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73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons

Posted By: wayfarer1

73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/26/08 01:12 AM

I am in the process of pulling the junk 318 and 904 from my 72 Swinger to start the resto. I can see evidence of some pretty heave pitting and surface rust on the stock V8 K-frame. I am thinking about replacing it and I know where there are 2 spool type k-frames, one has a complete disc brake setup on it.

My question is what are the benefits of the spool k-frame over the earlier biscuit type and are there and problems with the newer design that I should be concerned with.

Any help will be appreciated,
Joe
Posted By: jmf340

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/26/08 01:43 AM

I don't know about any design flaws or benefits to the newer style spool mount, other than I feel it is easier to get the motor mount in the desired frame mount and slide a bolt through. It also tells you that the motor is situated correctly. Just my opinion though.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/26/08 01:46 AM

spool mount are superior in everyway.
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/26/08 02:16 AM

Quote:

spool mount are superior in everyway.







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Posted By: patrick

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/26/08 12:04 PM

only negative is I think the front track on the later big-bolt pattern K's are a little wider...
Posted By: RokketRide

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/26/08 06:24 PM

I think thats due to the spindle/rotor. The LCAs are the same.
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/26/08 07:15 PM

Quote:

only negative is I think the front track on the later big-bolt pattern K's are a little wider...



Like Rocketride said, thats from the spindles/rotors. So if you do the factory type BBP conversion to a 67-72 A-body, you be at the same width.

I had the BBP conversion in my 68 K-member. Then I switched to just the 73-76 K-member. No width change and no engine height change either.

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Posted By: wayfarer1

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/27/08 12:26 AM

So if I use the BBP disc brakes I have with the 73 spool k-member I should be good?

I have to get the old motor out first and evaluate the condition of the original k-frame before I make a final decision on replacing it.

Thanks for the info!
Joe
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/27/08 12:56 AM

Quote:

So if I use the BBP disc brakes I have with the 73 spool k-member I should be good?

I have to get the old motor out first and evaluate the condition of the original k-frame before I make a final decision on replacing it.

Thanks for the info!
Joe



Yes, that will be fine. If have to, you can re-use your 72 biscuit type K-member too.

Do any of these setups have lower control arms with sway bars tabs??

The one on the left is a 73-76. The one of the right is a 67-72

Posted By: wayfarer1

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/27/08 01:13 PM

Quote:

Do any of these setups have lower control arms with sway bars tabs??




I doubt it. The complete 73 Dart Swinger in the yard is just a 318 car with A/C and the other 73 is a 4 door and has been stripped pretty good but the K-Member is still there.

However, if there happens to be a a swaybar setup, you can gaurantee it will find its way onto my car!

Joe
Posted By: boden

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 01:47 AM

One con is that to you cannot install a 5.7 hemi with the TTI brackets using spool mounts. I actually cut 2 k-frames apart and made a hybrid. Top half is 72- for engine mounts, bottom half is 73+ style for the throught the k-frame sway bar.
Posted By: 65cuda

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 02:04 AM

you can buy a sway bar kit. another great thing about the spool mount is the sway bar goes through the k and doesn't hang below. also your not going to pull a motor mount apart.

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Posted By: Rug_Trucker

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 02:17 AM

Posted By: RokketRide

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 03:14 AM

Quote:

One con is that to you cannot install a 5.7 hemi with the TTI brackets using spool mounts. I actually cut 2 k-frames apart and made a hybrid. Top half is 72- for engine mounts, bottom half is 73+ style for the throught the k-frame sway bar.



Posted By: wayfarer1

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 04:21 AM

Well, I found out today that a friend has a spool mount k-frame that I will be buying from him for a good price. He does not have the mounting brackets though. I know where there are 2 V8 Darts with the brackets still attached.

Is there an easy way to remove the mounting brackets with the engine still in the car or will I have to have the motor pulled to get them off?

Thanks to all for the great info!
Posted By: 65cuda

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 04:34 AM

i got mine from advance auto parts. new and ready to bolt in.
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 04:45 AM

Quote:

i got mine from advance auto parts. new and ready to bolt in.



Yes, spool mount motor mounts have the motor mount brackets integrated with them.

The long bolt that goes through the motor mount and to the K-member is sort of special. The washer fit the k-frame and IIRC, it's swaged in the center so it doesn't spin when you tighten it??
Posted By: RokketRide

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 04:50 AM

Crap, I gotta find a set of those, my parts car didnt have them.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 04:50 AM

Quote:

Quote:

i got mine from advance auto parts. new and ready to bolt in.



Yes, spool mount motor mounts have the motor mount brackets integrated with them.

The long bolt that goes through the motor mount and to the K-member is sort of special. The washer fit the k-frame and IIRC, it's swaged in the center so it doesn't spin when you tighten it??



sounds bout right.
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 05:56 AM

Quote:

Crap, I gotta find a set of those, my parts car didnt have them.



Might be available from dealer.

Same as any junkyard FMJ and R-body bolt. Maybe even others.
Posted By: 65cuda

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 11:54 AM

you don't have to have the that bolt. i used a reg 1/2-20. but you will have to hold the other side when you tighten it up

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Posted By: 48Heap

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 07:37 PM

Quote:

you can buy a sway bar kit. another great thing about the spool mount is the sway bar goes through the k and doesn't hang below. also your not going to pull a motor mount apart.



I did something similar for my '63 Valiant, but I sectioned 1.5" from the middle and moved the mounts forward 2" instead. I wanted the spool mounts, better swaybar, and through bolt idler.

Posted By: klunick

Re: 73-76 A-Body Spool Mount K-Frame, Pros/Cons - 05/29/08 09:08 PM

So the stupid question is, where do you get the bolts? I got the mounts but no bolts came with them.
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