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Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject: 1975 Front Suspension Problem Strut Rod and Headers
I have a 454 with Hooker headers installed some years ago.
Today trying to continue with the project I belive it should be a strut rod between frame under engine and to frame left and right side.
(Please correct me what is the words for this)
The problem now is that with the headers on they canīt be boltet.
On the right side I can make it by using a 1 inch bushing/distance between rod and frame under engine and then drill a new hole/position in right side frame.
But on the left side it have to be 2 different bushings/distance of approx. 2 inch each, and I think that will make the function of the rod too bad.
Because I have made polished stainless steel sidepipes I donīt want to change to other headers just like that.
So why is it so important to keep the strut rods ?
What is their function ? I guess it is to controll the collaps of front and engine when you front crash the car, because they want the engine to move down and under the body, or am I totally wrong.
Can I drive without them ?
Anybody with some experiance abouth this.
I have two pictures showing the problem but for the moment I donīt understand how to insert them _________________ 1975 El Camino
1999 Tahoe
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1168
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:49 pm Post subject:
Pix would be helpful. From your description it sounds like they may be near the starter on the right side (as viewed sitting in the car) and near the oil filter on the left side.
Those rods are most likely meant to stabilize the sheetmetal much like the long rods in the engine compartment and the small rods under the front fenders near the front side marker lights.
Full frame vehicles like the El Camino rely more heavily on the front bumper and frame to protect the passenger compartment in a crash. Unibody cars (Cars without a full frame) rely on crumple zones and motor mounts that direct the engine down in a front end crash.
_________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
Necoa #: 7195
Location: 17(S.CA,S.NV)
Joined: Mar 26, 2006
Posts: 789
Year: 1977
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject:
Todd, on the forum page, in the messages for new members forum, the first topic will explain how you can post photos. Then post them so we are sure what you are refering to, rather than us giving you a guess and maybe wrong info.
_________________ http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_CoyoteOn2s77Cage.html
Keep the Shiney Side Up
The Rubber Side Down !!
aka Larry
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1168
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:21 am Post subject:
Nice and clean under there!
As for the rods, they definitely are not meant for sheetmetal. It appears the front crossmember is tied to the framerails. I don't believe I have these on mine but I'd have to look and my Elky is in storage right now.
The only use I can see is some kind of stabilizer to keep the front frame rails from twisting or possibly somebody added them and put in solid motor mounts at some point and hoped to take the stress off the frame by trying to add extra stabilization to the front crossmember. The motor mounts are in the front crossmember and not the frame and that seems to be the part that's being supported. If this was a factory Big Block car that may have been something they added on to take the extra weight and torque of the motor.
This is all supposition of course. You're gonna make me go over to my storage unit and crawl under my Elky now!
_________________ 74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007
2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!
Necoa #: 7195
Location: 17(S.CA,S.NV)
Joined: Mar 26, 2006
Posts: 789
Year: 1977
Model: El Camino
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:36 am Post subject:
Todd, I've been wrong before, but in my opinon, they look to be the fender support braces that mount from the fender to the firewall above the Engine, under the hood. And someone at some point added them under the car. I see NO real use for them where they are mounted. They also appear to be made of round tube, and not of solid Rod, if that is true, then they would be of NO effect as a stabilizer from crossmember to frame. The link will show supports I'm refering to, it's a 454 in a 77. I would also say you would be OK in removing them and not useing them.
"Nice & clean"
Yes, elcamino74guy, I spent a lot of time and money some years back to rebuild this car. Started as a race project, then some local show winner and today Iīm happy just to make a complete car of the project and start it and cruise some day in the future.
CoyoteOn2, my Fender Support Braces are 47 and 3/4 inch end to end, and a nut welded on one end.
These are 20 and 3/4 inch end to end, and with a circular 7/16 inch hole in one end and an ajustable rektangular hole in the other end.
Marked L and R, but mostly the same strenght and design as the Fender Supp Braces.
I have an Illustration Catalog, Chevrolet models thru 1975.
Just to find that one in Sweden was ...
Page 7-3 1973-75 Chevrolet Frame rear end`y was intresting.
Position 14 and 24 look familar.
What do you think abouth it ?
Are your car buildt this way ?
The brace are not solid , maybe only to take care of vibrations ??
All inputs from you will be appriciated. _________________ 1975 El Camino
1999 Tahoe
Necoa #: 4224
Location: 12(MO,OK,KS)
Joined: Nov 02, 2004
Posts: 243
Year: 1977
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject:
Dad and I both ran into that issue when adding headers. He had a '76 small block, and I have a '77 small block. We both just pulled them off and tossed them. I've been running mine for about 4 years without them, he ran his for probably 15-20 years without them. He's now got a '77 Sprint that will probably be getting a big block. I'm sure those little supports will be gone of it soon enough...
I wouldn't worry about them, but that's just me... _________________
Necoa #: 2321
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Posts: 1168
Year: 1974
Model: El Camino
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:16 am Post subject:
CoyoteOn2 wrote:
Todd, I've been wrong before, but in my opinon, they look to be the fender support braces that mount from the fender to the firewall above the Engine, under the hood. And someone at some point added them under the car. I see NO real use for them where they are mounted. They also appear to be made of round tube, and not of solid Rod, if that is true, then they would be of NO effect as a stabilizer from crossmember to frame. The link will show supports I'm refering to, it's a 454 in a 77. I would also say you would be OK in removing them and not useing them.
Necoa #: 7195
Location: 17(S.CA,S.NV)
Joined: Mar 26, 2006
Posts: 789
Year: 1977
Model: El Camino
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:08 am Post subject:
Yes I Know, Was just refering they looked like, and constructed the same as the fender braces, and also (IMO) wouldn't provide much in the way of Frame suooprt, too light in material and gauge. But that was just an observation from the photo, if they are constructed of steel rod, maybe, just appeared to be tubing. Never have seen them before, and they were not on my 77 with a 454. _________________ http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_CoyoteOn2s77Cage.html
Keep the Shiney Side Up
The Rubber Side Down !!
aka Larry
On the right side I will modify with a bushing/distance.
And on the left side I will let it be to start with.
I have crawled under some corvetteīs lately and they have some smaller rods welded to the front cross member?.
So it may be for some reasons GM took the extra cost to put in this rod.
Again thank you all for your answers. _________________ 1975 El Camino
1999 Tahoe
Necoa #: 4203
Location: 18(N.CA,N.NV)
Joined: Oct 30, 2004
Posts: 300
Year: 1975
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 7:23 pm Post subject:
Mine has them too. If I remember right I had to undo the passenger side "rod" to get better access when I replaced my starter a while back. I know I looked at those things and couldn't figure out the point of them being there either. They're basically the same kind of bars as the fender supports in the engine compartment like CoyoteOn2 mentioned, only shorter. I definitely don't think they would help much in the event of a crash. _________________ 1975 El Camino http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_album358.html
All that was left of mine were the ends! Someone in it's past had cut them off and just the bolts and ends were left. Can't see why either! I removed the bolts with a hand wrench. _________________ "Still Just Truck'in"
"Johnny"
Bradley, Illinois
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