Cracked, brittle, and dry-rotted rubber brake lines should be replaced with new lines. Since we're running late-model disc brakes, we ordered front rubber lines for a '74 Duster with disc brakes from our local parts store.
The Strange Engineering shocks were an easy install, simply bolting into the factory shock location.
One of the upgrades we'll be doing is adding Strange Engineering double-adjustable shocks on all four corners. These shocks will allow us to fine-tune our suspension, giving us multiple settings for both compression and rebound. While designed for racing, these shocks will help a street car achieve maximum traction as well.
With our suspension and brakes installed, we installed the engine and transmission in the car so it would be close to race weight while we set the front-end alignment.
To align the front end, we enlisted the help of Tod and Garret Struck from Inline Performance Specialist. Notice that we're not using a modern alignment rack (would you trust the kid at an alignment shop with your race car?), but rather old-school alignment tools that do the job just fine.
Alignment pads allow the front wheels to move freely while adjustments are made.
Toe was set by using this bar and measuring front and back from a set location on the tire's tread. A tape measure will work for this in a pinch. A little toe-out adds stability to the car at high speed.
Castor and camber were adjusted by moving the eccentric washers in the upper control arms. Tod puts as much castor as possible in the car's alignment, reducing drag and improving stability in the race car.
After aligning the car, we put it on four-wheel scales to check the balance and weight distribution. While 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution is ideal, the best you can usually achieve in a big-block A-body without moving the engine is closer to 60/40.
If you've been following Project B3, you're probably aware from some of the photos that we've already been to the track for some testing. The fact is, the car took us less time to build in real life than it does in the magazine, so we're a little ahead of ourselves. While we won't tell you yet if we met our goal of 10s in the quarter, we will tell you our suspension worked great, and the car is launching straight as an arrow. Look for more tech and the results of our testing in future issues.
The scales also tell us if one rear wheel is loaded more than the other. By adjusting the torsion bars, the loading on the opposite rear wheel can be changed. For a baseline, we set the rear wheel loading equally. This should be a good start for straight launches. If we find out the car is going left or right, we can fine tune it with minor shock or torsion-bar adjustments at the track.
Bradenton Motorsports Park
Bradenton, FL
941/748-1320
bradentonmotorsports.com
Inline Performance Specialist
Webster, FL
352/568-7591
Just Suspension
Mooresville, NC
800/872-1548
justsuspension.com
Strange Engineering
Morton Grove, IL
847/663-1701
strangeengineering.net