65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!
Drivetrain => Differentials, Axles & Brakes => Topic started by: Bigpig455 on June 19, 2010, 08:37:28 AM
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We're 65's ever equipped with the braces that run from the rear upper to lower control arm mounts? Mine doesn't have them anyway..
In other news, I recently:
Fixed a spinning wheel bearing race and saved the aluminum drum assembly
cut out the air baffle in the air cleaner housing
ran a limit chain from the frame to the LF motor mount
Installed Air Lift airbags in the rear springs (what a difference in traction!)
Shimmed front springs to level
For all of that, I ran it this AM and officially dipped into the 14's
14.99 @ 96.9 with minimal wheelspin on a 3.08 open diff
I've got a re curved distributor coming from Carmen, and am almost done with a "Doc Dual Plane" intake, with amateur porting and gasket matching. Also have a second carb for jet and rod testing - got a couple sets of each from Carmen as well.
They are having a "all Buick" day at Lebanon Valley Dragstrip (near Albany NY) on June 26th, hoping to make it and see some of you there..
Rhett
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We're 65's ever equipped with the braces that run from the rear upper to lower control arm mounts? Mine doesn't have them anyway..
I don't believe Buick installed the braces, but Pontiac did install them on 4 speed GTO's.
You're off to a good start with the 1/4 mile testing! Some of the most effective mods I did to my blue 66 were the recurved distributor, and replacing the stock air cleaner with an open element type.
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I found that the rear cross member braces make a big difference in wheel hop. They greatly stiffen that upper rear crossmember. You can get a set off of a newer GM A-body (68-72) and shorten the upper end by about 1.5" (that is not an exact number) and drill a new hole in the end and they work perfect on the 64-67 models.
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Thanks for the response guys....
I never had bad wheelhop, but I put in a set of Airlift bags and now the rear stays absolutely planted and launches like a champ....almost forget it's an open diff....
I've just read horror stories about launching hard without the braces - torn crossmembers, bent control arms, etc.... not that I think I've got that much HP, but better safe than sorry..
Thanks again - Rhett
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You most likely won't experience any wheel hop with an open differential. When you switch to a posi, that is when it will show up if it is going to.
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The braces are recommended for any heavy-duty use, just as insurance to prevent damage to the rear crossmember.
Stamped steel repos go for about $90. The tubular Edelbrocks are just a bit more at $105.