Torsion bar removal on 69 charger

[Mopar1979]

I was wondering if I can take the torsion bars can be taken off without a special tool. I don't have a removal tool. Any tips? Pictures on b bodies with them being removed? Thanks

[Ghoste]

It can but it is critical that you don't score or scratch the bar in any way.

[JB400]

It's best to get the right tools.  Any autopart store has them on a loaner system.

[Mopar1979]

Should I have all of the weight off the k member before removal?

[JB400]

All the weight off the wheels.   Don't forget to loosen up the adjuster bolt on the bottom of the lower control arm all the way

[Mopar1979]

My car is a 383 4barrel car but I might put a 440 in. Can I use the same torsion bars or do I need heavier ones?

[JB400]

That's purely up to you.  Depends on what you're using the car for.  For a street car, they're fine unless you just want the hd bars.  If you like to carve corners, you might want to beef them up.

[Ghoste]

The 383 bars and the 440 ones are the same.

[tan top]

It can but it is critical that you don't score or scratch the bar in any way.

yeah thats true , dont want to  be putting  any nicks  , grooves  or chips in the bar , as this will create stress points , 

support the car with jack stands under the frame  ,  like S400W said no weight on the suspension ,
you can make a tool for removing them  , i did 20 plus years ago  , but would recommend buying a tool to do the job , 
  you can remove the bar with out tool , but if you decide this route , you need to dismantle most if not all the front suspension to make it easy for your self  ,   then  lever the lower control arm back wards with a suitable bar between the k frame , ,  once loose , then tap the control arm off the torsion bar ,
as you got most of it appart , you might as well rebuild the front suspension ,

[Mopar1979]

I probably will try to rent a tool from parts house. I want to make some Dollie wheels under front end after I remove it. What I see is that the two bolts that hold the front bumper look like a good place to bolt on some brackets with rolling wheels on it. What has people used as as a good location for mounting rear brackets on so I can move with axle off?

[JB400]

The 383 bars and the 440 ones are the same.

I believe the 383 cars used the .90 bar, the 440 and Hemi used the .92 bar.  Unless the Charger had the Soft Rate package, then they were .88 same as on the Coronets

[Mopar1979]

I am not sure if it was a soft car or not. It is a se car if that helps.
Thanks
Shawn

[Ghoste]

Unfortunately I dont have any of the parts books at my disposal but I thought the 383 cars used the same one.  If no one else can verify I'll check when I get home in a couple of weeks.

[tan top]

Unfortunately I dont have any of the parts books at my disposal but I thought the 383 cars used the same one.  If no one else can verify I'll check when I get home in a couple of weeks.

do you know what i cant remember  , OEM   R/T bars   .92 "

******edit ****

The 383 bars and the 440 ones are the same.

I believe the 383 cars used the .90 bar, the 440 and Hemi used the .92 bar.  Unless the Charger had the Soft Rate package, then they were .88 same as on the Coronets

yeah i think your right S440W   , that .88 , rings a bell  , not got the info to hand right now  

[JB400]

I done a search, here are the results

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,12165.msg140766/topicseen.html#msg140766

[Mopar1979]

Here are some updated pics of my 69 Charger. Two of these pics are when i got it home from where it has been in barn since 1986 and in a field since 2005.

[Mopar1979]

Here are some since i started dismantling. This car was more solid than i ever thought. the rear fenders could have been salvaged, but it would have taken alot of work. I decided to put new AMD quaters on it instead. I am trying to get it off for Bead Blasting in the next few weeks.

[Mopar1979]

And yes i swept up 10lbs of dirt and rust in the trunk!

[tan top]

got a project going on there !! whats the plan stock type rebuild color etc  or  ,  i think  i spy wood grain dash & two  holes close together on the sale panel  , SE ??
thanks for sharing pictures  , looking forward  to seeing more  as you progress 

[JB400]

Glad you posted some pics.  You might want to make a thread in the Charger section so everyone else can see.  Looks like you have your work cut out for you   What are the details for your ride?

[Mopar1979]

I am still trying to decide. I have been looking to see if I have a numbers matching car, but I have run out of luck. The engine shows noe vin on the block? Second I am not for sure but going from the numbers on the trans rail n drivers side above oil pan has quite a few numbers to decifer, but I don't see the last six of the vin number. So with that said unless I have overlooked something. I may paint a different color and do a black interior instead of green and put a 383 with a stroker kit in it or a 440. My goal is around 500 hp but on pump gas. Let me know what y'all think.

[tan top]

 have a look  where the green arrow is , on your trans  , should be vin # there 

[Mopar1979]

I will check that out in a few. Thanks

[Mike DC]

               
Stock 383 '69s had the same torsion bars as the 318s.  The 0.90" bars, which were heavier than the 0.88" bars on the regular base model stock Coronet but lighter than the 0.92" Hemi/440 ones.  

The stock 318/383 bars are acceptable for a driver.  They could use stiffening up for better handling but they are not the first mod I would do in that direction.  IMHO aftermarket swaybars at both ends would help more.


But how sagged-down are the 40yo torsion bars?  They don't lose their actual stiffness over time, but they do lose their height.  You end up cranking them up higher on their adjusting bolt just to hold the stock ride height.      

[Mopar1979]

I probably want to get new ones. Who has a good deal on them for a 383?