how the heck do you swap this thing out ?
the car is a 74 satellite if that helps....it almost looks like you have to yank the motor
can barly see the top from the bottom side lil lone try to find out what size the bolt head on top is?anyone done this?

I don't have a '74 immediately at hand, and my swiss-cheese memory isn't intact enough to recall the exact layout of that model, but...

If I understand the nature of your question, I am afraid that the news is not good.

There are a number of models wherein the only proper way to install an idler arm is with the pivot bolt UP from the bottom, with the nut on top. It could be that your model is one of them. The reason (as you have discovered) is lack of sufficient clearance to remove the bolt if it comes down from the top, once the engine is in.

Many a shade-tree mechanic has taken the opportunity to rebuild the front-end as part of a larger restoration effort that also has the engine out of the car. With the engine out, they stand in the engine compartment and drop the bolt down through the new idler arm, never thinking about where things will be once the engine is back in.

If this is the case with your car, you have my condolences.

Don't panic
Heres my guess
Jack the car up and support it on stands. Unbolt the idler from the frame. Does it drop sufficiently enough to put a small pitman type arm puller on the pivot stud? Putting a pickle fork on a now unstable arm is a bad idea.
If not then remove the centerlink from the pitman arm, or pitman arm from the box ...but this can be near impossible on some old mopars. This should help drop it enough as you pitch the tires in at the rear edges. hopefully there are no limiting factor such as headers etc.

Good luck


How did I do?

well the bolt didnt have a nut on the bottom like possible sorta like a long bumper bole stuck in from the bottom??(i know that is not what it is but its domed washer or something and nothing to put a wrench onthe bottom and i cant even see the top good enuff let lone get a wrench on the top
where it conects to the drag link i can move it up down bout a inch
i bought the new idle arm but having no luch changing it lol

Did you read the above post?

i cant unbolt it from the frame i can barley touch it with my hand lol

Is it a big block car? My 73 b body small block was fairly easy to install. I don`t remember it being real difficult. Mike

Sorry since I am unfamiliar with this exact combo you need more info than I have.

What exactly is blocking you from reaching the mounting bolt on this application?

Are you talking about where it mounts to the center link? If so move the steering to a position so you can get at it better. Mike

the car was orignally a 360 car but someone swaped in a 440 into it