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My first A body. #2288290
04/15/17 04:12 PM
04/15/17 04:12 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila Offline OP
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Crizila  Offline OP
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Az
Yep, straight from the local Pull-a-part in beautiful Az. Yep, no rust ever - which is the one and only highlight. Must have spent it's life in Az, as the interior is completely trashed. Dash pad has more cracks than the San Andria's fault. Left side shows some possible body damage ( left front fender and door ). I'll no more after I remove 5 - 6 coats of paint. Has a quiet running slant 6 with one slightly weak hole. Trans seems to be ok ( shifts and no major components lying in the trans pan ). Has a killer 7 1/4 diff drive I'm too embarrassed to post any pics. The thing must have caught me at a weak moment while I was perusing for other parts. whiney


Fastest 300
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2288292
04/15/17 04:18 PM
04/15/17 04:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,837
Central Missouri Fort Leonard...
mopar65 Offline
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Central Missouri Fort Leonard...
Picks or it didn't happen.lol


3520 pound race ready 1973 Street/Strip Dodge Dart - Stock stroke 440/727 10.49 @ 125.0 on 93 pump gas & ET Street Radials. More to come... ( SGT Miller) Proudly served 12 years in the US ARMY RESERVES support our troops
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2288301
04/15/17 04:40 PM
04/15/17 04:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,169
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla Offline
Too Many Posts
slantzilla  Offline
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Park Forest, IL
I can sell you a boatload of Slant parts. boogie


"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
Re: My first A body. [Re: slantzilla] #2288302
04/15/17 04:41 PM
04/15/17 04:41 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,517
pacific northwest
S
Stroker Scamp Offline
master
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S

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pacific northwest
What did you get?


footbrake N/A SB 408 Scamp 10.10 @ 132 street/strip
73 Duster 340 street strip 12.79 @ 105
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2288348
04/15/17 06:17 PM
04/15/17 06:17 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,308
Spencer NY
killermopar Offline
pro stock
killermopar  Offline
pro stock

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Posts: 1,308
Spencer NY
Hey you saved it. That's what matters

Re: My first A body. [Re: killermopar] #2288364
04/15/17 06:52 PM
04/15/17 06:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,274
s.w.fl
B
bonefish Offline
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bonefish  Offline
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B

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s.w.fl
A-Body ,what?

Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2288369
04/15/17 06:58 PM
04/15/17 06:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,454
Glendora Ca.
J
Just-a-dart Offline
pro stock
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pro stock
J

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,454
Glendora Ca.
Good to hear a new project is in the works. What flavor a-body?



"Just a Bracket car dressed up like a streetcar"
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2288380
04/15/17 07:23 PM
04/15/17 07:23 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
MR_P_BODY  Offline
Master

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Romeo MI
At least your picking on a lighter car to start with
up
wave

Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2288466
04/15/17 10:17 PM
04/15/17 10:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,918
Akron, Ohio
ProSport Offline
I Live Here
ProSport  Offline
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Akron, Ohio
Slant six turbo!


1970 Challenger, all aluminum 528 Hemi, HDK suspension, Tremec 5 speed manual
Re: My first A body. [Re: MR_P_BODY] #2288539
04/16/17 12:58 AM
04/16/17 12:58 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,290
Tucson AZ,
M
MadMopars Offline
pro stock
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Tucson AZ,
Originally Posted By MR_P_BODY
At least your picking on a lighter car to start with
up
wave


Hey now, some of us have feelings you know. rant grin


[img]https://s9.postimg.cc/6fbjxzfvv/48-2016-_Drag-_Weekend-_Best-_Burnouts-lpr.jpg[/img]


73 GTX *440*727*8 3/4*
69 DART GT *440*4 SPEED*DANA*
73 ROAD RUNNER *451*4 SPEED*DANA*
64 F100 *383*4 SPEED*9"*
75 DODGE D300 *440*4 SPEED*DANA*
99 DODGE RAM 3500 4X4 DUALLY... ON 38"s
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2289260
04/17/17 08:17 AM
04/17/17 08:17 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,578
sweden
1
1Fast340 Offline
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1

Joined: Feb 2007
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sweden
Seems like a good thing,any pics?

Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2289490
04/17/17 03:58 PM
04/17/17 03:58 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,126
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Offline
I Win
Cab_Burge  Offline
I Win
C

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,126
Bend,OR USA
What brand and year is it?


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: My first A body. [Re: Cab_Burge] #2289843
04/18/17 01:02 AM
04/18/17 01:02 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,522
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck

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Posts: 43,522
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
You finally got a real car! up And if I wreck the front I have tons of parts for it... whistling At least tell us the year and model... shruggy


The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.

JB Rhinehart, Realist

A-Body's RULE!
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2291511
04/21/17 12:19 PM
04/21/17 12:19 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila Offline OP
master
Crizila  Offline OP
master

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Az
Ok, it's a 74 Plymouth Duster. I am slowly ripping in to it. Starting at the back bumper and moving forward. Plan is to keep the drive train ( for now ) and turn it in to a decent driver. Needs everything interior wise, from the head liner to the floor. Will do it all in black - frt bench seat, column shifter. Left rear 1/4 window broken out. Haven't gotten in to the dash yet, but it all needs help - gauges work. Got the front end pretty much ripped off right now and looking in to a 3 degree negative camber issue on the left front - and out of adjustment? Came with A/C - not working of course, but all there. Could use any advice / help and send all your spare A body parts to Payson, AZ. smile

duster1.jpgduster2.jpgduster4.jpgoption code plate.jpg

Fastest 300
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2291520
04/21/17 12:33 PM
04/21/17 12:33 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
MR_P_BODY  Offline
Master

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
Looks pretty decent.. now its just time and
money to get a real nice driver... there are
times that I wish I would have built a stock
style car that just looks nice.. but I seem to
always go crazy and build something else
wave

Re: My first A body. [Re: MR_P_BODY] #2291579
04/21/17 02:27 PM
04/21/17 02:27 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila Offline OP
master
Crizila  Offline OP
master

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Az
Hey Mike, ya, gotta make sure I keep my dumb ass in check on this project. Paid 3500 for it and my goal is to keep the final tally in the 10 - 12K range. Got 2 Grand Daughters that will be driving in another year, so when they come visit, I will have something to give them to drive while they are here and not worry about it too much. wave


Fastest 300
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2291639
04/21/17 04:11 PM
04/21/17 04:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,169
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla Offline
Too Many Posts
slantzilla  Offline
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Park Forest, IL
Nice looking Duster John! Check the front end really well, probably has all the bushings rotted out. Check all the torsion bar mounting points too, A bodies rust/break in those areas a lot.


"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
Re: My first A body. [Re: slantzilla] #2291673
04/21/17 05:26 PM
04/21/17 05:26 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila Offline OP
master
Crizila  Offline OP
master

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Originally Posted By slantzilla
Nice looking Duster John! Check the front end really well, probably has all the bushings rotted out. Check all the torsion bar mounting points too, A bodies rust/break in those areas a lot.
Thanks Big D. Actually, torsion bar mounts look good. I will look more carefully for cracking in that area. Ball joints are good ( some one has done some work on it at some point in time ). Upper control arm bushing are fare ( will replace them anyway ). Both strut rods are bent and could use new bushings. Do I have to do something with the lower control arms in order to get the strut rods out so I can straighten them? Don't want to change the lower control arm bushings as they seem ok. Still haven't figured out why I can't get the camber in line on the left side ( negative 3 degrees and out of adjustment )? Something gotta be bent, just aint seeing it yet. Could be the frame mounting points? Under body of car ( floors, wheel houses, rear extensions, unibody frames, K frame / mounts, are all rust free. Might consider sub-frame connectors while I am down this far - could need them with that 300 HP nitrous shot to that 225. whistling


Fastest 300
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2291677
04/21/17 05:42 PM
04/21/17 05:42 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,317
State of confusion
T
Thumperdart Offline
I Live Here
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T

Joined: Jul 2004
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State of confusion
I like it............ beer


72 Dart 470 n/a BB stroker street car `THUMPER`...Check me out on FB Dominic Thumper for videos and lots of carb pics......760-900-3895.....
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2291703
04/21/17 06:33 PM
04/21/17 06:33 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
MR_P_BODY  Offline
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Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
Originally Posted By Crizila
Originally Posted By slantzilla
Nice looking Duster John! Check the front end really well, probably has all the bushings rotted out. Check all the torsion bar mounting points too, A bodies rust/break in those areas a lot.
Thanks Big D. Actually, torsion bar mounts look good. I will look more carefully for cracking in that area. Ball joints are good ( some one has done some work on it at some point in time ). Upper control arm bushing are fare ( will replace them anyway ). Both strut rods are bent and could use new bushings. Do I have to do something with the lower control arms in order to get the strut rods out so I can straighten them? Don't want to change the lower control arm bushings as they seem ok. Still haven't figured out why I can't get the camber in line on the left side ( negative 3 degrees and out of adjustment )? Something gotta be bent, just aint seeing it yet. Could be the frame mounting points? Under body of car ( floors, wheel houses, rear extensions, unibody frames, K frame / mounts, are all rust free. Might consider sub-frame connectors while I am down this far - could need them with that 300 HP nitrous shot to that 225. whistling


99% of the time when its that far out something
is BENT in the front end.. look at the frame rail
on that side.. doesnt take much.. to be that much
out I would say that car was hit in that corner
EDIT
Years ago I use to do frame straightening on cars
of that era and normally it was bent.. if you cant
get the front end to get into spec
wave

Last edited by MR_P_BODY; 04/21/17 06:38 PM.
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2291748
04/21/17 07:31 PM
04/21/17 07:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,169
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla Offline
Too Many Posts
slantzilla  Offline
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Posts: 20,169
Park Forest, IL
John, IIRC you can take the clip out of tge torsion bar anchor, back the torsion bars off, loosen the nuts up on the LCA, and drive them back far enough to get the strut rods out without pulling everything apart.

Bent strut rods will cause odd alignment issues too, but as Mike said, check the frame rail real good.

My copper Duster had been whacked hard enough on the driver's side it had ripped the UCA mounts off. They had been welded back on.


"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
Re: My first A body. [Re: MR_P_BODY] #2291787
04/21/17 09:28 PM
04/21/17 09:28 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila Offline OP
master
Crizila  Offline OP
master

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Originally Posted By MR_P_BODY
Originally Posted By Crizila
Originally Posted By slantzilla
Nice looking Duster John! Check the front end really well, probably has all the bushings rotted out. Check all the torsion bar mounting points too, A bodies rust/break in those areas a lot.
Thanks Big D. Actually, torsion bar mounts look good. I will look more carefully for cracking in that area. Ball joints are good ( some one has done some work on it at some point in time ). Upper control arm bushing are fare ( will replace them anyway ). Both strut rods are bent and could use new bushings. Do I have to do something with the lower control arms in order to get the strut rods out so I can straighten them? Don't want to change the lower control arm bushings as they seem ok. Still haven't figured out why I can't get the camber in line on the left side ( negative 3 degrees and out of adjustment )? Something gotta be bent, just aint seeing it yet. Could be the frame mounting points? Under body of car ( floors, wheel houses, rear extensions, unibody frames, K frame / mounts, are all rust free. Might consider sub-frame connectors while I am down this far - could need them with that 300 HP nitrous shot to that 225. whistling


99% of the time when its that far out something
is BENT in the front end.. look at the frame rail
on that side.. doesnt take much.. to be that much
out I would say that car was hit in that corner
EDIT
Years ago I use to do frame straightening on cars
of that era and normally it was bent.. if you cant
get the front end to get into spec
wave
iagree Just don't see it yet. Frame eyeballs straight, but the front upper control arm mount on the frame ( where the excentric adjustments are)looks suspect to me - welding is too "birdshitty" to be factory IMO. Also, the left front fender has some filler in it.


Fastest 300
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2292013
04/22/17 10:47 AM
04/22/17 10:47 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,355
north of coder
moparx Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"
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Posts: 19,355
north of coder
Originally Posted By Crizila
Also, the left front fender has some filler in it.

back in the early to mid 70's a friend and i were at the auto auction we attended on a weekly basis, and looking at a car we were interested in bidding on. while we were inspecting it, an old guy popped between us and said in a quiet, no nonsense voice : "cars with bondo are unsafe !" then he just disappeared, leaving us to look at each other as, "did this just happen ?" eek we looked around, and he was just GONE. no trace of him. never saw him during the rest of the auction, and never saw him again ! we still talk of this event to this day ! so just take that as a warning........... grin
beer

Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2292019
04/22/17 11:25 AM
04/22/17 11:25 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,824
MI, usa
dvw Offline
master
dvw  Offline
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MI, usa
If it has negative camber for sure the lower bushings are toast. Don't mess around. New lowers, offset uppers and good strut rod bushings. I took my strut rods and cut the threaded ends off. Turn them down the ends a touch on the lathe and connect with moly tubing. Make them 3/8" shorter. Pulls the lower arm forward slightly increasing caster. Cheap, strong, light, easy. This combined with offset upper bushings (forward location) will usually get acceptable alignment results, done many.
Doug

Re: My first A body. [Re: dvw] #2292022
04/22/17 11:37 AM
04/22/17 11:37 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
Master
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Romeo MI
Originally Posted By dvw
If it has negative camber for sure the lower bushings are toast. Don't mess around. New lowers, offset uppers and good strut rod bushings. I took my strut rods and cut the threaded ends off. Turn them down the ends a touch on the lathe and connect with moly tubing. Make them 3/8" shorter. Pulls the lower arm forward slightly increasing caster. Cheap, strong, light, easy. This combined with offset upper bushings (forward location) will usually get acceptable alignment results, done many.
Doug


I did the same thing on my old 69 Valiant
wave

Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2292059
04/22/17 01:01 PM
04/22/17 01:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,169
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla Offline
Too Many Posts
slantzilla  Offline
Too Many Posts

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Posts: 20,169
Park Forest, IL
If you're serious about the 300 shot I have a fogger system I can send ya. boogie


"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
Re: My first A body. [Re: slantzilla] #2292308
04/22/17 08:12 PM
04/22/17 08:12 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila Offline OP
master
Crizila  Offline OP
master

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Posts: 7,506
Az
Originally Posted By slantzilla
John, IIRC you can take the clip out of tge torsion bar anchor, back the torsion bars off, loosen the nuts up on the LCA, and drive them back far enough to get the strut rods out without pulling everything apart.

Bent strut rods will cause odd alignment issues too, but as Mike said, check the frame rail real good.

My copper Duster had been whacked hard enough on the driver's side it had ripped the UCA mounts off. They had been welded back on.
Did that today Dennis. Worked good. Thanks. Just kidding on the Nitrous system - at this time. work


Fastest 300
Re: My first A body. [Re: dvw] #2292318
04/22/17 08:24 PM
04/22/17 08:24 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila Offline OP
master
Crizila  Offline OP
master

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Originally Posted By dvw
If it has negative camber for sure the lower bushings are toast. Don't mess around. New lowers, offset uppers and good strut rod bushings. I took my strut rods and cut the threaded ends off. Turn them down the ends a touch on the lathe and connect with moly tubing. Make them 3/8" shorter. Pulls the lower arm forward slightly increasing caster. Cheap, strong, light, easy. This combined with offset upper bushings (forward location) will usually get acceptable alignment results, done many.
Doug
This car does not have the conventional shaft mount for the upper control arms like B cars. It has 2 separate frame mounts that use eccentric bolts for adjustment. the arms take regular bushings - no offset stuff like B cars. At this time, I'm pretty sure my problem lies in the upper control arm mounts - where they are welded to the frame. The front mount looks like it has been rewelded - incorrectly. Heat, porta-power, welder, BMFH, will fix it.


Fastest 300
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2292358
04/22/17 09:37 PM
04/22/17 09:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,169
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla Offline
Too Many Posts
slantzilla  Offline
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Park Forest, IL
Moog makes offset bushings for A bodies too.


"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2292384
04/22/17 10:43 PM
04/22/17 10:43 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,824
MI, usa
dvw Offline
master
dvw  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,824
MI, usa
B-Body doesn't have shaft mount upper arms until 1973. 62-72 B-Body and A-body use the same style arm (though a different part). Both use the same bushing number. Moog 7103.
Doug

Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2292385
04/22/17 10:43 PM
04/22/17 10:43 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,824
MI, usa
dvw Offline
master
dvw  Offline
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MI, usa
B-Body doesn't have shaft mount upper arms until 1973. 62-72 B-Body,70-74 E-Body and A-body use the same style arm (though a different parts). Both use the same bushing number. Moog 7103.
Doug

Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2292386
04/22/17 10:44 PM
04/22/17 10:44 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,824
MI, usa
dvw Offline
master
dvw  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,824
MI, usa
B-Body doesn't have shaft mount upper arms until 1973. 62-72 B-Body,70-74 E-Body and A-body use the same style arm (though a different parts). Both use the same bushing number. Moog 7103.
Doug

Re: My first A body. [Re: dvw] #2293013
04/24/17 12:11 AM
04/24/17 12:11 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila Offline OP
master
Crizila  Offline OP
master

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Az
What I'm up against.

bent strut rods.jpgcontrol arm mt 1.jpgcontrol arm mt 2.jpgcontrol arm mt 3.jpg

Fastest 300
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2293025
04/24/17 12:44 AM
04/24/17 12:44 AM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,308
Spencer NY
killermopar Offline
pro stock
killermopar  Offline
pro stock

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Spencer NY
That seems kinda rough. I think I'd do a rail replacement, but there are way more experienced guys on here than me.

Re: My first A body. [Re: slantzilla] #2293168
04/24/17 12:04 PM
04/24/17 12:04 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila Offline OP
master
Crizila  Offline OP
master

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Posts: 7,506
Az
Originally Posted By slantzilla
Moog makes offset bushings for A bodies too.
Checked - you're right Dennis. I will order a set up. That will probably get me real close on the camber problem without a lot of "extra curricular" activity. I will press the strut rods back straight and install new bushings there. Upper and lower ball joints, lower control arm bushings, are all good, and I have replaced the inner / outer tie rods, adjuster sleeves, shocks, and idler arm, so I should be good to go up front. Next stop - brakes.


Fastest 300
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2294747
04/26/17 11:32 PM
04/26/17 11:32 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila Offline OP
master
Crizila  Offline OP
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Az
Starting to remove the dash board. Things I found behind the glove box ( which had a hole in the bottom of it). Wonder if he blamed his wife for steeling his tire gauge? work

line sheet.jpg

Fastest 300
Re: My first A body. [Re: Crizila] #2294829
04/27/17 02:06 AM
04/27/17 02:06 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,126
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Offline
I Win
Cab_Burge  Offline
I Win
C

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,126
Bend,OR USA
Originally Posted By Crizila
What I'm up against.

I'm sure I have seen the twin or the triplet to those welds on some of the cars I've owned or work on shruggy


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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