Caltrac installation, the next delay......

Posted By: SNK-EYZ

Caltrac installation, the next delay...... - 01/05/13 12:42 AM

I working on installing new springs and Caltracs in my 67 Satellite.

Since I bought the Caltracs used from a buddy I'm trying to figure out if I have all the parts.
Small parts like washers always seem to be missing on used parts.

The springs are new Mopar Perf XHD stock replacement.

Doing a web search hasn't shown me much detail.

What I'm trying to figure out is there anything that goes between the front spring hanger and the bellcranks?

Sorry for the size of the pic, it's off the web and not my actual parts.

I installed and tightened the main bolt and it seems tight on the bellcranks.
I'm thinking it would limit the bellcrank twisting easily.

It's my first time ever installing Caltracs and I'm trying to do it right the first time.

This all started when I was test fitting the TTI Exhaust.
I was gonna install the exhaust, the do the spring swap/caltrac install but I figured out the exhaust would get in the way on the spring swap.

Nothing ever goes as planned.

Edit: last reply has explanation of the latest problem/delay.

Posted By: Blues_Cuda

Re: Caltrac installation question???? - 01/05/13 02:50 AM

Rich-

I tried using washers on Amy's Barracuda to eliminate some of the gap...ending up removing them when I swapped over to 22" front segments. All they did was make squeaking sounds while driving through the subdivision.

We do not have any washers on the '64. (Been running CalTracs on that car for 10-12 years.)

Posted By: rdakota340

Re: Caltrac installation question???? - 01/05/13 04:15 AM

On mine caltracs has aluminum washer that goes between spring and the hanger,Now my brothers 65 Belvedere when he ordered his it came with out them and I told him they where missing he said that they do not use them anymore.

Posted By: Blues_Cuda

Re: Caltrac installation question???? - 01/05/13 04:31 AM

I had initially put aluminum washers on my wife's Barracuda as well.

Posted By: oldiron

Re: Caltrac installation question???? - 01/05/13 04:47 AM

The caltracs shuld come with a large diameter AL bushing to replace the rubber bushing/shell that would have come installed in the XHD spring eye. The smaller diameter AL bushing is longer than the big bushing and goes through aand is actually what tightens up against the fron spring hanger. The 'bell crank' should flop with no binding.

Posted By: StealthWedge67

Re: Caltrac installation question???? - 01/05/13 05:11 AM

Quote:

The caltracs shuld come with a large diameter AL bushing to replace the rubber bushing/shell that would have come installed in the XHD spring eye. The smaller diameter AL bushing is longer than the big bushing and goes through aand is actually what tightens up against the fron spring hanger. The 'bell crank' should flop with no binding.

What he said.... Do you have the large aluminum bushings? They are a key component to the system.

Posted By: Blues_Cuda

Re: Caltrac installation question???? - 01/05/13 05:27 AM

Rich should have the aluminum bushings on hand...I believe I gave him an old set of leafs that had a pair installed. With that said, these were real old CalTracs...probably John's first commercial effort. They were on a '72 Barracuda I bought out of California years ago.

Posted By: SNK-EYZ

Re: Caltrac installation question???? - 01/05/13 10:25 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I have the aluminum bushings and the steel inserts that go inside them.
I pressed them out of the springs I got from you Scott.
The original plan was to use those springs, but that changed when I figured out that they only had a 35 inch rear segment (E-Body) and my car uses a 36 inch one (B-Body).
Both sets have a 22 inch front segment.

I called Caltrac to see why the bellcranks seemed to be binding in the spring hangers and if any washers/spacers were required.
No washers are needed.

The front spring hanger center steel sleeve should be at least 3 inches long (the one that goes all the way through the Caltrac bellcranks).
Mine are 3 and 1/16th.

The width of the bellcranks at the outside should be 2.94 inches.
Mine are 3.0 inches.

That seems to be the problem and what's causing the binding in the front hanger.

The next step is to figure out whether it's because of the bushing width or too much paint or powder coating on the bellcranks.

Posted By: oldiron

Re: Caltrac installation question???? - 01/05/13 03:35 PM

It sounds like you should have a total of 1/16" the way it is since the sleeve is 3 1/16. Does it look centered or is it binding on one side or both? Is it the original spring mount? Does that need sanding off rust/grunge? Is the aluminum bushing centered in the spring?
Just some thoughts?

Posted By: SNK-EYZ

Re: Caltrac installation, the next delay... - 01/12/13 09:05 AM

I finally got to pick up the new XHD leaf springs from the dealer today and ran into the next mild delay.

It feels like one step forward and two steps back.

The new Mopar springs use a 1.5 inch diameter front bushing rather than the 2 inch diameter that aluminum bushings are (out of the E-Body springs that came with the Caltracs).

My first thought was "Great, another delay" figuring I would have to order new bushings.

I decided it would be faster to dig out my small lathe to turn them down to the 1.5 inch diameter.

I got one done before I had to stop so we could go out for dinner and some grocery shopping.
It was midnight before we got back home so I'll be turning the other one down in the morning.

A pic showing the difference. (before and after)

Posted By: OhioMopar

Re: Caltrac installation, the next delay... - 01/12/13 12:09 PM

Quote:

I finally got to pick up the new XHD leaf springs from the dealer today and ran into the next mild delay.

It feels like one step forward and two steps back.

The new Mopar springs use a 1.5 inch diameter front bushing rather than the 2 inch diameter that aluminum bushings are (out of the E-Body springs that came with the Caltracs).

My first thought was "Great, another delay" figuring I would have to order new bushings.

I decided it would be faster to dig out my small lathe to turn them down to the 1.5 inch diameter.

I got one done before I had to stop so we could go out for dinner and some grocery shopping.
It was midnight before we got back home so I'll be turning the other one down in the morning.

A pic showing the difference. (before and after)

Posted By: Scamp408

Re: Caltrac installation, the next delay... - 01/12/13 01:24 PM

I used thin metal washer like a 1/16in from a toro 3100 greens mower let me know if you need any or you can stop by any golf course that uses toro.

Posted By: babarracuda

Re: Caltrac installation, the next delay... - 01/12/13 04:10 PM

I am confused about two things.
1. Why would you use XHD springs with CalTracs? I have mono leafs so they will flex.

2. On my A body, I had no problems with spring eye bushing spacing. Just installed with the bushing and washer provided. Are B body springs different as far as front brackets or what?

Posted By: SNK-EYZ

Re: Caltrac installation, the next delay... - 01/12/13 08:07 PM

Quote:

I am confused about two things.
1. Why would you use XHD springs with CalTracs? I have mono leafs so they will flex.

2. On my A body, I had no problems with spring eye bushing spacing. Just installed with the bushing and washer provided. Are B body springs different as far as front brackets or what?

I went with the XHD Mopar springs because the car is primarily a street car that will get raced.

If it was just a race car I'd probably tub or mini-tub it and go with ladder bars rather than leaf springs at all.

The original factory b-Body springs had 2 inch diameter bushings in the front eyes.
The new replacement XHD B-Body springs are 1.5 inch diameter bushings, which is why I had to cut the aluminum bushings down.
I guess Ma Mopar felt they had to change the bushing size.

My original springs were shot, the only thing keeping the car level were the air shocks that were coming off.

I had planned on using the springs that came with the Caltrac but they were one inch shorter (E-Body).

My choices were skip the Caltracs and just go with Super Stock springs (and new front hangers) or just get some type of replacement springs and use the Caltracs.

I talk to a few buddies to get opinions and they thought the Caltrac option was a better choice.

Scott (Blues Cuda) is running Caltracs with the XHD Mopar springs and it seems to work for him.

I'm limited by what will fit in a stock 67 B-Body wheel well right from the start.
I guess I'll see how they work for me.

Posted By: Blues_Cuda

Re: Caltrac installation, the next delay... - 01/13/13 03:26 AM

Rich-

I switched the Barracuda to monoleafs a year or so ago, but you'll be fine with the XHD leafs. Our '64 has Caltracs with XHD leafs and it can yield a 1.50 60ft on a 9" slick leaving off a footbrake.