--=BIRTH OF A SAND/DESERT CAR, Radiator and Rear Suspension - Part 2=--

Cooling System and Rear Suspension Fix, Part 2 I decided to change the way the upper radiator mount was designed. Also, tighten up the outer swing arm bushings for the rearend so the alignment would be better. There was to much slop between the arm I made and drilled, and the metric bushing in the outer hub mount. This was because I didn't relize the hub bushing used metric bolts and the arm I made was drilled for a 5/8 inch bolt...... Below is the new radiator mount. Also a lower rad hose was made out of 1.5 inch tubing which was bent and fitted. I'll be removing the rad. and sending it out for rod and repair to make sure there are no problems with it. Also an upper radiator connection will need be made.

Using 1.25 inch tubing I cut a crosspiece and and then some uprights with nuts welded in the top. Later I will put in some bolt-together, 2 bolt flanges so the radiator and crosspiece mount could be removed when the engine/trans need to be removed.

To top off the radiator I used the original plate from the 76 Chevelle with rubber rad. mount holders. Then bolted it in place making for a much cleaner installation.

I purchased a 36 inch long by 1.75 inch round polyurethane rod from US Plastic. The polyurethane rod can be purchased with a different hardness. I bought a #90 hardness. Thats the hardest they had. It seems to be about right. Similar to store bought polyurethane replacement bushings. Then pulled the lower control arms and removed the original rubber bushings from the outer hub pivots. Cutting the polyurethane rod to size, drilled a 5/8 hole thru the center of each. Not having a lathe I had to improvise something for my drill press... Then I mounted the pieces of cut PU bushing material on my drill press and proceeded to cut the outside to 1.5 inch. Thats the size whole in the outer hub mount. I trimmed the raw bushing down and left part of the original size to form a lip similar to the old rubber bushing. Again, the reason I did this was the original rubber bushing was sized for a metric bolt. How long these new bushings will last I don't know. But whad da fug!!!!

Above left are some of the bushings. 2 cutdown bushings for each arm mount. Once cut down they were inserted into each outer hub, lower mount. Then the arm was mounted. As u can see, the rear wheels set much better. The alignment is much closer to what its suppose to be with almost no camber or toe of the wheels.

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