hi i have a 75 scamp im puting in a modified slant six and i want good handeling what size rims would be best and torsion bars to use and sway bar size all those things i need to know oh and what would be a good steering box thanks alot

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yo yo i be bill

(a) rims: 15x7 aluminium slotted mags

(b) torsion bars: bars out of an A/c equipped v-8 car

(c) sway bar: factory thickness from Addco

(d) steering box: power steering gear box from a junked diplomat or gran fury cop car

I'd use a 19:1 or 20:1 manual steering box..........

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

I'd use bigger than stock torsion bars. I had 1.04" torsion bars in my race car and with the right shocks it rode fine. Even so I went down to .990" bars for my street car. The big thing though is in using good shocks and this means spending $80+ for each shock.

For wheels 15x7" is a good start. I like OE aluminum Chrysler wheels if you can find them since they fit best. In any case you want 4.25" backspacing which id +6mm offset.

Do you have manual or power steering? Again, the race car had 16:1 manual which is great until you try to park. 20:1 is a good compromise for manual steering. For power I went with a Firm Feel rebuilt box.

Joshua

Ed,

20:1 manual steering is available, but where does one find 19:1? And how on earth did you end up with 42:1?

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Joshua

The flaming river manual box is 19:1

It's 24:1, but feels like 42:1......

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

I hate to be contrary, but Firm Feel offers 24, 20 and 16:1 manual boxes. http://www.firmfeel.com/manualst.htm Dick built the 16:1 box for my race car and will likely build a 20:1 box for my Valiant. I'm a walk-in customer of his.

I see. I know the feeling.

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Joshua

what would a stock steering box ratio be and would it be ok to use and would rims from a cordoba work i think there 15x7 with 4 1/4 or 4 1/2 backspacing and what tires would be best

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yo yo i be bill

Stock manual is 24:1

It's ok, but a bit slow. You can always change the steering box later.

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

It should not need to be said that all bushings , ball joints and tie rods must be in good condition.

In order of effectiveness in relation to money and effort expended:

Wheel alignment

Good rims to fit good tires,,,,I like a width of at least 235.

Good shocks. KBY or if you are cheap : NAPA premium gas shocks (or similar)...

Sway bar on the front. 5 leaf springs on the rear

With good shocks and a swaybar I find heavy torsion bars less necessary (I live in a land of rough winding roads)

I have a 24:1 manual box and dont mind it....but I never parallel park.....so I would take a 20:1 box if free.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

I converted my stock power box car over to stock manual steering.

I consider myself (my arms..) more towards the noodly side of things. The manual box took a while to get used to, first manual car I drove, but once I got used to it I loved it. I really don't notice having to turn the wheel more. I'm not so sure I want to move to a 20:1 box, would have to try one before I buy one, otherwise I'm quite happy with the stock box. And you can find them cheap used too, got mine for ~$100 from a moparts.com parts for sale posting. May be a good way to go, get a used manual stock box and decide from there if you want to go to a 20:1 box.

With a 15x7 rim, I consider a 205 or 215 ideal (and it's easier to steer with a manual box).

Balanced sway bars. You want front and rear I'd say 1 1/8" F, 3/4" R.


And I don't like stiff suspensions, with the shape of roads nowdays, you want the suspension to be supple and handle the rough roads.

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

No need for a rear bar if you use the stiffer 5 leaf rear springs.

I like more tire...my driving is never in the city ......every vehicle in our fleet has at least 235 tires....my GF's Eagle Talon 255/55/16, Roadmaster 235/70/15LT, Sub 265/70/16.........Valaint 235/60/14

I can just squeak 245/60/14 on the Valaint.....prefer the 235s.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Sandy, what rear do you have on your Valiant, and what rim dimensions (offset, etc)?

I'm about to buy tires for my '64, and am concerned about fitting in the rear wheelwells.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

I have a 7.25 rear.....14x8 Appliance Industries rims,,,,,Methinks the backspace is 4.25.(but that may be the Roadmaster Im remembering)

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....