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Author
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Topic: Shocking ain't it...
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-14-2001 03:06 AM
   
Has anyone ever run into the problem of their rear shocks not being long enuff? I seem to be having a problem of them "topping out" after hitting a bump.. I even got these nifty cheapo little 1 inch extenders on there... It seemed to start after I put the new springs which are just the plain ole springs for a '78 Mach I v-8.... I made shorter shackles but they are now as short as they can be...
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mustangj
Gearhead Posts: 138
From: fergus,ontario,canada
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 04-14-2001 08:01 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maxwell_fax:
[B]Has anyone ever run into the problem of their rear shocks not being long enuff?..."Idea#1 You may want to check for broken leafs in your spings. When my II belonged to my friend the springs were shot and it would top out the shocks. My old giha's springs were shot but I only drove it once like that. (lost my rear bumper cover on launch, during a shake down run...opps!) Idea#2 What kinda shocks are on it? I have KYB GR2's they were inexpensive and they work well. (I had the same kind on my last II too.) I was thinking maybe a generic k-mart shock might be too short? Will fit austin martin to yugo, type part listing? Idea#3 Is the rear stabilizer bar still on it ? with the links intact? The stab bar would limit travel somewhat.
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1978 mustang II t-top mach 1
1991 lincoln mark 7
1997 escort wagon type R
[email protected]
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-15-2001 05:16 AM
The springs are new.... Although I am thinking I should not have told them to give me the stiffest ones they could find.. It never had a rear stabelizer... I have one on a parts car to go on, but I don't think it's going to clear the 8.8" rear.. I'll know for sure after I finish up some of the brackets.. The shocks are Monroe Sens-a-tracs. They had been on there for a while and are probably due to be replaced.. But they worked fine the the barely existant old springs that had longer shackles..(So it would sit level) I was looking today about removing a leaf.. It rides incredibly too rough as it is, and it looks wrong sitting higher in the back.. (not to mention I really haven't had to steer all that much around the turns)
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mustangj
Gearhead Posts: 138
From: fergus,ontario,canada
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 04-15-2001 12:24 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maxwell_fax:
[B]The springs are new.... Although I am thinking I should not have told them to give me the stiffest ones they could find..Do you have the kinda shackels that are two pieces of metal with bolts and nut going though them? If so these are bad news. They can make your car 4 wheel steer! Consider getting new bushings for the leafs. Did you reuse all the factory shock brackets?
Does the mystery diff have the proper pinion angle dialed in? ------------------
1978 mustang II t-top mach 1
1991 lincoln mark 7
1997 escort wagon type R
[email protected]
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-16-2001 01:08 AM
All new bushings everywhere.. I welded the bolts onto the shackles.. The 4 wheel steer is kinda neat though.. All the brackes are factory. The only thing I did to the diff was change it to a traction lok, and put lower gears in it.. Pinion angle looked good.. Never had to move the perches.. How many leaves do your springs have? Mine have 5.. The originals had 4... [This message has been edited by Maxwell_fax (edited 04-16-2001).]
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mustangj
Gearhead Posts: 138
From: fergus,ontario,canada
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 04-16-2001 08:30 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maxwell_fax:
"How many leaves do your springs have? Mine have 5"I took my matchine to my friends shop to take some exhaust and frame connector pic's for you dudes. While up on the lift, I confirmed a 5 leave's in those springs. Durring a small test and tune I also confirmed I need much larger tires! [This message has been edited by mustangj (edited 04-22-2001).]
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-17-2001 02:54 AM
No offense taken... Used to be a service writer myself... Back to wrenching again on a daily basis now.. Thank god!I looked at a few of my parts cars today along with a Mach I V-8 (at the bone yard)which are what my springs are to be for... They are all 4 leaves as well.. The last time I had this problem was the way too long shackle incident... I am wondering if someone didn't add a leaf to be a smart *** ... I did ask for the stiffest &*(@$# springs they could get..
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mustangj
Gearhead Posts: 138
From: fergus,ontario,canada
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 04-22-2001 01:04 PM
Editing my message did not have the desired effect(putting it on the top of the pile), this ought to do it. Maxwell there are 5 leaves in my springs!
My Giha had aproximatlely 175 hp, the T-top has approximatley 275 hp. The Giha hooked and cooked with these springs, driving off the flat bed testing of the new combo shows wheel spin at idle! I pray after the body panels glass and bumpers go back on this will change! I have 185/70/13 roll around the garage tires mounted on scungy 5 slot aluminum ralleys on it right now too. I hope the huge? 205/60/13's will help. I also have G60 13's. Thoughts of the 245/50/13's that Mickey Thompson has, have past though my nogen too. Maybe season 1 of my II will consist of traction problems, season II will bring 14" magnum 500's and 245/60/14's out back with a five bolt upgrade. I would like to keep the stock Mach 1 look with the blue with black lower tone and white wheel thang happening. I figure magnums 500's will look close enough to what I have nicknamed magnum 400's (A.K.A ford four spoke steel ralley wheels!) Thinking out loud...I will shut up now! ------------------
1978 mustang II t-top mach 1
1991 lincoln mark 7
1997 escort wagon type R
[email protected]
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-22-2001 03:14 PM
Still think I am gonna try loosing a leaf.. The bumper I made has to weigh at least 30lbs more than the stock.. Not that it helped the wheel spin that much.. The 2.73's did that... Still working on the right ratio.. I hate to change anything till I decide what the hell I am going to do with wheels... I REALLY want to keep my little original nothing suspicious wheels but after converting 5 lug axles to four I dread doing the rotors when the brakes (more or less) get upgraded.. I been eyeing this set of hurricane/Cyclone whatever the Crown Vic wheels are called. Minus the center caps they look pretty sweet with really low white letter tires.. The words "traction" and "13 inch tires" don't really seem to fit together... I was given a set of really crazy assed wide 13's back in high school...
Burned the hell outta them.. And the bottom line is I have no clue what the hell is up with the rear I used.. I may never find 5 lug axles again for it.. I have searched high an low... I have the only 1974 Mercury Monarch that came with an 8.8" rear.. I didn't think they had an 8.8 yet in '74.. It ain't a Ranger rear either, the axle length is different.. Maybe I should just go buy a Focus... Got any suggestions on an exhaust tip?
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mustangj
Gearhead Posts: 138
From: fergus,ontario,canada
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 04-22-2001 06:42 PM
Maxwell: I will check tomorrow about your 8.8. My memory(which was right about my leaf springs), says 8.8's were brought out in 1981 for F150 trucks first before spreading to the cars. My suggestions for exhaust tips:
1. stainless boom tubes 3" (a la 5.0l mustang LX.)
2. Mac has these cool resonators that look like street bike silencers.
3. Percy Hazel's Has Flomaster megs, those look way-cool! his car is at mustangII.orgI think I may go the silencer route, they come in black or chrome. you either love or hate chrome. (I hate it). A Focus? Maybe the SVT 170hp one, nah, not even! A SVT Focus Wagon(if it existed), could replace my Type-R Scourt wagon, but never the II!! I need more money, so the daily drivers can get a turbo/supercharger (Scourt/mark7)!
Or maybe just finish my II?
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1978 mustang II t-top mach 1
1991 lincoln mark 7
1997 escort wagon type R
[email protected] [This message has been edited by mustangj (edited 04-22-2001).]
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-24-2001 05:25 AM
I was comparing the rear in my car to the one in a '91 Stang... The cover even looks different.. But all the stuff inside is die hard 8.8"... And I ordered axle seals for an early 90's Mustang 8.8"because none of the Grenade ones fit... I'm going to try find a part number on that thing somewhere and see if that'll give me any insite...Got the shocks remedied.. I put a set of the "K-Mart Specials" on there for the time being.. Fixed that right up... I dunno what was up with that last set.. Still thinking of loosing a leaf though... The exhaust tip would be for the Focus that I will NEVER own... I like being able to drive in the rain and not have to live in constant fear of the engine blowing.. Were I used to work we serviced a fleet of those little crappers for a company... They are flat out garbage... The exhaust on my II is not visable (actually not all there at the moment). I had mufflers with the tail pipes bent down, and just long enuff to do the job... However today I was screwing with it once again to see if I could figger out what was wrong.. It hasn't run right since the last redesign (Installed EFI an AOD and the Mystery Rear)I blamed the EFI for it not running right, that and the sluggish AOD.
The more I tampered the more it started resembling the symptoms of a plugged cat.. (Didn't think about the fact that after all those changes it got new duals run) SInce that thing hasn't had one of those since 2 days after it was bought the next step was mufflers.... At 2 a.m. I was driving up and down the road with open pipes hammering the hell out of it... It's always the simple little crap that makes one loose hair... Guess I am going muffler shopping again..
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mustangj
Gearhead Posts: 138
From: fergus,ontario,canada
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 04-24-2001 08:06 PM
Maxwell:No shame in a Focus. It might be a good idea not having to drive your Mustang II everyday. I like my II more now that it is not my daily driver! I spent $1000.00 on it in one month. The wirring harrness and the transmission died. When I desided to drop the transmission , I swapped in a new camshaft, in the engine. I decided, I should change the oil pan gasket(at the same time). In the oil pan I found 16 piston skirts! At that point I decided to buy a daily driver. I bought a string of 3/4cyl cars: 81and83 scourt, 84and82 SJ410 suzuki jeep thingy's, 93 Geo Metro 3cyl, and finally a 97 Scourt wagon (with brembo cross drilled rotors and Type-R style wheels). I thought to get gas milage I needed a small engine, enter the 91 Lincoin Mark 7. The Mark is a great car! On the days I don't care, it's a big confy couch, on the days I do it's plenty fast(15.60et at the track). It' mileage is just as good as the 97 scourt! Never will I buy another 3/4cyl car, V8 FI's forever. Not having to drive my Mustang has made it progress as a project much quicker. Its much more fun knowing I dont have to drive it to work the next day, when I have it all ripped apart! ------------------
1978 mustang II t-top mach 1
1991 lincoln mark 7
1997 escort wagon type R
[email protected]
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-25-2001 04:59 AM
dammit[This message has been edited by Maxwell_fax (edited 04-26-2001).]
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-25-2001 05:05 AM
I agree that is is nice to have a daily driver... A reliable daily driver.. As of so far the Focus does not qualify... I can tell you some neat horror stories about them..I am actually looking forward to daily driving my II again this summer.. I have barely driven it for 2 years.. The Gran Torino (My actual daily driver and stayin that way) is going for a cosmetic makeover. The plan was to drive the Mark IV. But with gas costing what it does, and in retrospect the II just needed some simple little things fixed, 20 -25 mpg sounds beter than 10-15..
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-25-2001 05:08 AM
OKay this is strange.. I posted twice and can't se either one...
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mustangj
Gearhead Posts: 138
From: fergus,ontario,canada
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 04-26-2001 09:53 AM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maxwell_fax:
" 20 -25 mpg sounds better than 10-15mpg"Wow 20-25mpg, I would be happy if my 15 gallon cell would get me to work and back!
next life time I think all put a Turbo 4 5 speed combo in the II, then drive it's wheels off!
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1978 mustang II t-top mach 1
1991 lincoln mark 7
1997 escort wagon type R
[email protected]
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 04-27-2001 12:11 AM
When I first got the thing put all together I though the gas guage had gone nutty on me... After checking the milage a few times I was afraid... THat car hasn't seen anything near that since it was a 2.8
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TomP
Moderator Posts: 2359
From: Delta BC Canada
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 04-29-2001 03:19 AM
that "8.8" should be an 8.5 actually...not much fits the same The front shocks were the ones i had problems with ...Pintos looked similar but were different length
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toastcgm
Journeyman Posts: 5
From:
Registered: May 2001
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posted 05-26-2001 10:59 PM
No, This is shocking!!!!!!
check out : http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=591760233
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 05-27-2001 03:28 AM
Shocking that is... I used to have a II with a completely trashed red interior... That is mainly why I sold it.. DOAH!!!!And I have an answer for sure what the mystery rear is... I had a friend that works at the Ford dealer look up the part number...
It is an 8.7" rear... Used in a damn few v-8 Monarchs and even fewer v-8 Granadas.. Guess the .1" doesn't matter too much... I used the gears and diff from a truck 8.8" in that housing...
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mustangj
Gearhead Posts: 138
From: fergus,ontario,canada
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 05-28-2001 10:00 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maxwell_fax
"It is an 8.7" rear..." You learn something new every day, but what the :?+   ------------------
1978 mustang II t-top mach 1
1991 lincoln mark 7
1997 escort wagon type R
[email protected]
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Maxwell_fax
Gearhead Posts: 102
From: Port Royal, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 05-29-2001 05:51 AM
Somebody made a boo boo casting some gears so they just used them up??? Damned if I know..
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LeadfootLuk
Journeyman Posts: 2
From:
Registered: May 2001
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posted 05-30-2001 09:24 PM
I had the same problem of my shocks not being long enough in the rear. The way I found out was after I installed Southside Machine Bars in the back, I kept snapping off shock bolts. My solution was to replace the shocks with shocks for a 78 T-Bird.
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jshcobra
Journeyman Posts: 5
From: Berlin, Wisconsin, USA
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-01-2001 12:28 PM
I had one of 'dem wierd axles in my Cobra for a while. It came out of a 76 v8 granada and fit right in my II with no mods. Worked great until the pinion shaft wore to the point where it would not seal so I trashed it and swapped in a 9" from a 67 Cougar.Someone up the post mentioned Magnum 500s on their II. Thats what I used on my Cobra and they look great.
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