Hemi Vette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 939
From: Chattanooga Tennessee
What an interesting car! You really need to enjoy it as is I suppose- if it has a locked rear end defintely with an open or post swapped in.
On the the other hand there are often some very reasonably priced complete frame and drivelines for sale here. Probably cheaper and easier than undoing the rear end.
The rear suspension shows some ingenuity- despite shortcomings- and you kind of want to know who executed it.
It would seem that if the center bracket had. been just a little shorter it would have spring travel more like you'd want on the road.
On the the other hand there are often some very reasonably priced complete frame and drivelines for sale here. Probably cheaper and easier than undoing the rear end.
The rear suspension shows some ingenuity- despite shortcomings- and you kind of want to know who executed it.
It would seem that if the center bracket had. been just a little shorter it would have spring travel more like you'd want on the road.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 946
Likes: 266
From: McMinnville Oregon
Pulled the axle out yesterday. Got the leak fixed. Looks like it is a limited-slip rear. Also pulled those clamps off the leaf spring and that did loosen up the rear, little softer. Tweaked the steering box some more, does anyone know what type grease goes in it, and a slight adjustment on the clutch linkage. Test drive today if I get out before the new rain storm gets here.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 946
Likes: 266
From: McMinnville Oregon
Raining in Oregon so good time to tinker. Adjusted the brake pedal, adjusted the clutch throw, tightened the steering, adjusted the throttle linkage ( two Carter AFB ), removed rear leaf clamps (softened suspension a little) repaired grease leak from right rear axle and serviced the transmission.
Gradually getting her back to a comfortable driver.
Gradually getting her back to a comfortable driver.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 946
Likes: 266
From: McMinnville Oregon
Well another chance to go for a test drive. The rear end is way to stiff. It shakes the chassis and I'll have more loose bolts to chase down. Sooo, can I remove one or two leafs from the rear spring to see what effect is has????
Kent
Kent
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 37,671
Likes: 1,115
From: CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,835
Likes: 495
From: Florida
I'm no chassis engineer, but, looking at your pictures again, this design removed 75+ pounds of sprung weight from that rear spring. This is since that rear axle is on the ground instead of sitting on top of the spring. So, a lighter spring would seem to solve that problem. It's sort of like an empty HD truck going down the road vs a loaded one that puts the springs into motion instead of beating your kidneys. $0.02
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Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
I would love to see pics of the rest of the car...particularly the engine compartment..
We definitely need more pics of the rear suspension, frame kick ups etc...
Pretty wild car you have there....very interesting.
We definitely need more pics of the rear suspension, frame kick ups etc...
Pretty wild car you have there....very interesting.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
6T7L71CPE said it very well. I think you could remove several leaves of the spring and still be OK ride height wise. You may even want to change it altogether for a re-arched softer spring. My '61 had 6 leaves in each spring when I got it...was stiff as a board. Removed one from each side, super improvement, but the ride is still firm. May end up removing one more leaf each spring to return it back to stock....but just the removal of one leaf made a huge difference.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,271
From: NorCal
The shorter springs are stiffer and keep the longer ones from flexing as much. The longer springs have more travel and can flex more. The stack works progressively, with each layer stiffening the one below.
Modern single leaf springs are thicker at the center and taper out as they get longer, thus accomplishing the same effect with less total weight.
Modern single leaf springs are thicker at the center and taper out as they get longer, thus accomplishing the same effect with less total weight.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
Kolsen, my set-up is entirely different from yours. The P.O. had added two upper leaves that were super thick and long for drag racing. Your car has a transverse leaf spring. What Tux said is true. You could play around with it, checking ride height and ride quality as you go. A PITA, but possibly a no-cost solution to your brick-like ride.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,835
Likes: 495
From: Florida
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28,232
Likes: 2,872
From: Beach & High Desert Southern California
Did I miss the post where you confirmed if the axle housing is bolted rigid to both control arms?
The concern is if both right and left trailing arms are fixed to the axle housing there will be minimal roll compliance (the axle housing will act like a really fat antisway bar).
Usually (if it was designed and fabricated by someone with suspension experience) one of the trailing arms will be fixed at the axle housing to establish the axle location and pinion angle (and pinion angle arc), and the other trailing arm floats (slides or is hinged) in relation to the housing and only locates the axle.
Both trailing arms can be fixed to the axle housing, but it tends to produce a stiff ride in anything but a straight line.
The concern is if both right and left trailing arms are fixed to the axle housing there will be minimal roll compliance (the axle housing will act like a really fat antisway bar).
Usually (if it was designed and fabricated by someone with suspension experience) one of the trailing arms will be fixed at the axle housing to establish the axle location and pinion angle (and pinion angle arc), and the other trailing arm floats (slides or is hinged) in relation to the housing and only locates the axle.
Both trailing arms can be fixed to the axle housing, but it tends to produce a stiff ride in anything but a straight line.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 946
Likes: 266
From: McMinnville Oregon
Thanks for the Eaton website I'll give them a call.
63 340HP
Very good point. Pics on the 1st page of this post. It does look like the axle is in a cradle that is welded to the trailing arms. Can you see this other suspension piece just above the spring? Is that some sort of torque link?
63 340HP
Very good point. Pics on the 1st page of this post. It does look like the axle is in a cradle that is welded to the trailing arms. Can you see this other suspension piece just above the spring? Is that some sort of torque link?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 61
Stingxray nailed it. You have a nice tight positraction (limited slip with clutches) or a locker or spool or welded up spider gears. If it doesn't lurch and snap and skid around corners, you have a limited slip diff. Had the same exact rear in a '66 Coronet....excellent rear end.
Last edited by sub006; Oct 13, 2016 at 05:29 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
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From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07