1963 dodge 330 straight axle ??

[k-ams]

I want to put a straight axle in my 63 dodge from either a D100 or A100 axle. Don't want the mile high stance.

What works the best, I want it to look like it was built in the 60's I have big and little keystones for it a 318 bored out to a 340 and early J heads ported to the max with big valves 565 lift cam. etc.

Pictures would be great and any help from people that have done it.

Thanks for the help

 

[Dodge 330]

A couple of things.

Why?!

Not my personal taste, but if you're bent on it, Speedway Motors has very nice straight axles.

A Bigblock is cheap and bolts in. Don't waste your time with a smallblock.

Sell it and buy a Dart or Valiant to do this...

How much would you sell it for?

 

[k-ams]

well I already had the work done to the 318 and it will make around 450 HP. And I want to be different. and big blocks arent always cheap to build.

I don't think I would really sell the car as I've had it 3 years. and looked for around 7 till I found one.

 

[khryslerkid]

~

 

[super-bee_ski]

Check out Bob Mosher's 63
Not a straight-axle but still neat!

This is the look I am trying to build.

 

[glassman]

Get yourself a 3/4 socket and a long handle ratchet and crank those torsion bolts a few turns. Same amount on both sides to achieve that straight axle look.

 

[super-bee_ski]

glassman,
Do you believe that is what Bob Mosher did on his black 63?
Is that how they get that "Raised" front-end look that I'm going to duplicate?

 

[glassman]

Sure is. Notice the fenderwell headers on Mosers 63 Dodge. I have a 62 Plymouth wagon with some real nice old school fenderwell headers and I have to crank the torsion bars up to keep the tires from rubbing the headers. You will have a rougher ride, and will have to realign the front end, maybe.

 

[super-bee_ski]

Thanks glassman!

 

[Coyoteduster]

I don't know that I would want to twist 52 year old torsion bars that tight, now ..., maybe some new ones?:thinker:

 

[super-bee_ski]

Yup,
New ones....
I agree

 

[Bull1tt]

I don't know that I would want to twist 52 year old torsion bars that tight, now ..., maybe some new ones?:thinker:

I'm thinking why not crank 'em up? They are already carrying the weight.

 

[WP29440SE]

A couple of things.

Why?!

Not my personal taste, but if you're bent on it, Speedway Motors has very nice straight axles.

A Bigblock is cheap and bolts in. Don't waste your time with a smallblock.

Sell it and buy a Dart or Valiant to do this...

How much would you sell it for?

what do you mean why ? because its BAD *** and its HIS car, nobody told you how to build your car.

I say build the hell out of it. make it happen

~

that's what im talkin about , that thing looks mean

 

[King Kong]

Have you guys checked this article?

http://moparmax.com/features/2008/iii_4-moshertour-1.html

Bob explains the stance amongst other important issues.

 

[mopar12372]

looks good rides like a garbage truck so why do it ? the down grade to an already questionable suspensio isnt really road worthy and wasnt for street driving .

 

[WP29440SE]

looks good rides like a garbage truck so why do it ? the down grade to an already questionable suspensio isnt really road worthy and wasnt for street driving .

So that's why the millions of 2wd vans and trucks that were designed and built with straight axles were recalled and replaced with coils.

 

[glassman]

I don't know that I would want to twist 52 year old torsion bars that tight, now ..., maybe some new ones?:thinker:

What is wrong with cranking on the torsion bars? Do you think they will brake? I myself have never heard of a torsion bar braking. I have heard of the rear mounting area giving up due to rust and fatigue. In high school, I drove a 62 Plymouth 2 door sedan that was used for a Mich. State Highway Patrol car , and I know that the car was abused by the patrol and the 16year old driving it with cranked up torsion bars. YES, it was bad ***, and the "Z28's" didn't want to race it either.

 

[Coyoteduster]

What is wrong with cranking on the torsion bars? Do you think they will brake? I myself have never heard of a torsion bar braking. I have heard of the rear mounting area giving up due to rust and fatigue. In high school, I drove a 62 Plymouth 2 door sedan that was used for a Mich. State Highway Patrol car , and I know that the car was abused by the patrol and the 16year old driving it with cranked up torsion bars. YES, it was bad ***, and the "Z28's" didn't want to race it either.

Torsion bars will break and the ones that I have personally seen break happened after they were twisted up for better weight transfer at the drag strip. (... one due to a Michigan pot hole) The potential problem is that you are increasing the torsional load on old bars that already have 50 years of stress. I love the look, but I think I would go with new bars just to be safe. ;)

 

[Polara Pat]

So back to the original question at hand. Use a mid-'60s A-100 or A108 axle in your B body and you don't have to shorten it. D-100 axle is too big all over. Custom mounts will need to be fabbed and you can build or buy a leaf pack that has the right stiffness and height for your ride. It doesn't have to be nose bleed in the front but a bit of rake gives it the look that I think you're after. If you're interested in seeing how we did this on our AWB then you can PM me or check out the entire build thread on my blog. http://alteredwagon.blogspot.ca/ I wouldn't say that installing a tube axle from speedway would be an easy alternative and it really doesn't have the visual appeal of an I-beam.

 

[k-ams]

Thanks to the people that gave me some answers. I'll be looking for a A100 axle.