B-Man

@Blackhawk, I stand corrected ... my current tires are 235/70-15 ... not/60. The size certainly looks reasonable and they don't rub. Looking at the sticky'd thread on wheel and tire database, the Google Doc link doesn't work anymore. So I'm trying to gather data to make my next tire purchase. The current rally wheels are in great shape and I like them (can't attach pics yet, ugh). They are 15x8 and I measure a 4.25 in backspace. Question: Do you think I'm good to go ahead and order up some 255/60-15 BF Goodrich Radial TAs?

And ordered this set of Bilsteins off Amazon https://www.amazon.com/BILSTEIN-ABSORBERS-CHEVELLE-CONCOURS-OLDSMOBILE/dp/B01BMXJB58/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9MJPJQMSL74&keywords=bilstein+shocks+68-72+gm+a-body&qid=1679782630&sprefix=bilstein+shocks+68-72+gm+a-body%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-1

Follow up - I just ordered this starter off Summit https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sdm-pce3931032

Follow up, I just ordered this sway bar from Summit, along with a new starter (different thread) https://www.summitracing.com/parts/opg-rp01702

@Rob Peters - all good buddy. I think I told you the bank said the check should arrive "by the 27th". It will get there when it gets there. Again, all good. Just happy you were able to get me back and logged in here so that I can participate! @Montemedic thanks for the encouragement on the Bilsteins. They seem like the common and correct choice for now, no doubt. My MC has a front sway bar (covered in oil and muck but the bushings look passable), but no rear. I didnt look closely at my rear lower control arms and I'm not sure if they have the mounting holes for the sway bar. They are definitely not "boxed". You're right I should probably just buy a sway bar for now if the lower control arms have the mounting holes. I can always upgrade to boxed control arms later and keep the sway bar. Hmmm, yeah ... definitely ordering a sway bar too! @Montemedic I mentioned its an older restoration, and it went through Maple Motors at some point (not sure if thats good or badl; they seem legit). In general all of the bushings look to be in really great shape. They must have been all gone through at some point and replaced with good rubber - not polyurethane I dont believe. So I will leave them as much as I can for now. Again, a complete suspension kit is probably in my future at some point. Unless one is actually failed or looks old I will hold off on replacing any.

@cbolt, yeah all too common and not at all unexpected. I looked up some wiring harnesses and boy do those seem like the way to go eventually for sure!! For now I'm just going to trace and replace the obvious issues. I've got plenty of wire and wiring bits and I sort of enjoy the hunt too. It's amazing see a few large gauge wires with the jacket burned right through to the stranded wire, near the headers of course. With a bunch of oil all over the place from bas front and rear seals, it's unbelievable the car hasn't burnt to the ground already. Fun fun! I will report back with pictures once I really start digging in

REAR SUSPENSION - I just found the YouTube video below showing how to 'box in' lower control arms and set them up for sway bars. Cool video! But no way am I set up to make time for that right now. I will be buying my way out of this eventually, haha! And as I go down the path of new shocks, boxed in lower control arms and a sway bar in the rear it's quickly obvious that some sort of packaged kit for the entire rear, and probably front too, is in fact the better / easy way to go. Just pricey $$$$. And I don't want my Monte to be up on jack stands all summer either. The new 3-bay garage is functional but taking way too long to finish up. I can't wait for that either. So ... for now I'm just going to get a set of Bilstein monotube, non-adjustable shocks all around. Since all of my bushings look to be in good shape, thanks to the previous restoration, there is no doubt that will make enough of a difference for what I'm currently going for. Specifically, here is the plan REAR & FRONT NEW BILSTEIN FRONT & REAR SHOCKS FOR 68-72 GM A-BODY, GAS SHOCK ABSORBERS, 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 CHEVY II CHEVELLE CONCOURS EL CAMINO MALIBU NOVA OLDSMOBILE OLDS CUTLASS F85 PONTIAC GTO LEMANS https://a.co/d/eqUmpU5 It should be interesting to see what improvement comes out of just replacing the shocks

@jft69z , yeah I sent Rob a check and have been emailing with him. I should be all set up soon. I had a heck of a time logging in all year and finally just emailed him - should have done that right away. From now on you will probably see WAY MORE participation from me than you'll have ever hoped for, haha. As far as Carlisle goes, yeah I will make it out there at some point. A good, local friend - and car guy - is from nearby in PA and is always driving back and forth. We've already planned to make it a 2-bird-1-stone situation

Starting a thread on some planned and unplanned wiring on my 72 as I get going working on it. I just ordered this 18 x 24 wiring diagram for $36, including shipping. I love working from these really nicely laid out and colored diagrams. It's an artform!! I bought one for a 78 Triumph Spitfire that I picked up a few years ago and it's SOOOOOO valuable to have! https://classiccarwiring.com/products/1972-chevy-chevelle-malibu-monte-carlo-color-wiring-diagram?variant=40725685207240 First challenge: The nose casting on my starter cracked the other day, partially stripping some teeth off the flywheel (ugh!). I dropped the starter and quickly discovered that a number of folks with good intentions have had their hands in the wiring over the years (ugh!). As I started peeling back the onion I've realized that the can of wiring worms is growing bigger and bigger. So ... first wiring challenge will be correcting all of the ignition wiring to the starter which inexplicably has worked fairly well for the year that I've had the car. More later!

@Blackhawk and @cbolt , WOW, thanks so much for the detailed and informative responses!! I will definitely use that info to make some purchases over the next week or so, and I will report back what i get. Bilstein all around is where I was "leaning" (haha). And while I love the idea of adjustable I'm not convinced I would ever really take advantage of it, and would probably end up leaving them in some ill-suited adjustment. For the rear, I will check out the PMI setup and some other options. I lean towards rubber instead of poly, so would go that route first. But boxed control arms with a sway bar - noted. For the front, the camber and caster commentary from @Blackhawk will need some more thought and research by me. I think I understand and can visualize the geometry of your statement, but I will have to sketch it out to understand what's going on. But I believe you, no doubt. For tires, ok thanks for the data points. As I stated, most of my every day driving is a little aggressive admittedly. So keeping the sidewall height down, without driving on 'rubber bands' is going to be the key there. I will probably end up with the BF Goodrich Radial TA or Cooper Cobra. The final size will be a little dependent on what I end up doing with the suspension I would think. For the steering box ... aftermarket Jeep Cherokee seemed to be the way to go from my reading. I will go that route. I will have to do something with the power steering pump and lines I think - the steering 'sticks' every now and then which is scary (not related to steering box I dont believe). @Dtret , Yeah I normally keep everything as close to stock as possible on my restorations. My 72 MC has had a previous restoration and a lot of hands in the cookie jar. So I'm working with what I have, and keeping as much stock as I can. Thanks again guys. Awesome info

Starting this thread to document my upcoming suspension upgrade on my 1972 Monte Carlo. I will post some pics this weekend, but verbally / textually here is what I'm starting with and looking for: HANDLING: Looking for tighter handling for everyday - sort of aggressive - driving. Although I live in New England, the roads are actually pretty nice where I live. At some point I would like to put my MC on a track, but I dont think I need to go to adjustable shocks / struts, etc. Unless there is a 'might as well' sort of thing, and they are easy to adjust and set up. STANCE: My MC has what I would consider a high, stock stance. And I like it!!! While I normally seek to lower my cars a bit for that aggressive stance, I'm really liking the way my MC sits. And I dont want to mess with it too much if I dont have to in order to achieve my goals RIDE: I dont want the think to shatter when I go over a speed bump! 99% of my driving is nice, flat, paved roads with an occasional dirt or stone road. REAR: Right now there is an old pair of working air shocks in the rear. Everything else looks original and stock > What sort of high-end rear shocks has everyone converged on? Hotchkis, QA1, Bilstein? > How about some 'solid' trailing arms instead of the stock c-channel sort of trailing arms? > Rubber or polyurethane bushings? Any preferred brand? FRONT: Right now there are some rusty old, standard-looking shocks. The springs have new-ish black paint on them, so I'm assuming they were replaced during the previous restoration. The shocks may actually be a good brand / model, just old and tired > What sort of high-end front shocks has everyone converged on? Hotchkis, QA1, Bilstein? > Are adjustable fronts really worth the upgrade? Any hands-on use and experience out there? > 'Solid' A-arms and control arms ... worth it for regular driving, or are those upgrades strictly for definite track usage? > Rubber or polyurethane bushings? Any preferred brand? TIRES: 235/60-15 all around. And I like the stance and fit. I could see going a little bigger in back, but it would just be for aesthetic. > Any opinions on the right size for everyday, aggressive driving and maybe some track time? > What brand is generally preferred here on the forum? STEERING: I've read some threads on changing the gear ratio on the steering box. Is it worth it?

FINALLY getting some time to dig into my first Monte Carlo here. First things first - brake ... it had none. I've been replacing the braking system piece by piece and am now realizing everything except the lines needs to be replace. While getting through the process I finally took a moment grab a shot of the trim tag. I haven't brushed on my decoding skills yet but plan to do so shortly.

Just adding to the "brake booster knowledge base" here. I just installed a booster from OReillys today ($120). While trying to get the old one out, I was initially really annoyed by the lack of access to the retaining nut. I had to walk away for a bit. Two key pieces of advice to aid in removal: 1) Remove the back hinge/fender bolts, allowing the hood to tilt down and shift forward. This IMMENSELY improves access to the nuts. 2) Use a ratcheting closed end 9/16 wrench to break the nuts loose and remove them. if needed, use a longer open end wrench on the closed end of the wrench, with the wrench to wrench leverage technique, to break them loose. The whole replacement took about 45 minutes once I figured out how to get the nuts off.

- Cozy MK IV currently with the engine off for an IRAN due to corrosion in the cylinders - 1978 Triumph Spitfire - table and chairs, correct. As well as a bench seat from a passenger van that someone was throwing out - the fridge was under a work bench to the left (out of frame) until I was advised that a fridge full of adult beverages was I'll advised in an FAA inspected hangar - yes, plenty of room. But I will be giving it up shortly in favor of a 24x50, 3-bay garage currently under construction in my back yard

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Rob, yes I will join as a full member. Just have to get a check out to you. Will do so in the next week or so Eastern Meet is on the calendar, and sounds like a great reason for a long drive in a 72 Monte Carlo! And the best update is the attached photo. My 72 is now in my man cave with my other toys. The left exhaust pipe got pulled apart, and header slightly bent, coming off the trailer. But easily fixable and one of many items on the list of things to do. Ive never bought a classic car with this much of a head start before. It's really in amazing condition (except for the vinyl top and some associated rust) and I can't believe nobody snapped it up. This is an EASY fixer upper to have something amazing. I feel very very fortunate. More soon!!

I've already got that Eastern Meet on my radar!!

Hey everyone. I just picked up this 72. It will be delivered to my shop tomorrow. Very excited for a new project. LOTS of experience with various 60s and 70s cars along the way