chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

Hi, I have a 65 mustang that initially had a 6 cyl. I’m installing a 289 V8 and people are warning me about my chassis/body twisting or Torquing on me. Has any one ever ran into this type of issue, it’s not a hopped up engine or anything. Also is there is a reason to be concerned about this does any one have any sussgestions on what to do to prevent chassis Torquing and twisting?

Thanks

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

if you had some kind of monstrous motor in it then id be worried but not with just a 289 - the only problem i see with gettin on it would be your axle winding up and wheels hopping when you take off

but if you really want to stiffen your chassis you can buy a pair of subframe connectors and it should stop twisting from happening

prob get a pair for about 70-100 bucks and they come in bolt in or weld in ...or you could bolt them in then get somebody to weld them

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

Connectors would help... but I would note that you should at least double check the frame to make sure that it is solid all the way around. If there is any hint of corroded parts, I'd suggest making sure that they are at least fixed. I would also note... I try to be careful with anything that changes the appearance of a vehicle, you could really damage the value of the vehicle in doing so.

Now, back to your question... adding a set of torque boxes also wouldn't hurt either, especially if the floors are questionable.

If everything is solid all the way around, however... and you aren't sticking in too much beef, especially if you have a hardtop, you should be alright with the swap out without any mods.

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

Im not worried about t appearance or the value, im already doing allot of custome stuff to this car, im cutting out the floor pans and putting different seats in so it will sit lower. Im installing a t5 transmission replacing the 3 speed. The v8 upgrade was already done and the engine is just out of the car right now.

thanks for your input guys the only other question i have now is,, do you have links to things on the internet i can buy that will beef up my chassis, some of you mention

torque boxes

chassis sub frame connectors

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/34419/

I'm in the process, myself, of sticking in new floors, torque boxes, and frame rails on a '68 coupe... A '65 hardtop should be easier, since they didn't come with torque boxes from the factory.

Here's a Jeg's page for the connectors, should you decide to go that route, they will be less work, overall, and if the frame rails look fine, may be the cheaper way to go:

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...63&prmenbr=361

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

If you dont have it, I would throw in a M/C bar and export brace to keep the front end tight. I bought an m/c for mine, and it turns out the shock towers had drooped inward enough that it wouldnt fit by about an inch. That kind of flex is bad. ;)

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

I put these on mine around 4 years ago.....or atleast ones that look just like this. Pretty easy install, good quality...and look nice under the car. If ur car is solid, I do not think these are necessary....but they sure wouldn't hurt.

http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchant...ry_Code=subfrm

Ryan

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

hey killedbanshees93gt, how did u get the 1 inch flex out...to install the monte bar?
Ryan

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

I once had to use a portapower (hydraulic jack) to do that re-expansion on a '75 Granada that had collapsed the shock towers inward by about an inch. That should work for the installation of the Monte Carlo bar as well.

Rev

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

Actually, I never did, :o At the time, I had a good bit going on, and never got back around to it (She was our only running car at the time). What I was/am planning, is to try getting the car jacked up on the k member in front, and let the suspension hang for a while (day or two), see if that spreads the towers enough to whack it into place. If that doesent work, then I guess I'll be looking into the hyd jack, like Rev did.
Right now thats so far down the project list, its not even funny. :(

J
BTW Rev, what did you have to do to spread them with the jack? And can you rent them? (just in case)

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

It was a long time ago. The porta popwer is a hydraulic cylinder with a flexible hose going to it from a hand operated pump with a jack handle on it. I did rent it and put it between the shock towers with some wooden blocks (I think). While the shock towers were spread, the Monte Carlo bar was inserted. That kept the shock towers where they were supposed to be. This was all many years ago and the memory of it is a little fuzzy now.

Rev

Re: chassis Torquing problems in 65 mustangs
 

Glad to see people recomending pushing out the towers. This is the right way. Alot of people modify the cross bar "to fit" which is wrong.