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rodney
No I didn't use their springs. Mine were replaced the first time I
rebuilt the front end, I will ask my alignment guy if the springs will
make a difference. I should probably also call GW and ask an opinion.
Your theory makes sense.
rick
On Sat, 25 Aug 2001 14:07:46 -0700 "Rodney." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
writes:
>
>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
>>
>>
>>
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