Replies to this message are sent to The Chevelle Mailing List
------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Rick,
I'm just curious if you used their front springs with the conversion? I'm
assuming you didn't because I think their springs lower the car another inch
for a 2" total drop. I was wondering if this may have something to do with
not being able to achieve their alignment specs? When did the conversion on
mine, I didn't use their springs (I had just bought new springs 6 months
before), and I couldn't get their alignment specs either. The shop I had
mine at didn't mention a sagging frame or anything though.
Anyways, I was just curious if you or anyone else knew if this would be a
contributing factor?
Rodney.
71 Chevelle
Phoenix, AZ
----- Original Message -----
From: "rick schaefer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2001 1:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Chevelle-List] Global west conversion -Long
>
> Replies to this message are sent to The Chevelle Mailing List
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
> My conversion/rebuild is finished (??-more on that later). To
> update- , I installed Global West upper control arms with tall spindles &
> 12" brake rotors on my 1972 el camino. It took quite a bit longer to
> finish than I expected, but what doesn't. I am very happy with the
> results.
> I haven't had a chance to really wiring it out, but in general
> handling is much better. I can easily go 60 mph thru a curve that was
> white knuckle time at 50mph before. (Maybe the worn front end parts had
> something to do with this.) And the car remains flat thru the turn.
> It goes where pointed and stops much better than the stock discs.
>
> The spindles dropped the front end 1" on each side (I measured b4 &
> after). Also the wheel/tire is about 3/8 of an inch (measured with
> wheels straight ahead) closer to the fender than before. I have lost a
> little in turning radius. With a Monte Carlo SS box, the diameter of
> the tightest circle I can make is ABOUT 37 feet ( for some strange reason
> it is a bit tighter going to the left than to the right) . Before, the
> diameter was about 36 feet. Not much, but I can definitly tell the
> difference when turning into a tight spot.
>
> Special tools - Tie rod & ball joint pullers- I couldn't make pickle
> forks work for me & the pullers were cheap (harbor freight $5.00 each),
> INNER spring compressor - I didn't need it for disassembly but had to
> have it for reassembly (harbor freight $14.00) 27mm socket for the
> spindle nut. Air tools are sooooo much nicer during disassembly.
>
> Time - Disassembly was about 3.5 hours.
> Reassembly was about 14 hours.
> I only worked on it 1-2 hours per day. Includes doing several things
> over, and working for an hour or 2 (TRYING to reinstall springs) and NOT
> really accomplishing a thing. Does not include chassis degreasing &
> paint of new parts or installlation of bushings & ball joints.
>
> Parts - I used spindles from an 86 Caprice Estate wagon, calipers &
> hoses from an 80 Camaro. Stock 72 calipers WILL bolt up to the spindles
> & probably would work. Stock hoses are too short.They need to be about 1
> 1/2 inch longer. I could not make a full (stop to stop) turn with the
> stock hoses. The camaro hoses are the right length, BUT do not lock into
> the 72 frame brackets correctly. The 72 bracket is too thick. I looked
> at many different hoses, but could not find any that had the correct
> length & would clip into the bracket. Next trip to the wrecking yard
> I'll retrieve some thinner brackets.
>
> THE BAD NEWS - My frame is sagging. The alignment shop could not
> get the car into specs recommended by Global West. The best they could
> do on camber is -1 degree on each side. It still runs OK, but I will
> have tire wear problems until I get the frame pushed out (Anyone know
> what that costs?) . The frame will have to wait, as its gonna take me a
> while to pay off the rebuild parts.
> I was aware that some frames sag but thought that my 120,000 mile
> never really molested/wrecked elky would be immune. Wrong! My nickels
> worth, if you are gonna invest in a costly long term restoration, get
> the frame checked early. Just think of it as another long term
> investment.
> If anyone has questions, fire away.
>
> Last thing - I definitly do NOT like the downhil look. I need to
> drop the back end about an inch. Does anyone have suggestions on
> springs? I'd prefer MOOG or TRW but let me know what works.
>
> rick (Abilene Texas)
> 72 El Camino TPI 350/700r4
> ACES #00140 TEAM CHEVELLE #00038
> http://members.home.net/jimmy4/rick1972elky.html
> http://chevelles.com/showroom/ricks%20motor%20-L
>
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------
> To Unsubscribe please visit www.chevelles.net/list.html
> To start a new topic, send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
-----------------------------------------------------
To Unsubscribe please visit www.chevelles.net/list.html
To start a new topic, send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
