This is a 67 Malibu 4-door coupe (no b-pillar!) I bought a few years back to drive while my 2-door 67 Malibu was getting paint. It was a one-owner with 98,000 miles and nearly no rust. The rear wheel lips were a little thin, but other than that this was the most solid car of this age I have ever owned. It is a 283/glide car w/ 3.08 gears. I bought it for $1,000.
Since my 2-door was in the shop, I put my 17" Torque-Thrusts on it and cruised it. A friend of mine needed it, so I sold it to him a week or three later. In the 3-4 years since that, the car has got some attention. It got disc brakes from SSBC, fresh paint and trim, new interior, and a stereo. I also did some engine work; it has a Holley 550, Performer intake, Performer cam, and dual exhaust. Last spring I swapped the 'Glide for a TH350. So, it is a great cruiser. It is a really fun car to pile all the guys into and go for burgers.
Over the past year, however, the car has been less and less fun to drive. It will suddenly, and without warning, jump about 3 feet. Very dangerous, and scary to drive. Here's what I found:
NOT wanting to risk any further wear (and potential accidents), I ordered a kit from Performance Suspension in Phoenix. It includes all new ball joints, bushings, tie rod ends, idler arm, and sway bar bushings. I also ordered new shocks and a center link (which is the worst piece in the front suspension, as you can see in the video). The parts cost just under $500, and will transform the car.
I also ordered a new pair of front tires from a local tire shop. They have BFG KDW's on sale. A 235/45-17 they are selling for $119!! Here's the current ones:
So, this is my project for the next few weeks, as I have time. I really enjoy working on this car for my buddy. Its like owning it myself, but not having to pay for it. Good stuff! Here's where it will be for the next few weeks, in my garage.
Since my 2-door was in the shop, I put my 17" Torque-Thrusts on it and cruised it. A friend of mine needed it, so I sold it to him a week or three later. In the 3-4 years since that, the car has got some attention. It got disc brakes from SSBC, fresh paint and trim, new interior, and a stereo. I also did some engine work; it has a Holley 550, Performer intake, Performer cam, and dual exhaust. Last spring I swapped the 'Glide for a TH350. So, it is a great cruiser. It is a really fun car to pile all the guys into and go for burgers.
Over the past year, however, the car has been less and less fun to drive. It will suddenly, and without warning, jump about 3 feet. Very dangerous, and scary to drive. Here's what I found:
NOT wanting to risk any further wear (and potential accidents), I ordered a kit from Performance Suspension in Phoenix. It includes all new ball joints, bushings, tie rod ends, idler arm, and sway bar bushings. I also ordered new shocks and a center link (which is the worst piece in the front suspension, as you can see in the video). The parts cost just under $500, and will transform the car.
I also ordered a new pair of front tires from a local tire shop. They have BFG KDW's on sale. A 235/45-17 they are selling for $119!! Here's the current ones:
So, this is my project for the next few weeks, as I have time. I really enjoy working on this car for my buddy. Its like owning it myself, but not having to pay for it. Good stuff! Here's where it will be for the next few weeks, in my garage.
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