Messages

Does anyone have any suggestion about shocks ? What shocks are you using with the rear leaf springs (parts number or what car they are from) ? I have two sets of lower plates one with a hole and another with a stud mount ( it can be front or back with the stud pointed rear or front).
Thanks Rick Harris

If the frame is boxed, you can use NutZerts http://www.imperialinc.com/items.asp?item=0758260
to screw the bolts into. The harder you pull the tighter they fit.

THANKS A BUNCH !!!
Rick Harris

You bolted the Caravan springs to the frame ?  I like that idea. What kind of bolts ? Were they big (3/8") sheetmetal screws or were they bolt and nuts.  
My frame is boxed in the rear.  
What did you do about shock upper mounts.  I was thinking about welding  a 2" angle and put standard shock mounts.  
I know you said it was a long time ago and thanks for all the info you can remember.  
Rick Harris.

Don't even consider using sheetmetal screws or you'll be losing the rear-end before you go very far. Either bolt it or weld it period.[/quote]

Thanks for the info. I was asking if he bolted the springs in. I plan to use self taping screws just get the ride height right and make sure it is square and then weld it.  I am just getting all the info I can before I jump into it. I have owned the 36 Dodge for 40 years and I don't want anything to go wrong. I am the kind of guy that ask tooo many question just to get as many opinion as I can. There are a lot of smart guys in this forum and I appreciate all the help.
Thanks again, Rick Harris.

I have used the Caravan springs on older Chevy pickups.  They work fine.  There are two lengths of springs.  The shorter wheelbase vans use a shorter spring.

Muscle car era Mopars had the same type of bolt on spring hangers.  I have used them in the past.  I actually used these on a 36 Dodge that I owned about 25 years ago but I do not remember much about it other the hangers were bolt on.

You bolted the Caravan springs to the frame ?  I like that idea. What kind of bolts ? Were they big (3/8") sheetmetal screws or were they bolt and nuts.  
My frame is boxed in the rear.
What did you do about shock upper mounts.  I was thinking about welding  a 2" angle and put standard shock mounts.
I know you said it was a long time ago and thanks for all the info you can remember.
Rick Harris.

They will work fine. Braking forces are as high as acceleration forces, just not as violent, usually.  My parts books list the same part number  for front wheel drive, and all wheel drive springs on a Caravan.

Thanks !!!
Does your parts book have axle weight for a Caravan ?
My Dodge weights total of 3180 #, front axle of 1660 # and 1520 # rear.
I got the 5 leaf spring ones. The 5th leaf look like an overload leaf because it is real short and thicker than the other leafs. I am not sure if I will need the short leaf as it may make the ride rough and that is what I am trying to fix.
When I was at the boneyard I just got the springs with the most leafs.
Thanks again for the INFO.
Rick Harris.

Anybody got any suggestions about rear leaf springs for my 36 Dodge Coupe ?  I have looked at all the ads in the mags, all the ones I saw are for Fords and Chevys. I have not seen any for any mopars.  
I am still running the stock ones now , but after 70 years they are very  rough riding. I have a pair or 5 leaf Dodge Caravan springs now, and they are about the right lenght.  The thing I like about them is they unbolted from the caravan. They should weld in about the same place as the stock ones. Sense they were from a front wheel drive will they work ok with out some kind of a traction bar ?
Thanks for your comments !
Rick Harris

You might look up  www.honestcharley.com  .
They have a lot of parts and it is a great old Company.
Rick Harris

After you get the good grounds. You need to look at how many amps are going through your ingition switch, 60 amps max. I would have some very low volt reading with the A/C on. I checked the Alternator and I was getting 14.5 volts.  
Put all the high draw items on relays, like A/C, MSD ,radio and amp, and don't forget the headlights.  
There are some good articles on www.madelectrical.com look under electrical tech.  They also don't like one wire alternators and I agree.
I hope this helps.
Rick Harris.

What is the proper tv cable adjustment for the GM 350 trans ?
Thanks, Rick Harris

Thanks to all the Vets.!!!!!!!!!!!!

Father flew B-17 in WW II

Me USAF 68 to 72
Ramstein AB ,W. Germany 70 to 72
Thanks Again, Rick Harris

There is going to be a BIG swap meet at Moultrie , GA Spence Field (the airport in the north side of town) starting Nov. 18 to 20. Anybody going ? My son and I are planning on being there Saturday the 19th. Bring plenty of money because there are going to be a lot of STUFF that we just gota have.
ENJOY !  
Rick Harris

I've seen some used aluminum pulley sets at swap meets ..... on the back side you could see where the machine work did not fully cut through a rough casting spot.

I can see them vibrating.

These pulleys are not very high quality. I got them off ebay. I would not have bought them if I could have inspected them first. Swap meets are still the best !! Speaking of swap meets there is a BIG one at Moutrie , GA starting on Nov 18 thru 20. Anybody going ? My son and I are planning going  Saturday the 19th.
The black steel ones will do just fine, My 36 is a street rod not a trailer queen or a show car.  
Thanks , Rick Harris

I was having a vibration at about 70 mph. I could not find the problem. I just had my driveshaft balanced. I was talking to my life long hot rod buddy of 40 years. He ask if I was running the alumimun pulleys on my small block Chevy w/ short water pump. I said yes and that is not the problem. He said to put the stock steel ones back on and see it the problem goes away. I did and it did. He said that most of the aluminum are not billet but cast and are not balanced. There is one other thing the stock steel pulley overdrives the water pump by 20%.  Would that help a vibration ?  
The pulleys I was running was the 2 groove 6.6" aluminum. The stock pulleys are the 6 3/16" GM # 3876846 water pump pulley and the crank pulley is 7 11/16" GM # 39110013.  
The stock steel don't look as good but they sure work better.
I don't know if any of you have has had this problem.
Thanks , Rick Harris

Thanks a lot guys. I will keep what I have. You know us hot rodders  are always looking for something that is better. Sometime is is not. I just fixed my steering by not going to power but a 16" steering wheel. I have all my u-joints at very little angle and it steers nice going down the road but is hard to turn while parking. The 16" wheel is a little big, but it works GREAT.  
Thanks again, Rick Harris

I would like to get your expert opinion. I have a 15" 7 blade GM flex fan on my 36 Dodge , 350/350 w/air and a Walker radiator. It is working fine(never has gotten too hot even in 100 degrees running the air) , but was just thinking about replacing it with electric fan or fans. Does it give you more HP by not turning the fan?   Is it more trouble than it is worth. Do most of you use electric fans for clearance ? Or some other reason.  
Thanks , Rick Harris.