HHR LS Swap Rat Rod
#231
Didn't hit it as hard today. More thinking than doing Did get the plug wires made up and on the cap. Heater hoses are connected at the firewall. Need a 45* outlet coming out of the intake. Got the dip stick put in, and swapped out those fancy valve cover bolts out for regular bolts. Probably all I'll do today. Next thing on the agenda is getting the tranny mount bolted up
#233
Those were installed with no weight and now can be one of the reasons it's sitting to high because the control arms aren't set in the correct position and the rubber of the bushings is fighting you. Adding the radiator/fluid/bumper would help before doing it also.
If need be install 6 cylinder springs from that year Camaro.
Last edited by Cat Man HHR; 11-20-2017 at 11:48 AM.
#234
Have you tried rolling it back forth? Push it down the driveway and back. Push come to shove install 6 cylinder springs from the same year Camaro.
Another thing that comes to mind are the top control arms. With the weight now on the front end loosen the large nuts at both ends for both arms and bounce/roll the car. The serrations of the bushings won't grab the shaft and washer allowing movement which will free up the suspension then tighten them up. You can also do it to the bottom ones also at the same time.
Those were installed with no weight and now can be one of the reasons it's sitting to high because the control arms aren't set in the correct position and the rubber of the bushings is fighting you. Adding the radiator/fluid/bumper would help before doing it also.
Another thing that comes to mind are the top control arms. With the weight now on the front end loosen the large nuts at both ends for both arms and bounce/roll the car. The serrations of the bushings won't grab the shaft and washer allowing movement which will free up the suspension then tighten them up. You can also do it to the bottom ones also at the same time.
Those were installed with no weight and now can be one of the reasons it's sitting to high because the control arms aren't set in the correct position and the rubber of the bushings is fighting you. Adding the radiator/fluid/bumper would help before doing it also.
#236
Bottoms might actually be tight, didn't even think about that. And yes, on the upper control arms I mean the large nuts. They're just barely run on.
#238
Got a little done today. Holidays always take up extra time. Got the original hhr bumper welded onto my subframe today. Mounted the bottom of the radiator to it. Made u shaped brackets that the radiator slides into. Got 1/4" rubber in all the brackets anywhere the radiator touches it. Top mounts are bolt on, so removing is a breeze. Mounted the factory HHR electric fan onto the radiator. I'm planning on running a fan switch on the manifold opposite the heater hose. Got a set of Autometer gauges on the way as well. Mechanical Speedo, and 4 electric gauges. Need to buy myself a tachometer for Christmas.
Last edited by RattyHHR; 11-27-2017 at 12:12 PM. Reason: Spelling