Yep, it's a cheaper (probably) FujiFilm camera from 2001. It does have a flat front and the flash is about 1cm from the lens. It was an one of the gifts we got from Ford Motor Company for making Senior Master Tech while on a cruise they sent us on. They actually had cash flow at that time(!). Anyways, it still could be some alien entities or ghostly apparitions (love Ghostbusters).

Well, speaking of the car (huh?) time to get my ass out to the garage now.

Update time, and you guys always want to see pictures so here's a few more from my cheap ass camera to prove I haven't been slacking, really I haven't!

NSMC Member since 02/2005, Life Member for a couple years. Location: Rib Mountain-suburb of Wausau WI Street Machine: 1979 Dodge Aspen 440/Auto, owned since 1987

Thanks guys! I don't think it will be too nice to drive, although I will never drive it in the rain if at all avoidable. BTM, of course the garage is heated. T-stat is set at a nice comfy (for me anyways) 70 degrees. If only the house was insulated as well as the garage...................... Actually, to keep the garage at 70 all winter long only adds about 10% to the gas bill. To show where my priorities are, the garage is also air conditioned, but the house isn't. Go figure. Well, better grab some grub and get out there pretty soon.

making good progress there, aspen. but, it's been awhile since i've offended you. have you been breathing in too many paint fumes?

lookin real good there aspen.it's a time consuming project when you do a project like you are doing--but it is worht it when your done .keep on keepin on....

                                             "eviltwin"

You like the color Biscayne? Don't see why   Of all the colors this car has been over the last 21 years I've owned it, I think I fianlly hit on THE color. Was silver w/red stripes when I bought it (factory paint), then it was silver w/ Panther Pink stripes in a stock pattern. After that it was Sub Lime green w/white accents, then burgandy w/dark silver stripes (again in the stock pattern more or less) and now the B5 Blue, which is the color it will be until I'm in the ground.


Well Sate, it's taken 10 years of off and on work in my spare time (what's that???) to get to this point. Hopefully, it doesn't take you quite that long!

The end bushings (at the control arms) can be had from NAPA

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=NCP&PartNumber=2673362&Description=Torsion+Bar+Mount+-+Front+Suspension

The pivot bushings used to be available from Just Suspension, but they don't list them anymore. An alternative is the urethane ones from Firm Feel, and they also have the end bushing assy's (unsure if they're urethane or regular rubber).

http://firmfeel.com/torsionb_fmj.htm

The end bushings need to have the rivet ground off and then punched out. In theory, the whole assy would slip off the torsion bar but there's a good chance it's won't. Repeated soaking with a good penetrating oil will help. On mine, I ended up having to cut the outer sleeve off, then the rubber and finally, CAREFULLY cutting the inner sleeve with a whizzer wheel so it would release. With it all cleaned up, the new ones pretty much slide right on and are held with the nut/bolt that come with the bushing kit.

The pivot bushings are a PITA. . Since the brackets will need to be reused (unless you can find new ones someplace yet) so probably the best way is to use a hacksaw and go between the two bracket halves to cut the spot welds apart. I had new brackets so I drilled the welds and used a BFH and chisel which destroyed them. The urethane ones are split for installation and the two bracket halves are held together when bolted back up to the k-frame.

Seems as if when the transverse torsion bar setup was designed, they never intended the bushings to be replaced or something! Make a note of the indexing of the torsion bar hex to adjusting arm position for reassembly also, and don't forget to grease the inside of the hex socket. I haven't found a source for the boots, but mine were in good shape so I just cleaned and reused them. Haven't checked, but there's a good possiblility that the boots for the longitudinal torsion bars are the same (they appear to be).

Just for Spaceman, here's a couple of photo's of the before and after type. Haven't gotten anything major done, but have been spending time on the smaller stuff. It all has to be done eventually, and smaller things don't take as long. Kind of gives a person the satisfaction of progress, and brings the enthusiasm level back up during these never ending silly cold, snow every other day, days!

NS

MC Member s

ince 02/20

05, Life Member for a couple years. Location: Rib Mountain-suburb of Wausau WI Street Machine: 1979 Dodge Aspen 440/Auto, owned since 1987

Looking good Aspen I cannot wait to see the end result. I call shotgun for first ride....

Very Impressive and Insprieing  Aspen!    I have a 68 barracuda for 32 years now. Hasn't been on the road for the last 15.  Needs a total redoing!  I had new quarters put on it this past year and rebuilt a 340 for it. Hope to spend more time on it this year! 

   http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr252/51coupe/d67f5349-1.jpg

Hey 51, at least I know I'm not the only one to have a car like your Barracuda! Have had the Aspen for almost 22 years and the sticker on the plates says '96'.

Think I must have inherited patience from my dad. He is absolutley the most patient person I've ever known. Come to think of it, I can only recal a handful of times when he got even slightly angry. He can spend hours upon hours working on one fender of his car (for example) until it's PERFECT inside and outside. It doesn't bother him one bit to go to the DMV, that's how patient he is.

Well, off to the garage.................................................................