The nice UPS man stopped by earlier today with some parts from Summit.  Starting things off is a disc brake kit, front sway bar and from Rock Auto a set of Raybestos HD front springs.  Still to come are tubular upper and lower control arms, inner and outer tie rods, upper and lower ball joints, an idler arm and KYB gas-adjust shocks for the front and rear.  Hopefully this will let the old goat turn a corner a bit flatter and not so much like a cruise ship. 

This disc brake kit came with everything necessary to complete the conversion, so says Summit.  It was well packaged and is chock full of grade 8 bolts. 


This sway bar is big!  It came with poly sway bar and end link bushings.


A big thanks goes to Kevin Oeste for giving me some good parts advice.  I owe ya one!

Wish me luck in getting it ready in time for the Power Tour!

Will do!  Ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, adjuster sleeves and idler arm came today.  Looking for shocks and control arms tomorrow! 

Here's a bit of progress.  I received everything I ordered much to the delight of the UPS guy.  I started in today and made a bit of head way.  I got the upper and lower control arms, spring and spindle for the driver side.  I still have to remove all the passenger side stuff.  One question, though.  With things as they are now, and the floor jack in not supporting the lower control arm, I can't budge/rotate the spindle at all.  If I place the floor jack under the lower control arm and jack it up a bit, I can rotate it bit it's fairly snug.  Is this normal or do I have a problem?

Here's a pic:

Thanks, Kev.  Well, after helping my girls with their homework, I snuck out to the garage to make more head way.  I was able to remove all the passenger side stock gear and bring it to the level of the driver side.  So I have, on both sides, the upper and lower control arms, springs, spindles, inner and outer tie rods.  Tomorrow, I'll start with the power booster and master cylinder and then start getting the brakes together. 

I'm finding little things that are making me shake my head at this car.  When I was removing the sway bar, one of the bolts that held one of the brackets had a nut behind it, inside the flippin' frame rail!  The bolt hole was stripped so rather than tap a new thread someone managed to get a nut in there.  By the grace of God, there was a factory hole in the frame that just let me get an offset wrench on the nut to remove the bolt.  Some people's kids, I'll tell you what...

Other than that, it went fairly smooth, so far.  Installing new springs is a bitch, though.  The spring compressor I used was hideous.  I had to partially disassemble it to get it out of the coil spring.  OY!

I have a feeling it's going to be a bit high in the front.  I hope not, but I think it is.  There's no way in hell I'm going to remove those springs and cut them.  I'll get drop spindles first.  Okay, it's late and I'm rambling and have to work tomorrow.  I'll get some pics up when I get more done.

Kevin,

Thanks for the tips!  As far as bending new brake lines goes, I wasn't really planning on it.  The Summit kit came with a couple of lines that were pre-flared with fittings.  I assume those are necessary for plumbing the proportioning valve.  What are your thoughts?  I haven't flared lines in ages and would hate to muck that up.  

Also, where would you recommend I source the proper automotive 3/8 bolts for the sway bar.  I'm definitely going to be doing that.  I need new lower Shock mount bolts, as well. 

A bit more progress while the kids were at school.  I got the brake assemblies installed on both sides.  One question, on both sides, the pads are dragging a bit.  The driver side isn't too bad but the passenger side is really tight.  I can still turn the rotor by hand but it's tough to do.   Do you thing this will even out as I drive or do you think I gots me a problem?









That's it for today, next item up for bids is the sway bar.  Kevin, I picked up some grade 8, 3/8" bolts for that monster.  Thanks for the tip on that. 

That's great to hear.  I'm going to get the rear shocks on tonight and then I'll put my tires back on and take a shot of the stance and post it up. 

Great news, Mike!

The car looks awesome, I love the color.

The front is a little high, I agree, but it will come apart easier since it's just been loosened up. 

As for the rear springs, "stiffer" does not always mean "better handling."    Springs need to be compliant to allow the suspension to do it's thing.    I wouldn't worry about the rear yet... get the front height set, front sway bar in, bleed the brakes, then go drive it around and see how it feels.    You might not have to change a thing.

Can't wait to see the finished project IN PERSON!