1970, front suspension problem

[Michel]

I need some help! My son and I just went to look at a 1970 which has been in storage since 1992. It just came out when the garage colapse from snow on the roof. The question is what could be wrong with the front end, the frame looks solid, but it is touching the ground! We could not look enough under and the hood hinges were rusted so we could not open the hood to look in. The price is right but it would be nice to know what We're dealing with.
Thanks for your help!

 

[kiwigtx]

Torsion bars may be either removed or adjusted right down looking at pics supplied.

 

[70Gtx]

Torsion bar cross member Rusted through?

 

[Michel]

It happened over time. Driver side first then passenger!

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks 70Gtx. If it is the crossmember rusted through, how big of a job is that to fix?

 

[kiwigtx]

Torsion bar cross member Rusted through?

I wouldn't have thought that by looking at the pics posted ;)

 

[Michel]

It was hard to see, but it looked like the k-member was on the ground.

 

[rt green]

rusted through. looks like a good assumption to me too. weld a new one in. looks like a good car from here. price is right you say?

 

[HawkRod]

If it happened over time, then I would agree with the torsion cross member being rusted through, but I agree with Kiwi, the rest of the car doesn't look like a total rust bucket.

It has to be one of two things: Severe rust or somebody was messing with it.

Can torsion cross members be replaced? Sure, but if rust has attacked them there are almost definitely other rust issues. Maybe try to get under here with a mirror, or stick your cell phone camera under and take lots of pictures and see what you can see. Better yet, jack up the front end, support the car to make it safe (e.g. jackstands) and crawl around...

Best of luck - otherwise, the car looks really good...

 

[Kernel Sanders]

Like my dart when I bought it... a torsion bar was snapped. When I removed it and looked close, it looked like something had hit it and thats where the failure happened.

... yes may be the cross member, you should be able to see it with a flashlight from the other side so get on the ground and look and it may be a negotiating point on the deal too and liiks like a good lookin car but ya never know if its just a skin job

 

[Michel]

Price is right but it has a 318. I have a spare 383 but my son is leaning towards a 440 six pack.

 

[Kernel Sanders]

right on! Beautiful find BTW!
Shouldnt be too hard to get a bigblock and 727 in there with the proper mounts... just need to shorten the drive shaft 4" or so. 6 pack be cool

(unless its standard already then just the bell)

 

[Michel]

Hey guys, my son and I finally got to pickup the car earlier this week. It had been in storage since 2002, not 1992. My mistake! It was near 0F with a 30-40 mph wind. Not great to pickup a car but we wanted to pick it up before the snow.
we got it jacked up and blocked. It was the torsion cross member. It has minor rust in the floor and trunk. It will need a lot of work! We found a 4 speed A833 in the trunk and an extra front grill, GTX style.

 

[Photon440]

Good stuff, I'm glad you got it. So we can watch as you rebuild it. Nice score to have the 4 speed included in the trunk, did it have a big block bell housing to go along with it? Sport Satellite and GTX had similar grills. Does it have a rallye dash or rectangular speedo?

-=Photon440=-

 

[kiwigtx]

Another mystery solved...congrats on the purchase. Please show some more pics when you get home and cleaned up a bit :headbang:

 

[Michel]

I'll have to check on the dash tomorrow as the car is stored in another building. My garage is currently full with 2 other restorations. A 74 Stingray (sorry about that!) and a 71 Roadrunner 383, 4 spdd.

 

[soundhd]

Best just to get it up on a lift or jack stands and take a look...........

 

[Michel]

Photton440, I could not wait until tomorrow, I guess I'm now looking for a rallye dash! The car is a Satellite Sports, but I think we will rebuild it as a GTX clone.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Looks nice as a Sport Satillite you are not going to fool any buddy that can read a Vin anyway.

 

[Michel]

Inappreciate your opinion, but I'm Not trying to fool anyone, I just like the look! If I like my Mopar and enjoy it, that's all that matters!

 

[NJRR]

X2 !!!

inappreciate your opinion, but i'm not trying to fool anyone, i just like the look! If i like my mopar and enjoy it, that's all that matters!