update on Rich's build

[RICH MUISE]

I finally got the antenae finished up. Really cool....last night I was sitting in my metal roofed garage listening to 850 KOA in Denver.
Ran the cable and switch wire to the radio only to find out my model radio (marine) does not output any voltage on the 4 unused wires on their harness. That would be were it's normally hooked up to put the antennae up or down when the radio is on/off. Instead I ran the wire thru a switch I mounted on the console fed by an ignition powered source. When the switch is on, the antennae goes up/down when the car is on/off, instead of up/down with the radio. The switch allows me to put it down when I need to.

I installed 1" lowering blocks in the back to see if that small amount would make a difference in handling. Boy did it!!! I now have none of that wanting-to-come-around feeling on a downward curve. Awesome. I was hopping for a little improvement and got a lot. I still have a pretty decent rake to the car. The back end was 1" higher then oem due to the 6 leaf springs, it is now pretty close to stock I believe....maybe a bit higher due to tire size.

[mustang6984]

Sounds like that 1" was worth a lot! I am inserting a frame mod to my car to alleviate that problem...I'll post a pic of the final design on my build thread when I get ready to insert it.

We are hoping to get this beast done in time to do the Woodard Dream Cruise this August. I am thinking perhaps YOU need to join us up there! We could get some others and just make a '57 cruise down the Ave!   

[hiball3985]

Rich, I have considered doing that also, where did you get the blocks and did it include U bolts? I wonder how much more positive caster happens with a 1" drop in the rear, we need Lynn to do the math..

[lalessi1]

It is not that complicated but the results will be negliable. As an exercise I will try a little later....

[hiball3985]

Lynn, I thought it would be negligible. It may not be complicated for you but way over my head.. 

[RICH MUISE]

Jim.....on EBAY somewhere. Yes, it came with u-bolts, which I didn't need. The u-bolts that came from McVeighs with the new springs were just long enough to accept the 1" block.
The 1" as I remember were hard to find..... everyone carries 2" or up.
If I lived in an area that had an aluminum supply house, I'd make my own from solid stock. I didn't really care for the hollow extrusion, but that's all I could find. I gave the u-bolts to my friend at the speed shop (he's the one that installed the blocks...took 15 minutes, lift, axle jacks, etc). Anyway, tommorrow I'll check the box I gave him to see if there was an address on it.

[mustang6984]

Not to horn in on your chat with Rich...but since as he said the 1" are hard to find...if you have a machine shop (other than automotive) around your area, you can have them make you a set. If you DON'T have one...let me know...I have one near my wife's office. I bet they could make up a pair easily enough. Not sure about cost...but hey...whats' money..right? LOL!!!

Rich, I have considered doing that also, where did you get the blocks and did it include U bolts? I wonder how much more positive caster happens with a 1" drop in the rear, we need Lynn to do the math..

[hiball3985]

Thanks Rich, I know the 1" are hard to find and I really don't want to go more then that.

[hiball3985]

Thanks Rich, I know the 1" are hard to find and I really don't want to go more then that.

Thank you for the offer. I have access to a mill so I suppose I could make one, I'm just getting lazy in my old age.

[RICH MUISE]

Jim.searched my ebay purchase history...copied this:
1 item sold by performanceonline-pol
Lowering Block Kit for 2" Wide Leaf Springs and 3" Diameter Axle 1" Drop
Lowering Block Kit for 2" Wide Leaf Springs and 3" Diameter Axle 1" Drop
( 161388952509 )
Add note
   ITEM PRICE:
US $40.00

their ebay store:
http://stores.ebay.com/PERFORMANCE-ONLINE-PARTS?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

[RICH MUISE]

pics of trunk popper, antennae, and new vent tube. None of it real pretty, but hey, it's in the trunk.
BTW, I was talking to a friend today about vasolene'ing the trunk seal to keep it from sticking, and
he said what they use on rubber parts so the petroleum based stuff (vasolene) doesn't soften the rubber is Dielectric grease....aparently it is not petroleum based and wont affect rubber parts. Good to know!

[mustang6984]

I fully understand! No problem. If you get a bad case of REALLY lazy...let me know...I go by this place almost everyday on the way to my shop...depends on whether I stop at the post office first or not.

Thank you for the offer. I have access to a mill so I suppose I could make one, I'm just getting lazy in my old age.

[mustang6984]

Looks pretty nice to me! Well laid out! I especially like the copper line...makes it pop a bit. And the bends are really good. You nailed it!

Your friend is quite correct. My Saleen is a convertible...and it does have a bit of a leak tendency around the ends of the windshield where the lid mates.  A line of dielectric keeps the water at bay...although I have also used the Vaseline when in a pinch. Either one works pretty well. I have never had a problem with Vaseline on the rubber parts of cars. But dielectric is cheaper. And I...am kinda cheap myself at times! LOL!!!

pics of trunk popper, antennae, and new vent tube. None of it real pretty, but hey, it's in the trunk.
BTW, I was talking to a friend today about vasolene'ing the trunk seal to keep it from sticking, and
he said what they use on rubber parts so the petroleum based stuff (vasolene) doesn't soften the rubber is Dielectric grease....aparently it is not petroleum based and wont affect rubber parts. Good to know!

[hiball3985]

Thanks Rich, thats helpful. I remember looking on Ebay in the past and most of the kits were either listed for Chevy trucks or they didn't list the dimensions.

The trunk looks good, is that a zolatone type paint you used?

[lalessi1]

Well I calculated the change in caster, lowering the car changes the caster more than I thought. Basically the change in angle of the chassis adds to positive caster by the same amount. A 2" drop amounts to a 1 degree change in rake and a 1 degree increase in positive camber.