Long Trip

Mary and I took the B, with about 300 miles on the new engine, up to Frankfort, MI for the weekend - about 200 miles each way. It ran like a charm - great oil pressure, smooth cruising at 70mph (about 3,000 rpm in O/D 4th - measured by GPS!) and temp right on the N with a 160 'stat. Only problem we had was the top hose sprang a leak on Sunday but was easily repaired, I'll get a new one.

Next task is the front suspension. The DPO put short springs in, I already have stock ones to put back. Also want to put new bushings in the A-arms etc. Does anybody have any experience with the eurethane ones, or should I just use V-8 bushings?

I have the eurethane in my 77 and realy like them, but have not driven any with the V8 ones.

I would go with the V8 bushings... Which my 77 and 72 have.... Others like the Polyeurethane ones....

Just put V8 ones in the A-arms on my 69 Roadster. Anything would have been an improvement as mine was riding on metal!! I like the new ride and doesn't seem too harsh to me but I prefer a firmer suspension as my tires are touring class and a bit softer than some. Be good if you hear from someone who has had both. I was kind of 50/50 on V8 vs urethane. My only concern about the V8 ones is that it is rubber in there and may detoriate faster and once you have done it you want to put this job off as far into the future as possible by getting the longest lasting bushing possible, IMHO. I did my rear springs and was dopey enough not to do the bushings. Brain f _ _ t, I guess. Will probably do urethanes there this winter.

JTB

Eric, I used the polyurethane bushings little more of a smooth ride. But most important is to make sure the A-arms are not worn, for $15.00 apiece it is worth getting new ones.

sorry...I answered the wrong person, I am trying to get a handle on this BBS

I vote for the urethane. I put the V8s in one GT and the urethanes in the other. Urethanes are just a tad stiffer, which is what I wanted.

I have urethane in all but the A arms...use the V8 bushings. And if a hose is in your future get the kevlar type. If you put 7 leaf rear springs and rubber bumper front springs, you should have a 5 inch height from the ground to the driver floor pan. a 3/4 or 7/8 sway bar (with urethane) should do wonders for the suspension...and remember all this stuff will give you a hard road suspension, you will feel that popcicle stick you ran over in the road...it is a real road holder and feeler. happy trails

Thanks for the input guys - I was leaning towards the poly bushings and I think that's what I will go with. The article on intalling the V8 bushings kind of clinched it - looks like the poly ones are easier to install! I also like the "no rubber" concept!

I think (!) the DPO put new A-arms on. He did put on new (lowered) springs, which is the reason for doing the work (to put new standard springs on), but he obviously did not replace the bushings! To give you an idea of this guys work - after I replaced the main wiring harness, I counted SIX of those nasty "quick splice" things on about an 8 inch length of wire!

don't get Iggy started on the DPO thing. Iggy holds the world championship super-duper-dungpile award for being DPO'd.