Torsion Bars, Front end parts, and headers ???

[chargers_r_us]

I have the engine out of my 73 SE. The car has a 360 engine. I pulled the engine because I was blowing white smoke out the ehaust after bottoming out and banging the newly installed headers on the ground. I also want to detail the engine bay! I need to beef up the front end so this does not happen again. I think the smoke was a result of a broken gasket allowing water to get into the exhaust, and so there does not seem to be anything wrong with the heads.
I want to put in new torsion bars. Can I get heavy duty bars, better than stock, or should I go with a new stock set?
I also want to put in new front end parts. Where should I get them?
What else can I do to help the front end?
Thanks for any suggestions!

[Ghoste]

You can get heavier torsion bars, order a set for a 440 car as an example, but it couod also make it ride harder than you want too.  I wouldn't be afraid to get a pair of new replacements for a smallblock car as they do wear out after many years so the ones you have are no doubt pooched.  I think its about the same price for either though so its your call.

[Nacho-RT74]

www.firmfeel.com

BB and SB used same bars since 73s. Just police package got a little bit heavier bars. diff on suspension between BB and SB since 73 was just the sway bar diameter.

PST suspension is a good source for suspension parts.

depending on how you ride and conditions of roads around but If you ask me I keep rubber everywhere. Poly makes a stiffer ride and suspension, but for same reason, would make worn faster pieces like sway bar what is a piece where rubber and bar friction makes lot of stress.

Maybe LCA and UPA are better locations for poly parts, However I still would keep rubber on LCA for better isolation.

73s and laters B bodies are good comfort cars to ride, so if you plan to keep a regular street use, I don't see reasons to change to poly.

[doctorpimp]

Actually Nacho there were 4 sets of Torsion Bars for the 73!
/6 , small V8, V8 and HD!!

My 318 car had /6 T-Bars in it!!  Hard to say what chargers_r_us has without part #
I put in the V8 set from a 400 car when I put the 400 in.
Not too bad with all the aluminum components I have up front on the engine!

[Nacho-RT74]

74 mopar parts catalog only shows 3 ( /6s, V8s and HD )... thats a Mopar Performance chart, so not everyone there is the factory piece. mostly sure the .98" is just a MP and not factory stock .

well in fact one of the T-bars PN on catalog really shows two of them being sold like a diff package... one with rear isolators and one without , both listed under the HEAVY DUTY section, so maybe Factory only had 2 instead 3 options, being the third PN a package with the isolators

[doctorpimp]

OK that makes sense - the police package! 

It's all magic anyway from back then LOL

What are the part #s Nacho?

[Foreman72]

www.justsuspension.com/

http://www.p-s-t.com/ <-- thats where i'm going

as far as t bars i'm gonna get .96s...or BB stock...i want a much more firm ride...but so many things effect ride firmness...bushings, shocks, ect ect as has been said by the fine people here...

also as far as beefing up your k frame check this out

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/mopp_0706_front_suspension_engine_cradle/index.html

good article

[Ghoste]

For 73, standard duty- 3402358 right and 3402659 left
73, heavy duty before March 15/73- 3402660 right and 3402661 left
73, heavy duty after March 15/73- 3402664 right and 3402665 left

For 74, standard duty- 3402660 right and 3402661 left
74, heavy duty- 3402660 right and 3402661 left OR 3402664 right and 3402665 right


Is that correct nacho?

[doctorpimp]

www.justsuspension.com/

http://www.p-s-t.com/ <-- thats where i'm going

as far as t bars i'm gonna get .96s...or BB stock...i want a much more firm ride...but so many things effect ride firmness...bushings, shocks, ect ect as has been said by the fine people here...

also as far as beefing up your k frame check this out

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/mopp_0706_front_suspension_engine_cradle/index.html

good article

I have a brand new set of MP T Bars for 72 and below .96" - Would you be interested?  Good price...
Bought them by mistake when I first bought my car...

[Foreman72]

I have a brand new set of MP T Bars for 72 and below .96" - Would you be interested?  Good price...
Bought them by mistake when I first bought my car...

if my car was at the point yeah for sure..but unfortunately its not...and it probably won't be for awhile...how much just outta curiosity... ...why didn't u just return them

[doctorpimp]

They were special order through a local parts store... no returns :p
I was going to modify the T Bar cross member to accept them, then I figured that it was too much fu*king around... LOL
I'll buy FF 1.06"s when the time comes

I just held on to them - never know IF I'll get that 70 RR or E body that I've always dreamt about... LOL

No real need to sell them but they list for $299 on Summit now...  I'd sell them for what I paid in 2005 - $175

[Foreman72]

They were special order through a local parts store... no returns :p
I was going to modify the T Bar cross member to accept them, then I figured that it was too much fu*king around... LOL
I'll buy FF 1.06"s when the time comes

I just held on to them - never know IF I'll get that 70 RR or E body that I've always dreamt about... LOL

No real need to sell them but they list for $299 on Summit now...  I'd sell them for what I paid in 2005 - $175

for the pair?

[doctorpimp]

Yeah, that's how they come.

[Foreman72]

well yeah but thats really cheap...hold on to them...

wish i had the cash man...

[doctorpimp]

It's all good - If and when you decide to get new - look me up, I'll might still have them...
Never know with my divorce etc.  Can't keep all my extra stuff.

[Foreman72]

no worries man...its all good

[Nacho-RT74]

For 73, standard duty- 3402358 right and 3402659 left not availabe on my 74 catalog
73, heavy duty before March 15/73- 3402660 right and 3402661 left
73, heavy duty after March 15/73- 3402664 right and 3402665 left

For 74, standard duty- 3402660 right and 3402661 left
74, heavy duty- 3402660 right and 3402661 left OR 3402664 right and 3402665 right these last ones are the ones labeled with REAR ISOLATORS


Is that correct nacho?

yes, so at the end we have just 3 to 73s but just 2 on 74... I forgott compare the suposelly standart T bars are same numbers than HD T bars on 74

[Nacho-RT74]

I'll buy FF 1.06"s when the time comes

ALREADY ON MY CAR... great improvement!!!

HOWEVER, any T bar you choose will need a good Shock compliment... a heavier duty T bar but loosen to make a lower ride is "allmost the same" than a worn stock T bar with all adjusting bolt thread in!!!!

[doctorpimp]

LOL I get it!!  I like the factory ride height - maybe even higher - don't wanna scrape headers/oil pan etc
I already have new KYB GR-2...  Not sure who else makes shocks for the 73+ ??

[Foreman72]

monroe, eldel, and a  few others i think

[Nacho-RT74]

LOL I get it!!  I like the factory ride height - maybe even higher - don't wanna scrape headers/oil pan etc
I already have new KYB GR-2...  Not sure who else makes shocks for the 73+ ??

I JUST BOUGHT THOSE FROM SUMMIT... WAITING because fronts were backordered ( or were rears   )... will be shipped to FL, and then WAIT AGAIN to get a good shipping stock to ship together

I have been searching for real HiPo shocks by one year and those are the only ones available to 73 and laters ( at least in front ) closer to HiPo specs being not drag kind on a decent price ( didn't find expensives either ). A friend of mine got those fronts, and I did like them so decided to buy.

[doctorpimp]

I think you'll like them Nacho - I had GR-2 struts on a Ford Probe and they were really good - lasted a long time!
They ride well on the 73!