Raising the Backend

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by James66Skylark, Aug 14, 2017.

  1. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    The car is sitting 2 inches lower in the back then the front on the drivers side and close to 3 inches on the passenger side. Here's a picture of the drivers side. Long over due for both to be changed.
     

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  2. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Here is a picture of the car with those springs and shocks. Happy over all with the ride height. I wouldn't mind it being a couple inches taller. Don't think I'll do anything about that at this time.
    The handling and corning and over all drive is much improved.
     

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  3. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    That was fast!
    Larger tires would also raise it up and fill the wheelwells better.
    I'll keep a lookout for those rear mount spacers I mentioned and post back.
     
  4. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member


    Dropped it off at 8am and it was done before noon. Good shop who only does suspension work.

    Would I need spacers for a larger tire? My tires are new, but thre is a tire place here in the city that will trade out tires like mine. Please keep a look out for those.

    Thanks.
     
  5. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    You won't need rear spring spacers for larger tires. I have 255/60-15's in the rear and 235/60-15's in the front.
    Rears are about 27" diameter. Do you have 14" wheels? A 235/70-14 or 275/60-14 would be a similar height. A 275 is a tight fit in the rear due to the width.

    Here's an example of the coil spring lift. They offer other other sizes. You need the ones with a thru hole for a 64-66:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Rear-Coil...ash=item58f613e396:g:AKoAAOSwZ4dZG03Z&vxp=mtr

    Or just make your own from aluminum. Here are some leftover aluminum discs on eBay for $9 each. A machine shop or scrap yard near you may have something similar.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-4-X-4-7-8...Solid-Plate-Mill-Stock-75-thick-/332321996424

    Since your car is sitting pretty good now, you can just drive it and enjoy it! Be sure your brakes are good... check for rusted lines, replace rubber hoses. Suspension bushings should be checked too, as well as steering linkage components..... basic stuff.

    Start thinking what you want from the car and what mods to do.
    I highly recommend a thicker 1-1/4" front sway bar. It really tightens up the suspension and improves handling. A fast-ratio steering box is nice too.
    I really enjoy my '66 Special. I did the above mods, front disc brakes, added a 4 bbl and dual exhaust to the 300, and swapped out the 2 speed auto for a Richmond 5 speed.
     
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  6. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    I called around today fora set of those tires you suggested. I'm going to see a tire guy on Friday to see what he'll do for a discount on my current two back tires as they are new. Don't think I'll need the spacers as you said. I like the ride height now and with bigger rear tires I should be good to go.

    As for what's next I have a seized passenger side wheel cylinder.
    Also I had to slam on the breaks hard today as someone pulled out in front of me. After that my breaks felt weird. Almost like I didn't have breaks unless I pushed very hard in my pedal. Once I got home I lifted the hood and I noticed a piece missing from the front of the booster. It was a plastic cap that I luckily found and put back on. I hopped back into the car turned it on and the breaks were back to what they were prior to that hard stop.

    The rear shocks and springs have really improved the handling of the car around corners. I really want it to be louder so next up will be the fuel exhaust. I'd love to get a 4bbl and am looking for a '65 intake so I can upgrade.

    Thanks again for the suggestions. I appreciate it.
     
  7. rhedelius

    rhedelius Well-Known Member

    James,

    Your 66 looks great with those new springs.

    I see that those Moog 6197's are listed through 66, will they also fit a 67 Skylark? Mine is in dire need of some rear help and if these will also work in the 67 I may have to order a set.

    Thanks,
     
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  8. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    No. Starting in 67 the spring seat in the frame is different. 67-72 springs have pigtails at both ends. 64-66 has pigtail only at one end (rear axle), frame end is a 'tangental' cut (open coil).
    Stock springs for 67 include 5385 and 5413. 5413 is 0.33"taller.
    I see a 5299 that is about an inch taller, and a 5391 adds another 1.2".
    The cargo coil cc501 is another option.
    67-72 uses the same design spring so there are likely lots of recommendations on the forum.
     
  9. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    I believe they are 14's. I check when I get home tonight. I find the tire looks too thin when looking at it from behind the car. So I'd like something a little wider and taller so I get that little extra ride height as well something to fill out the wheel well. I'll probably look to get the 255/60-15's for the rear.
     
  10. rhedelius

    rhedelius Well-Known Member

    Thanks Walt for the info on the 67-72 rear springs, appreciate it!
     
  11. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    I find the ride is much better with the new springs and shocks. I don't feel the body roll much anymore. The previous owner had put new exhaust on from the muffler back. Now that the springs are on, the exhaust does hit the spring. I can live with it for now as I'm getting a true duel system put in at some point.
     
  12. rhedelius

    rhedelius Well-Known Member

    James, thanks for the info! My springs are definitely shot, there are some air shocks on there now to give it some lift and they have a slow leak. I've been meaning to get them replaced and maybe even add a rear sway bar to help. I love driving it, but front brakes are high on the list, the stock drums can be a little scary sometimes.
     
  13. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Yes, I don't like the front drums at all. I just had new drums and shoes put on so the car would pass safety. I should of just went a head and done the conversion then, but need to spend that money elsewhere. The other night the cap for some reason popped off my break booster value. The drive home wasn't too much fun. Popped the cap in and the car is break like it was before. I hear the conversion to disc breaks it easy. New master cylinder, hoses, calipers, rotors and pads. Summit has a kit minus the master cylinder for $440.00 CAD.
     
  14. rhedelius

    rhedelius Well-Known Member

    Keep us posted if you go with disc brakes. I have it on my list, but there are several priorities in front of it...
     
  15. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Ok will do. I want to do my exhaust first and I still have a few electrical things to work out.
     
  16. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member


    Would 255/65r15 be too big.
     
  17. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    Backspacing on the wheels needs to be correct to center the tire in the wheelwell.
    15x7 wheel with 5" back space, or 15x8" wheel with 5.5" backspace.

    The 15x7 Buick rally wheels have 4-3/8" backspace. If the rear axle isn't centered in the body (common to be off 1/2" or so), one side might occasionally rub against the wheelwell lip/molding.
    A 15x7 wheel with 4.5" backspace should probably work too, but 5" is preferred.
     
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  18. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member


    I do have 14" rims. Those sizes are no longer available. I can get a 235/60r14 or a 225/70R14. I think the 235 is probably my best bet.
     
  19. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    A 235/60-14 is a short tire, only 25" tall. What size tires are on it now? IMO, a big car like a Skylark looks odd with short tires.

    For Cooper Cobras:
    http://us.coopertire.com/Tires/Passenger/COBRA-RADIAL-G-T.aspx
    225/70-14: 26.26" tall, 8.9" wide
    235/60-14: 25.08" tall, 9.1" wide

    For BFG Radial T/A:
    https://tiresize.com/tires/BFGoodrich/Radial-TA.htm
    225/70-14: 26.5" tall, 9" wide
    235/60-14: 25.1, 9.5" wide
    245/60-14: 26.5, 9.8" wide
     
  20. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Thanks a lot for that. I currently have 205/75r14 tires on the front and back. They are just over 26'' in height but only 8" wide. I think the y 245/60/14 would be a perfect fit for what I'm looking for. But aren't they smaller then what I already have? I believe they are just under 26".

    Also why is the Cooper 225/70-14 .24 shorter and not as wide, yet they are the same tire size? Sorry, I should know this, I worked at a tire shop but that was almost 20 years ago.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2017

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