Torsin Bar Size for '62 Wagon

[Plucked Chicken]

Torsion Bar Size for '62 Wagon

Anyone with experience in selecting torsion bar size? 6 passenger wagon, 318ci that will be a boulevard cruiser. Rides like a boat now and one of the adjusters is turned quite a bit more than the other - telling me the bars are shot. Would like it to be more compliant, but not rock hard either.

.89 dia stock looks like.
.92 or .96 offered by Classic Industries & Mopar Performance, painted finish.
.89 or .92 offered by PST, raw finish.
.94 or 1.00 offered by FirmFeel, powder coated finish.

Let me know what size T-bars you are running and engine size.

Did find a good article here.
http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/...p_1210_stock_suspension_upgrades/viewall.html

Thanks.

:worry:

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Any torsion bar guru's out there?

 

[5.7 hemi]

With a barge like that, no disrespect intended, I would go 1 inch.

 

[Plucked Chicken]

:drowning:

Well I did say it rides like a boat...........

 

[Ryguytoodry]

Go either .96" or 1". It will never be as firm as a new school road racer, but that will tighten her up a lot (and I'm sure we all like it when "she tightens up").

 

[Stumper]

It's more motor dependent that it being a wagon. With a stock 318 I think I would stay under 1" unless you wanted to lose the ride comfort. .92-.96 would probably be a good
range to firm it up but not leave it too stiff. If you have .89 now and are not happy with the ride go to .96

 

[khryslerkid]

The originals are probably weak. Wouldn't new ones of the same size make a difference?

 

[Plucked Chicken]

The originals are probably weak. Wouldn't new ones of the same size make a difference?

I have read they do not lose spring rate. So new .89's probably just regain adjustment for height. These cars were under-sprung from the factory.

Anyone running .92's in a small block B-body?

 

[62MAX]

I have read they not lose spring rate. So new .89's probably just regain adjustment for height. These cars were under-sprung from the factory.

Anyone running .92's in a small block B-body?

66/71 Hemi and 440 .92 in my 62 Savoy wagon with 6 leaf rear springs,rides like a new car.

 

[Ryguytoodry]

Torsion bars dont get weaker, unless there is a notch, dent, knick, or something of the like in it.

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Scaled the wagon today at the local concrete and gravel - they have a nice digital read-out you can see while on the scale now. 4,080# full of fuel and with me (200#) in it. Exactly half over the front axle 2,040#. Heavier than I thought it would come in, but then dry weight spec for these was around 3,600# so with fuel and passenger, there you go. Pretty neat having the weight so evenly distributed, can't say it handles like a sports car though. All the more reason to go at least .92 bars with 2,000# over the front axle. This article recommends the 1" bar at 1,800 over the front axle:

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/...p_1210_stock_suspension_upgrades/viewall.html

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Ordered the Mopar Performance .92's yesterday based on recommendations from other '62 wagon owners. Should improve the ride big time. Also have PST sending the rest of the front end parts that I don't already have: Steering kit with idler, pitman, tie rod ends and sleeves, LCA pivot arms and bushings, LCA and UCA bumpers, new adjusters, polygraghite one piece strut rod bushings, and torsion bar seals and clips. Time to learn how to rebuild Mopar suspensions. :icon_winkle:

Rear suspension is next.........

 

[Plucked Chicken]

PST was sure knowledgable about what I needed for my odd Mopar. Free shipping and the FBBO member 10% discount a good deal too.

FBBO Member Discount Info

http://www.p-s-t.com/