Hmmmmmm.... quite the predicament. I have been thinking about this as well. There is a fine line to walk here and many people will say you did wrong no matter which path you take. I think that shocks are a must-they will slow down and possibly help reduce body roll and the subsequent frame flex on cornering and also to a less degree on hard acceleration. They also will help slow the suspension movement and soften the shock of the launch to your rear end/suspension. Next--the xmember. I think if you built an x member with short front legs which on a steeper angle should clear the trans pan, even if they mount a little wider to the center crossmember you will put in. The rear legs can be whatever length you need-with in reason, the longer the better. Now the rear suspension-here is the real issue. 1st, I think you might be ok keeping them more or less parralel if you change the rod ends to pivot on the side not from the bottom. This should reduce a little of the bind. It looked to me (in a somewhat dark parking lot) that the arms may have started to bend slightly just infront of the plates you added to the rear of them. If you have not yet, you could box the lower portion of the rear arms. this will definately help strengthen them. The big issue with keeping them parralel is that even when the rear seems to allow one side to rise and the other to stay on the ground, infact you are trying to twist the rear housing. (this is how I split all the seams in my 56 housing in my Buick). By moving the front rod ends toward the middle it allows the rear to rotate (articulate) much like a rock climbing truck does.This keeps thing from binding. I need to think more about this, but right now if I had to make a decision, I would be thinking about setting it up with something similar to Chevy truck arm suspension. You can make it yourself with box tubing and it would be plenty traditional and era correct. Infact, back in 58-59 the Ramchargers used the first 4 link setup known for dragracing. It isnt just what suspension you use, it is more important to build it to look era correct. And by building it yourself without highdollar parts, it likely will. I FULLY understand your concern with keeping it as 'original' as possible. But keep in mind that over the last 50+ years Jake never had much road time. If Jake did things would have been changed out and improved overtime. Such a hard decision to make. But if you are going to keep driving it, you need to make it so it wont self destruct. Right now you are bending rear suspension parts and ALSO the body and frame. If you set up the rear suspension to move correctly, that is all that will change-the body and frame will stay relatively the same. Not to mention, the slicks just add to the trouble. Street tires will allow some slippage and keep the carnage down some. But you lose the acceleration-no winning here.
Can't believe you couldn't get one of these at Pep Boys Frank and Joe both gave excellent advice. You need to move the front of the arms closer to the center of the car. Straight ahead was fine when the car only went straight down the track. You need the rear suspension to flex to be able to drive around corners and up and down bumps. Especially with the roads we have around here. Jake never experienced that in Cal!
I checked 3 joints out they were wrong.. On my 4th try and there were only 2 more choices the lady threw me out and wouldnt let me return the last joint so i just walked out and then Joe showed up and it was getting dark so we just threw it o trailer he had the family with him and some hot pizza
I wonder if I'd run it at least one more full season? Something does not feel right about a complete redo on the chassis right now. just my gut feeling.
No, I dont think a complete redo. But setting the pinion angle and getting the rear arms to pivot on the sides not upward might make a bit of difference. Cant really drive too long with the pinion angle as it is. The reason the lady threw you out is because you walked in with the 'my car is broke in your parking lot' attitude. You should have tried the 'hey baby, my car is broke in your parking lot. Can you hook a brother up?' attitude! hahaha
It hasnt for me since i bought the car either Frank even when i was thinking of redoing the whole car I kept hearing a inner voice say leave it alone and then some of you confirmed it.. How much damage will it do in a year?? guess w`ll find out.. I am just glad its not as fast as Mac`s and some of the guys out there Yeah Ik def the pinion angle by way of new currie disc brake rear J/K yeah pinion angle and spring mounts and maybe shocks by the looks of it.. The lady threw me out cause she kept asking for my# and i wouldnt give it to her... She insisted so i gave her my shop # and she said thats a buisness i said no shit i told you that when i first came through the door.. And the mass plate didnt help She was to busy with the brother out back when i kept coming in maybe i interupted something...
Real nice, a fine little lady asking for your number and you wouldnt give it to her... no wonder you are a wall flower at the dances! j/k
My 2¢ again...like I said about the engine rebuild, you want to be able to drive the car...do what you need to do so you can spend more time driving the car and less fixing it. Original is nice, but it doesn't mean it was a good idea even when it was newly finished. Besides, if something lets go at highway/dragway speed, you could be looking at a lot more than just a repair!
Joe she wasnt real fine and she wasnt a lady....I hope you werent related Patman i hear ya and am really tossing alot of things around it just hasnt come to me yet. If you know what i mean.
Thanks Scott Here`s a video i got sent to me of the Orange drag reunion 2011 hope it works Cant figure out how to post it dam it
My little 303 hooked but that monster 324 Pete has spun all the way down the track!! He peddled it as much as he could.
Paul you got me I stepped the 303 up to a 324 like Pete`s Dave I wish you could hear this in person sounds much better and thats not me saying it... On that run i took off off idle the next few runs I leaned on the toures (converter) about 2k rpm made alot of difference car was way faster. I wish we couldve had someone taping us with a good camera that was done with a cell phone (Thanks Walt) but would be cool to see it with better camera and better spot taping, maybe next year
I been researching the headers on my car wondering who built them, I have seen some pics of Sandy Belond`s headers and thye look exactly like the ones he has built. So i think they are his. theres a T bucket here on HAMB that has the same headers aswell Does anyone have any info on these headers or a old sales flyer? Thanks
Hey, I see your car is in the new Rolls and Pleats, along with Keith's Chevy and Jon's 32 pu. It's great to see some local guys get some ink. Congrats guys!
Thanks Scott Appreciate it! Its really cool to see Jake in a magazine cant wait to see it. Gotta thank Jerry @ Rolls-n-Pleats Thanks Jerry. I will be carrying Rolls-n-Pleats @ the shop for anyone who wants a copy. Also glad to see Jon`s pick up and Keith`s car as well, Two really Bitchin` cars IMO. And 2 cool cats. Had a great time @ The SILVER CITY SHAKEDOWN, Got to thank The OTHERS CC for picking Jake and the giving me the cool trophy. Between That show the Alter Boys show and the orange drag reunion I had a heck of a good time this summer!!! And I cant forget all the times with you Brett and your parents @ Kimball`s Got to thank Chuck Varnas sp* for the pics too sorry chuck..
Matt (SaltFlatMatt on here) at Gear Drive has a set of Belond headers. I don't know how much info he has, but you'd at least be able to compare his known set to yours. All I know is they are delicious looking. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
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