I installed a new set of MP 456/457 S/S springs
on my Duster and can not adjust the angle of
the pinion DOWN enough.

This is the same 8-3/4 housing/pumpkin that was
in the car w/stock 318 springs when I bought
the car.

I've added 2 sets of 2-degree wedges per side
so 4-degrees tilt and it still is not enough.

I have longer rear shackels that I built that
have 6 inches between bolts.

I'm at a loss as what to do next other than
borrow another set of S/S springs that a buddy
has left over from when he upgraded to Caltracs.

I'm open to opinions and comments.

Is the car sitting alot higher. Do you have a set
of stock shackles to try. Is the rear section of the
spring near the frame rail or does your shackle have
it quite a bit from the rail
EDIT
The book shows the 456 and 457 for 3400LB and B-body

Mike,

Yes the rear end is sitting much higher, there
is at least 5 inches from top of wheel opening
to the top of 275/60/15 tire on the car.

The rear shackel (at the spring) is only 1-1/2
to 2 inches ahead of the top (mounting point)

When I had the stock shackels on the car they
were pulled almost level (front to back) but
Bob Mazzolini said I needed to make a longer
shackel to use the MP 456/457 S/S springs.

Yes I am aware that the 456/457 springs are
originally meant for the "B" body, but according
to Mazzolini there were problems with the rear
spring eye opening on the 002/003 and he does
not sell them anymore??

I believe you just need the 002 003, those springs
are too stiff, you might have to look else where for them.
Your car should look like its standing on its nose
being up that high

Phil,
Send some pictures of what you have.As I said,I'm using the same springs and never have had the problem you are having.I think the rear shackles may be too long??

Chris I sent you a email.

the stock shackel is 4" bolt to bolt and the
set I built is 6" bolt to bolt.

Those springs as you describe are just to stiff for your app. The rear spring eye should be behind top eye mount not in front.

The fix, since you have the springs already/maybe is to have them dearched abit. either that or get different springs. Longer shackels arent the fix, as you found out. mike

Edit, Another fix as Cab stated is to move the upper spring mount forward, and that might be your easiest fix. Since you already have the springs.

Phil I have 002/003 springs from Mazz and with Dr. Bob's front hangers the car sits fine. I know Dave and Kevin have those 456/457 springs and they were not that high. Did you grind at the rear shackle so it will get added space for the difference in length.

I know several NHRA class racers with A bodys and the same springs with SB motors,both of those cars sit flatter than they did with the 002 -003 springs I used the 002-003 on several BB A body cars and they sat a lot higher in the rear than my freinds cars did with the 456-457 SS springs, I did move the rear shacle mounts forward to make the rear spring eye and shaclkle angle proper for the SS springs.

The difference between the 002/003 vs 456/457 is about
400 per inch with the 002/3 being the light of the
2 sets

I sent some pictures of the springs/shackels/etc to Chris and he has my premision to post if he
can, I have never figured out how to post pictures.

Jesse, I just talked with Kevin and in the morning
he is going to take a measurement spring eye to
spring eye and I'll measure mine and see if there
is a difference.

I have pictures of Daves and Kevins rear spring attachment on old computer but I thought they had to grind slots for the shackle to move back lowering the car. Not sure about the longer arms, would think shorter getting the the shackle bushing bolt closer to the rear frame.

As far as spring eye measurements go, with the weight of your car, they will differ. The flatter the arche under weight the longer the spring eye measurements.

If measured in a Flat plane the A body spring vs the 64-65 B body spring, the latter should be 1" longer.

But if its stiffer and it is, it can measure shorter in its arched position under a A body because of the A bodys less weight. mike

Guys, thank you all for your comments and input.
Chris and I also did some extra emailing and
today I made the corrections and got the car
down on all fours and also adjusted the front
end hight to 27" from floor to top of wheel
opening.

One I got the car down on all fours the distance
from the top of the rear tire to the top of
the wheel opening went from 5-6 inches down
to 2-1/2 to 3 inches. The rear shackles are
now pointed towards the rear.

I ran out of time and daylight so tomorrow I
will try replacing the 6 inch shackles with
the stock 4 inch shackles and see if that
lowers the spacing a bit more.

Again thank you all for your input and advice.

For what its worth heres what worked for me.
Click on ss springs link www.carpetperfect.com

are the spring perches original? my pinion angle was so far off with the originals i had to cut them off and weld on new ones.