Moparts

Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance

Posted By: ChrgrCuda

Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/10/11 07:07 PM

Has anybody here ever tried to shim or make spacers between the K-Frame and body for extra hood clearance? This is for my 69 Charger, and I'm being told that my RB440 w/Indy intake will not clear the stock hood. However, Nick at Compuflow told me it would. I thought I had an Indy 2-D intake, but it's the Indy single plane. I hope I don't have to change out my already powder coated brand new, milled MW port intake.......
Posted By: Old School

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/10/11 07:24 PM

Quote:

Has anybody here ever tried to shim or make spacers between the K-Frame and body for extra hood clearance? This is for my 69 Charger, and I'm being told that my RB440 w/Indy intake will not clear the stock hood. However, Nick at Compuflow told me it would. I thought I had an Indy 2-D intake, but it's the Indy single plane. I hope I don't have to change out my already powder coated brand new, milled MW port intake.......


i have 2 chargers and 2 cudas. i have to use a k&n flow control, drop aircleaner in all the cars. that is even using the indy dualplane. the singleplane is about 1 1/2" taller. they will not fit under any of my stock hoods. i do not know your combo, but that dualplane is the best one made. i have dynoed many intakes, and it almost always makes more torque. i even have one for my 580" motor.

you might consider the mopar 337 manifold. it is a singleplane and will fit under the hood. it is very close to the performance of the indy. i have also dynoed both of them. again it all depends on the combo. i'm assuming you have a 500" motor?
Posted By: ProStDodge

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/10/11 07:38 PM

Shimming the k-member will alter your suspension geometry, as the upper control arms are mounted to the frame and not the k-member so their relation ship would change.

It will also change your pinion angle, as the motor will drop relative to the transmission mount, raising the tail shaft of the transmission.
Posted By: old_racer

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/10/11 07:44 PM

done it lots of times, but only 1/2in. anything more than that I have no info on.
Russ

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Posted By: 408strokerdart

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/10/11 07:45 PM

You don't want to do that on your car for the previously stated reason. I would check clearance first, but I am almost sure you will have a problem. I thought you were getting the 2D intake until I took the single plane to the powder coater.
Posted By: Dean_Kuzluzski

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/10/11 07:55 PM

Quote:

Shimming the k-member will alter your suspension geometry, as the upper control arms are mounted to the frame and not the k-member to their relation ship would change.

It will also change your pinion angle, as the motor will drop relative to the transmission mount, raising the tail shaft of the transmission.



It will also drop your steering box further away from the column and change that angle too.
Posted By: moparniac

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/10/11 08:05 PM

Use PM or E-mail or post in the Swap Meet Area
Posted By: ChrgrCuda

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/10/11 09:01 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Has anybody here ever tried to shim or make spacers between the K-Frame and body for extra hood clearance? This is for my 69 Charger, and I'm being told that my RB440 w/Indy intake will not clear the stock hood. However, Nick at Compuflow told me it would. I thought I had an Indy 2-D intake, but it's the Indy single plane. I hope I don't have to change out my already powder coated brand new, milled MW port intake.......


i have 2 chargers and 2 cudas. i have to use a k&n flow control, drop aircleaner in all the cars. that is even using the indy dualplane. the singleplane is about 1 1/2" taller. they will not fit under any of my stock hoods. i do not know your combo, but that dualplane is the best one made. i have dynoed many intakes, and it almost always makes more torque. i even have one for my 580" motor.

you might consider the mopar 337 manifold. it is a singleplane and will fit under the hood. it is very close to the performance of the indy. i have also dynoed both of them. again it all depends on the combo. i'm assuming you have a 500" motor?


Yes, I have a 505 RB in the Charger. Looks like I'll have to send this one back.........
Posted By: 69CHARGERMD

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/10/11 09:40 PM

Ron (firefighter3931) did this with his 68 Charger,,,no issues,,turned out fine,
Not sure on the amount he spaced the K frame,,,hopefully he see's this post and reponds,,,,
you might consider sending him a PM,,,,good guy.

Doug
Posted By: sjs64polara

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/10/11 10:01 PM

Not to hijack the post BUT do you think using ½ spacers would help weight transfer . I’m always trying to make my 9 inch Hoosiers stick better

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Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/10/11 10:58 PM

Quote:

Not to hijack the post BUT do you think using ½ spacers would help weight transfer . I’m always trying to make my 9 inch Hoosiers stick better



You'd be moving a little weight up (not much) but
the biggest weight(engine) is still in the same place
Posted By: sjs64polara

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/11/11 01:15 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Not to hijack the post BUT do you think using ½ spacers would help weight transfer . I’m always trying to make my 9 inch Hoosiers stick better



You'd be moving a little weight up (not much) but
the biggest weight(engine) is still in the same place




You're right Guess I'm just dreaming and wishing happy thoughts
Posted By: ChrgrCuda

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/11/11 01:18 AM

Quote:

Use PM or E-mail or post in the Swap Meet Area


You have a PM Sledge
Posted By: DaveRS23

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/11/11 02:17 AM

I have spaced the K down on a couple of cars. I had to drop the tranny mount the same amount on one but not the other. And I just loosened the steering column flange at the firewall and let it slide down a little for the steering.

As for the suspension, I just had the car re-aligned.

No big deal. Worked fine.
Posted By: chryco

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/11/11 02:35 AM

The 68 factory superstocks did it without issues and since an A-Body is and A-Body ......no big deal . Even did that with my MagForce front end . So far the car`s gone 139 and change . No Problems .
Chryco

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Posted By: dvw

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/11/11 10:45 PM

I've done it on B-bodys. I also did the alignments. It will cause camber to go negative due to the fact that the upper arms have to angle downward the additional 1/2". Some cars have enough adustment to compensate,some don't. It does not effect bump steer.
Doug
Posted By: ChrgrCuda

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/11/11 11:25 PM

Thanks Doug. I have the CAP tubular LCA's if that makes any difference.
Posted By: racingblues1426

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/11/11 11:40 PM

I used 5/8" thick 3x2 spacers in my b body for years. It will change the steering geometry. It was still the easiest fix for installing a crossram and using double pumper carbs that needed 1/2" spacers so the carb would open and close properly. Have your alignment rechecked and a slight steering difference will be noticed. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Arlen Vanke told me that all original hemi dart and cudas used this trick for hood clearance. Good luck
Posted By: ChrgrCuda

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/12/11 01:16 AM

Thank you sir. Seeing how the engine and tranny aren't even in yet, it has to go to the alignment shop anyway, as I am starting from scratch.
Posted By: Old School

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/12/11 04:13 AM

1/2" spacers, and it still will not fit under the hood. you will need to loose about 1 1/2- 2",for it to fit under your stock hood. i've tried this already on my cars....
Posted By: dvw

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/12/11 04:44 AM

Quote:

I used 5/8" thick 3x2 spacers in my b body for years. It will change the steering geometry. It was still the easiest fix for installing a crossram and using double pumper carbs that needed 1/2" spacers so the carb would open and close properly. Have your alignment rechecked and a slight steering difference will be noticed. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Arlen Vanke told me that all original hemi dart and cudas used this trick for hood clearance. Good luck


What geometry are you referring to?
Bump steer is determined by lower control arm pivot/lower ball joint vs inner and outer tie rod assy. None of this relationship is changed by shimming the k-frame lower. Yes the camber curve changes but is really a non issue in a car of this type and use.
Doug
Posted By: 9 Sec Phill

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/12/11 04:45 AM

Why not just mill the single plane intake down, im sure the lose of plenum volume would help it more then hurt it. Redrill the carb holes and tap them and your all set. You still have a single plane intake and it fits under your stock hood.
Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/12/11 04:53 AM

Quote:

Thank you sir. Seeing how the engine and tranny aren't even in yet, it has to go to the alignment shop anyway, as I am starting from scratch.



Can you go to a front motor plate.... then you can
lower it the needed amount and leave the K where it is
If you do go to lowering the K I would go with shock
extensions also otherwise you will loose travel
Posted By: ChrgrCuda

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/12/11 04:14 PM

Quote:

1/2" spacers, and it still will not fit under the hood. you will need to loose about 1 1/2- 2",for it to fit under your stock hood. i've tried this already on my cars....


Thanks for the replies Old School. Nick did say that after the shimming of the K-member if it still requires clearance that we would then probably mill the intake. As Nick said, there is more then one way to skin a cat.

I want to also extend my thanks to everyone for all the informative and helpful replies on this post as well as another post. Your experience and wisdom has been my guide in this endeavor of my first B-body big block car.
Posted By: 1_WILD_RT

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/12/11 06:02 PM

Another thing you can do to minimize effect on suspension geometry is use FMJ spindles, they are taller than B body spindles so they compensate for lengthening the other side of the box...
Posted By: dvw

Re: Shimming K-Frame for Carb Clearance - 03/13/11 04:25 AM

Quote:

Another thing you can do to minimize effect on suspension geometry is use FMJ spindles, they are taller than B body spindles so they compensate for lengthening the other side of the box...

\
I agree, they are aprox 3/8" taller. Good move.
Doug
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