what should i do

[grobert]

Hi,
i have a 74 challenger thats on a (BBQ), the engine was a 318 and im switching to a 440 with a 727 trans,
my question is ,,
some say i need to change my crossmember and my torsion bars and the tabs ??

some say i dont need to change anything,just to purchase some engine mount adaptors ??

who should i listen to

help

 

[ramenth]

Hey, grobert, take a look in CoronetR/Tguy's thread on the tool help. I replied to you there..

 

[moparal]

ifyour 318 had a 904 trans, then you need a different drive shaft. The K member fits every engine size but the slant 6 and hemi. You need the steel engine brackets that fit all big blocks from 66 to 1974 e bodies and b bodies up to 1972. The torsion bars would be ok and work good for wait transfer in racing. Big block ones are a bit bigger and easy to get. Radiator inlet is on the lower bottom driver side on most all big blocks, your 318 was passenger side

 

[ramenth]

Not to dispute, moparal, but I don't remember reading anything about a drag car. For drag use, I'd say, yeah, the smaller bars will help. For street use? The bigger bars will hold up the to weight and the beating of poorly maintained roads better.

 

[grobert]

thanks for your fast responce

 

[grobert]

i was considering on changing the tortion bars but i was confused about the crossmember,now its clear ,will the bigger tortion bars fit the original lower tabs ?

 

[ramenth]

i was considering on changing the tortion bars but i was confused about the crossmember,now its clear ,will the bigger tortion bars fit the original lower tabs ?

I'n not getting what you mean by "tabs." If you mean the adjusters up front? Yes. If you mean the lower control arms? Yes. If you mean the balloon seals and c-clips? Well, it's always a good idea to replace seals and attaching hardware anytime you replace suspension parts.
I would recommend you take a look at your adjusters, though. These have a tendency to corrode after so many years (they're as old as your car, more than likely) and sometimes strip out where the bolt goes through the plate. Not a bad idea to hunt down new ones. Again it's a safety thing. Hate to see you get everything together and start adjusting the ride height just to have the bolt strip out.
Since you're going to have the suspension apart now's the time to start thinking rebuild on it if you haven't already. P-S-T is an advertiser here and sells good parts. The polygraphite master kit is the way to go for a good pavement pounder. Add in KYB shocks all the way around if money allows. Again, if you're looking for a good pavement pounder.
That being said what are the plans for the car? Drag like moparal was talking about? Pavement pounder to take out on weekends or drive to work on good days in the summer? Canyon carver? Firm Feel has a list of torsion bars with sizes printed to help aid in your search for the right ones. You might want to give them a call with what you plan on doing with the car and they'll be able to help set you up with the size you'll want to run.
Good luck.

 

[grobert]

sorry i did mean the lower control arms and its going to be a weekender and nice day at work hotrod

 

[ramenth]

Unless you want to step up to Firm Feel's boxed units or something is physically wrong with the ones you have, should be good to go.

 

[grobert]

i will have to change the torsion bars, they are damaged, but the rest is good to go

im not yet working on the front part ,but im asking before time to know what my steps in making sure all is strong enough will be and U are a huge hepl ( thanks)

i posted some pics

 

[ramenth]

i will have to change the torsion bars, they are damaged, but the rest is good to go

im not yet working on the front part ,but im asking before time to know what my steps in making sure all is strong enough will be and U are a huge hepl ( thanks)

i posted some pics

That's the way to do it. Get all the info you can upfront so you're project won't be held up waiting for just one or two small pieces.

 

[knickerbocker57]

same k frame just change the motor mts,don`t forget the drive shaft,yes and of course the torsion bars.you can use the originals if you crank them up but the bars that came on b/b cars had thicker ones.front and rear sway bars with urethane bushings will make it handle like a s/b been there done that it works.now go out and have fun.

 

[burdar]

If your 74 has the Rallye suspension, you will already have the bigger bars. The Rallye suspension used the same sized bar as the big block cars. The only bigger "factory" bars were the HEMI ones.

My 73 Challenger is a 318 Rallye car. My factory bars have the silver paint marks on them which makes them one step down from the HEMI bars.

 

[grobert]

well thanks for such a antheusiastic responce,,i knew i was at the right place to get good answers ,my work on the car moves very slowly due to the time i have spare to work on it but i you can see ,im moving forward so ... ill get there

 

[ramenth]

well thanks for such a antheusiastic responce,,i knew i was at the right place to get good answers ,my work on the car moves very slowly due to the time i have spare to work on it but i you can see ,im moving forward so ... ill get there

That's the spirit!