Drove the Valiant to the scales today....as a comparison, I've also listed my 68 Barracuda which is the 'same' car except different engine/trans, etc.

It's interesting that both cars have approximately the same weight distribution (54/46).

It's not as easy to explain why the cuda is heavier on the back axle. Both cars have 8-3/4" rear ends and 10" brakes. The cuda has lighter wheels by a little.

As for the front axle, the cuda has an aluminum headed 499" big block and 727 trans as compared to the iron 225 / 904. The cuda also has a much bigger radiator, heavier carb, etc. But it has manual steering and the Valiant has power steering.

One thing is for sure - the Valiant has a Miracle Suspension. I call it that because on the highway, at 75MPH, it drives straight and very smoothly. If you turn the wheel to the Left a little, it goes to the left a little. Same for the Right. If you push the brake pedal, the car slows down. That is the Miracle - anyone who has read any magazine or watched any TV show in the past 15 years knows that these cars came with near-death suspension and brakes and the only solution is to have the boys at Gas Monkey weld a new frame under the car.

How much does it cost to weigh your car anyway?

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

$11 at that place, anyway. If you go to Bartlett, you can use the scales there for free after hours if you peek in the window and catch the reflection off the glass.

Thanks for the data. About what I would expect. Not sure if you are joking about the suspension. The brakes were definitely scary, but every A-body I've had really steered and drove nicely, assuming front/rear end parts were in good shape. I have never liked the power steering, though, and those handle/steer noticeably worse than manual. My favorite is the 20:1 manual box.

Cheers,
Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Yes, I'm kidding...the car drives wonderfully....even with the big meats in back and 50 year old front end.

OK, thought so but was not sure. Deadpan... People cannot believe how well my cars handle on a roadcourse or autoX.
Cheers,
Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

More glass Makes the back of the ' Cuda Heavier.

Also More 'Schtuff for the fold down rear seat.. That's all heavier.

Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Good point...but this is a notchback.

Are those the 111" wb Vs th 108" for your valiant?

Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

No. Dodge used the 111" WB and Plymouth used the 108" WB. At least in 1968.

I really can't think of a good reason the cuda weighs more in back. As much as I hate to say it, even though it is the same scale, maybe the scale is off between the two measurements. I'm always distrustful of scales...

You will have some weight from the bigger engine and trans that sits on the rear tires. All of that weight is not far forward of the center of mass. Not sure if that will be enough to explain it, but some of it will.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Yeah, I kinda figured that too...but if the bigger engine/trans weighed 300 lbs more, I don't see how over 100 lbs of that could end up over the back axle. The cuda does have the factory AC box under the dash so that definitely adds a little weight to the car, too. Then, the exhaust is heavier and for sure some of that is over the rear end.

Yep, 50-70 from the engine+trans, 10-15 from the AC and the rest from exhaust.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I think that AC box adds a couple hundred pounds lol

Believe it or not, as far as heater boxes go, A/C adds 5-10 pounds at the most. A/C cores are aluminum, and not usually very big. I took all of the A/C stuff from a 73 Road Runner I had (back in the day) and was disappointed that the heater box lost 4 pounds. Of course, the compressor weighs a ton.
I agree that since most of the engine/trans is between the axles, the weight would be felt on both axles.

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-MattMan
LEANED & MEAN