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K member ID question

Posted By: 71DemonRON

K member ID question - 05/30/10 01:35 AM

I need a replacement K member for my 1971 Challenger. I picked up a decent one for $40.00 The guy said he got it from a local wrecker years ago, they told him it was from a 1974 Barracuda. It has 049M142 clearly stamped on the top side with a 7 also stamped on the top side, on the bottom it has what looks like 646141 ? It is a V8 k member with the 70 & up sway bar mounting holes. The only E-body that I can remember this wrecker having in the last 20 years is a 1971 challenger that had a 1970 grill. I checked the tech archives, no matches. Can anyone ID this k member ? THANKS
Posted By: IMGTX

Re: K member ID question - 05/30/10 05:14 AM

If it really did come from a 74 there will be a weird bracket on the motor mount. Drivers side I think but don't chisel it in stone.

It was as if Ma Mopar had an idea but never implemented it because I have never seen anything bolted to them but they are only on the 74 E-bodies.

Go figure.
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: K member ID question - 05/30/10 05:20 AM

A local Mopar Guru told me that the 70-72 B and 70-74 E body cars used the same V8 non HEMI K member. I guess there could be a few subtle differences, but they are supposed to physically fit and function the same.
Posted By: IMGTX

Re: K member ID question - 05/30/10 05:41 AM

Yes 70 B's will fit with small differences in the steering box angle. 71-72 are the same.
Posted By: 440fied

Re: K member ID question - 05/30/10 06:24 AM

Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: K member ID question - 05/30/10 07:26 AM

Steering box angle? Tell me more! I have a 70 Charger. WAS a 318, now a 440. Stock K frame. What is the difference you refer to? Is the angle directed to left or right OR up and down?
Posted By: 71DemonRON

Re: K member ID question - 05/30/10 04:41 PM

This is a 69' b-body with an E-body K member

Attached picture 6010604-69Bwith70EK.jpg
Posted By: 71DemonRON

Re: K member ID question - 05/30/10 04:44 PM

This is an E-body with an E-body OR a 71-72 B-body K member, steering shaft straight in line with the steering box.

Attached picture 6010609-70E.jpg
Posted By: CompSyn

Re: K member ID question - 05/31/10 01:06 AM

Beginning at some point in 1970, K-members came with an identification coin. The identification coins are spot welded to the K-frame and have a two digit number on them which is the last two digits of the K-member part number.

For example, a 1971 E-Body K-frame is Chrysler part number #3583074. So the ID coin would be 74.

Notice in the image below that the K-frame ID'd "74", fits 70-71 E-Body 383/440 w/skid plate and 71 B and E-Body 318/340/383/440 w/skid plate.



The motor books will tell you that ALL 1966-to-1974 K-members will interchange. This is partly true as the K-members will bolt in, but the steering angle/pitch is what will bite you if you don't get the correct K-member for your application.
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: K member ID question - 05/31/10 04:19 AM

I can't see much difference between the steering box angles. Maybe its me. Could you help an old guy out and explain?
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: K member ID question - 05/31/10 04:23 AM

Quote:

I can't see much difference between the steering box angles. Maybe its me. Could you help an old guy out and explain?



The steering shaft is angled to the left in this picture of a 70E-body K in a 69 B-body.

Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: K member ID question - 05/31/10 04:29 AM

AUTOXCUDA to the rescue again! You are a great asset to this forum. Thank you again. I see the difference now.
Posted By: NachoRT74

Re: K member ID question - 05/31/10 03:26 PM

Quote:


The motor books will tell you that ALL 1966-to-1974 K-members will interchange. This is partly true as the K-members will bolt in, but the steering angle/pitch is what will bite you if you don't get the correct K-member for your application.



and sway bar was attached somehow diff since 70
Posted By: IMGTX

Re: K member ID question - 05/31/10 04:00 PM

Just a few more Fyi's from my experience.

The ID coins are hit or miss. Out of about 10 K-frames I have only 2 have the coins.

The angle has been measured to about 3.5 degrees. This was probably within the crappy tolerances the factory used in my opinion so it even if you get a 70 B in an E or vise verse it should be fine. The coupler will more than compensate for that. As long as it doesn't bind your OK.
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: K member ID question - 05/31/10 06:14 PM

Quote:

Just a few more Fyi's from my experience.

The ID coins are hit or miss. Out of about 10 K-frames I have only 2 have the coins.

The angle has been measured to about 3.5 degrees. This was probably within the crappy tolerances the factory used in my opinion so it even if you get a 70 B in an E or vise verse it should be fine. The coupler will more than compensate for that. As long as it doesn't bind your OK.



I agree, you'll be fine from a steering shaft deal. And also about the coin deal.

But if you are running headers there may be issues. I'd check with TTI first about running E-body K frame in a 70 down B-body and vice versa.
Posted By: hemi68charger

Re: K member ID question - 09/07/16 08:43 PM

Bring this one back from the closet..

In the process of restoring my '70 Superbird, I have a k-member I was suspicious about. After reading this thread via search, I came to realize the geometry might be off. It seems I have a 71 #3583100 k-member since it appears I have a "00" on the tag stamped on the k-member. I know the proper k-member is #3466479, with a "79" on the welded tag. Can this 71 k-member be used? My buddy has the ability to reweld a reproduction ID tag on my current k-member. Or, I can try to trade it for a proper '70 k-member. After all, mine is more rare.. grin

Attached picture kmember_Superbird.jpg
Attached picture kmember_tag.jpg
Posted By: JohnRR

Re: K member ID question - 09/08/16 03:17 AM

Can it be used , yes, but the steering box angle will be off like in the picture autoxcuda posted above.
Posted By: hemi68charger

Re: K member ID question - 09/08/16 01:11 PM

Originally Posted By JohnRR
Can it be used , yes, but the steering box angle will be off like in the picture autoxcuda posted above.


Thanks guys... I'd prefer not to have geometry issues... I'm sure I can sell the one I have and pick up a proper "79" k-member.
Posted By: JohnRR

Re: K member ID question - 09/08/16 01:41 PM

Originally Posted By hemi68charger
Originally Posted By JohnRR
Can it be used , yes, but the steering box angle will be off like in the picture autoxcuda posted above.


Thanks guys... I'd prefer not to have geometry issues... I'm sure I can sell the one I have and pick up a proper "79" k-member.



the only geometry issue would be between the steering box and and steering column , I don't know what the angle is on a correct cK memeber and I don't know is there isa slight bind in the setup above , if it had something like a borgensen u jointo between the box and the column it would be fine. But I know that is not an option.

You shouldn't have a hard time selling that one and getting the right K. Even if you can find a real nice 70 K without a skidplate you can always add the fresh repop skidplate, which won't be bashed in because the 70 plate is rather fragile in my opinion, and the repop coin.
Posted By: mopar346

Re: K member ID question - 09/08/16 02:42 PM

I thought I had an engineering drawing talking about the angle but I cant seem to find it. I did find this one that seems to show a shim on one side of the gear box.

Attached picture 7965912-sus1.jpg
Posted By: GomangoCuda

Re: K member ID question - 09/08/16 03:28 PM

I think there is a b body k on my 70 e body. My center link was no where near level. It rubbed on the oilpan and the left torsion bar. Had the worst bump steer I have ever experienced. Shimmed the box until the centerlink was level and all is well.
Posted By: JohnRR

Re: K member ID question - 09/08/16 06:14 PM

Originally Posted By GomangoCuda
I think there is a b body k on my 70 e body. My center link was no where near level. It rubbed on the oilpan and the left torsion bar. Had the worst bump steer I have ever experienced. Shimmed the box until the centerlink was level and all is well.


Considering that both the steering box and the idler arm and both bolted to the K frame how could the issue of it being an E body or a B body K frame matter?

If either the steering box or the idler arm was bolted to the unibody frame while the other was on the K that MIGHT be an issue , but not when both are bolted to the same part. Either the steering box mount was welded on wrong or the bend in the idler arm was wrong.
Posted By: GomangoCuda

Re: K member ID question - 09/08/16 08:15 PM

Originally Posted By JohnRR
Originally Posted By GomangoCuda
I think there is a b body k on my 70 e body. My center link was no where near level. It rubbed on the oilpan and the left torsion bar. Had the worst bump steer I have ever experienced. Shimmed the box until the centerlink was level and all is well.


Considering that both the steering box and the idler arm and both bolted to the K frame how could the issue of it being an E body or a B body K frame matter?

If either the steering box or the idler arm was bolted to the unibody frame while the other was on the K that MIGHT be an issue , but not when both are bolted to the same part. Either the steering box mount was welded on wrong or the bend in the idler arm was wrong.



Pre 70 b body has a different pitman arm than e body or 71_72 b body. The e body has a flatter steering column angle to match the lower seating. If the box was also tilted on the ebody k to match the column angle then the pitman would need less offset. If this pitman was then used with a b body k then that end of the centerlink would be high. Since I have not compared any of the parts on my car with correct parts and have no idea what butchery was performed on mine by previous owners the above is pure supposition based on the misalignments that I observed. Who knows, maybe my k came out of a wrecked car.
Regardless:
Fact-the kmembers are different
Fact-the pitman arms are different
Fact-the steering column angles are different
Fact-if these parts are mixed up there will be some degree of deviation from the way they were designed to go together.
Posted By: hemi68charger

Re: K member ID question - 09/08/16 10:17 PM

Originally Posted By GomangoCuda


...Regardless:
Fact-the kmembers are different
Fact-the pitman arms are different
Fact-the steering column angles are different
Fact-if these parts are mixed up there will be some degree of deviation from the way they were designed to go together.


One of the reasons I don't really wanna make-due.. So, anyone up for a swap of a "00" for a "79"?.. lol
Posted By: JohnRR

Re: K member ID question - 09/09/16 02:47 PM

Originally Posted By GomangoCuda
Originally Posted By JohnRR
Originally Posted By GomangoCuda
I think there is a b body k on my 70 e body. My center link was no where near level. It rubbed on the oilpan and the left torsion bar. Had the worst bump steer I have ever experienced. Shimmed the box until the centerlink was level and all is well.


Considering that both the steering box and the idler arm and both bolted to the K frame how could the issue of it being an E body or a B body K frame matter?

If either the steering box or the idler arm was bolted to the unibody frame while the other was on the K that MIGHT be an issue , but not when both are bolted to the same part. Either the steering box mount was welded on wrong or the bend in the idler arm was wrong.



Pre 70 b body has a different pitman arm than e body or 71_72 b body. The e body has a flatter steering column angle to match the lower seating. If the box was also tilted on the ebody k to match the column angle then the pitman would need less offset. If this pitman was then used with a b body k then that end of the centerlink would be high. Since I have not compared any of the parts on my car with correct parts and have no idea what butchery was performed on mine by previous owners the above is pure supposition based on the misalignments that I observed. Who knows, maybe my k came out of a wrecked car.
Regardless:
Fact-the kmembers are different
Fact-the pitman arms are different
Fact-the steering column angles are different
Fact-if these parts are mixed up there will be some degree of deviation from the way they were designed to go together.


Nevermind .... I don't want to turn this thread into a pissing contest, it's already turned into a want ad ...

I'm waiting for it to go into a what's it worth wink
Posted By: hemi68charger

Re: K member ID question - 09/09/16 03:25 PM

Originally Posted By JohnRR


Nevermind .... I don't want to turn this thread into a pissing contest, it's already turned into a want ad ...

I'm waiting for it to go into a what's it worth wink


No, I'll do that on Facebook, along with the "Troy-Trade" pitch.... grin

The thread was rather informative to me and answered the question I needed, I have the incorrect k-member,,,,
Posted By: hemi68charger

Re: K member ID question - 10/02/16 02:34 AM

Hey everyone..
Went and checked out the k-member today... It has a stamp of 3289 2 on it..... So, according to this, this is Nov. 24th 1969.. I would guess that is appropriate for a Nov. 30th build date for my Superbird.. Soo,, I guess my Superbird got the incorrect coin on the k-member..... hard to see, but it is 3289....

Attached picture 14494788_10207530333478094_3312300100231232391_n.jpg
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