In an ultimately futile attempt...
In an ultimately futile attempt to get the initial front alignment somewhere close to the proper position, the new PST tie-rod ends were set to the same length as the (well-worn) originals.
The ultimate damage to the Dart was surprisingly minor: one dead front tire, the left rear brake drum filled with differential lube that dripped out of the axle vent, and relatively insignificant dents and dings here and there. None of the chrome trim was bent; the paint wasn't scratched; and the door-mounted mirror, which had been buried in the dirt, wasn't even knocked out of alignment. In fact, the most annoying result was that my ever-present tool pouch, which was on the back floor, punched through the previously pristine headliner, right about where the C-pillar received its ding on the outside. I'm awfully fond of that dent, though, and whatever caused it actually kept the car from rolling all the way over.
When the wrecker pulled up to her house with the Dart on the hook, Nina looked at me, looked at the car, innocently (but pointedly) asked if I had a problem with the brakes, and mercifully kept her I-told-you-so comments to herself. So that's where this all started, and here's where it ends. The good news is, with the new brakes and suspension, Nina is now quite happy to drive the Dart anywhere, anytime. That's also the bad news, since now it looks like I've gotta go and marry her so I can keep driving it too!
That pickle fork seen below...
That pickle fork seen below the car received quite a workout on the 30-year-old suspension pieces. Doesn't that brake/rotor assembly look cool?
A new idler arm was also included...
A new idler arm was also included in the PST original-performance suspension-rebuild kit.
With its new suspension installed,...
With its new suspension installed, the front of the Dart sat a full 3 inches higher. This was a tad excessive, and the torsion bars were adjusted accordingly.
These adapters from Stockton...
These adapters from Stockton Wheel (Stockton, California) are a third alternative to either immediately also changing the rear axles of the car or now carrying two spare tires/rims, due to the larger 4 1/2-inch bolt circle of the Wilwood hubs. Carved out of 6160 aluminum billet, they are an inch thick and DOT-approved.
Sixty-five pounds of torque...
Sixty-five pounds of torque is the specification for mounting the adapters to the stock, 1/2-inch studs, using the original lug nuts.
While the loaner rims still...
While the loaner rims still fit under the rear fenders with the adapters in place (and were still on the car when this photo was taken), the car's permanent set will be machined to compensate for the inch difference in backspacing. Soccer mom Nina, shown with sons Alexander (left) and Andreas, is finally happy to drive the Dart-and was careful not to block from view the slight sheetmetal damage (on the rear door and the C-pillar just above the door) left by the author's tipping episode.
MagnumForce Racing proprietor...
MagnumForce Racing proprietor Ron Jenkins stands behind his latest project, a tubular K-member for the B-Body Mopars (a version for the A-Body cars is also available). Although deemed overkill for this street-driven Dart, we hope to present an installation in a future issue of Mopar Muscle.