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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> 65-70 Full Size Chassis Tech Forum -> raise the front end of a 66 beaumont
Post Info TOPIC: raise the front end of a 66 beaumont
66 Beau


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RE: raise the front end of a 66 beaumont
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BB springs and air shocks in the back were all the rage back in the late 70's. The sky high look was IN. So were straight axle front ends...

BB springs with a SB will raise it big time and from my experience, you'll want someone who knows what they're doing to align it.

If you go this route, do not try to turn corners at more than posted speeds. The cars tend to get pretty light at high speed with all that air going underneath.

I installed a set of BB chev springs on a '64 Cutlass once (it's an A-body, right? and this was the late 70's...). The alignment shop ended up twisting the frame to get an alignment and keep the stock height. She was a little rough, but it stayed level in the corners and did not get light at high speeds! No - I did not ask the guy to start twisting the frame - he did it all on his own initiative. Great guy eh? Worked out well enough in the end.


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lorner


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i did a quick serch, and see that you can buy coils for a small block without air, and then the set of coils that are for a small block with air, are also the same coils for a big block, without air. i was thinking of getting the sb coils for air conditioning for my car, but now i am concerned that they may lift it to high. whatcha think?

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66 Beau


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Are you trying to get to stock height - or something higher?

Stock height is too high for me - I know, it was too low back in the 70's - but I kind of like being able to actually turn the corner at the end of the straight stretch.

If your front end is too low, i suspect it might be due to someone changing the springs, "relaxing" them a little with heat or actually cutting part or all of a coil out. Putting the stock, non-air shocks in should get you stock height. It may be a little higher than you want, but should settle in to stock height.

If you're interested in higher than stock, there are spring spacers you could try. I don't like them as they create a stress point on the coil, but they may work so you can try it and see if you like the higher front end. Before you start, park on a level surface and measure the bumper height. Add a spacer and measure again. Then you'll know how much lift you're looking for. If you want it "way up there" spring spacers will not likely work. From my experience, they work for that "it only just catches the fender when I turn into my driveway" issue..

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lorner


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i do beleive i want something a little higher than stock, but i am not sure what stock is. these measurements are all off the top of my head, but i will confirm today.( i just got the car a couple of days ago, so i am not that familiar with it, YET.) anyways, i beleive the front tires are 215 x15 inch, and when i measure from the floor, to the middle of the fender opening (right above the centre of the tire), the measurement is around 24.5 inches. i would like to get it up to around 26.5 inches. i will confirm these numbers today, and get back to the site. the tires do rub when i turn sharp. 66 Beau, if you get a chance, take a measurement of yours please. reason i ask, is you say that "stock" height is to high for you. man, the way my car sits, i dont think it could get any lower, and i think it is stock?? lets talk soon. thx again.

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Steve C


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My car with the springs that I am not happy with has 225/60R15 tires and sits 27" high. I will try to take a good picture today of the way the car sits.



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Elroy


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if you look in the parts books alot of the BB springs are actually the same PN as a HD small block with AC, I havent looked for your car but they aren't as radical as you think. Saying all that you can see my Chevelle does sit fairly high even with the BB on 14 " ET's. Those are stock originals too. I do want to lower it so if you want them let me know but that will be awhile.... really cheap :)

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66 Beau


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I will try to get some numbers but it won't be for a few days. I have 225 60 16's on it and from the numbers I've seen, they should be the same diameter as original 14's. I have a good inch above the tire to the middle of the fender opening. I would like it to be even with the top of the tire. I am pretty sure the springs are stock.

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BOSSY


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My 67 has been lowered 2" and the front tires rub the inner fenders on a turn with 235X 60 15" tires on 7" rims and the car rides rough I will be getting new original height SBC springs for front and back.
https://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a34/rrbedard/RHINEBECKGOODGUYS2011115.jpg
https://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a34/rrbedard/RHINEBECKGOODGUYS2011114.jpg
These were taken at Goodguys this weekend in Rhinebeck, NY.

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Ron Bedard
Elroy


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The Camino with the hotchkiss spring kit does ride firm on frost heaves etc and you have to watch the headers on speed bumps heaves that you would not normally need to look out for so yes there is a price to pay there but I like the way it handles exc it needs a better box and sway bar upgrade now. I also put airbags in the back springs as they were a bit soft, a loaf of bread would drop it down :) No tire rubs with the 255, 235 55 17's on 8 and 7 inch rims though

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Steve C


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H.D. with air



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lorner


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by h.d. do you mean the springs meant for a small block with air?

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Steve C


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lorner wrote:

by h.d. do you mean the springs meant for a small block with air?

 Yes.



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