I have a 73 dart swinger with a 402 crate motor, 727, to a ford 8.8 rearend with 3.73 gears posi and disc brakes. 8 stack leaf spring pass. And 6 stack driver side. It's hard to get traction to launch. I was told I don't need traction bars if I don't have wheel hop. Is this true and what else are some options.

 

Pete -

Traction bars will stabilize the launch, but not "increase" traction. If you want to go that route Cal-tracs are a better option.

Now for the bad news... besides the springs (which may be too stiff), is the rest of the suspension original? If so, the odds are it worn, and may need replacement/upgrade.

Sorry, you didn't give us a lot of info.

Archer

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Do you mean that your spinning the tires? It really depends on how your hitting the tires i.e. converter rpm.

If you have someone or a camera to record the rear at launch you would like to see the leaf springs drive the axle down. If it doesn't maybe the springs are too stiff, you could try unstrapping all the leaves behind the axle.

 

Sticky tires, slicks, drag radial's.

 

Hummmmmm

 

Just bragging?

 

Thank you and my apologies. I'm new to this. My father was the brains behind this and he's no longer with us anymore. Front has new v8 torsion bars the rest is from a later model duster for disc brakes and big bolt pattern. The rear has adjustable air shocks and the brand new leafs. What else should I be paying attention to.

 

coronet500 that's exactly what it's doing. And I don't want to just start guessing and replacing parts. Converter is 11" and I think around a 2500 stall. I have a BM 10" with a 3500 stall that my dad wanted to put in. Any suggestions.

 

Pete -

Most any car here will spin the tires on call, especially one with those gears. Depending on the output of the motor, new bushings and subframe connectors may be in order, but the springs may still be too stiff and that too can work against you, as will a higher stall converter. Air shocks can actually help, put setting up the right/left pressures has to be by trail and error (I used to do that when I was racing).

I don't think stickier tires are a good solution for a street car. More wear and tear on the drive train and more frequent tire replacement. For a race or semi-race car, that's something else.

Sounds like the car was put together right, and it might just be you learning how to launch it - and that's not just mashing the pedal.

Archer

 

Hahahahahahahaha.......

 

Sound to me as if the car has the rear set up with super stock springs?
If thats the case... Air shock are going to be its problem as far as I know. Those type of springs require a much longer acting shock.... I would also use a Mickey Thompson street radial on the car myself.....

 

Can you tell us the part # on the springs?

It may start with P3690###