Last night I started removing the front end off the car. This car leans towards the drivers side so I pulled the hood, bumper and driver side fender last night. After getting the sheet metal out of the way there is evidence of front end collision to the end of the subframe and the bumper bracket mounting point. The frame is substantially deformed and there was a LOT of shims between the frame and the bumper brackets. I am going to be removing the engine and trans this week to prepare for the 428. I am thinking that I should check the subframe to make sure its not bent. Where would I measure and are the factory dimensions listed somewhere? Thanks in advance.
Complete used front frame assemblies ususally only go for a few hundred dollars. You might be further ahead picking one up verses re-engineering your old one.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
There's one in my neighborhood (1969). Looks perfect, but shipping could be pricey. Check with LTL shippers to see what a 120-Lbs (guessing) 4x4 pallet would cost. I'll strap it for you. They can pick it up at my business.
Zip = 91355. We have a loading dock, forklift, etc. They usually ask questions about the loading facilities.
Several years ago I shipped a short block using a company in MN that was incredibly reasonable. If I can dig up their contact info I'll get it to you.
I have also shipped with Forward Air, which is a great way to ship. You're not far from DTW, so that's also a good option. I would ship from their terminal at LAX. Check their rates, too.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
1) They are repopping FGF subframes new. Rick's Camaros sells them. When you buy used, besides the obvious potential for rusted out mounting areas, you will have no way of knowing if that subframe is bent or not. I got my subframe from a yard after seeing the 4-door (granny special) '68 Nova it was under to verify the car was not abused.
2) Upper "A" arm compatability. The bump stop location was different for all 3 years (67-69). You have to match upper control arms to subframes or go with aftermarket arms which have mutiple bump stop mounting points.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
It would be a problem trying to use your '68 upper control arms on the '69 subframe. Bump stops were in the rear for '67 - 68 and in the FRONT for '69.
And the bump stop was frame mounted for '67 and arm mounted for '68
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
That's Generous Motors for ya. All the rest of my parts would fit on a 69 subframe though? Wait till the wife hears this one!!! "It's only a few hundred more"
Here are some pictures of the car after last night's work session. You can see in this picture that the car is higher on the passenger side. The rear suspension is all brand new. I put 5 leaf springs in and it sits way to high but I am going to wait until it is finished and remove 1 leaf if I have to to get it to sit level. I did find that the driver's side fender is rust free and will be going back on the car.
These are pictures of the end of the subframe on the drivers (low) side. I gotta think that the subframe is bent causing the car to sit crooked.
The air shocks were so the L50 X 15 rear tires did not eat our 1/4 panels.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
The air shocks were so the L50 X 15 rear tires did not eat our 1/4 panels.
Or vice versa!! My '65 mustang had that combination and when crossing big dip with four people in the car I ripped open the sidewalls of both rear tires at the same time! And I wasn't speeding very much.
one thing you want to keep in mind is if your going to drag the car the 5 leafs would be better as there rated for race set-up. i was going to go with the even stiffer ones but have a set of single and will use a stiffer shock instead. also for your sub frame, i beleive you can contact bill edmunds(firebirdbill). he should still have the convertible in the barn. subframe is straight but needing minor repairs in the mounting area. subframe mount in rear are rusted a bit. been siting for 15+ years in same spot!! i vouch for him also!! and hes in the tri-state area. columbus, oh to be exact. you could even pick it up.
Andy
due to budget cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been disconnected for non payment.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold