Whons

I have the car on wooden blocks under the tires just as it would be on the road.

Got a little problem. I had already swapped the boxed lower rear control arms from my 70 to my new 71. so I decided to replace the short upper ones as well. Got the driver rear out and when I finally got the front bolt out, I felt the car shift a little. The rear driver side lower bracket on the frame bent. Any advise how I'm going to be able to straighten that when I put the new upper ones in? Also couldn't get the upper bushing on the differential out, drilled all the rubber out and just have the metal sleeve to cut out. Know big deal, but am worried about the lower bracket. Attached a picture.

Thanks for the info and the picture.

Does the engine have a high performance camshaft?

Nice. I like the floor jack method

Congratulations. Me and my wife Kathy just celebrated 30 years in August.

I always run the vacuum hose to my advance on the distributor to full manifold vacuum. Time the engine to specs with the hose removed and plugged, then to make sure that it is working rev the throttle and make sure the mark on the harmonic balancer moves farther in the advanced direction. I have always done it this way on all my SBC's that I have owned. I have even had arguments over this. A lot of guys think it should be run to ported vacuum. That was only done on newer cars once they started putting emission controls on. Let me know what anyone thinks about this subject.

Very NICE car. a lot of work you put into it.

These wheels were on my 71 when I bought it. First car I had without rallies

That's a shame. I hope he gets it back and not ruined.

It's the most heavy duty I could find. I know it will work well.

Here's the pictures of my new spring compressor

Thanks again to everyone. when I get the new tool I will post a picture.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice. I found a much better and heavier internal spring compressor. When I get it I will post a picture no comparison to the one I showed earlier. With it I feel that I can do it safely. I want to do it at home because I want to clean up and paint the control arms. And take my time.

The hooks on the compressor looked the same thickness at Advance auto as the ones on Ebay

Also consider buying one or loaning one from advance auto

I'll be changing my front springs this coming spring. Just getting ready with all parts. I have watched a few you tube videos. I basically understand the process. I've attached a picture of a internal spring compressor. Does this fit up through the inside of the spring after the shock is removed? It looks like a slot is in the lower control arm to fit it up through. Also I see using a chain from the spring to the frame for safety. Please advise. Thanks Wayne

Yeah Joe I know the ends have to be straight in line. I'm going to have them done at a spring shop. HAPPY NEW YEAR. Thanks Wayne

Thanks I have new Moog springs ordered. I'll probably cut some off of them.

If I stay with stock springs I like the idea of cutting 1 1/2 coils out. Now the springs I ordered from rock auto are for an AC car. Mine was but the ac compressor has been taken out. Should I use these springs or exchange them for stock springs w/o air

Thanks James for the reply. I found a pair of the coilovers on Original Parts Group for $549.99. says they are coming soon. I have a question It looks like the lower end with the adjusting nut is on the shock O.D. and the 2 ears on the shock bolt to the original shock holes. So it looks like the spring is supported by the shock and doesn't set in the pocket on the lower control arm. Is that right and strong enough? Do they give you a spanner wrench to adjust the nut?

If the height was higher than I wanted there is a spring shop near me that could shorten them. They do all types of springs and have been around for years.

These coilover shocks look like a great idea, but if you had a shock go bad how easy would be to find an exact replacement. I already ordered the springs from Rock auto. I could always return them.

I was just thinking I could save a lot of work without changing ball joints and bushings because the tubular arms came with all them in them. Now I may just rebuild what I have. One question where do you buy the coil over coil springs and how do you adjust them? And do they fit the stock control arms? And can you compress them with a internal spring compressor like a normal spring. I guess I can always return the springs I ordered from Rock auto.

I machined up a plug for the cigarette lighter.