DIY Network

1965 Mustang Restoration: Chassis and Handling Upgrade Modern chassis upgrades on the '65 Mustang will enhance the driving experience, contributing to that sensation of "feeling the road." From "Classic Car Restoration" episode DCR-504

(Continued from page 1)

Steve installs the traction bar.

[PAGE SEPARATOR]Steve continues the chassis upgrades by installing traction bars, which control handling during acceleration. Keller Wallace welds the traction bars onto the car and Steve offers tips on welding. Steve also notes the added engine compartment bracing in the form of a "Monte Carlo Bar".

Tools and materials:

traction bars
MIG welder
die grinder
welding safety equipment
fire extinguisher

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Traction Bars

The rear traction bar bracket mounts to the leaf spring retainer plate.

• Start by loosening and removing the mounting bolt nuts.

• To relieve the pressure on the suspension, position the jack stand under the leaf spring.

• The traction bar goes into position, fitting the bracket onto the retainer plate studs and the nuts go on.

• You may need to push up on the shock absorber to relieve the pressure on the plate and studs.

• Gradually torque the fasteners down to the specs of the car in pounds, going around the bracket twice.

• With the traction bar raised into position in the front, mark the outer area of the bracket where it will be welded to the chassis.

• Before welding, it's important to grind the weld area down to bare metal, which is possible using a die-grinder.

• You only need to sand the outer bracket areas where the weld will be.

• To make our welds, we use a MIG welder, which stands for metal inert gas. The gas is usally argon.

• Safety Alert: Wear proper safety gear if you choose to weld yourself. Also, it's always important to have a fire extinguisher on hand when welding. Sparks will fly.

• Apply bead welds around the traction bar bracket. The MIG welder works by applying electrical power to a metal wire which is fed through the center of an inert gas cone. The heat then melts the wire and the exposed metal, creating bead welds.

• Make sure that the feed line is not kinked, which would cause irregular welds.

• After welding, it's important to apply chassis paint to the area, to prevent rusting and corrosion.

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RESOURCES :

Special resources for DIY's Classic Car Restoration 500 series: 1965 Mustang

Mustang Club of America
www.mustang.org

Mustang Central
vintage Mustang parts
www.mustangcentral.com

Motorbooks Publishing
www.motorbooks.com

Class-Tech-Cars
www.class-tech-cars.com

Holley Performance Products
www.holley.com

Flowmaster Exhaust Products
www.flowmastermufflers.com

Genuine Hot Rod Hardware
www.genuinehotrod.com

Revelation Racing Supply
www.rrs-online.com

National Parts Depot
www.npdlink.com

Classic Auto Air
www.classicautoair.com

Pertronix Performance Products
www.pertronix.com

Stainless Steel Brake Corp.
www.ssbrakes.com

Painless Performance Products
www.painlessperformance.com

Loctite Products
www.henkel.com

Paintucation
www.paintucation.com

Dupli-Color Paints
www.duplicolor.com

Norton Abrasives
www.nortonabrasives.com

Dremel Tools
www.dremel.com

Classic High Performance Audio
Product: audio equipment

Direct Source
www.the-direct-source.com
Product: stereo electronic equipment

Dakota Digital Instruments
www.dakotadigital.com
Product: digital dashboard

Mustang Project
www.mustangproject.com
Product: LED sequential taillight system

GUESTS :

Keller Wallace
Keller Wallace Street Rods
Volunteer Street Rod Association
Knoxville, TN