Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

[JOES66FURY]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

You got lucky the bolts came out and didn't snap off in the intake.

Lucky, luck would have been if they did break off, he couldnt ez-out them, and then had to buy a nice aluminum piece...that would have been luck!

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

You got lucky the bolts came out and didn't snap off in the intake.

Lucky, luck would have been if they did break off, he couldnt ez-out them, and then had to buy a nice aluminum piece...that would have been luck!

I have an Edelbrock all ready to go.

[Huskinhano]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

Did you use anti-seize? I always use it on stuff like that. I'm working on my wife's 99 Forester. Started out as just replacing the lower ball joints. Still working on it. The driver's side BJ is held in with a pinch bolt and the BJ fits into a socket on the spindle. With all the salt used on the roads up here, the pinch bolt broke off flush and the BJ is solidly stuck in the spindle on the driver's side. Went on line and ordered a used spindle from a wrecking yard...which showed up with the same problem. They sent a second one....again with a broken bolt. Had to drill it out on my drill press. I used anti seize on everything!

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

Did you use anti-seize? I always use it on stuff like that. I'm working on my wife's 99 Forester. Started out as just replacing the lower ball joints. Still working on it. The driver's side BJ is held in with a pinch bolt and the BJ fits into a socket on the spindle. With all the salt used on the roads up here, the pinch bolt broke off flush and the BJ is solidly stuck in the spindle on the driver's side. Went on line and ordered a used spindle from a wrecking yard...which showed up with the same problem. They sent a second one....again with a broken bolt. Had to drill it out on my drill press. I used anti seize on everything!

If a bolt breaks in this intake, it's going to find the dumpster all that much quicker. I have an Eddy Performer sitting and waiting for it's chance to work.

That sucks what happened to your parts, but I'm not worried on this one.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

I started getting dirty today and discovered that the 12 bolt has seriously weenie, mileage counter 2.56 gears. I've never seen so many teeth on a pinion.

Pics are coming later.

[milner351]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

2.56!

Sweet mother of lumbering highway rpms!

Save those babies for the landspeed guys - someone will undoubtedly want them.

Are you going to put in a 700r4 and some "fun" gears like 3.73 or 4.10?

[Blazerteam]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

2.56!

Sweet mother of lumbering highway rpms!

Save those babies for the landspeed guys - someone will undoubtedly want them.

Are you going to put in a 700r4 and some "fun" gears like 3.73 or 4.10?

4 door 78-82 Cutlass diesels,got 2,29.... ;D

[yogreasygramma]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

I love highway gears!! MPH rules!! ;D I have 2.73s in my 2nd gen Montes, but a 2.41 in my 84 Monte. Goes like the devil on the highway and wouldn't trade it for anything.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

I decided to install the other 12 bolt I have with the 3.31 gears. For the first time since I bought this car I'm getting excited about it and the thought of driving it.

I fixed my computer virus issue and will be uploading pics tonight.

[Blazerteam]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

I decided to install the other 12 bolt I have with the 3.31 gears. For the first time since I bought this car I'm getting excited about it and the thought of driving it.

I fixed my computer virus issue and will be uploading pics tonight.

Guess you use the original 12 bolt from the Caprice on the Imp then...with 3,42 or 3,73 gears...?.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

Yeah, the caprices original 12 bolt will get an Eaton style posi and Richmond 3.73 gears I have set aside. DF says the 2.56 gears are popular with the land speed crowd. I may put them up for sale on one of their websites.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

First thing I did was take the tools and toss them into the trunk. About a 150 lbs total tools and parts. The ass dropped at least two inches to the butt dragger look. I hate that look.


Rear springs on 65 70 B bodies are easy to remove. Just remove the shocks and let the diff drop. Then rejack it up to take tension off the single 3/8 bolt holding it to the lower trailing arm.



Yep that tiny bolt keeps the spring on the trailing arm.


Even the older spring is taller than the new '70 heavy duty station wagon spring, it's half the weight. It still has the tag on it with the WI code and part #. The original rubber pads were still there and in great shape. The hex plate is what the spring sits on.


The spring is in.


I then opened up the rear diff. This was the first time I ever seen in here. Not sure what that yellow painted X is about. My info says that big block, auto Caprices were supposed to get 3.08's, but this rear has 2.56's. It's a bit of a bummer, but I'm also amazed how this worn out car was able to lay rubber at ease even these gears. With all the rare options on this car, I'm guessing the gear ratio was ordered as well. Ever seen so many teeth on a pinion before?


The date says Sept 69 and the 16 41 show the teeth count.


At this point, I didn't want this high of gear. I bought another 12 bolt for the Impala that has 3.31 gears that are in fantastic shape. The car it came out only had 43K miles on it before it was parked next a barn and rotted away. So, out came the Caprices differential. The other 12 bolt came out of it's hiding place and I got work on it. I removed the brake assemblys off the Caprices diff because I didn't want to fight to get the parking brake cables to get them out.


Next I was going to install the Lock Rite locker set up in the other 12 bolt while it was out of the vehicle to save my back some pain.


First thing to do is remove the spider gears and thrust washers.


The next step was to install side plates re using the thrust washers. This is also where I ran into a logistics problem. The next step requires putting the axles back in, but I can't do that until the brakes are back on. I can't put the brakes on until the diff is back under the car. So I stopped here on the Lock Rite install to get the diff in the car.


Another problem were the lower trailing arm bushings. They were wasted. I wasn't planning on replacing at this time, but I can't bolt the diff back on these. Note, the bolt shaft is supposed to be in the middle of the rubber bushing. See that tool tray and little socket box. Those are the tools I used 99% of the time. On suspensions, I have to break out the big wrenches and 1/2 drive socket set. They are in the tray.


Yes, I had to remove the new springs, but it doesn't take long. I removed the lower trailing arms, bought four new bushings, and spent an hour and a half listening to Carl beat them out with a hammer. We used the vise he has in his bedroom to work on bicycles. My ears are still ringing.


I was worn out and to run errands before going back to work, so I quit here. It was a let down. I was hoping to have the rear done this weekend.

[Blazerteam]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

It should be quicker now with 3,31..i guess you have checked those bushings in the other end of those arms..they could be in the same condition as the ones that are toast..

[milner351]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

It's bushings like that that make me happy I have a press, or even happier to visit a friends shop with an electric over hydraulic press and all the press tooling you could ever want.... I hate using a hammer for stuff like that - I always end up breaking something.

This caprice is going to feel like you put a new engine in it with that gear change. Nice work.

[TheSilverBuick]

Re: Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice project

Dang, I don't have any pictures of the 2.41 gears I had from a second gen F-body. Now that's a lot of teeth! Had 2.56's also in the Seville axle I pulled for the Skylark. Mailed both set of gears off to GreenJunk here in one flat rate box for $14 :D 36lbs, it should of been criminal.