Does this look right?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 605
Likes: 28
From: Havelock North Carolina
Does this look right?
Just got done lowering the body onto the restored frame and it appears to be sitting very high. I replaced all of the body mount bushings with poly and in this photo non of them are tightened yet. I know it may take some time for the new bushings to settle and that the added weight of the interior may lower the car some but, for those of you who have done a frame off resto, does this look right?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 127
Likes: 34
From: South Carolina
I just looked at a 75 in my shop without rocker moldings and the space between the bottom of the sill and the bottom of the frame looks about the same as yours, so I don't think the new poly mounts are entirely to blame. Also, your car is missing a lot of items which will add a lot of weight (glass, bumpers, tops, interior, radiator, etc.) That said, as ddawson mentioned, it is imperative that ALL suspension pivot points remain loose until all weight is back on the car. Not only will this allow the car to settle properly, it will prevent damage or premature failure of the rubber bushings due to excessive torsional movement. I made this mistake on my car and and had severely cracked control arm bushings within a few years and less than 10K miles. Chip.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Just got done lowering the body onto the restored frame and it appears to be sitting very high. I replaced all of the body mount bushings with poly and in this photo non of them are tightened yet. I know it may take some time for the new bushings to settle and that the added weight of the interior may lower the car some but, for those of you who have done a frame off resto, does this look right?
ZIO
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,390
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi SO,
It really takes every bit of the car's completed weight plus some gas to get the car to settle to it's proper ride height.
Certainly changing bushings and springs can affect what the ride height will be, but it's too early to tell in your case.
Regards,
Alan
COMPLETELY empty body.
It really takes every bit of the car's completed weight plus some gas to get the car to settle to it's proper ride height.
Certainly changing bushings and springs can affect what the ride height will be, but it's too early to tell in your case.
Regards,
Alan
COMPLETELY empty body.
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 22, 2015 at 07:12 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
NO front impact bar structure...no headlights...etc, etc, etc.Do not worry about it. You are so far off of curb weight...'things' will work out fine when you get it all together.
DUB
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
Once you get the motor and transmission installed, she'll settle in. Even once this is complete, if she looks a little high, don't freak out. She WILL settle down, Once my car was complete, I felt the very same way, and was after everything was in. It took a few weeks, and she settled in, right at about an inch lower than the factory springs in the front.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,822
Likes: 1,728
From: Summerville SC
My 78 looks exactly like yours. Now I can relax knowing that it wsan't something I did ( I hope). My specific parts are loose, no interior, no engine or trans and new springs so I am hoping that it will settle down once everything is in place and I can drive around the block a few times. FYI, I put pieces of green masksing tape on all the fasteners that need to be loose until I can drive the car and settle it down. SO as long as I can remember WHY I put the tape there, I will be OK. Yours does too.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 60
Likes: 5
From: Sandy Lake, PA
I can see a carb and distributor cap. Can't see the trans but it's probably there too.
Attachment 47933249
Can you see it now?
That's why I said it still looks too high. But not that it cannot be adjusted to the proper ride height.
Attachment 47933249
Can you see it now?
That's why I said it still looks too high. But not that it cannot be adjusted to the proper ride height.
Last edited by sandy laker; Sep 24, 2020 at 11:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 605
Likes: 28
From: Havelock North Carolina
Replaced all rubber on the chassis with poly and the control arms are still loose.
Thanks. Will have to re-check the suspension pivot points. We did the chassis so long ago I don't remember if we left them all loose.
Motor and tranny are in. I'm hoping that it will settle down once all of the remaining parts are installed. Thanks for all the replies. My mind is eased somewhat but I'm still skeptical. Time will tell I guess.
I just looked at a 75 in my shop without rocker moldings and the space between the bottom of the sill and the bottom of the frame looks about the same as yours, so I don't think the new poly mounts are entirely to blame. Also, your car is missing a lot of items which will add a lot of weight (glass, bumpers, tops, interior, radiator, etc.) That said, as ddawson mentioned, it is imperative that ALL suspension pivot points remain loose until all weight is back on the car. Not only will this allow the car to settle properly, it will prevent damage or premature failure of the rubber bushings due to excessive torsional movement. I made this mistake on my car and and had severely cracked control arm bushings within a few years and less than 10K miles. Chip.
Once you get the motor and transmission installed, she'll settle in. Even once this is complete, if she looks a little high, don't freak out. She WILL settle down, Once my car was complete, I felt the very same way, and was after everything was in. It took a few weeks, and she settled in, right at about an inch lower than the factory springs in the front.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
Somethings seriously amiss. The weight of the doors, interior pieces and other misc parts weigh less than 500 pounds. That weight will settle the car less than 1/2 inch-four spring points at 400 (approximately) pounds per inch.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 605
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From: Havelock North Carolina
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
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From: Charlotte NC
DUB