a "bump"...just take off the shocks and see how it rides...that will answer part of your questions...
09-30-2016, 10:15 PM
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
Posts: 49,006
Received 6,943 Likes
on
4,782 Posts
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Nine leafs was the standard spring and seven was concerned heavy duty.
09-30-2016, 10:30 PM
#4
Race Director
Member Since: Nov 2000
Location: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Posts: 10,152
Received 525 Likes
on
374 Posts
Trying to identify what I have. This is the 65 Roadster with the Hemi engine and, I think, Chrysler 4 spd and Ford 9" solid rear axle.
Going over speed bumps the rear is really stiff. Looking underneath I wonder how many leafs are normal on a 65 rear. I have 7 leafs, looks normal. The only other possibility for being stiff is really heavy duty shocks.
I think this was built as a straight line car, not necessarily for drag racing but close. I'm trying to figure out what I have and what I need to do to make it comfortable for me.
Going over speed bumps the rear is really stiff. Looking underneath I wonder how many leafs are normal on a 65 rear. I have 7 leafs, looks normal. The only other possibility for being stiff is really heavy duty shocks.
I think this was built as a straight line car, not necessarily for drag racing but close. I'm trying to figure out what I have and what I need to do to make it comfortable for me.
Pictures would be most helpful (in helping us help you).
Note that the standard 63-82 transverse rear spring was bolted in the center of the differential rear housing cover......
If you have the 7 leaf transverse spring, & I can attest that it is "stiff".
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; 10-01-2016 at 09:19 AM.
09-30-2016, 11:20 PM
#6
Team Owner
Here's is other link...in it he 'thinks' its a>>>>Dana 8.5 solid rear axle.<<<
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...emi-vette.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...emi-vette.html
10-01-2016, 12:43 AM
#8
Team Owner
I bet that like riding on a BRICK...
I've never seen a setup like that...
I've never seen a setup like that...
10-01-2016, 01:05 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
Who the heck thought this was a good set-up? 
10-01-2016, 01:16 AM
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Like I said car was put together by drag racers in the SFO Bay area. It probably makes sense if that's your thing. I'm a road race type and my 72 porsche and classic Mini are set up to turn right and left and stop. I'll try disconnecting the shocks this weekend and run over the speed bumps near by to see if that's part of the issue. Otherwise it has to be the leaf spring.
10-01-2016, 01:35 AM
#12
Team Owner
Is there any bounce?...i also think there is nothing left to bounce as the springs are maxed out...in that there should be some arc to the spring...
10-01-2016, 06:52 AM
#14
Race Director
Based on the pictures it looks like the bottom shock mount is below the scrub line. Be careful. If a rear tire goes down things could get real exciting.
10-01-2016, 07:59 AM
#15
Team Owner
Let's see some pictures of how they extended the frame...to get all that attached...
10-01-2016, 08:34 AM
#16
Race Director
Member Since: Nov 2000
Location: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Posts: 10,152
Received 525 Likes
on
374 Posts
Looks like the previous owner installed spring clamps (to stop wheel hop during hard launches). Those spring clamps will bind the action of the leaf spring, and make it ride much stiffer.
Try readjusting the clamps looser (or remove them completely), before disconnecting the shocks. They are the clamps about 1/2 way from the center on each side.
Plasticman
Try readjusting the clamps looser (or remove them completely), before disconnecting the shocks. They are the clamps about 1/2 way from the center on each side.
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; 10-01-2016 at 09:04 AM.
10-01-2016, 08:42 AM
#17
Drifting
10-01-2016, 09:03 AM
#19
Melting Slicks
Personally, I would start collecting all of the parts to put a Corvette IRS back under your car. I can't tell how the current "trailing arms" are attached at the front to the frame, but hopefully the frame pockets and bolt holes are still in tact. I think you should be able to find a complete rear suspension pull out for $1000 or less. I also can't tell if the sombreros are in place but they can be welded back on to the frame.
What you have today is a total abortion, and I can't imagine that throwing any money at the current settup will make it ride or handle any better.
BTW, I think your car looks great, and I love the look of the hemi under the hood!! I wonder what your front suspension looks like, must have some pretty stiff springs, as these old hemis are pretty heavy.
What you have today is a total abortion, and I can't imagine that throwing any money at the current settup will make it ride or handle any better.
BTW, I think your car looks great, and I love the look of the hemi under the hood!! I wonder what your front suspension looks like, must have some pretty stiff springs, as these old hemis are pretty heavy.
10-01-2016, 09:19 AM
#20
Safety Car
That is a totally unique setup. I've never seen one like that.
I've had similar cars. I once bought a circle track Camaro thinking I could convert it to a road race car. That became a total fiasco.
It's very difficult to reverse engineer these things. Are there changes that we can't see? Probably.
My Camaro was totally twisted. That's why it won several championships. It's also why I could never get it to turn right.
Based on my experience you should just turn the rear into a stock configuration and hope for the best. Small changes here are going to be a waste of time - and won't work.
Another alternative is to take it drag racing. You may have a really neat drag Corvette. That in itself would be cool.
Richard Newton
Garage Lighting
I've had similar cars. I once bought a circle track Camaro thinking I could convert it to a road race car. That became a total fiasco.
It's very difficult to reverse engineer these things. Are there changes that we can't see? Probably.
My Camaro was totally twisted. That's why it won several championships. It's also why I could never get it to turn right.
Based on my experience you should just turn the rear into a stock configuration and hope for the best. Small changes here are going to be a waste of time - and won't work.
Another alternative is to take it drag racing. You may have a really neat drag Corvette. That in itself would be cool.
Richard Newton
Garage Lighting